Boy's beach party

**Crafty Amanda** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2002, 06:36 PM

My son will be turning 10 this June. Instead of the run of the mill bowling or skating party, I thought it would be fun to have a beach party. We live in a small town with a lake, the lake has a really nice public beach, but it's not terribly large. There's not enough room to set up volleyball or anything that expands a lot of square footage. Would love to hear any ideas!

Shawn · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 12:28 AM

The first thing about having a party at the beach is to make sure that it is not only clean, but that there are also restrooms, a grassy (or concrete) area and a shaded area near your party spot. If there is not a shadey spot, then you should use a canopy to make one.

Decide on what type of foods you will be having. Are there grills you can cook on? Do you need any of the food refridgerated? Are you going to travel back to the house to eat? You get the point.

If you have decided to bring food with you, then have plenty of cooler on hand as well as garbage bags. Make sure you have a box of wipes and some paper towels.

To make a quick table if the beach has none, use a piece of plywood and cover it with a table covering.

For the invitations, inflate beachballs and put all the info on them with permenant marker and deflate. The invitee will have to inflate for their invite info. Make invitations to look like beach balls or the beach or a palm tree.

Bring a radio for music and have a limbo contest. Have a sand castle contest. Have a balloon ball toss.

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I still have ideas but do you want them for the actual "beach" or a "Backyard Beach Party"

Let me know and I will get on it

**Crafty Amanda** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 04:30 AM

Wow Shawn, great ideas already!

I'll give you a little more info on the beach to help out:

There is a little hill with 2 or 3 picnic tables in a nice shaded and grassy area right at the beach. The beach itself has a nice section of grass behind the sand so that if you don't want to sit in the sand you can sit on the grass. There's also a concession stand there, but I'm not sure when it's open. We moved here in August and it wasn't open when we went down there. There are lifeguards on duty also. So yes, this would be for an actual beach party. Again, it's not a really long beach, so volleyball, frisbee, anything that requires distance is out.

Thanks! I love the beachball idea, but may use it as a prize instead and jut make beach ball shaped invitations.

Shawn · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 07:48 AM

Please check out the Themed Forum for some Great Ideas.

carmenblack · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 03:46 PM

I have plans to make plaster castings from my daughter's footprint at the beach this year as one of our homeschool projects. There are details aplenty at FamilyFun.com. This would also serve as a favor as each child would take theirs home. What about a group project such as a large sand castle or have the kids split up into teams and race to make sand castles? Time consuming and free.

kimmyo · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 04:41 PM

Wow Shawn this is incredible! You have some really great ideas!

Carrie · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2002, 08:42 AM

Shawn,

Wow! What great ideas!! DD's 7th b-day is coming up in early June and and we've already started to discuss it. I will definitely share these ideas with her. Thanks!

kimmyo · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2002, 04:19 PM

Hey Amanda, I just got the Oriental Trading Company's 2002 Spring Catalog. They have some great party stuff for Beach and Luau Parties. Beach balls, bubbles, party favors etc...if you're careful they have some great prices too! Here's the web site:

www.orientaltrading.com

Shawn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 01:58 AM

I am always ordering from Oriental Trading. Between the holidays, school parties and crafts.... I have made them richer

**Crafty Amanda** · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 05:37 AM

Thanks so much everyone for all the ideas!