How to Entertain Kids at a Luau Theme Birthday Party

A Luau theme is great for kids because it is easily held outdoors which makes the possibilities endless when coming up with ideas for activities. To entertain kids, you just need a little creativity, a sense of humor and some advanced planning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Construction paper
• Clear tape
• Blindfold
• Hawaiian phrase book
• Limbo sticks
• Portable stereo
• Coconuts
• Empty tin cans
• Coconut Bras
• Grass skirts
• Plastic leis
• Beachcomber hats
• Digital camera

1. Cut several small coconuts and a large palm tree out of construction paper. Play the Pin the Coconut on the Tree game, which is similar to the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey game. Use tape on the back of the coconuts to make them stick.
2. Place labels on things around the house and yard with the Hawaiian word that identifies it. Give the kids the first half of the party to study them and try to learn what the words are. Break the guests into teams later in the party. Give each team two sets of flash cards, one set with the Hawaiian words on them and the other with the objects in English. The first team to correctly match up the identical items wins a prize.
3. Hold a limbo contest and be sure to have your video recorder ready. Buy an inexpensive limbo set, or make your own. Build your own limbo set by drilling holes every few inches into a pair of two by two inch pieces of lumber. Cut the pegs from a wooden dowel rod and insert the holes you drilled in the post. Place the posts into a small bucket filled with cement. Once the cement dries you have a portable limbo frame, and you just need a bamboo stick or broomstick to use as your limbo pole.
4. Play Coconut Bowling by setting up empty tin cans as the pins and using real coconuts as the bowling ball. This works great on grass and don't worry about holes or bumps in the yard as it just adds to the fun.
5. Divide the birthday guests into teams and hold a luau relay. Have the first in line put on a set of items like a grass skirt, coconut bra, beachcomber hat and lei. Then they run a short course and when they return they take off the items and hand them to the next in line who repeats the steps. First team to have all their players finish wins.
6. Take action shots of each of the party guests during the various activities and include them in the thank you cards. They will love the personalized touch and the special memory.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make grass skirts from plastic drawstring trash bags by cutting off the bottom and then cutting vertical slits in the skirt. Use the drawstring to tie it around your waist.
• If you make your own limbo set, be sure you drill the holes at identical points in both posts so that your limbo pole will be level.

Who Can Help:

• Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.