Summer Party Food, Recipes, and Menu Ideas

Make a Sand Castle Centerpiece for Your Summer Fun Party

To make a sand castle centerpiece, purchase textured, sand-colored spray paint at any local hardware store. Spray paint shoe boxes and use them to form the main part of the castle. To construct the towers, glue Styrofoam cones to empty coffee cans, then paint. Other details, such as scallops across the top of the castle, can be cut out of Styrofoam and painted.


Decorate With Other Beach-Themed Items

If you have or can borrow the following items, place them around the party area to create a beach feel:

• Beach Balls
• Beach Towels
• Beach Umbrellas (if the party is outdoors)
• Flippers
• Lounge Chairs
• Rafts, Boogie Boards &/or Flotation Noodles
• Seashells & Starfish
• Snorkels & Snorkel Masks/Goggles
• Sunglasses
• Suntan Lotion

Summer Party Food

Expand on your summer party beach decorations by setting out goldfish crackers in sand buckets. Also, create an Ice Cream Cart by setting up a table with cones and two or three flavors of ice cream at one end and a variety of toppings in serving bowls at the other. Guests can "order" their scoops from an adult, then move down the table to add their toppings. Don't forget the whipped cream and cherries!

Whether or not you want to serve ice cream, our Banana-Strawberry Smoothie makes a cool, tasty treat on a hot summer day. Here's what you'll need:

• 2 Bananas
• 2 Cups of Strawberries
• 1 Cup of Milk
• 1 Cup of Frozen Yogurt

Note: If you're using 2 cups of frozen strawberries instead of fresh, reduce the milk to 1/2 cup.

Once you have your ingredients gathered up, slice the bananas and strawberries, then put them in a blender with the milk and yogurt. Blend on high until smooth.

If you're looking for other refreshing summer beverages that will take less time to whip up, consider Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris and Virgin Piña Coladas made from store-bought mixes.

Get more summer party ideas from our sister site, BirthdayinaBox.com.