Almost everyone associates summer with prime relaxation, enjoying the company of friends, family, and neighbors. When the weather heats up, it’s time to fire up the grill and get ready to do some serious entertaining in the backyard. Barbecuing is a summer mainstay, but before you start making out your guest list, take a look at your backyard set up. It probably took a pretty bad beating over the winter and needs a makeover like nobody’s business. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a second mortgage, though. There are plenty of ways to prepare for company without spending the kids’ college funds. First things first, let’s go over what you’ll need, and then we can talk about ways to save on great stuff.

You can’t have a B.B.Q. party without a grill, natch. We recommend getting a natural gas model, but those can be pretty pricy. There’s no reason to buy one of these bad boys unless you plan on cooking outside throughout the year or you happen to live in a warm climate. For folks who will only use a grill for a few months out of the year, this simple charcoal version should do the trick. Don’t let its inexpensive price fool you; this is definitely a quality product that will last for a long time. It’s a Webber for goodness sake! Sure, it doesn’t have any fancy frills (if you like that sort of thing…). But there’s no need to try and impress your guests with a high tech machine; tasty food speaks for itself.

Once you’ve got the grill situation worked out, you’ll want to focus on seating. Depending on how many people you’d like to invite, your seating options vary considerably. A couple of simple folding tables should suffice if you’re only planning on serving a close knit group. For larger parties, you’ll need something bigger that can accommodate several adults. One or two of these fine outdoor dining sets are exactly what you need. For an informal setting, comfortable yet durable recliners will allow your guests to soak up the chill vibe without making them feel like they’re stuck at some stuffy country club.

So far, everything’s been focused on adults; don’t forget about the kids!  A cute picnic table will surely put smiles on their faces, and it won’t be difficult to clean. This way the kids can have their fun and make a mess without disturbing your older visitors. Another kid friendly addition to the yard is a hammock. You don’t even have to worry about what you’re going to tie it to because there are ready made stands that provide the necessary durability. A hammock is real kid pleaser and brings out the child in just about anybody. Now some people are lucky enough to have a pool, which is a life saver in terms of keeping the kids occupied while the adults do their thing. For everyone else, there are backyard water parks! Trust us, your kids and their friends will NEVER get tired of playing on a water slide. Another option that can be used almost any time of year is a swing set, which is almost like having a park in your home. Add a sandbox to the mix and you’ll never have to worry about having bored kids! A basketball hoop is another idea, provided you have the space for one. The best thing about these is that they’ll never outgrow shooting hoops.

As awesome as these toys are, they may be out of some parent’s price range. Squirt guns are not nearly as elaborate, but they still bring hours of inexpensive entertainment.  The same goes for water balloons, especially if you spring for a slingshot. Slip and slides are an affordable classic and all you need to use them is an ordinary garden hose. Make sure you have someone to stand watch as these require adult or older teen supervision.