A beach theme for a kids birthday party is popular whether you take the party to the beach or bring the beach to the party at home. Adults and kids of all ages tend to love the fun, sun and sand that comes with a beach-themed birthday celebration. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Get the ball rolling with themed invitations. Put scroll-like invitations into empty water bottles for a message-in-a-bottle attention-getter. Or use a permanent marker to write details on deflated beach balls that guests will have to inflate to read. For something a bit more traditional, try making beach-themed paper cutouts of starfish, beach pails or shovels as invitations. For added fun, punch a hole in the corner and tie on a pair of inexpensive sunglasses.
Decorations
If your party isn't at the beach, turn your yard into the next best thing with several wading pools and plenty of beach toys in a sandbox. Welcome guests with plenty of beach-themed shapes cut from poster board on the front door and fence. In the yard or on the beach, remember the beach chairs and umbrellas. Instead of a table cloth, use brightly colored beach towels. Sand pails, sea shells and even live fish in small fishbowls are centerpieces that complete the look.
Activities
Hold a water balloon toss. Turn a scavenger hunt into a beach hunt and use empty water bottles to hold clues. Have a water war using buckets and hoses. For a beach twist on musical chairs, put a pile of beach towels in the center numbering one fewer than the guests and play beach themed music. Have the children dance around the towels until the music stops, at which point they each grab a towel and make like a sun-bather. The child without a towel is out and one towel is removed each round. If you're lucky enough to hold the party at the beach, hold a volleyball tournament or sand sculpture contest. Kids also enjoy crafts like gluing small shells to inexpensive picture frames or making beach necklaces from colorful plastic straws.
Refreshments
Cut up fresh, tropical fruit and have children use skewers to make fruit kabobs. Hot dogs and hamburgers are beach favorites, so be sure to include them on the party menu. Have plenty of fish-shaped crackers available. Make slushies by freezing lemonade, then running it through a blender and pouring into beach-themed cups. For a beach-themed homemade cake, start with a double-layered cake. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top of frosting for sand and then lay out small, thin strips of taffy-like candy as miniature beach towels. Place teddy bear-shaped crackers on each 'towel' and add paper umbrellas.
Favors
Send party goers home with a bit of the beach by giving out inexpensive beach pails and shovels, sunglasses, beach towels, or sun hats as favors. Young children will enjoy colorful beads, candy necklaces and beach-themed stickers.
Tags: beach towels, party beach, beach pails, beach pails shovels, empty water, empty water bottles