Throw a fun and magical under-the-sea birthday party! If your kids are obsessed with all things ocean and water you know there are many different kinds of themes to choose from. Here you’ll find ideas suitable for mermaids, sharks, or a general ocean/under-the-sea theme.
Planning a kid’s birthday party can be a bit overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be! These decor ideas, crafts and activities, under-the-sea-themed desserts, and party favor bags are super simple to make 1 or 2 days before so you don’t have to spend a whole lot of time planning.
Under The Sea Party Decor
Water-Inspired Balloon Wall
Ballon walls are one the simplest ways to decorate for a party. Tape different shades of blue balloons onto your wall using gaffer’s tape. Mix in a few clear small balloons so it looks like bubbles in the water!
Photo source and inspiration by Oh Happy Day
DIY Mylar Party Streamers
The colors used for this mylar party streamer decor can totally be switched up to fit the theme of your party. Mermaids, sharks, or ocean themes using pastel blues, greens, and yellows could all be amazing uses for this type of decoration. All you need do is cut and secure strips of mylar tissue paper to safety fencing, that’s it!
Photo by Studio DIY
Seaweed Streamers Idea
Create these seaweed streamers by twisting and securing green crepe tissue paper to the wall. It’s super simple but helps to bring this ocean theme to life!
Photo source and inspiration by Occasions by Shakira
Shark-Themed Party Streamers Idea
Colorful mylar tissue paper can be attached to the ceiling or the wall and it can even double as a photo backdrop.
Photo source and inspiration by 100 Layer Cake
Under The Sea Games & Activities
Beach Footprint Art
Grab a piece of butcher paper or white poster board and create a beach scene then have the kids paint their feet and step on the painting to create the footprints. This craft is super simple and fun for all kids, especially toddlers and preschoolers!
Photo source and inspiration by Hello Wonderful
Sandpaper Sand Castles
If you have some sandpaper lying around use it to make these adorable sandpaper sand castles. This craft project is an ideal ocean-themed activity. Cut sandpaper into the shape of a sandcastle then decorate with seashells, glitter, glitter glue, or sequins. I would choose a lower grit sandpaper for this craft just so it’s not as rough for your little ones’ fingers!
Photo source and inspiration by The Mama Notes
Rainbow Soap Foam Bubbles
Most kids are OBSESSED with water and bubbles and this rainbow soap foam bubbles activity can be really fun for sensory play or as a party activity for everyone. Add food coloring to your soap mixture to create different colors of bubbles then add everything to a tub or kiddie pool outside.
Photo source and inspiration by Fun At Home With Kids
Ocean Themed Food & Dessert Ideas
How To Make a Sandcastle Cake
Any ocean or under-the-sea-themed birthday party *needs* to have a sandcastle cake. This adorable cake actually looks like a sandcastle from the beach. Cover your favorite cake with buttercream frosting. Crushed vanilla wafers make the “sand” and marshmallow fondant shells are the really cute decorations!
Photo source and inspiration by A Beautiful Mess
Ocean Cake
This ocean cake is easy enough for anyone to make and it’s sure to be perfect for your little one’s ocean-themed birthday party. Bake your kid’s favorite cake, and mix the buttercream frosting with food coloring to create different shades of blue for the ocean. Pipe green frosting to make the seaweed and crushed graham crumbs are used for the sand.
Photo source and inspiration by Childhood Magic
Pink Shell Madeleines
If you have a more mermaid-themed birthday party, these pink shell madeleines are delicious treats to serve! Dress up store-bought or homemade madeleines with pink or purple edible color mist. Attach the two shells together with more frosting then finish with sugar pearls or small gumballs in the middle.
Photo by Studio DIY
Ocean Graham Cracker Snacks
Ocean graham cracker snacks can be something delicious to serve during the party or they can double as a fun kid-friendly party activity. Everyone can have fun topping their graham crackers with blue frosting, crushed graham crackers, sprinkles, white sugar pearls for the bubbles, and Goldfish.
Photo source and inspiration by Cutefetti
Crab dip
Cut up a red bell pepper to make it look like a crab! Add toothpicks with googly eyes on top to finish it off. For the actual dip, you can serve whatever you like, real crab dip, ranch, or whatever your kids enjoy.
Photo source and inspiration by Almost Makes Perfect
Ocean Blue Lemonade Popsicles
Cool off with an ocean blue lemonade popsicle! Your kids will love this themed dessert and it looks like the fish are swimming in the ocean. Place gummy shark or Swedish fish inside of popsicle molds then add blue food coloring to store-bought or homemade lemonade to pour over top.
Photo source and inspiration by Play Party Plan
Under The Sea Party Favors
DIY 80s Shell Soap Inspired Chocolates
These DIY shell chocolates are inspired by your Grandma’s shell soap from the 80s! These vintage-looking chocolates are easy to make using pastel-colored candy melts and a few shell molds. Chocolates always make the perfect gift and these shell chocolates fit right into any ocean-themed party bag!
Photo by Studio DIY
Under the Sea Party Favors
These ocean creature party favor bags are simple and no fuss to put together. Add M&Ms or your favorite candy mix to the middle of several sheets of tissue paper(so nothing falls out) and then tie it to look like an octopus!
Photo source and inspiration by Lia Griffith
Fish Party Favor Bag + Free Printable
These under-the-sea party favor bags look like little fish! Using the printable from Oh Happy Day, fill cello bags with colored candy then secure the bottom with washi tape to create these adorable little fish party favor bags!
Photo source and inspiration by Oh Happy Day
More Party Ideas
Under the Sea is such a fun party theme. You don’t need to spend a whole lot of time planning or prepping to have an awesome party for your kids and to create wonderful memories with your family!
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