Hau`oli la Hanau! This expression means "happy birthday" in the Hawaiian language. A Hawaiian-themed party is perfect for a child's birthday, especially in the summer months. There are so many options for decorations, food and games that hosting such a party is a great exercise in creativity! Choose an outdoor venue where there is a bit of a breeze, opt for colorful decorations, serve dishes inspired by the tradition of these islands and enliven the games with a tropical touch!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choosing the Venue and Decorations
Step 1. Choose a place
Decide if you prefer to organize the party at home or somewhere else; in theory, you should choose an appropriate and themed venue for the party. The pools, open spaces and barbecue areas help create the right atmosphere; if you want to have the pool party, but don't have it at home, you can consider renting one at some clubs or hotels in the area.
If the child is under the age of five, it is perhaps best to have the party at home; new environments can easily overwhelm small children
Step 2. Evaluate the climate
If you have decided on an outdoor party, take this factor into consideration. Maybe you need to set the date well in advance and can't rely on the weather forecast, but you can keep track of the time of day. If you live in an area where it rains almost every afternoon even during the summer, call the party for the evening.
If you are concerned that rain will ruin the event, organize activities that can also be carried out indoors in an emergency
Step 3. Choose "tropical" colors
Go for some bright and vibrant shades for the Hawaiian party! Lime green, turquoise, bright orange and fuchsia are all great options. You can also consider a rainbow scheme or colors closer to the tropical environment; by doing so, you can more easily choose the matching decorations.
- For example, you can focus on shades of pink and orange or green and blue.
- When choosing the predominant shades, ask the child's opinion or consider his favorite colors.
Step 4. Buy some lei
These are the colorful Hawaiian garlands made with flowers and, sometimes, with seeds, shells and feathers; they are a symbol of affection and are worn during celebrations. Spread the Hawaiian spirit by purchasing plastic or fabric lei at party supply stores.
The garlands perform the dual function of decoration and homage for the guests; hang them on tables, chairs to recreate the right atmosphere and give them to the children when they arrive, so that everyone has a festive look
Step 5. Arrange plants and flowers everywhere
The brightly colored flowers and green plants are ideal for a tropical setting. Depending on your budget and personal preferences, you can buy real or synthetic plants; put them on counters, chairs, tables and make your house or pool a "window" on the Hawaiian Islands!
Step 6. Make fruit centerpieces
An assorted fruit bowl is a very nice decoration that also provides a great snack; use coconut, kiwi, lime, mango and citrus.
Step 7. Decorate the tables with straw skirts
These elements can completely transform the look of the boards; just stick them along the edge respecting the instructions on the package. You can buy such skirts at party supply stores.
Part 2 of 4: Prepare the Guest List and Invitations
Step 1. Prepare a guest list
To hold a party, you need to ask the child's friends to attend! You also need to consider their parents if the little ones are under the age of four. Think of family friends and school friends you would like to invite; if the birthday boy is older than four, he is likely to want to express his opinion in drawing up the list.
Step 2. Decide if you want to buy or make the invitations
You can buy Hawaiian-themed tickets at the stationery or party supplies stores, or you can try making them yourself!
Tickets should indicate the date, time and location of the party; don't forget to mention any special details. For such a party you might recommend that the children bring their own bathing suits
Step 3. Choose some cheerful and colorful invitations
Go for the bright ones decorated with flip flops, flowers and sea waves. If you have decided to buy them, consider using postcards from Hawaii.
- If you prefer to make them by hand, cut out flip-flop-shaped cards using cardboard; the result is very pleasant and it is not a complicated job. Print the text on colored cardboard, trace the outline of the slippers and cut them out. You can also find stencils and templates online to print; glue some silk flowers as extra decoration.
- The possibilities are truly endless. You can make postcards in the shape of a flower or attach each of these to a lei; visit the websites and blogs of people throwing parties for inspiration.
Step 4. Send out the invitations 2-4 weeks in advance
You need to give guests enough time to organize, but not so much that they risk forgetting the event. The best thing to do is to send the tickets at least two weeks before the party, but no later than four weeks.
Part 3 of 4: Organizing the Dishes
Step 1. Decide if you want to cook or rely on a catering company
You can prepare the dishes yourself to offer to guests or hire an external company. If you are planning a very large party, it may not be possible to cook everything at home; if, on the other hand, you do not foresee the presence of a lot of food or there are few guests, domestic preparation could be both fun and the solution with the best cost / benefit ratio.
Step 2. Evaluate how many dishes to serve
Do you prefer to offer a full meal or just snacks? It is a completely personal choice; for a short-lived party the only things you might need are ice cream and a cake.
Step 3. Choose tropical flavors
The foods presented at a Hawaiian party don't have to be perfectly authentic; the cuisine of these islands is rich in tropical fruit and flavors, therefore concentrated to integrate these ingredients into typical products for a children's birthday party.
Try a tropical fruit salad, mango ice cream or chips with pineapple sauce
Step 4. Insert a pork dish
Roast pork, or "Kalua pua'a", is the staple of traditional Hawaiian festivals; typically, it is flavored with sea salt and green onions before cooking it in an underground oven. Roasting a whole pig is perhaps too much for a children's party, especially since the little ones often have difficult tastes; in that case, you should choose simpler dishes inspired by the Hawaiian tradition.
Serve cooked ham with pineapple rings or Hawaiian sweet rolls stuffed with pork strips; you can also order a pizza with pineapple for the fussy kids
Step 5. Choose dishes that you can eat with your hands
Whether you have decided to cook or rely on a catering company, remember that finger foods are the best solution for a party of this type; kids can quickly grab their bite and get back to playing right away. In doing so, you also save yourself from having to buy plastic plates and cutlery.
- The skewers are simple and recall the tropics; you can prepare them with fruit or with pineapple and ham.
- Pizza and sandwiches are simple and versatile foods.
- Marine-themed candies are perfect for a Hawaiian party and you can even buy them in bulk! Choose those in the shape of fish, shark and even octopus.
Step 6. Offer fruit drinks
Cold drinks are indispensable, especially if the party is organized outdoors on a very hot day. Stock up on water, but also consider offering other drinks, especially fruit ones; smoothies and juices are perfect solutions.
- Garnish the glasses with orange slices, paper umbrellas and colored straws.
- Read hundreds of soft and fun drink recipes online; you can even serve some tropical cocktails for other parents.
- You can also organize a "bar" corner where children and adults can have their own fruit drinks!
Step 7. Choose a colorful cake that recalls the beach
For many children, the cake is the focal point of the birthday party. Purchase or cook one that fits the Hawaiian theme; it should be colorful and remind of the sea. For example, those in the shape of flip flops, fish or sand castle surprise all the guests.
When buying the cake, take into account the allergies and the number of those present; if the party is very large, two sweets may be needed
Part 4 of 4: Organizing Activities
Step 1. Choose games suitable for the age of the participants
The activities for the party vary according to the age of the children present. You should think of something simple for the little ones, and if you have hired artists, the performances should be short-lived.
If the party is held in the pool, the water could provide all the fun you need, especially for younger children
Step 2. Add a tropical touch to classic games
Organizing these activities can be simple, just slightly modify the typical ones that take place during a birthday party, so that they fit the theme.
- Play "hot potato" using a tropical fruit, such as a mango or coconut; alternatively, participants can throw leis as rings. Have the children pull them in an attempt to tuck them around small tiki torches.
- Buy a marine-themed pan and fill it with tropical flavored candies, such as fruit jellies, fish-shaped jellies or citrus fruitella. Blindfold each child and have them hit the pan with a stick to open it.
Step 3. Offer hula dance lessons
It is a typical Hawaiian dance that is considered one of the oldest traditions. Play island music and organize a dance competition or hire an instructor who can teach the kids a few steps.
Consider providing straw skirts for the little ones to wear during the dance; these can also become a gift to give to guests
Step 4. Get everyone involved in a limbo contest
It is the traditional island game in which the participants have to pass under a bar, without touching it, leaning backwards. Those who come into contact with the bar are eliminated; gradually the stake is lowered and the remaining player is declared the winner. This is a fun activity that requires little material. Play some Hawaiian music, get yourself a cane and let the game begin!
There is no need to buy a special stick, a broom handle is also fine
Step 5. Organize a hula hoop competition
It is a simple and engaging activity for older children. Have them compete to see who can spin the circle the longest, but don't forget to put on some theme music.
Step 6. Make some lei
This is a simple craft project that even preschoolers can complete with a little help from their parents; Provide string and assorted flowers with a hole in the center. The little ones can choose their favorite flowers and string them to make a personalized wreath.
- If you prefer, you can buy some beads and shells to add to the crowns.
- You can allow older children to use cardboard and cut out the flowers they have drawn; Provide various types of stencils and let attendees unleash their imaginations.
- Guests can take these handcrafted lei home as a gift.
Advice
- Compose a list of Hawaiian phrases for guests to learn, such as "Hau`oli la Hanau" (pronounced "au-oh-lei la ha-nau"), which means "happy birthday"!
- If you have a friend who can play the ukulele, ask him to perform at the party.
Warnings
- Always supervise children when they play near water, especially in the pool.
- Respect Hawaiian culture; While the party doesn't need to be completely authentic, you shouldn't mimic the traditions of this people either.
