Throw a rockin' surf party for your little water baby. Credit: Getty Images
To make invitations for a surfer themed birthday party, cut surfboard shapes out of colorful scrapbook paper, and glue them to the front of plain greeting cards available at your local hobby store. Write party information using as much surfer lingo as possible, and print this on more specialty paper. Keep your eye out for surfing or wave themed paper. Secure the printed information to the inside of the card with surfing theme children's stickers.
Use grass cloths to skirt your buffet tables. Purchase hibiscus flower and surf board theme table cloths to decorate your wall or yard if you are having an outdoor party. Place real surfboards or surfboard cut outs around the party area.
Collect mis-matched beach and pool chairs in assorted colors to seat your guests. Light the party area with tiki torches and outdoor party lanterns (but keep in mind that small children and open flames are a dangerous mix -- stick with electric torches for the little ones). Set the mood with classic Beach Boys and Hawaiian music.
Kids prefer the usual barbecue fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers and chips for a surfer themed party. Add a little Hawaiian flare with grilled pineapple, meatballs, and cocktail weenies served kabob-style. Serve the food on a buffet using sand buckets to hold ice and utensils. Garnish drinks with tiny cocktail umbrellas.
Create your own surfer themed birthday cake in just a few easy steps. Bake two sheet cakes and place them end to end; cut the cakes into the shape of a surfboard and ice the entire cake, then decorate to resemble a surfboard. If you are an experienced cake maker, try making a beach/water theme with a big wave and surfer on a board.
Keep the kids busy with surfer themed crafts such as decorating a surfboard with markers, glitter, and stickers. Cut out the card stock surfboards in advance and supply a large selection of stencils and markers. Kids can also create a surfer beach theme scene in a jar. Supply baby food jars with lids, blue and natural colored sand, miniature surfboards, and tiny seashells, or shell macaroni. Have the kids make scenes with these materials and take them home as souvenirs.
Instead of gift bags, hand out pukka shell necklaces, silk flower leis, or funky straw beach hats. Or burn a CD of surfer music for each guest.
