Does your child love the beach? Well, slip on those flip flops and grab that surfboard! Our beach birthday ideas will make you feel like you've landed in a tropical paradise. We’ve got tons of fun activities, crafts, recipes and more for the birthday child and your guests to enjoy!

Best For…

Kids aged four and up who just love the surf and sand.

Planning Your Beach Birthday Party

For peace of mind, begin planning your beach pool party six to eight weeks in advance. This will allow you time to gather all the supplies that you need, including beach party decor, gifts, and menu items. Planning ahead also gives your guests time to RSVP and make travel plans, if needed. Don't panic if you find yourself short on time; you can still plan a great party! Planning ahead simply reduces the risk of conflicts with guests' plans and may increase your beach party’s attendance.

To simplify the rest of the party planning process, check out our Party Planning Timeline, and read the paragraphs below for information on selecting car party supplies, car cakes, and more for your child's party.

Beach Party Invitations

If you are making homemade invitations, gather up the construction paper and get started! 

Paper sunglasses make great invitations to a beach party! Write "Sue Jones" Beach Party in one lens, the day, time, and phone number in the other. Put the address along one of the ear pieces and what to bring, and voila, you're done.

Another idea would be to purchase inexpensive plastic foot thongs, write the information on the top of the shoe, and then drop into a large envelope. Once you've prepared your invitations, mail or hand-deliver them. 

Here are some more creative invitation ideas:

• Write the party invitation on an inflated beach ball. Then deflate the beach ball and send it in an envelope. Your guests will have fun blowing up the beach ball to read the invitation.
• Punch a hole in the corner of a card-style invitation, and tie it with ribbon to a pair of kid’s sunglasses or a small squirt gun. You will need to deliver them by hand or use padded mailing envelopes.
• Use creative wording on the invitations like “Splish Splash, it’s Kelly’s Beach Bash”, and “Swim on Over for some Fun in the Sun”.
• Put the invitations inside a small sand pail before delivering them.
• Seal the envelopes with summer stickers

For a special touch, let Birthday in a Box print personalized invitations for you! Check out all of their beach party invitations.

What Do I Need for a Beach Themed Party?

If you plan to use paper tableware and beach party supplies, our Suggested Party Supply List may be quite helpful. Please note that you may not need everything on the list; it is intended only as a guide.

Depending on where you hold the party, you may also want to purchase or borrow some of these items:

• Extra beach chairs
• Kiddy pools
• Lawn sprinkler
• Beach balls
• Sand pails and shovels
• Hula hoops
• Sno-Cone machine (can be rented)
• Suntan lotion
• Disposable cameras

Kid Beach Party Favors

For this party, beachy colors are ideal, such as ocean and sky blue and white sand. Fill your goodie bags with beach theme party favors, such as beach balls, sand pails, squirt fish, sunglasses, bubbles and squirt guns. Place all items inside clear or printed cellophane bags and tie with chenille sticks in primary colors! For a fun presentation, tuck the favor bag inside a new sand pail or attach it to a sport water bottle before handing to your guests.