It's easy and fun to throw a great party with these best kickback party ideas, games, and food. It's all about spending an effortless, relaxing time with friends.
What is a kickback party?
Just as the name implies, a kickback party is a low-key party where everyone knows each other, and the focus is to spend time relaxing with plenty of food and drinks. The activities are also low-key, like playing games, dancing, or floating around in the pool.
Kickback vs party
Kickback parties are stress-free versions of parties. It's easier to host a kickback party because the focus is on simple and easy entertaining without the hassle and drawbacks of a big party. The kickback party is usually a small band of friends vs. big group bashes with many party guests.
Parties usually require a lot of preparation, expense, and clean-up for a hostess. However, a kickback party is a low-key affair that requires minimal preparation and clean-up for the hostess.
What do you do at a kickback party?
A kickback party's focus is on having a relaxed time with close friends. The activities you choose to spend time on can vary, but they will all be low-key activities. Here are some ideas.
- Play games
- Sit around and talk
- Watch a movie
- Enjoy a meal or snacks together
- Cook something together
- Float in the pool and talk
What do you need to throw a low key party?
The beauty of a kickback party is, you don't need much to have a great party. Get some good music, enough chairs for a group of friends to sit around and talk, a few delicious recipes or easy takeout, and you will have the perfect party.
How do you host the party?
It's so easy to host an impromptu kickback party. The theme is all about keeping it simple and relaxing with close friends. Below you will find everything you need to get inspired to throw a fun and easy kickback party.
Invitations
No fancy invitations are needed. How about sending a group text with a fun party gif to everyone. Give them the date, time and what they need to bring. Also, ask for an RSVP back to the text so you can easily plan how to set up your party and how much to serve.
It would also be easy to send everyone an email invitation from a service like Evite. It will be delivered right into their inbox, and they can RSVP easily with the click of a button.
Party Theme ideas
It's easier to host a party if you pick a fun theme. This helps you narrow down your activities and menus. It also gives your friends an idea of what to wear and bring.
Movie Night: A fun way to spend an evening with friends that will really allow y'all to chill is to host a movie night. Provide a few snacks, some drinks, and a good movie, and you have the makings for a fun night. popcorn link
Potluck Dinner: Host an old-fashioned potluck dinner. You provide the main dish, and everyone else brings sides and dessert.
Dance Party: Host an outdoor dance party night. Set up some speakers outside and clear an area for a dance floor. String some fun light around the dance floor. You could serve easy snacks and plenty of beverages since everyone will get thirsty.
Mexican Party: Everyone loves tortilla chips & salsa to start a party off! You can easily make a Mexican food bar before guests arrive. If you need party ideas, visit EASY MEXICAN DINNER PARTY or EASY MEXICAN PARTY IDEAS.
Mocktail Party: A fun and relaxing party idea is a mocktail party. Here are over 40 MOCKTAIL RECIPES to try. You could purchase the ingredients or have each friend pick a recipe and bring the ingredients. Set out the bar area before your guests arrive, and be sure to have plenty of ice and snacks.
Takeout Party: Here is a really easy idea. Have everyone bring their favorite takeout food. Set them all out and let everyone have a sample from each dish brought. It will be fun to try new things and maybe find some new favorites.
Cocktail Party: Have everyone bring the makings for their own signature cocktail. Make a game out of it award prizes for the best cocktail, the most unusual or prettiest.
Backyard Party: Throwing a relaxed party in your backyard is a great way to spend time with friends. Set up a corn hole game, a badminton game, or get a kiddie pool to soak your feet in if it's hot. On cool nights make a fire pit your friends can gather around. Try some of these BACKYARD DINNER PARTY IDEAS.
Pool Party: A pool party with a focus on relaxing is sure to be a hit with your friends. Get some great music playing, makes some snacks and drinks to serve. Oh, and be sure you provide enough floats for everyone to relax and enjoy a sip of their drink while floating around.
Italian Dinner Party: Your friends will love coming over and enjoying a slow, relaxed Italian dinner. You can even make it super low-key but picking up takeout from your favorite Italian restaurant. Also, grab a few bottles of Italian wine to serve. It would also be fun to have friends over to help prepare a meal together. I have some great recipes and ideas in this ITALIAN DINNER PARTY post.
Birthday Bash: If someone is having a birthday in your group of friends, throw them a birthday bash. Remember, keep it simple. Pick up some of their favorite take-out and serve their favorite cocktail, beer, or wine. Play a game they really enjoy or watch their favorite movie. The whole evening could be centered around this friend's favorite things.
Pizza & Beer Night: This couldn't be easier; order some delivery pizza and have everyone bring a six-pack of their favorite beer to share.
Party games
When it comes to kickback party games, focus on fun party games that everyone will think is a good idea and easy to play.
- Video games: everyone loves a good competitive video game
- Board games: be sure and pick one that everyone can play or have several different games going at one time.
- Card games: Cards are always a fun party game and economical because all you need is a deck of cards.
- Outdoor games: cornhole, croquet, and volleyball are all fun games for a crowd.
Kickback party food
When throwing a kickback party, keep the focus on making it easy for you and relaxing for friends. Choose easy-to-make recipes that won't keep you in the kitchen when guests arrive.
Foodbar ideas
Hot Dog Bar: Grill up some hotdogs or sausage dogs. Serve easy sides such as potato chips and potato salad. Be sure and have plenty of topping like Mexican Coleslaw, relish, diced onions, cheddar cheese, homemade yellow mustard, and ketchup for toppings.
Healthy Food Bar: Looking for vegan party food ideas? Check out these 10 Vegan Food Bar Ideas; they are perfect for easy and fun entertaining while keeping it healthy for you and your guests.
Fun and Easy Food Bars: Create some fun and easy get-togethers with friends using these 20 Fun Build Your Own Food Bar Ideas. Food bars create an informal atmosphere that you can prepare before your guests arrive, which allows you to relax and enjoy spending time with your guest.
Unique dinner party ideas
Greek Dinner Party: Hosting a fabulous Greek Dinner Party will be easy; using these inspirational menu ideas, easy printable decorations, and even a printable fun Greek game, your guest will have a blast playing. To make it even easier, give each friend a recipe to make and bring.
Charcuterie Boards: Here is a fun idea that you can prepare before your party. Serve several types of charcuterie boards along with drinks. I have gathered some great Healthy Charcuterie Board Ideas to try.
Easy Crockpot Party Food
The whole idea of a kickback party is it's super low-key and easy to prepare for. What could be easier than filling your crockpot the morning of the party and having a meal all ready when guests arrive.
Casual dinner party
Relax and enjoy hosting your friends with these Casual dinner party menu ideas With a little planning, you can create a relaxed and easy dinner party for you and your friends.
Easy kickback snacks
Party Drinks
Ice down a bucket of soft drinks, beer, or water bottles in a festive Inflatable Party Cooler. You could also make ahead some refreshing ICED TEA.
More party ideas
Get your free party planner
If you are a list checker like me then you will want to get my free printable party planner. There are several pages you could use for your easy kickback party like the grocery list template, count down the to-do list, or the menu template page.
Tori
Love the creative party ideas you have, Gina! Looking forward to giving some of these ideas a go this summer! Also, I appreciate you featuring an Easy Chickpeasy recipe! Thanks!