Birthday party ships ahoy! Prepare to take your guests on a yachting adventure, so hoist the anchor and get sailing! We've got party games, craft ideas, and favors. This party guide makes a great theme for a 1st birthday. Get started with these ready-made party supply packages from Birthday in a Box.
AHOY! BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATIONS
Mail out invitations 3-4 weeks before the party
- Purchase these Ahoy! birthday party invitations:
- Or, make your own invitations by using blue and white cardstock cardstock. Cut an anchor shape out of the blue cardstock. Then, glue the anchor to the white cardstock. Alternately, you can cut boat shapes from your cardstock. Print, "Party ships ahoy! Come sail away at our sea-worthy party." then, include the party details. You may wnat to ask your guests to come dressed in sailor-ware, or make some nice and simple sailor hats out of newspaper when the guests arrive!
AHOY! BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS
Decorate your party area in blue, blue, and more blue (with a splash of white and red for good measure)! You can also take old white bedsheets and hang a couple of "sails" around. Create fun paper boats to set around the room and find some cardboard or poster board to create an anchor.
- Hang this personalized poster in your party room:
AHOY BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
Boat Flag Challenge
Before the party, print out images of nautical flags. When the guests arrive teach the young sailors all about the different flags and what they each mean! Puts the kids into two teams and show them all the flags. Then create a matching game with the flags (matching each flag with its meaning).
Tie It Up!
This is a great opportunity to teach the kids some sailing knots. Get pieces of rope for each guest and teach them a few basic sailing knots such as the reef knot. If you want to turn it into a competition, then pick one of the simplest knots. Put the kids in two teams, and have them row to the other side of the room on their behinds (which is basically scooting across the floor on their behinds). At the end, they have to tie the knot properly for the next team member to move forward.
Knotty Fun
One of the most important elements of sailing is the knowledge of knots. So why not try the human knot game (this is best for kids who are 7 and up)? Create a standing circle with the kids. Every child reaches one hand into the middle and grabs the hand of someone else in the circle. Then, they reach their second hand into the middle and grab someone else's hand. Without breaking the circle, the kids have to work together to 'unknot' themselves and return into a regular circle (and it works!).
Deep Sea Guessing Game
Take a blue sheet or blanket. Underneath, place a whole range of fun and different items. Guests then take turns reaching under and feeling the item, trying to guess what it is.
Pin the Anchor on the Boat
Just like the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey game, draw a picture of a boat and show the kids where the anchor should go. Then, let them get to it!
Fishing for Treasure
Explain to the 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.
Walk the Plank
Use a 2x4 board to make the plank. The children take turns walking across the board. When they get to the end they all get a chocolate coin or a small prize. Repeat as many times as you wish.
AHOY! BIRTHDAY PARTY ARTS AND CRAFTS IDEAS
Mini-Boats
Create boats from newspaper as simple crafts, or take a few cardboard boxes and let the kids get creative decorating them as their own personal ships! Or grab an old white bedsheet as a special "sail" and allow all your guests to color it with markers (or fabric paint) to create an official party sail!
Fish Pin, Magnet, or Necklace
Materials:
- orange craft foam
- white craft foam
- plastic "google" eyes
- craft foam glue (having more than 1 bottle on hand will make it easier on you and the kids)
- magnetic strip (if you plan to make magnets) OR
- pin backs (if you plan to make pins) OR
- lanyard string (if you plan to make necklaces)
Directions: Before the party cut the fish parts from the craft foam. Cut a fish body, fins, and tail form the organe craft foam. Cut white stripes from the white craft foam. 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.
Paper Plate Fish
Materials:
- paper plates
- construction paper
- crayons or markers
- glue sticks
- scissors
Directions: 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.
AHOY! BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS
Bring on the boats! Toy boats are always a good way to go. You can also get some great Ahoy! birthday party favors from Birthday in a Box:
