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How to Host a Last-minute S’mores Party

August 16, 2018 by Leslie 12 Comments

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Need a last-minute party idea that is easy to pull together? Try hosting a s’mores party! This awesome theme is all about the ingredients, which makes decorating so much easier!

Looking for a fantastic party theme to pull together at the last minute? Try hosting a s’mores party! Click through for all the best s’mores party ideas, including what to serve (cookies anyone?) and easy decorations to make your s’mores bar both easy and fun. #smores #desserts #bar #partyideas #kidsbirthday #partyideasforkids #summer #summerparties #partyfood #partyplanning

 

 

Nearly three years ago, I spent 10 days killing myself to create a party for my oldest daughter. Our house was transformed. It was truly an amazing party.

This is not that party.

This is the party we hosted merely one week after that mega-bash, for my then one-year-old son. The youngest of our three kids.

And in true third-child style. It was thrown together with hardly any planning.

We just invited family members over for a barbecue, raided old party supplies for decorations, and set up a fun DIY s’mores party for the kids.

It was totally ad-hoc, and totally fun.

So, What Do You Need for a S’mores Party?

The heart of a s’mores party is the DIY s’mores bar. You can do whatever else you want for the party, but you need to have a variety of ingredients for your guests to make the most interesting and creative s’mores possible.

Pretzel crisps, Nilla wafers, and colorful M&Ms for a s'mores party.

Homemade graham crackers arranged on a platter for a s'mores party.

Offer at least three or four crackers as a base, such as:

  • Graham crackers (homemade, or this fun store-bought trick!)
  • Ritz crackers
  • Saltines
  • Pretzel crisps
  • Cookies (snickerdoodles, anyone?)

Don’t forget to have fun with the marshmallows, too!

You can buy store-bought marshmallows if you want, but did you know that marshmallows are incredibly easy to make at home? And they store well for days, which means you can make your own gourmet marshmallows a week or so in advance.

That makes party day easy peasy!

Homemade birthday cake marshmallows and chocolate marshmallows

Give these flavors a try:

  • Chocolate marshmallows
  • Birthday Cake Marshmallows (with plenty of sprinkles)
  • Eggnog Marshmallows
  • Tie Dye Marshmallows
  • Strawberry Marshmallows
  • Fresh blueberry marshmallows
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Marshmallows
  • Nutella Marshmallows

Don’t want to make your own? You can also offer up fun options like marshmallow peeps or flavored store-bought marshmallows, too!

Add plenty of chocolate options

White chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate arranged for a s'mores bar

  • Of course there’s the classic chocolate square,
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
  • white chocolate
  • dark chocolate
  • If it’s an adult party, try adding in gourmet chocolates with fun flavors like chili, coconut, and sea salt.

Finally, Offer some fun extras

Extra S’mores Party Toppings

If I could go back in time, I would have added a few of these fun extras to the mix. The kids might have ignored them, but I bet the adults would enjoy adding something fresh to their s’mores creations.

  • Freshly sliced strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Toasted coconut
  • Banana slices

Deviled eggs on a red gingham basket liner offered as a side dish at a s'mores party

Side Dishes and Other Snacks

S’mores are wonderful, but your guests will probably want a few other snacks to go along with them. We were hosting a barbecue with plenty of burgers and hot dogs for everyone. But we also laid out a few of the following

  • Goldfish crackers (perfect for a one-year-old’s party)
  • M&Ms
  • Deviled eggs
  • Watermelon wedges
  • Roasted Nuts

Decorations for a S’mores Party

Okay, so with only a week to prepare, and being totally exhausted, I admit that we didn’t decorate exactly the way I typically would.

But I do love the way the bright green rosettes and red gingham accents came together with the burlap backdrop and tablecloth.

Small buffet for a s'mores party with green rosettes, mini tissue pom poms, a red gingham rag garland, and lots of burlap.

It was just the right amount of pop with rustic touches.

Plus, the whole party came together in only about 2 hours. It’s hard to argue with that!

But, if you want to add a few extras, here are a some more fun s’mores party decorating ideas:

  • Create a tabletop menu board with suggested s’mores combinations.
  • No fire pit? Set up a marshmallow toasting station with sterno, (see it here)
  • Make individual s’mores packs in berry boxes to keep things easy for kids
  • Have your kids collect sticks to act as both a centerpiece and for toasting marshmallows
  • Red gingham basket liners are an easy way to add color to party platters.
  • Play off of a camping theme and add a few play tents to your backyard as decoration and as hideouts for kids to play

I know the photos is blurry, but the birthday boy definitely appeared to have a grand time at his first birthday s’mores party. Even if it was pulled together at the last minute!

Now It’s Your Turn

No, this wasn’t the big highly-styled party that we usually throw for our kids. (sorry third baby!) But, it was a lot of fun to pull together. I’m pretty sure we’ll be having at least one more s’mores party at some point, too.

But now I want to know…

Have you ever hosted a s’mores party?
What are your favorite creative s’mores twists?

 

 

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Filed Under: Baby and Pregnancy, Blog, Kids Parties, Parties Tagged With: our parties, s'mores, summer

About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2022, she is determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    August 19, 2018 at 6:48 am

    Pinning this!

    Reply
  2. Anna Brophy says

    August 19, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    That photo of your happy son!! YUMMMMMMMMM!!! I am doing a party this Sunday, so some great tips.

    Reply
  3. ShootingStarsMag says

    August 21, 2018 at 7:43 am

    Oh, s’mores are great. I love this idea!! I used to have a fire pit and would have friends over to make s’mores, but I really need to get a new one. Sigh. I like the various ingredients and topping ideas you have here! #happytuesday

    -Lauren

    Reply
  4. Terra Heck says

    August 22, 2018 at 6:09 am

    That’s a super cute and fun idea for a party. I’m hosting a family gathering for the kids in the middle of September and this would be a great idea as a theme.

    Reply
  5. Bronwyn Marcus says

    August 22, 2018 at 10:02 am

    looks like great fun:-) We dont have such a huge selection of marshmellows here! Im from South Africa!

    Reply
  6. Sierra says

    August 22, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    This is such a cute idea! Who doesn’t like smores and I love all of the different options you have here. I’ll definitely have to keep this in mind for the future. Sierra Beautifully Candid

    Reply
  7. Lanae Bond says

    August 23, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    This is a great idea because it give people so many options!
    https://budgetingbelle80.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Jann Olson says

    August 23, 2018 at 5:46 pm

    Such a fun idea! Planned, or last minute; who doesn’t love a smores party? Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  9. candy says

    August 23, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    Goes to show that last minute parties can be the best. Love this idea. Found you on Blogger’s pit stop

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    August 29, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    Oh my gosh, Leslie. What a perfect idea! My son’s 1st birthday is coming up in just a couple of weeks. I wasn’t planning on doing much, but this looks fantastic. What a simple, but fun, way to celebrate a first birthday. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Pat says

    August 31, 2018 at 5:49 pm

    What a fun party idea! I know my grandchildren would love to come to a party like this or host one at my house.

    Reply
  12. Rebecca Hastings says

    August 13, 2019 at 8:06 am

    My family loves a good do-it-yourself s’mores party! My hubby even got me a yummy “cookbook” of crazy s’mores ideas. And they are fun! But the tried and true always seems to be the winner!

    Reply

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I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. Here you'll find crafts, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too! Read More
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Hi there! I’m Leslie! I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. At Playdates to Parties, you'll find crafts, ready-to-use cut files, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too!  {Read More}

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