Take the plunge this year! These fun and tasty ocean party supplies – including sea party invitations, ocean party decorations, recipes, and more – will have all your guests feeling like they’re under the sea!

Best for...

Girls and boys aged four through eight just love fish, mermaids, and anything else that can swim!

Ocean Party Planning

For peace of mind, begin planning your ocean birthday bash six to eight weeks in advance. This will allow you time to gather all the supplies that you need, including decorations, 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 sea party’s attendance.

Your first decision will be whether to hold your Ocean Party at your own home or somewhere else. You can plan a great party at home, complete with ocean party decorations, activities, and food that fit your theme. If you choose a different location, however, an aquarium or water park might be a good choice.

To simplify the rest of the party planning process, check out our Party Planning Timeline,  and read the paragraphs below for information on selecting ocean party decorations, sea theme party supplies, children's ocean party activities, and more for your child's party.

Ocean Party Invitations

Want to make your own ocean party invitations? Here are a few ideas:

• Use white card stock or construction paper folded in half, and decorate it with pizza picture cutouts or ocean birthday party stickers.
• Send a Message in a Bottle! Thoroughly wash and dry old soda bottles. Write your party details on a slip of paper, roll it up, and slide it inside. Make sure the paper is rolled tightly and secured so it will easily slip out of the bottle once your guests receive it. Check out our Invitations in a Bottle for inspiration!
• Purchase seashells at a craft store, or collect them on the beach and wash and dry them thoroughly. Write your party details on the shells and send them in highly padded envelopes, or hand deliver them to your guests.
• Punch a hole in the corner of a card-style invitation and attach it to a fish-shaped cookie cutter or straw. Send to your guests in padded envelopes.
• Cut the shape of an angel fish out of blue or orange cardstock. Use colored markers to draw on the details and use glitter glue or puff paint for the accents. Write your party details on the back.
• Include creative wording for your party details, such as:
  
  Come to an adventure under the sea,
  And party with Marcy who is turning three!
  Games will be played and cake will be served,
  RSVP to give me your word!

Or, if you’re short on time, purchase personalized or pre-printed sea party invitations online. We recommend mailing your invitations three to four weeks prior to the party—any sooner and your guests may forget, any later and your guests may already have plans.

Sea Party Supplies and Favors

If you plan to use paper tableware and sea theme 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.

In addition to the basics (paper plates, tableclothes, etc..), you may also want to consider renting or purchasing the following for your ocean party:

• Seashells
• A Fish-Shaped Cookie Cutter
• Bubble Machine
• Sand
• Pinata

Don't forget to send your guests home with party favors! You can give one large favor, such as tickets to a local aquarium, or combine smaller favors such as ocean stickers, mini fish bean bag toys, fish stationary sets, assorted candies, and other ocean party favors. Place all of these items inside clear or printed cellophane bags, and tie the bags closed with blue ribbons.