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Celebrate summer with some beach party ideas for kids. Whether the party is for a birthday party or simply a gathering with friends, a beach party will not disappoint.
With simple ideas for decorations, food, games and activities on the beach and in your own backyard.
These are fun beach party ideas that kids and adults will both enjoy.
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Have a birthday party in the middle of summer?
A beach theme party could be the perfect theme choice for you!
With the option to hold the party at the beach or even in your own backyard, it is a great idea for a hot summer day.
To help make the task of planning this party easier for you, we have compiled a whole bunch of beach party ideas that will help you to pull off the ultimate party in a super fun way.
What Do You Need For A Beach Party At The Actual Beach?
Planning to hold a beach party at the actual beach?
Whilst this will be a LOT of fun, there are a few essential items that you will need to ensure to bring.
- Shade – As wonderful as it is to be out in the sunshine, you WILL need shade at the beach. Set up a pop up shelter or gazebo to ensure that there is somewhere to get out of the sun’s rays.
- Sunscreen – Don’t assume that all your party guests will have remembered to wear or bring sunscreen. Ensure that you have enough for everyone to share.
- Hats – Again, guests may forget to bring a hat! Have a few extra on hand to give out if needed.
- Drink Cooler – Drinks that are cold will be incredibly refreshing. Ensure that there are several drink cooler’s filled with ice and drinks.
- Beach Chairs – Ask guests to bring a chair, but ensure you bring some extra’s too. Whilst sitting on a beach towel is great, having a beach chair will make things more comfortable.
- Body Boards – Encourage everyone to bring their own body board if they have one. But having a few spare will ensure that every guest can enjoy a bit of water fun. Some kids might own a surf board, but a body board is an easy option for kids of all ages to try out.
As well as ensuring that you have the items available, you want to ensure that you choose your beach location wisely.
Consider the parking for guests and also access to the beach. It must be a location that you can easily carry of manoeuvre all the items that you need.
Ensure that you have enough space to set up your party area whilst also allowing for tide changes on the sand.
Own Backyard Beach Party
Having access to a real beach might not be a reality or an option that you want to consider.
This doesn’t however mean that you can’t hold a beach party.
It’s easy to transform an area at your own home into a beach inspired environment. By using some strategic themed party decor and beach-themed items, it is possible to create a beach vibe even if you are no where near it.
Even an indoor beach party is possible with a little extra creative imagination.
Use the ideas below to help create the feel of the beach without actually being there.
Beach Party Theme Ideas
Whilst a beach party is a party theme in itself, it is possible to take the theme one step further to be very specific to particular interests.
Narrowing down the theme will help when it comes to considering decorations and any themed food that you would like to incorporate.
Having the party at home does make this easier to undertake, but it is still possible at a real beach location.
If you are keen to incorporate a further theme to the beach party then these are some great ideas:
Mermaid Party:
A mermaid birthday party is the perfect theme for young girls. It’s pretty, sparkly and a lot of fun.
Under The Sea Party:
An under the sea party can be truly enchanting and a perfect theme for both girls and boys. Think about incorporating sea creatures, sea nets, shells and sand.
Luau Party:
A luau party would be a great option for older children. Set up grass skirts, tiki torches, flowers and even a mocktail bar.
Beach Bonfire:
This theme would be more effective on an actual beach.
Ensure that you have contacted local authorities to ensure you have permission to hold a bonfire on the beach and that any necessary conditions have been followed.
Retro Surfer:
Is your child a keen surfer? A surfer beach party would be ideal for them.
Decorate with different surf boards, big waves and retro designs for a relaxed beach chill vibe.
Beach BBQ:
Beach BBQ’s are a relaxed way to have a beach party, but again you need to check that BBQ’s are allowed at your chosen beach location.
Otherwise set up the beach-themed birthday party in your yard and hold the BBQ there!
Pool Party:
If you have a pool in your yard, then it would be easy to plan a beach themed pool party.
If the kids are old enough to be safe in the pool, then combining a beach and a pool party is a fantastic idea.
Beach Party Food
It is often fun to have some themed food at a party, and the type of food that you have will ultimately be determined by the chosen location and theme of your beach party.
Beach Cupcakes:
Kids all love cupcakes and these fun beach themed cupcakes are perfect.
Cupcakes can also be substituted for a birthday cake, which is often easier when having a birthday party at a location other than home.
Beach BBQ:
A BBQ is an easy option for catering for a larger number. It’s also great if on location at the beach.
It would be easy to serve foods such as hot dogs, burgers, chicken drumsticks corn on the cob and vegetable skewers. Accompany it with some salads and lunch or dinner is sorted.
Fish and Chips:
A simpler option than having a BBQ is to order fish and chips for everyone.
Bring along some tomato, BBQ sauce, vinegar and salt and let everyone help themselves.
Fresh Fruit:
Fresh fruit is ideal to have at every beach party, whether on the beach or at home. Present the fruit on platters or on skewers.
Ensure that you have some big slices of watermelon as this is always super refreshing at the beach.
Ice Cream:
At a beach location, this will probably be something you have to go and buy, but at home it would be easy to coordinate.
Set up an ice cream bar where all the kids can create their own ice cream sundae or cone.
Beach Decorations
Party decorations are always fun to coordinate. The decorations are what brings the party to life.
If holding your beach party at the actual beach you will want to keep your decorations incredibly simple with maybe just a few balloons that can be tied to a table.
If however your beach party is in your backyard, you can really coordinate a lot of fun and exciting decorations.
Start by choosing a party backdrop. This can be something simple you make with a couple of chosen colors or you could choose a beach scape as a backdrop.
There are many beach party supplies that can be obtained online and also in your local dollar store.
Think shells, fish nets, beach buckets, inflatable palm trees, lanterns etc.
Beach Party Games & Activities
Every party has to have games. It doesn’t matter whether that party is held in your backyard or at the beach. Games will make it extra fun!
And there are SO many games that can be played at a beach party.
Water Games:
A beach party assumes water and there are a lot of water gun games and water balloon games that would be perfect to play.
Kids love water fights and enjoy a good water balloon toss.
With the selection of games available there is something for every age and fun factor.
Beach Scavenger Hunt:
Younger kids LOVE scavenger hunts. The great thing is that they are also really simple to coordinate.
Prior to the party hide several items that the kids will need to locate. They will have a great time hunting them down.
If holding the party at a beach, you may wish to utilise items already present. Such as finding a certain amount of intact shells, a crab, pebbles, seaweed etc.
Beach Volleyball:
This game can be played either at the beach or in your backyard. Many beaches have permanent beach volleyball nets set up, but they would also be quite sought after.
Alternatively set up your own beach volleyball at your own party location. This game can literally provide hours of fun.
Beach Cricket:
Another fun game to play whilst on the beach.
With plenty of space, this is a great way to get the kids running around
Sand Castle Competition:
This activity can only really be played on the beach.
Split the kids into teams and hand them all beach buckets, spades, rakes etc. Then set a timer to let them create the best sandcastle they can.
Photo Booth:
A photo booth is easier to set up in your backyard, but not impossible on the beach either. If on the beach you will simply need to be more coordinated.
Set up a backdrop, have some beach props handy and of course a device to take the photos. Then let the guests enjoy.
Hula Hoop Contest:
This activity is easy to set up and fun to play with kids of all ages. Ensure that you have enough hula hoops for all the party guests, set some music and let the hula hooping happen. It will definitely cause a lot of laughs.
Limbo Contest:
The limbo game is always popular at parties and is perfect for a beach party. This can easily be created with two people holding a pole, or you can purchase a limbo kit.
Set up some music and let everyone enjoy the limbo.
Play Sand:
Play sand at your home is a good option for younger children, rather than taking a group to the beach.
Kinetic sand is perfect for playing at a table, otherwise you could bring in some sand and create a sand pit area.
It depends how much mess you are prepared to deal with!
Beach Party Favors
Depending on the age of your guests, you may or may not choose to hand out party favors.
Whilst it is easy to get caught up with trying to coordinate fancy party favors, they really can be kept very simple.
A beach party is the perfect opportunity to hand out party favors such as beach balls, kits of water balloons, pool floats or beach bucket packs.
Alternatively you could fill a general party favor bag with items such as:
- Candy
- Beach stickers
- Beach Stress Balls
- Kids sunglasses
- Surfboard Keychains
However you decide to coordinate your party favors, the best ideas are generally the easy ones!
You are guaranteed to have a good time with a beach party. Whether its held at the actual beach or in your home, the relaxed environment will make everyone at ease and ensure that a good time is had by all. It is the perfect easy type of summer party.
Decorations are easy to set up within your own home to recreate being by the beach, and it’s definitely easier to serve food than being at the beach..
But going for the authentic experience at the beach definitely has it’s perks and will ensure that the party is one to remember.
Need some more party ideas? Check out all our other party ideas, games and themes. You will have a ton of inspiration to keep everyone entertained.
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