How to Add a Touch of Theme Park-like Nighttime Magic to Your Yard or Patio with Twinkle Lights

Classic clear twinkle lights add elegance and magic to a backyard space.

Bring the sparkle and shine of a theme park to your backyard with twinkle lights, lanterns and fun accent pieces. Add whimsy with vintage tin signs or souvenir pieces from local theme parks, while canopies add a touch of mystery and magic. Use gauzy material to create an ethereal realm reminiscent of fairy princesses, or use canopies striped in vivid primary colors to recreate a vintage midway. Make the decor personal -- and double as a summer craft for the kids -- by having them make decorations from paper, shrinking plastic, plaster or modeling clay.

Things You'll Need

• Sketch paper
• Tape measure
• Grease pencil or standard pencil
• Twinkle lights
• Extension cords
• Hammer
• Nails
• Screws
• Hooks
• Temporary adhesive hooks
• Canvas
• Interior/exterior paint
• Shears
• Organza
• Glass or crystal prisms
• Lanterns
• Paper
• Shrinky Dinks shrinking plastic
• Modeling clay
• Plaster
• Acrylic paint

Instructions

Planning

1. Develop a theme or motif for your space, based on your favorite theme park or ride, or influenced by local midways and theme parks.

2. Measure your space, including the distance to nearest plugs or power outlets. Using the sketch pad and grease pencil, mark out a general layout of the plan.

3. Install hangings, hooks, temporary adhesive hooks and other mounts for your twinkle light arrangements, using the tape measure to space them according to your layout.

Decorating

1. String clear twinkle lights around the perimeter of your patio or yard to create a defined space. Use larger bulbs on the perimeter of the space.

2. Add colored lights intermittently to avoid overcrowding the space or making it appear too "busy." For added color without detracting from the elegance, use paper or nylon lanterns that add a whimsical touch.

3. Use plaster, modeling clay, paper mache and plastic Shrinky Dink toys to create your own interpretations of theme park characters or attractions, following the instructions on the packaging to ensure the crafts are weatherproof.

4. Measure the space for a canopy created from organza or canvas, and drape the material before cutting with the shears to ensure you have enough space for guests to comfortably gather away from rain or cold and windy weather.

5. Anchor the canopy using existing structures in your yard or patio, such as your carport or garage, a gazebo, patio furniture and deck or porch structures. Paint the canopies to match your theme, with simple designs such as looping patterns or bright, fun stripes.

References

• Backyard X-Scapes: Lighting Ideas
• Shrinky Dinks: The Magical World of Shrinky Dinks
• We Be Girls; 5 Backyard Barbeque Ideas; Cate Henry