The weather has cleared and it’s time to get outdoors! If you have an upcoming outdoor party or gathering, you are probably already brainstorming easy serve food for outdoor parties at the park or other outdoor space.
If you’ve read my tips for a party at the park, you know how important it is to have a low-key plan for the park party food.
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I’ve teamed up with some outstanding food and party bloggers to bring you 10 easy serve food for outdoor parties at the park! Remember, the key to simple outdoor party hosting is low-key everything! We have included ideas for sandwiches at the park, dips to take to an outdoor party, finger foods, and ideas for how to cook hot dogs for a crowd.
When You Need Food for Outdoor Parties at the Park
I would say most organized gatherings involve an expectation of food these days. If nothing else, packaged snacks and bottled waters are nice to serve even at the most casual of events. Hosted parties usually supply prepared food, as well. Some of these parties include:
- Outdoor birthday parties
- End-of-season sports team parties
- Outdoor engagement parties
- Outdoor weddings
- Outdoor baby showers
- Outdoor wedding showers
- Welcome home parties (military, adoption, etc.)
- Outdoor retirement parties
- Outdoor church events
Be Prepared for Food Prep at Outdoor Parties
Keep in mind that you will need to consider whether or not you will have access to electrical outlets at your party at the park. If you do, you are golden! If not, you still have the option to prepare the slow cooker items at home and then transport them warm. As long as your group will eat on the front end of the party and you keep the slow cooker closed up tight, the food will stay warm for a little while. But you really need to consider your timing.
If you are transporting things in a slow cooker, you need to make sure you have a slow cooker with a locking lid to avoid car spills. This particular one comes with excellent ratings and is available in a 6-quart and a 10-quart.
Years ago, after losing several of my nice spatulas and serving spoons at work potlucks, I realized the beauty of inexpensive disposable serving utensils. In fact, I wound keeping a set of these in my classroom so I was also prepared for potlucks, after school baby showers, etc. Likewise, for wedding gifts, we received multiple heavy white serving platters – really nice ones. Unfortunately, I soon realized the inconvenience of trying to haul those back and forth to work parties, outdoor parties, and parties at friends’ homes. Once I discovered white plastic serving trays, I haven’t looked back. This set includes disposable trays and serving utensils.
Safety for Food at Outdoor Parties
Of course, one can stress enough the importance of keeping spoil-prone foods chilled when hosting outdoor parties. Party dips and dishes made with cream cheese, sour cream, cheeses, etc are safest when kept chilled at outdoor parties. We have a set of these inflatable serving bar coolers. You just blow them up and fill them with ice. They are designed to set on tables or any other flat surface. They can even float on a calm pool water surface.
For drinks, a lot of people swear by their YETI coolers and other expensive coolers. We have always been happy with our less expensive Coleman cooler on wheels. It is sturdy and has survived many adventures.
Where the food is, the flies and gnats will come. You can keep them off of your party dishes with mesh food tents.
Explore Tons More Entertaining Ideas
We have tons more ideas for entertaining guests! If you enjoyed looking through our ideas for food for outdoor parties at the park, be sure to explore our other fun topics! There is something for everyone!
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Read on for ideas on easy serve party food for outdoor parties!
Easy Serve Food for Outdoor Parties
Enjoy these easy serve party foods for outdoor parties at the park - like birthday parties, retirement parties, sports team parties, etc. We have dips for outdoor parties, sandwiches, different ways to cook hot dogs for a crowd, and desserts for outdoor parties that go beyond typical cake and cupcakes, We also have some vegan and vegetarian party at the park food ideas.
Desserts for Outdoor Parties
Your outdoor party desserts should be fuss free! Enjoy these cakesicles and easy dessert dips!
Cakesicles are a fun new take on the classic cake pop. They’re easy-to-make, delicious, and SO festive that they’ll thrill kids and adults alike!
These crispy, crunchy corn pops treats as a fun alternative to traditional Rice Crispy treats and they are perfect for packaging in individual wrappers for Halloween, birthday parties, potlucks, craft fairs, over the holidays, and more!
White Chocolate Popcorn | Almond Bark Puffcorn – The Gifted Gabber
Not only is this white chocolate popcorn wolfed down at every party, but it also makes the cutest party favor when bagged in individual bags. Perfect for the park!
Dips
These savory dips and dessert dips are great for any type of party including a party at the park.
Funfetti dip is a festive dip for any birthday party at the park or other special occasion!
If you love Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip, then you’re really going to love this equally delicious, equally cheesy, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe! Made with juicy shredded chicken, creamy ranch dressing, hot sauce, and loads of cheese, enjoy this easily transportable Buffalo Chicken Dip at your next potluck or party!
The combination of black bean and corn makes a fuss-free addition to the menu for outdoor parties!
Outdoor Picnic Sandwiches
These picnic sandwiches are perfect as outdoor party food for a park!
Of all the summer salads, a classic chicken salad recipe is always a favorite at a picnic, a barbecue, or an office potluck! Just a few ingredients can be transformed into a cold, creamy salad or filling for a homemade chicken salad sandwich or wrap!
You’ll feel like you’re in Italy with this prosciutto, mozzarella and pesto-marinated tomato sandwich.
It takes about 10 minutes to put together the meat for this slow cooker beef on a bun, and you just let the slow cooker do all the work! You could easily make these sandwiches at home and wrap them up in foil for individual grabs at your park party!
These easy club-style pinwheel sandwiches are the best appetizer to bring to outdoor parties and BBQs.
Vegetarian Eggplant Party Sandwiches (Primo's Bada Bing Copycat!)
These Vegetarian Party Sandwiches are my favorite party sandwich to make when expecting a larger crowd because they can be made in advance! They are a Primo Hoagies copycat and will satisfy even the most dedicated meat lovers and can also be made VEGAN!
These buffalo chicken sliders are great for serving the taste of chicken wings without the messiness for a low-key park party food idea!
Finger Foods for Outdoor Parties
These finger foods for outdoor parties are so easy!
These Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket have a beautiful and flaky golden-brown crust that is steps above the version we ate as kids. Serve these bite-sized appetizers at your next party with the homemade honey mustard sauce for the ultimate snack.
3-ingredient Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen
These little Smokies make a great appetizer that is loved by adults and kids alike. If you have electrical access, bring your slow cooker along to the party! If not, you can heat and home and bring the warm slow cooker to the party.
This homemade pimento cheese spread can be set out with dippers like veggies at your park party. Optionally, you could spread the pimento cheese on bread at home and wrap individual sandwiches for your party.
Cream cheese peppers are always a good idea! They are great finger foods! Be sure to keep them chilled at your park party!
Hot Dogs at a Park Party
Enjoy these ideas for serving hot dogs in bulk at a party party!
Need to keep the hot dogs warm during your park birthday party? Try this easy way to make hot dogs in the slow cooker.
Instant pot hot dogs made in bulk and can be brought in the pot to keep warm for all to enjoy. Great for park party food.
Better than a corn dog, these vegan hot dogs are basket weaved in a colored garlic knot dough, baked in the oven, and served on a stick to brighten your picnics.
Other Great Park Party Food Ideas
Set out a cute little can of forks and let people enjoy these following park party food ideas. Who doesn't love a good walking taco?
Frito Pie Walking Tacos are great for a simple summer meal on the go. Throw some chili and cheese in a bag of Fritos, add your favorite toppings, and you're good to go for easy park party food.
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