How to Throw Beach Birthday Party for Kids

Beach birthday party for kids is great for summer birthday party or just beacause you live the beach vibes. There are many creative ways to plan an ocean themed birthday party and make your Childs day especial. You can plan it as indoor birthday party or outdoor at backyard or a beach. In this post I share everything you need to throw a beach birthday party from Beach Birthday Party Decorations to Beach Birthday Party food and games.

Beach Themed Birthday Party Overview

A beach-themed birthday party is all about sunshine, waves, and a whole lot of fun. It brings the excitement of a beach day to any location, whether you’re celebrating by the ocean, in a backyard, or even indoors. The theme works because it’s bright, cheerful, and perfect for all ages. It’s great for kids who love the water, sand, and sea creatures and also fun for adults who enjoy a tropical escape.

Set up beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels to create a relaxed, vacation-like vibe
Use bright blues, sandy beiges, and tropical colors like coral and yellow
Plan activities like sandcastle building, seashell hunts, or a limbo contest
Have everyone wear their favorite beachwear, like swimsuits, sun hats, and flip-flops

Beach Birthday Party Decorations

To make the party feel like a real beach day, decorations should include ocean-inspired elements and tropical accents. A mix of blue, turquoise, and sandy beige colors creates the perfect seaside feel. Add a few splashes of pink, yellow, or orange to represent sunsets and tropical flowers.

Hang fishnet decorations with starfish and seashells
Use surfboards or inflatable palm trees as fun props
Lay down beach towels instead of tablecloths for a casual touch
Scatter real or artificial seashells on tables for an ocean vibe
Set up tiki torches or string lights for a warm, sunset glow

Beach Themed Balloon Decorations

Balloons bring a playful element to any party, and for a beach theme, you can get creative with waves, sea creatures, and tropical elements. Balloon arches and garlands in shades of blue and white can make it feel like an ocean breeze is passing through.

Create a wavy blue and white balloon arch to mimic ocean waves
Add small fish, seahorse, or shell-shaped balloons within garlands
Use a giant sun or palm tree balloon as a statement piece
Set up a balloon bouquet with different shades of blue, white, and sandy beige
Arrange balloon centerpieces shaped like mini surfboards or flamingos

Beach Themed Photo Booth

A photo booth is a must-have for capturing all the fun moments. With the right backdrop and props, guests will love striking a pose and making memories.

Use a beach scene backdrop with waves, a sunset, or palm trees
Provide props like sunglasses, straw hats, inflatable beach balls, and surfboards
Hang up a “Welcome to the Beach” sign for a fun touch
Place a lifeguard chair or a giant inflatable flamingo for guests to pose with
Include speech bubble signs with phrases like “Surf’s Up!” and “Beach Vibes Only”

Beach Birthday Party Decorations DIY

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

Beach Birthday Party Food

Bite-Sized Beach Themed Appetizers

Small, easy-to-eat snacks that fit the beach theme make the party more fun and interactive.

“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

Desserts can be as creative as they are delicious, and a beach theme gives plenty of inspiration for sweets.

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

Refreshing drinks that remind guests of a tropical getaway will make the party even more special.

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

Beach Themed Birthday Food Table

A well-decorated food table brings the whole theme together. Think of a setup that reminds guests of a tropical snack shack or beachside picnic.

Use a wooden surfboard as a serving tray for snacks
Set up a “Beach Bar” sign above the drink station
Decorate with small sand buckets filled with treats
Label food with seashell-shaped tags or mini beach signs
Wrap utensils in paper napkins tied with twine and a tiny shell

Beach Themed Birthday Party Games

Games are the best way to keep the party energy up and get everyone involved.

Sandcastle contest with mini buckets and molds
Beach ball relay races or a classic game of beach volleyball
Limbo contest with tropical music playing
Seashell scavenger hunt with hidden treasures for prizes
“Shark Attack” tag, where one guest is the shark and chases the others

Beach Themed Birthday Party Favors

Send guests home with little reminders of the fun they had at the party.

Mini bottles of scented sunscreen or after-sun lotion
DIY message-in-a-bottle with a thank-you note inside
Flip-flops or sunglasses in fun colors
Personalized beach towels or small tote bags
Seashell necklaces or bracelets

Beach Themed Birthday Party Invitations

Set the party mood from the very start with themed invitations.

Design an invite that looks like a postcard from the beach
Use digital invites with moving waves or swaying palm trees
Create a DIY invite in the shape of a surfboard or seashell
Print details on small paper umbrellas and hand them out
Send out “message in a bottle” invites with a rolled-up note inside

Beach Themed Birthday Party Costumes

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
Encourage guests to wear their favorite swimsuits with cover-ups
Provide flower leis as guests arrive to get everyone in the beach spirit
Suggest sunglasses, hula skirts, or sarongs for a fun, beachy touch
Have a “Best Beach Outfit” contest with small prizes