Ideas to make a 12yo's birthday BBQ in our back garden really fun?

[LynetteScavo]

DS wants to have a few friends round to celebrate his 12th birthday.

How long / what time would you put on the invitation?

Unless I get some inspiration, it's just going to be a few sausages and a bowl of crisps.

Help!

At 12, mine would've enjoyed a mass water fight, a bbq and some fizzy drinks. Marshmallows over a camp fire maybe? Or get then to cook all their dinner over the fire rather than a bbq!

A Kabob station? They get to pick their meat/veggie/fruit combo and then get them cooked. Sort of like a pizza making party but BBQ themed! Obvs only if there trusted with skewers etc. Safety first and all that!
2nd the water fight! Cant beat it if the weathers nice. 12 might be an awkward age for a theme - unless hes really into something and so are his mates.
For a time frame id suggest 12-4? get to enjoy the weather if its nice, warmest part of the day for a water fight - as long as there's shade for eating etc.

To carry on the water theme, perhaps some of the frames to make giant bubbles?

He's just told me he copied more invitations and has invited all the boys in his form and has texted all his friends from primary and invited them all!

He had the good grace to blush while he told me, and nervously giggled.

Everyone will be busy/away during the bank holiday weekend won't they? Please say yes.

I'd probably do a late afternoon/early evening event.

I'd stick to burgers and sausages as Gourmet BBQ food will probably be wasted on most teenage boys.

Have an ice cream making station (ice cream, sauces, toppings) with those disposable ice cream bowls. Also a mocktail making station with differbt types of soft drinks and cocktail straws etc.

A few games on standby like a silly string fight, limbo, a quiz etc.

My oldest DS is 40 next month but I still remember his 13th birthday party, which was the whole class in our back garden. We took the record player outside and they had a sort of disco/BBQ from 2 - 5 ish. The weather was great, we had blankets over the lawn for them to sit on, they mainly chatted, ran around the garden and ate. They only went into the house to use the bathroom so minimal mess to clear up. I had my OH and 2 other adult friends to help.

I also clearly remember his 16th, the first time alcohol came into the picture!

My think they'll mostly be able to entertain themselves with what we have in the garden, then DS wants to go to the park for a bit of cricket. I'm off to Costco for food next Saturday. I've no worries about his friends from primary school coming - we know them really well and there mostly very laid back. But I don't yet know his friends from high school who's parents seem to think we live in the back if beyond - it's actually only the next town
I'm praying for good weather but have dominoes pizza and a film on stand by!