How to Throw an Undersea Birthday Party for Kids

If your child loves underwater creatures and the big blue sea, then an undersea theme party is a perfect way to celebrate her or his birthday. With a little imagination it can be a snap to put together. Plus, it's a theme that kids of all ages will enjoy. Follow these steps to start planning.

Things You'll Need

• Clear tape and scissors
• Fish netting and sea shells
• Sand pails and shovels
• Cotton balls
• Sugar cookies and icing
• Blue tarp or blanket
• Prizes and party favors
• Styrofoam ice chest
• Crepe streamers
• Flavored gelatin and gummy fish candies
• Colored markers
• Wooden dowel rods and magnets
• Construction paper

Instructions

1. Cut fish shapes from different colors of construction paper. Draw eyes, mouths and gills on each of them. Staple or glue two of them together leaving a space to stuff with cotton balls for a three dimensional look. After stuffing them with cotton balls, close up the hole and hang them from the ceiling in pairs with one slightly above the other. Hang strips of blue and green crepe paper along side them for an undersea effect.

2. Put a large fish net over the table cloth and put small shells and plastic fish on the table. You can also put some other big shells on the floor in corners. Hang fishnets from the ceiling or over doorways for an added nautical touch.

3. Decorate a styrofoam ice chest to look like a treasure chest. You can fill it with drinks or use it to hold water balloons for some wet fun during the party.

4. Serve snacks like chips, pretzels or even potato salad from sand pails. Use large clam shells for dips and sauces.

5. Make sugar cookies cut out in fish shapes. Then set up a table with bright colored frosting and sprinkles and let the kids decorate their own.

6. Pour flavored gelatin into small paper cups and drop a gummy fish into each one. Chill in the refrigerator and when ready to serve, place the cups in lukewarm water for a few seconds to release them onto a serving plate for a yummy snack.

7. Spread out a blue blanket or tarp to represents water. Make fish out of colored foam paper and glue magnets to them. Make simple fishing poles out of wooden dowels and string with magnets attached to the ends. Write a prize name on the bottom of each fish. Let the kids fish for some type of small fun prize like a piece of candy or small toy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan any outdoor water activities, be sure to tell guests to bring a change of clothes or their bathing suits.

• Keep the length of the party age appropriate. For children under five years of age, two hours is plenty of time. If the kids are older, three hours is sufficient.