Summer Camp: Backyard Movie Fun

Hello there!

I am Kimberly from See Sew and Seedlings and I am SO excited to be a Camp Counselor.

Thank you so much Toni for having me today!!

One thing that I remember as a child was going to drive-in movies with my brother and parents. It was always so much fun. The night air, popcorn, candy, and watching a great movie outside with the family I love so much!!!

Since this is Summer Camp, I decided to attempt my own backyard movie night! What actually got me on the outdoor movie kick was seeing all the fun movie nights that I’ve found on Pinterest, I am officially addicted and you can follow me HERE.

Backyard Movie Night is perfect for the summer time! Love this idea!

First, I used several of the left over decorations from my daughter’s Carnival Birthday Party. Next, I made our very own “Now Showing Sign”. This was super easy…

I purchased a frame from Hobby Lobby (used a 40% coupon) so it cost me just a tad over $5.00, used a piece of scrapbook paper I had in my stash, cut out “Now Showing” with my Silhouette placed it on the glass and used a dry erase marker to write the name of the movie we watched… The Sandlot (one of my favorites from my childhood!). I love that we can use it over and over.

So, I decided to show you today how to set up everything for your very own backyard movie night! I don’t know about you but I am not very tech savvy and thankfully with this, I didn’t need to be.

Let me introduce you to the 3M Pocket Projector!!!

For the mount, we used a camera tripod and it worked perfectly.

Once it is mounted, you will plug in the small side to the projector and the large side into the iPod or iPad.

This point is where the sound comes in and believe me you definitely need good sound outside. On our 1st attempt we used some small speakers. (The machine has a built in speaker but for outside it wasn’t enough)…. We could barely hear anything, so we decided to try something else – an amplifier. It worked PERFECT!

However, we had to find an adapter to fit as the input was larger than the standard 3.5mm. This is what the adapter looks like.

I did have to buy another 3.5mm Stereo Audio Cable but it was very inexpensive $6.00.

The 3.5mm Sterio Audo Cable goes into the adapter on one end and into the projector on the other end.

That’s it! Now everything is set up…. and ready to go!

My mom is a Photographer so we used one of her backdrops. We actually just flipped it to the back white side and used that. But there are a ton of tutorials out there of how to make your own movie screen… Actually, one of the “Summer Camp Couselors” from last year gives a great Tutorial

The kids LOVED it and had the best time!! I loved seeing them so excited!

See? Perfect!!! The whole night was exactly what I wanted for them. I predict many more movie nights in the near future!!

Comments

supermom says

June 27, 2012 at 6:36 am

This is so cool. It is my "mommy" dream to have outside movies for my kids. We are working on this now and, I am loving this projector. Going to do my research on it! 🙂

Tena Wood says

June 27, 2012 at 6:52 am

Great job Kim! Very informative. We had a blast! It took me back to my childhood days of going to the drive-in with the family.

Jo says

June 27, 2012 at 5:38 pm

I, too, remember the drive-in movies. So fun!! I bought a projector for our family for this very reason but have yet to take it out of the box. With temps over 100* here already, looks like I'll break it out in October at the earliest now!

Carrie Pasfield says

July 16, 2012 at 8:28 am

This looks fun! Thanks for sharing. Seeing your steps makes me feel like I can tackle this project.

OwenFamily says

January 13, 2013 at 11:16 am

I have the same projector. Haven't done movie night but have used it in vacation with my iPad!! Thanks for the idea with the amplifier!!

Bev says

November 28, 2014 at 11:51 pm

How long ago did you get your 3M pocket projector? I went to the Target website and can not find one.
I would love to have one. You gave such easy directions and I so wanted to do this for kids and
Grandchildren . If you can help me to find I would really appreciate it. Is it a certain model? Thank you so much.
Bev. [email protected]

- Toni - Design Dazzle says
  
  November 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm
  
  Hi Bev,
  The post was written by a contributor 2 1/2 years ago. So I’m not sure what to recommend to you. Amazon sells pocket projectors here pocket projector I always look at the reviews before I purchase. You must be a special grandma thinking of your grandkids and kids!
  
Jesse Meza says

August 30, 2015 at 7:59 am

this is great,
thank you. I was looking to simplify things.

Jess

- Toni - Design Dazzle says
  
  September 14, 2015 at 3:24 pm
  
  so glad you like it!

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