Updated on: Feb 17, 2024
Planning for a kid’s party can be highly stressful, especially if you’re worried about what things they can do, what theme you’ll be planning for, and what kind of food everyone will enjoy. During the summertime, a beach-theme kid’s party can be super exciting whether your child is going to celebrate their birthday or not. This kind of party is also great for get-togethers, birthdays, graduation parties and even for anniversaries. Whether you’ll be at the beach or at home, we have some great beach party ideas for you to consider in terms of supplies, activities, menu items and much more! If you'd also like to keep a checklist and a budget worksheet to help you stay on task, we've also got you covered!
Beach Party Ideas: Decorations
The decorations of a party are the first impression that your family and friends will have when they first walk in. Decorations are also the first thing that you think about when you first plan an event so it’s in the best interest of you and your guests to choose decorations that portray your theme the best. Here is our list of beach-themed decorations that you can use or consider in preparation for your beach party.
1. Beach welcome sign
Especially for a kid’s beach party, a colorful and fun sign is important to excite your guests and to let them know that they are at the right location. A beach welcome sign is perfect for that and can include your child’s name and the purpose of the celebration.
2. Beach photo booth backdrop
A beach backdrop is a great addition to your party especially if you’re looking to take some memorable photos during the event. A backdrop is not complete without its props, however!
3. Beach photo booth props
Photo props are used to make taking photos more fun and memorable for those taking the photos and for those who are posing for the photo. Some of the fun props that you can include are snorkels, sunglasses, floaties, pineapples, leis, seashells, waves, and many other things!
4. Beach party centerpiece sticks
A great addition to decorate the centers of your tables, these sticks include some fun signs with images of beach balls, how old your child is turning and a “happy birthday” message!
5. Beach garlands
To decorate the walls and the entrances of the space, some beach garlands would really make it more colorful while also adding to the overall theme. Some fun garlands are ones that incorporate flamingoes, beach balls, ice pops, leis, seashells, and starfish.
6. Beach/ocean confetti
To decorate around your centerpieces or the entirety of your tables, you can use beach or ocean confetti that comes in the shapes of palm trees, pineapples, sea creatures, and seashells.
Beach Party Ideas: Party Favors
Something that’s really great about party favors is that they really help you remember the great moments that you shared with your family and friends while at the event. Especially for kids, a party favor not only will make them happy but it will also serve as a memento of their friend. Here is our list of some beach party favors that you can hand out to your guests so that they appreciate the celebration even after it’s over.
7. Seashell crayons
Drawing is one of the greatest pastimes of kids. To help nurture this joy for drawing, you can give your guests some seashell crayons that come in a variety of colors, which can also act as a perfect gift for the birthday boy or girl!
8. Beach bucket favor
A kid’s favorite thing to do is fill buckets up with random items. As a party favor idea, you can use beach buckets and fill them with things such as a mini beach ball, candy, sunglasses, bubbles, and other beach-related items that will make your guests happy! To personalize each bucket, you can even purchase ones with the kids’ names on them.
9. Temporary beach tattoos
Every kid loves a good temporary beach tattoo. Not only can the kids help each other apply their favorite tattoos, but they can also pose together for a picture after they’re done applying them!
10. Sand art bottles
Not only is this a great party favor, but it’s also an activity that you can incorporate into your beach party-themed celebration. Kids can have fun by layering their own colored sand to the bottle so that it’s personalized and ready to go when they’re finished. Kids can really make some great designs and make some memories with their friends in the process!
11. Beach themed sunglasses
Everyone needs a pair of sunglasses whether they’re laying in the sand or on their lawns. Fun beach-themed sunglasses not only match your theme, but they also come in some great shapes and patterns that will make your kids laugh and take photos together.
12. Note in a bottle
Reminiscent of washed-up bottles on beach shores that may contain messages within them, you can do this party favor idea with your kids. If your kids know all of the guests who are receiving party favors, they can write a nice note to them and then put it in a clear bottle with a cork at its top. As an alternative, you can also just say thank you to them for coming to the party.
13. Flip-flop keychains
A small and simple party favor, flip-flop keychains can be something used by old and younger guests alike. This is something that can be used for extended periods of time and can even be personalized if they have each guest’s name on it.
14. Water-growing sea creatures
A toy that really makes kids say “wow!” is water-growing toys that grow in size after you’ve placed them in some water. As a party favor, this gets your guests excited to try it out while also giving them something to do even after they've left your party!
15. Beach bath bomb
Something that both older and younger guests can enjoy, a bath bomb can really help you relax. There are some bath bombs that have “seaweed” in them so that it makes you feel as if you’re lounging in a warm sea while in your bathtub.
Beach Party Ideas: Food Items
For kid’s parties, it’s important to make sure that your guests are energized and enjoying the food that you serve. Especially if the party is outside, some refreshing foods and beverages are a must. Here is our list of some food ideas that you can include for your kid’s beach party!
16. Ice Cream Truck
On a hot summer day, kids and adults alike can appreciate an icy treat to cool them down. Setting up an ice cream bar can be a difficult task, with keeping everything at a cool enough temperature and toppings. To make it easy and make your party memorable, consider renting an ice cream truck!
17. Sea creature jellos
Another menu item in which you can use the Sonic ocean water, this time you’ll make portions of jello in small cups for everyone to eat! Before or after the jello cools, you can add sea creature gummies so that every person gets a different animal to enjoy!
18. Take a dip
A fun play on words, this food idea does not require much arrangement. All you have to do is arrange a bag of chips on a plate and place a bowl of dip in the middle. On a stick, you can put a small sign that says “take a dip” in the dip bowl so that it prompts your guests to grab some chips and dip!
19. Octopus veggie platter
First what you’ll need is a classic veggie platter that you can buy at your local grocery store. Then you’ll need two peppers, one of them you’ll cut the top off and place upside down in the center of the platter. The other pepper you’ll cut into strips and place those around the upside-down pepper in an array that looks like tentacles. After putting some eyes on it, it’ll look like a fun octopus guarding the rest of the veggies!
20. Starfish-shaped sandwiches
A simple addition to your menu, starfish sandwiches are not only fun but can be enjoyed by both adults and kids alike! All you have to do is choose your bread of choice and make a sandwich, whether it be a ham and cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then you’ll cut out the middle of the sandwich with a starfish-shaped cookie cutter or another shape of your choice!
21. Nutter Butter sandals
More of a snack, Nutter Butter sandals can be fun and quick to eat. All you’ll need are a pack of Nutter Butters and then decorate the cookie with icing so that it looks like the straps of a flip flop. After decorating the cookies in pairs, you can place them on some brown sugar so that they look like they’re resting on a bed of sand!
22. Sand dollar cinnamon sugar cookies
This fun and sweet treat is not only reminiscent of a seashell that you’ll find on a beach’s shore but are also a great dessert! After finding your preferable recipe to make the cinnamon sugar cookies, you’ll arrange sliced almonds on the top so that it looks like the indentations of a sand dollar.
23. Croissant crabs
Another sandwich option, for this one you’ll have to buy a bunch of crescent-shaped croissants so that you can stick some googly eyes at their tops to make it look like a crab. Before you do this, you can also add your cold cuts of choice or even add some butter in their middles!
24. Beach Ball Cake Pops
Nothing says a party like cake! A cute way to incorporate the beach into a bite-sized party favorite is by making some classic cake pops, any flavor of your choosing, and ice them to resemble beach balls. These adorable snacks are sure to be a hit at your beach themed get-together!
25. Sonic ocean water
A cool beverage for everyone, a Sonic ocean water drink will keep everyone refreshed while playing in the sun and while they eat the rest of your snacks!
26. Oyster cookies
Using Nilla wafers, all you’ll need is to make your own colored icing so pipe in the middle of the two cookies that make up the oyster. On top of the icing, you’ll add a pearl and some eyes on the top of the wafers to make it even more fun!
27. Dessert cup beaches
Another sweet treat, for this menu item you’ll need dessert cups and a few other things. On the top of the dessert cup, you’ll sprinkle crushed-up biscuits or cookie crumbs so that it looks like sand. To make it look like someone laying on the beach, you can add a cut piece of a Fruit Roll-Up and place a Sour Patch kid on top so that it looks like it’s laying on a blanket. Then just add a paper umbrella and ta-da! It’s a mini beach!
Beach Party Ideas: Games
Probably the most memorable thing at a party for kids is the games that they’ll be playing with one another. To make this a fun event not only for your kid, but you’ll also need some games that will occupy all of your guests so that everyone is having a good time. Here is our list of games that you can adopt for your beach-themed party, including ones that you do outside in the warm sunshine!
28. Sandcastle Competition
A beach day is nothing without making a sandcastle. In order to make this happen, prepare with accessories and tools for your guests to create their sandcastles. Make it fun and competitive by offering a prize for the favorite sandcastle! Don’t forget to mention the competition so your guests can come prepared.
29. Bubble blowing
For kids, this game is especially fun. All you’ll need are a few bottles of bubbles or a bubble blower. Adults and kids alike can blow the bubbles while the rest of the kids go and chase them!
30. Tug of war, beach style
By tying up skipping ropes or beach towels together, you’ll have a perfect rope to play tug of war. After splitting up the kids into teams, you can have them tug the rope until the center of it passes a point that marks them the winners. You can also play this game with the adults.
31. Hula hoop relay race
After dividing the kids into two teams, you’ll have them join hands. You’ll give each team three hula hoops and have them get through the hula hoops without them letting go of their hands, and if they do then they have to start over. The team that gets through all three hula hoops first wins!
32. Slithery snake game
Either on the sand or on some concrete, you’ll be using a jumping rope to act as the “snake”. The kids will be asked to jump over the rope so that they avoid touching the “snake” while someone is wiggling the rope on the ground.
33. Hot beach ball
Like the classic hot potato, the kids will throw each other a beach ball while they stand in a circle. When the song stops, then the person holding the ball will have to sit out. The last person standing will win!
34. Water balloon toss
Before the start of the party, fill up some water balloons with some water and then fill a bucket or a kiddie pool with them. You can do this fast and easy by using self-sealing water balloons. Then you’ll divide the kids into two teams and have them throw the water balloons at each other for them to catch, the team that doesn’t break the most balloons wins!
35. Pass the water
A fun game to get cool in the sun, this requires all kids to stand in a line. Every kid is given a cup, while the first kid in the line has a cup full of water. They’ll have to tip the cup over their head for the kid behind them to catch the water. The objective of the game is to capture as much water as possible, if the water is all gone before it reaches the end of the line, then they all lose!
36. Sponge water relay race
You’ll need two buckets that are placed some distance from each other, two of them filled with water. With two teams, each one will have a really big sponge that soaks up the water of one bucket so that they can squeeze the water out into the empty one. Then they’ll run back and hand the sponge off to their teammate who will soak, run and squeeze the sponge again. To make this more exciting, you can add a tarp in between the buckets and make it slippery for some extra challenge!
37. Beach ball blaster
With two teams, you’ll give each kid a water gun or a water blaster. The beach ball will be placed in front of them for them to spray so that it rolls to the finish line. The team who sprays the ball to the end first wins!
Beach Party Ideas: Supplies
There are some must-have supplies that every party needs whether it be for eating food or adding to the overall theme of the celebration. When you’re thinking of some supplies for your beach party, it’s best to get things that cater to your theme so that it adds to the fun. Here is our list of supplies that you can’t miss out on so that everything works together cohesively.
38. Beach balloons
All kinds of balloons are fun for kids but beach-themed balloons will make your party a whole lot better. Some balloons will be shaped like beach balls, sea creatures, and have illustrations of the beach or the ocean.
39. Beach party tablecloth
The tablecloths are one of the most important things that make up a party because this is where your guests will sit for the majority of the time. Some of the tablecloths that have the potential to match your theme include those that are turquoise, have beach balls on them, have the beach, have a water print, and many others.
40. Beach plates
Plates are essential to any party, as it makes it easy for cleaning up but they also allow guests to pick up and eat whatever is available to them. Some beach paper plates have some fun beach illustrations on them while others have some realistic-looking beach waves.
41. Beach Ball-shaped cups
This is where you can get creative. There is a wide selection of beach-themed cups that you can add to your celebration, some of them include beach ball-shaped cups, mini beach bucket cups, and colorful pineapple cups.
42. Beach party utensils
Outside of the generic white plastic utensils that you can use, there are some fun colored and designed utensils that you can incorporate into your party instead. This includes rainbow ombre designed utensils, lime green utensils and biodegradable utensils.
43. Beach-themed napkins
The napkins can be fun and include fun looking illustrations that include dolphins, surfboards, the ocean, seahorses and seashells.
44. Beach inflatables
Whether you have a pool or not, inflatables can also be placed around your venue as well as they come in different shapes including donuts, palm trees, icees, sea creatures and other things!
Beach Party Ideas: Invitations
When you’re inviting your child’s friends over for a beach-themed party, it’s best to use an invitation that is not only appropriate and fun for their friends but nice for their parents to enjoy too. Whether you choose a customizable beach party invitation or one that is generic, here is our list of beach-themed invitations that could be used for your kid’s beach party-themed celebration. If this list is unsatisfactory, you can also explore online invitation options.
45. Girl’s Beach Party Invitation
With palm trees and surfboards, this invitation is perfect for your daughter’s birthday party or other celebrations. With a watercolor-like design, this invitation features a pink font, decorated surfboards and a pink Volkswagon bus.
46. Minimalist Beach Party Invitation
With a light blue backdrop and some colorful illustrations, this invitation is minimalistic and cute. Decorated with an orange Volkswagen bus and some tall palm trees, this invitation can work for both boys and girls.
47. Blue Seashells Invitation
With detailed seashell illustrations at its top, this invitation has a wonderful color scheme of gold, blue and black that perfectly matches the rest of your beach party. In a script type, the invitation elegantly writes out your child’s name.
48. Splish Splash Watercolor Invitation
With a unique watercolor design that depicts an ocean on the bottom with the sky and banners at the top, this invitation is great if you’re planning for a casual celebration or get-together.
49. Sandcastle invitation
This invitation is great for both boys and girls! Because this invitation is highly customizable, you can even use it for baby or bridal showers, or even retirement parties!
50. Blue Seashell and Starfish Invitation
With a blue background, seashells, and starfishes, this invitation simply says “Join us to celebrate”, leaving it up to you to fill in the rest of the details, whether it be a birthday party, get-together, or a graduation party!
51. Photographic Beach Invitation
With an actual photo of the beach’s sand, seashells, and a starfish, this invitation allows you to customize the information that appears at the top of it.
52. Watercolor Beach Hangout Invitation
With a vibrant beach umbrella, palm tree leaves, a pineapple, and a beach bag, this invitation gives the perfect indication of an upcoming beach party.
Beach Party Ideas: Conclusion
Now that you know everything that you’ll need for a kid’s beach party, you can plan from the very beginning of it to the very end while making sure that everything matches your theme so that everyone can have fun!
Written by Julia Batista; Contibutor: Lauren Bolt, Jena Zahdeh, Alana Jones