Planning a Summer Birthday Party When It's 95 Degrees Out

Move the start time

The single best decision is a 9:30 or 10am start. Morning slots are cooler, easier to book, and often cheaper. Evening parties starting after 6pm are the second-best option, and they photograph beautifully.

Shade beats fans

Reserve a covered picnic pavilion rather than an open lawn. If you're hosting at home, canopies over the food and seating areas matter more than anything decorative — melted frosting and warm juice end a party fast.

Build water into the activity

Water play doubles as entertainment and cooling. Tell parents in the invitation so swimsuits, towels and a change of clothes come along.

• Sprinkler or splash-pad run between games
• A water-balloon toss with a clean-up bucket ready
• Frozen fruit and popsicles instead of a second savory dish
• A cooler of water bottles at kid height, refilled halfway through

Food that survives the sun

Skip mayonnaise-based salads and cream fillings for outdoor summer parties. Buttercream softens quickly — ice cream cakes need a freezer on site, and a fruit-topped sheet cake holds up better than a tall layered one.

A simple heat plan

Have sunscreen at the entrance, one shaded quiet spot, and a clear cue for a water break every 20 minutes. Tell one other adult where those things are so you're not the only person managing them.