This Ocean birthday party is one of the most popular party themes for children. Host your party at an aquarium and include some of these ideas.
Or, create and underwater adventure at home using these fun-filled party games, decorations, recipes and craft ideas designed just for kids!
For stress-free party planning begin planning 4-6 weeks before your birthday party. Begin with ocean party supplies and then add
the ocean themed party games, crafts and ideas provided below.
Party Invitations
Create homemade invitations using brightly colored cardstock paper cut into a fish shape. Sprinkle a little blue glitter in the envelope before sealing.
On the front:
"Dive into ______'s Birthday!
Personalize It!
Personalized invitations, stickers and favors from Birthday In a Box make a great addition to every party theme and can be personalized with your child's name, the names of each of your guests, or a message! Personalize it here >>
OCEAN BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS
Your guests will feel like scuba divers when they arrive to an under-the-sea adventure you've created. Hang several strips of party streamers vertically from the ceiling. Cut streamers in varying lengths and shades of blue. We use "sticky-tak" to avoid making holes in your ceiling. Add paper fish intermittently with the streamers.
Cover the party table with a light blue or white sheet.
Scatter gummi fish, sharks and blue candies all around the table.
Use the cake as a centerpiece. Or, make a festive party centerpiece by attaching a bouquet of balloons to an ocean themed toy, such as a heavy plastic whale. Add other plastic toys as well. Use butcher paper or poster board to decorate the front door with an underwater scene.
For added effect switch out some of your standard light bulbs to colored blue and/or green bulbs.
Time Saving Tip: Many of the ideas on this page require
pre-cut shapes. Most scrapbook or teacher stores will have die-cut shapes.
OCEAN PARTY GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
Shark or Whale Tag
The birthday child begins as a Shark in the middle of a large playing area.
All other players are "Fish" who must try to run past the "shark" to the other side of the playing area. If a fish is tagged, he or she holds hands with "shark" to build a bigger shark and help tag more fish.
The last fish alive, wins!
Minnow, Minnow, Shark
Children will play this game just as they would
"Duck, Duck, Goose", Replace the fox player with a shark.
Click here for Duck, Duck, Goose rules.
Fishing for Treasure
Explain tot he children that an old sunken ship is rumored to hold valuable treasure. Their job is to find clues that lead to the treasure which is a box filled with their party bags. Before the party write and hide your clues. Attach the clues to items you would find on a ship...silverware, candle sticks, tea cup, personal items etc.
Scuba Diving
To prepare for this underwater game cut marine animal cards from cardstock paper; octopus, jelly fish, fish, sharks etc. Write a number 1, 2, or 3 on the card. Create three prize bag to coincide with the numbers. Before the party, hide the cards. Each child finds one or two hidden cards. They receive a prize from the bag that matches the number on their picture.
Tip: Not crafty? Use sea life stickers on a 3x5 card.
Fish tags are redeemed to receive a party bag!
More ocean party games >>
OCEAN PARTY ARTS AND CRAFTS IDEAS
It was so easy to come up with ocean crafts
that several are listed. Pick one or two appropriate
activities for your party.
Fish Pin - Magnet or Necklace
You'll Need:
Craft Foam in orange and white
Plastic "google" eyes
Craft Foam Glue - more than one bottle will
make it easier on you and the kids!
Magnetic strip, Pin Backs or Lanyard String
Pre-cut your craft parts before the party; body, fins, tail and white stripes. If the children will be making necklaces, make a hole in the top fin and pre-cut strips of plastic lacing. At the party the children will use the foam glue to assemble their fish and then make a necklace, magnet or pin.
Order supplies for this project here >>
Paper Plate Fish
You'll need:
Paper plates, construction paper, crayons or markers,
glue sticks and scissors.
Color the plate blue ( or other bright color).
Cut the mouth out. Cut two triangles for fins and
attach to the body with glue. Make paper eyes and
attach with glue as well.
Paper Plate Jelly Fish
You'll need:
paper plates, strips of crepe paper or ribbons,
glue stick, scissors, something to color with
and construction paper.
Cut the paper plate into half-circles before the party.
Let the children color the half circle (body).
Depending on the children's ages you can precut
black and white paper circles for the eyes.
If the children are old enough and you have
enough scissors, they can cut their own.
Glue or staple strips of tissue/crepe/construction paper
along the bottom. Glue the eyes and mouth onto the
front of the jellyfish.
More Ocean Craft Ideas
Underwater scene
Tissue Fish
Ocean Stamping
Craft Kits for Parties
PARTY FAVORS
Fill a small fish bowl (pet or craft store) with gummy sharks, stickers, fish squirt toy and bubbles.
Or ...ask permission from the parents to give a gift certificate for each child to receive a goldfish. Place the rocks, small plant, fish food and the certificate in the bowl.
Complete party favor sets can be found here >>
UNDER WATER RECIPES
Shark Punch
This refreshing drink has a surprise ?bite? lurking just
beneath the surface! A day before the party, make shark
ice cubes by freezing bite-sized gummy shark candy in
ice cube trays filled with water. Let the trays stand at
room temperature for an hour to remove the air bubbles
before placing them in the freezer. The candy will dissolve
slightly while freezing, tinting the cubes a soft pastel color.
Then, prepare blue drink mix according to package
instructions (Kool-Aid? works well). Pour the blue drink
into a punch bowl and add 2 liters of ginger ale.
When serving, place two or three shark cubes in a tall,
clear glass for each child and fill with punch!
Under the Sea Treat
Each guest will get to eat their own personal aquarium!
Pour blue jello into clear plastic cups and partially chill.
When the jello is slightly thickened add a Gummi shark,
fish and a few pieces of fruit by the foot or fruit leather (seaweed). Continue to chill until firm.
Before serving, top with a wave shaped whipped cream swirl.
Have a great birthday party and remember to have fun!
Related Party Links:
Birthday Party Themes and Ideas
Ocean Birthday Party Supplies
Party Supply Store
Party Craft Kits
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