Throwing a beach theme party is one of the most fun parties you can host. There are so many great decorations, favors, music, and food that can bring the beach to your party regardless of where the party is happening.

A beach theme party needs to bring sand, sun, fun, water and the laid back party feeling of vacation to the space of your choosing. The best way to entertain is to make sure that you take care of all the senses, sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. We’ll give you the tips to bring the perfect beach vibe to your party.

Necessary Beach Theme Party Supplies

Beach Party Invitations 

The invitation should set the mood from thestart. You can create your own invitations online, using templates. It doesn’t have to break the bank, but the custom feel of a beachy themed invitation sets the anticipation before the guests even arrive.

The birthday invitation should include:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Expected Dress
• What to bring
• RSVP information

• Dress Options – Depending on the time of year and where the party will be held will determine the dress appropriate for the party.
• Casual: Bathing suits, T-shirts, flip flops
• Themey: Hawaiian shirts
• Dressy: Black, khaki, linen, beach dressy

Beach Party Music

One of the biggest components of a beach theme party is the music. Thinking about a specific summer past immediately brings thoughts of the summer songs. Having a mix of music from the past and the present is a great way to tie in the beach them without being to themey. When creating a playlist remember to time the music to the party, upbeat, fun non-dance songs at the beginning transitioning into the great dance songs later on in the evening.

Beach Party Decorations

Decorations for a beach party should include colors, patterns, tiki textures, sand, and elements of the beach. Thrift stores often have beach themed items for a fraction of the price you can them elsewhere. Bringing in pails, buckets, surf boards, boogie boards, rafts, sun tan lotion and other items you may already have can make it feel like the beach. Bright plastic table wear is completely ok because it fits within the beach theme. Centerpieces can be fun plastic sand buckets with squirt guns, paddle balls and other cheap giveaways that bring the beach to the party.

Beach party decoration items to consider include:

• Cups
• Utensils
• Table Covers
• Napkins
• Plates
• Centerpieces
• Banners
• Streamers
• Giveaways (candy, champagne bottles (or apple cider), CDs, picture frames)
• Leis
• Tiki bar, grass, skirts, tiki god cups
• Beach pails, shovels, sand, water, toys

Beach Food

Beach food is a mix of pizza, hamburgers, fries, and seafood. One way to remix these favorites is to do miniature versions of them and serve multiple items so everyone gets a taste of their favorite beach foods. Miniature sliders in a martini glass with fries and ketchup is a great main course, Miniature pizza bites or shrimp poppers are excellent as well.

Beach Themed Drinks

Almost all of the great drinks ever made are beach inspired so there are hundreds of options. Renting a daiquiri machine or buying one is the perfect way to bring frozen favorites like pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris to the party. You can serve them individually or mix them by swirling together to create a miami-vice. Serving large drink or punch bowls with large recipe concoctions is an awesome way to get multiple drink options. Beach drinks are great because they work equally well with or without alcohol depending on the age of your guests.

Beach themed parties can be a lot of fun the only limit is your imagination! The more creative and off the wall ideas you can come up with, the more memorable the party will be for your guests. Remember that good food, music, and good friends are the keys to successful parties!