Sand Castle Themed Children's Birthday Beach Party

Having a children's beach birthday party? Can't think of a theme? How about a sand castle theme? From invitations, party favors, décor, food, and games. I have some great suggestions to get you started!

Before planning the party, check with your local city to see if there is a required permit to hold a children's birthday party at the beach. Also, some city or state park beaches require you to reserve an area for the party. You would be highly disappointed to have the party planned, invites out, and your site not available! Check first!

Make sure there is a lifeguard on duty or get some adult assistance on watching the children! You can't be watching over a group of children and hosting a party at the same time! Get Help! Trust me - - -you don't want to find out that little jimmy doesn't know how to swim on the day of the party!

Next, pick a simple sand castle invitation with bold colors. I highly recommend "Invitation in a Box." Their invitation selection, quality, prices, and customer service are excellent! You start the process online! First, personalize your invitation. Then, the company will email you the proof. After you approve it, with a click of the button your invitations are done! One invitation that caught my eye is the sandcastle by the Noteworthy Collection. To view the invitation go to: www.invitationbox.com. If you want other choices, go to: www.tinyprints.com or www.finestationery.com .

Don't know where or what to get for party favors? How about colored sand pails filled with beach toys. The Oriental Trading is an excellent place to purchase beach themed party favors and décor. Go to www.orientaltrading.com for information.

How about the décor? "Party City" has great solid, bold, plastic table clothes, plates, eating utensils, cups, and décor. How about royal blue tables clothes with either Caribbean blue, red, orange, or green tableware to match the beach ball in the invitations? Or, to make it very colorful, use all four colors with the royal blue table clothes! Pick balloons to match all five colors. Then, use plastic colored pails and/or beach balls as center pieces and decor. If you want more information, go to www.partycity.com .

Build a large sand castle as the big focal point. Or, do you know someone who can create a custom sand castle? Maybe the professional would help and teach the children how to build their own sand castles. You can even have a sand castle building contest where the best castle wins a prize!

Need suggestions on a birthday cake? How about a birthday cake that looks like a sand castle? Take a picture of a sand castle to your local bakery, a bakery that creates custom cakes, and ask them to make you a sand castle cake. Or, you can make your own. Go to www.wilton.com/idea/Serenity-by-the-Sea for a picture and directions on how to make a sand castle cake.

There are many games that can be played at the beach. Here are some suggestions! How about a treasure hunt? Before the party begins, bury a small chest of small toys and candy into the beach sand. Divide the group into two groups. Give each group a treasure map and whomever finds the treasure first wins! If you go to www.smilemakers.com , they have a nice selection of treasure chests with toys and candy to fill it! Or, how about a scavenger hunt! If these choices don't work, you can always create water races and water games.

Finally, the most important element! Lunch! The old standby hamburgers and hot dogs are always popular. However, if you don't want to barbeque or the beach doesn't allow it, a tray of deli sandwiches from Subway or Costco will work! Go to www.subway.com or www.costco.com for more information. If you want to get creative, make a selection of tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, ham, and turkey sandwiches. Use ocean themed cookie cutters to cut the crust off the sandwiches. Fill sand pails with chips, pretzels, fruit salad, and of course gold fish crackers! Have ice chests with a variety of soda, juice, and water. And don't forget the ice cream! If you don't want to create a mess with a carton of ice cream, try ice cream bars, ice cream cups, or popsicles!

Planning a sand castle party is simple to coordinate! And children of all ages are sure to have fun. Be sure to have that camera on hand, for you're not only building a sand castle party - - - but creating everlasting memories! Enjoy!