How to Throw a Great Beach Party

You don't need a lot of money to throw a super beach party. With a little imagination and effort, you'll be all set in no time and your party will have them begging for more. Following is a list of supplies you'll need and some ideas to help you get started. Also included are instructions for the Whacked Out Relay Race, Beach Blanket Bingo, and how to make luminaries.

Supplies

Blankets and Beach Towels

Sunscreen - SPF 15 or higher

Food - hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, macaroni and or potato salad are the usual fare.

Beverages

A Grill - Don't forget barbecue utensils and apron

Charcoal and lighter fluid

Coolers and Ice - You may want a separate cooler for beverages

Paper Plates and cups

Plastic silverware

Snack mix or Trail mix for munching on

Marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers for smores

Entertainment

A rope for limbo and tug-o-war

Portable radio or CD player and music

Paper & Pencils/Pens for Charades

Buckets and shovels for sand sculptures

Soaker balls (dip them in water and they make water bombs)

Relay race items -Two pairs of men's socks, two elastic waist slips, two nylon scarves, two straw hats, two button-down shirts, and two pairs of lace up high top tennis shoes or boots- get the largest size available in all.

BINGO "Cards" - prepare these beforehand according to the instructions below

Torches or luminaries for after dark

Prizes if desired - Gift certificates to fast food restaurants or ice cream, trinket jewelry or small toy items (age appropriate). For adults, freezer mugs or other summer items are nice, as well as music, movies, books, etc.

Put sunscreen on anyone that doesn't have some on already.

Play the games and serve the meal according to preference.

Leave the snack foods out during the entire party.

Have plenty of beverages and water on hand.

Instructions for Relay Race and Beach Blanket Bingo

For the relay race, divide everyone up into two teams.

Each person must get dressed in the relay race items, run a certain distance, and then undress and run back to the start line to pass the clothing to the next person on their team. The first team to have all members back wins.

For Beach Blanket Bingo, you will need 3x5" index cards. Cut each index card into 6 squares - you will need 30 squares. Make 6 of each letter in the word BINGO (6 Bs, 6 Is, etc.) using a marker.

To play Beach Blanket Bingo, divide everyone into teams of 5. Put the Bingo cards into a bowl, bucket, or hat. Each team alternately sends one member to pick a card. If a letter is duplicated, the next player on the team puts it back into the hat. The game continues until one team spells BINGO.

To make luminaries take empty tin cans-vegetable or soup cans work well. Take the paper labels off. Use a Phillips screwdriver to punch holes around the top half of each can at intervals-make a design or pattern if desired. Put a handful of sand in the bottom or each luminary when you set them out. Add a tea light or votive candle and light each one.

Set these to form a circle for the guests to sit around while they eat smores and wind down.

Further Ideas

Use paper plates and markers to make "Tiki totem masks". Each guest can make his/her own mask-use a hole punch and string to tie the masks on. Let the "Tiki totem" figures dance around the fire if you have one going.

Have a sand sculpture contest. Divide everyone up into teams and give them a certain length of time to complete their sculpture.