Backyard Beach Party for Kids

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Kids love to play in the water while enjoying the relief it provides from the heat. A beach theme makes the perfect idea for a kid's summer birthday or to celebrate any occasion. Even if you don't have a pool and live hundreds of miles from any beach, you can still host a beach party for your kids. All you need is a backyard and a sense of adventure.

Hosting your own backyard beach party is easier than you think. It doesn't cost a lot and you don't need a lot of preparations to make it a success. Just adjust these ideas based on the ages of your kids.

1. Have your kids help you figure out the guest list and make cool invitations.

Make your own handmade invitations, using construction paper or paper stock with personalized stamps and stickers to decorate. On the invites, let them know to bring their swimsuits. If you provide the towels and other items, you won't have to worry about getting the right stuff to the kids when they are ready to leave.

2. Make your snacks quick and easy.

Frozen fruit is cool and tasty when those temperatures soar. A snack with Jello and whipped topping is always a hit no matter how old kids get. Popsicles are also a good treat on a hot day. Don't worry about providing a lot of food; kids would rather play than eat.

3. Have an assortment of water toys.

Water guns and balloons are inexpensive and fun. Get a sprinkler for the water hose for a first-class water fight. Water games can take up the majority of the party and there are plenty to choose from, depending on your kids' ages. For some great ideas, check out Wacky Water Games for kids.

4. End the party with water storytime.

Have everyone sit in a circle. For older kids, you can give them water guns and have one child start a made-up story. After a few minutes, they spray another child to continue the story. Then that child sprays the next one and so on until everyone has had a chance to add to the story. For smaller kids, you can ask them questions and pick the one to answer by spraying them. This can be a fun game to help them wind down before they go home.

You'll want your backyard to look the part of a beach party. You can find leis at a dollar store or make your own. Have the kids color and cut out some cool flowers. Punch a hole in the center and string them together with a colorful piece of yarn. Give one to each child who comes to the party. Don't forget to make one for yourself!

You can string together even more flowers on a longer piece of yarn to create a festive decoration. Tape the homemade garland to your deck or the house.

Buy brightly colored plastic plates and cups for treats. Blow up some balloons and tie them on a table leg or the back of a chair. If you are feeling creative, you can even make your own balloon animals, like a flamingo.

Blue and green streamers will add to the island vibe. You can pick up some large flowers at your local craft store. Put them together in a vase as a centerpiece on a table.

For older kids, create a photo area. Use blue paper or a blue tablecloth as the backdrop. Get some vines from a craft store and staple them to the top and let them hang down. You can include some of those craft flowers as well. Have a box nearby with all kinds of beachy props, including sunglasses, a floppy hat, a flowery shirt, and other fun items.

What if you have a tight budget and no money to buy water toys? What if you don't have any time to plan for a party because your kids are bored right now? You can still create a fun beach party with items you have on hand.

1. Make a slip and slide with an old trash bag. Use one of those big lawn and leaf black trash bags and wet it down. Little kids will enjoy sliding on it even if they can't go very far. just put it in the shade to keep it from getting too hot.

2. Use plastic cups, storage containers, or other kitchen items for a water fight if you don't have guns. Have a large bucket of water or two placed in a central location. The kids can refill on their own as they go after the other team.

3. Run the water hose on a trampoline if you have one. It also makes a great slide for kids as long as it has the netting in place and you limit the number of kids on it at one time.

You don't need to be fancy or spend a lot of money to create a fun afternoon with your kids and their friends this summer.

Try these and other ideas to create a backyard beach party for your kids. Add a comment for any other suggestions you have to make this a fun event.