Beach party
Decorating for a beach-themed party in your back yard is almost as easy as adding sand and water. Invite children to come in their swimsuits and bring a towel as part of the decorating theme. An inflatable swimming pool filled with water; a play area with sand, buckets and shovels; several chaise lounges on which parents can soak up the sun; and a few colorful umbrellas will make this party very special. Does this Spark an idea?
Decorating Supplies
Purchase or borrow an inflatable pool, beach umbrellas, a few bags of clean play sand, a smaller pool to put the sand in, plastic toys to build sand castles, plastic beach buckets and shovels, pennants, beach towels, inflatable beach and rubber balls, loot bags, beach signs, plastic flip-flops, squirt guns, sunglasses and bubble and wand bottles. Other decorations can include paper supplies with tropical fish, sea shells or beach scenes. A few real surfboards (borrowed) for display will add to the beach theme of the party. Serve beach-themed food such as hot dogs, fruit punch and ice cream.
Decorating Ideas
Break up the back yard or party area into stations--decorative places for specific activities such as swimming (inflatable pool), beach (small pool with sand, water and toys) and picnic area for refreshments (beach towels on the ground). Arrange the surfboards against a wall or a fence, open the umbrellas and insert them into the ground around the yard, hang swimming pennants and beach signs, and have a "lifeguard" post near the children's pool. Have squirt guns and bottles of bubbles displayed around the yard to play with.
A Few Tips
Plan ahead. If you are thinking about a beach-themed party for the fall months or any time after-season (even in spring), buy beach toys and recreational items when they are on sale at the end of the summer. Collect sea shells and driftwood on your walks along the real beach.
Children's beach-themed (and decorative) activities can include relay races, sandcastle building or foam arts and crafts such as magnets and fun bead necklaces. Loot bags to take home (displayed in a large container as decorations) can include beach-themed stickers and tattoos, sunglasses, little beach balls and fruit snacks.
Tags: around yard, back yard, beach signs, beach towels, beach-themed party, buckets shovels, decorations include