How to Throw Fun Beach Birthday Party
A beach birthday party is a perfect birthday them, especially for summer birthday. Or if you like the idea of a birthday beach picnic. It’s a nice way to celebrate an outdoor birthday. In this post, I am sharing all this to host a beach party. From planning a party to food, decor, and games. And if you do not have a beach nearby but like the idea of a beachy birthday, I have also shared beach themed birthday party ideas to host the same indoors. Here are beach party ideas to create a chill and fun beach vibe at home for guests to enjoy. So your comfy beach clothes and let the party begin.
Choose the Perfect Beach Location
Okay, so first things first, you need a good spot to party. If you are going to the actual beach, pick one that’s clean and safe. Look for a beach that has bathrooms nearby, parking (because no one wants to carry beach chairs for miles), and some shade if possible. If there’s a spot with picnic tables or grills, even better. Just make sure to check if you need permission or a permit, especially if it’s a public beach.
If you’re not near a beach? No worries, you can throw a beach theme party at home too, just bring the beach vibe to your house. Set up a beach-themed indoor party. More details on it are covered in later sections.
Pick a Fun Theme
A beach party is already awesome, but adding a theme gives it that extra special touch. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something fun that ties everything together. Here are a few easy ideas to choose from:
Tropical Luau
Think grass skirts, flower leis, and pineapples. You can decorate with fake palm leaves, hang up colorful paper flowers, and play island music. Have everyone wear bright shirts or dresses with flip-flops.
Mermaid or Pirate Party
This one is so fun for kids. For mermaids, go with lots of shiny things like seashells, pearls, and purple or teal colors. For pirates, roll up paper maps as treasure maps and hide gold chocolate coins in the sand.
Nautical Theme
Go with red, white, and blue colors, anchors, and sailor hats. It is easy to decorate with stripes and ropes. You can even serve snacks in little boat-shaped trays.
Sunset Chill Vibes (for older kids or adults)
More laid-back for the grown-ups. Lay out beach blankets, fairy lights, and chill music. Everyone can bring a hoodie for when it gets cooler. This one’s perfect for late afternoon parties with snacks and watching the sunset.
Color Party
You can pick two fun colors like blue and yellow or pink and orange and use them for everything from balloons, tablecloths, and even outfits. It’s super simple but looks really cool.
Set Up a Party at the Beach
Alright, now that you’ve picked your spot and your theme. It’s time to make it feel like a party.
If you’re at the beach, keep things simple and comfy. You don’t want to drag too much stuff through the sand. Here are things that you can carry to make your space feel special.
Beach blankets or big towels: Lay them out so everyone has a place to sit.
Beach umbrella or pop-up tent: This gives you shade so you don’t all turn into lobsters.
Foldable chairs: Great for older guests who don’t love sitting in the sand.
Folding table: You can set up a snack at this table. If you are afraid of birds or other animals, you must skip it and make snack boxes for easy eating.
Coolers: Not just for drinks, use one as a mini table too!
Buckets or bins: Fill them with napkins, snacks, sunscreen, or even toys.
Simple decor: You can decorate under an umbrella or a tent with a few banners and balloons.
Beach-Friendly Food & Drinks
If you are having the party on the beach, you don’t need anything fancy; keep food simple, something people can grab and munch on with sandy fingers.
Here are some ideas for food that can be carried.
Appetizers
Sandwiches or Wraps: Make a bunch ahead of time, wrap them in paper, and toss them in a basket. From turkey, cheese, to PB&J, as the crowd may like.
Fruit Cups: Cut up watermelon, grapes, or strawberries and put them in small containers with a lid, and place a toothpick in them. They are refreshing and easy to eat.
Chips & Crackers: Carry a few big bags and pour them into bowls, or just open the bag and fold it neatly for easy reach.
Snack Packs: You can also make individual snack packs using trail mix, popcorn, or pretzels in little baggies.
Drinks
Water bottles: Carry ample water bottles. You can freeze them the night before, they’ll keep the cooler cold and melt into cold water to drink later.
Juice boxes: Small juice boxes for individual use it is very easy for kids
For teens or adults: You can get small bottles of sparkling water, iced tea, or mocktails.
Beachy Dessert Ideas
Cupcakes: Get store-bought cupcakes and add blue frosting and little paper umbrellas. They look so cute and are way easier to serve.
Shell cookies: You can serve shell or starfish-shaped cookies, too.
Cold treats: Ice cream, popsicles are also great options, and feel good at the beach.
Beach Games & Activities
You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to play beach games. Here are some easy games to play that are suitable for all ages.
Beach Ball Volleyball: The classic volleyball.
Sandcastle Contest: Get a few buckets and shovels, then see who can build the coolest sandcastle.
Tug of War: Just bring a long rope. Divide into two teams and pull.
Water Bucket Relay: Line up teams. Fill a cup with ocean water and race to dump it into a bucket at the finish line. First full bucket wins.
Beach Scavenger Hunt: Make a simple list of things to hunt like “a shell, a feather, seaweed, and a round rock.” The first person or team to find all the items wins.
Beach-Inspired Party Favor Ideas
You can give simple, small, fun, and beachy things. Something guests can take home to remember the day.
Here are some easy and cute ideas:
Mini beach buckets: Fill them with small treats like a lollipop, sticker sheet, or bouncy ball. Kids can use the bucket at home or next time they go to the beach!
Sunglasses: Bright, colorful, and perfect for the theme. Great for group photos too!
Flip-flop keychains or seashell necklaces: You can find these super cheap, and they totally fit the vibe.
Snacks to-go: Pack a small bag of trail mix, Goldfish crackers, or gummy sharks with a note that says “Thanks for making waves with me!”
How to Throw an Indoor Beach-Themed Bash
When it comes to hosting an indoor beach party, all the themes and other ideas shared above, like games, party favors are still useful even food, except that since it’s indoor, you have more options to serve. But you need to make sure to get the right decor and setup to ensure the party reflects the theme. Here is how to do so:
- You can spread out beach towels on the floor, blow up a few beach balls, and maybe even set out a little kiddie beach by adding sand to an inflated pool, fill it with beach toys.
- Hang blue streamers from the ceiling to look like ocean waves.
- Use inflatable, floaties, and palm trees for fun photo spots.
- If you have a pool, you can even turn it into a pool party paired with a beach theme.
- Play some tropical music in the background, like ukulele or steel drums.
- Use beach theme elements for decor like seashells, coconut trees, and starfish.
Food Ideas for an Indoor Beach Party
The food options shared above can be used, but since it’s indoors, you can get more creative. Here are a few ideas.
Bite-Sized Beach Themed Appetizers
- “Seashell” sandwiches made from croissants filled with ham and cheese
- Starfish-shaped cheese crackers or mini pizzas
- Shrimp cocktail served in mini beach buckets
- Tropical fruit skewers with pineapple, mango, and kiwi
- Goldfish crackers or popcorn in small sand pails with shovels as scoops
Beach Themed Desserts
- A cake decorated with edible sand (crushed cookies) and sugar seashells
- Cupcakes with blue frosting and tiny paper umbrellas
- “Beach ball” cake pops made with white chocolate and colorful stripes
- Jello cups layered in blue and white to look like ocean waves
- Sugar cookies shaped like starfish, flip-flops, or surfboards
Beach Themed Beverage
- Blue lemonade or a mix of lemonade and blue sports drink for an ocean look
- “Coconut punch” served in hollowed-out coconuts or coconut cups
- Smoothies with tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and coconut
- Mini bottles of flavored water with beach-themed labels
- Frozen mocktails with a tropical garnish, like pineapple slices or mint
DIY Beach Birthday Party Decor
If you want to keep decorations budget-friendly, DIY projects can add personal and creative touches to your party space.
- Make your own seashell garlands using real or craft shells and twine
- Paint mason jars with ocean colors and use them as candle holders
- Create centerpieces with sand, small umbrellas, and mini beach toys
- DIY a welcome sign with driftwood or cardboard painted to look like wood
- Fill clear jars with layered blue and white candies for an edible decoration
Outfits to Wear for a Beach-Themed Party
Dressing up makes the party even more exciting. Encourage guests to match the beach theme.
- The birthday guest can wear a tropical shirt, a sun hat, and flip-flops. Sunglasses, hula skirts, or sarongs add a fun beachy touch
- Provide flower leis as guests arrive to get everyone in the beach spirit
- You can also have a “Best Beach Outfit” contest with small prizes
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