Under the Sea Birthday Party Ideas

An under-the-sea party fills the room with fish, octopuses, sharks and sea turtles. It's a great fit for kids who love ocean animals, whether they're into friendly fish or toothy sharks, and it's easy to adapt into a summer pool party.

Start with the invitation

These Birfy designs are made for an ocean party:

A few wording ideas:

Come swim with us! Oliver is turning 4. Join us for an under-the-sea party.

O-fish-ally five! Dive in and celebrate Grace's birthday.

Something's fishy: it's Ben's birthday! Join the school of friends for a party under the sea.

If your child is more into mermaids than sharks, see our mermaid party ideas.

Decorations

• Ocean blues: blue and teal streamers hanging from the ceiling look like water.
• Sea creatures: paper fish, a balloon octopus with streamer tentacles, and paper-plate jellyfish.
• A shark zone: a cardboard shark fin "swimming" across the floor makes kids laugh.
• Bubbles: clear balloons and bubble lights.
• Sandy table: a beige tablecloth with shells and toy sea animals.

Food

• Goldfish crackers and gummy fish.
• Ocean jello cups: blue gelatin with a gummy fish inside.
• Octopus hot dogs: cut the bottom of a hot dog into "tentacles" before cooking (cut small for little ones).
• Shark bite sandwiches: sandwiches cut with a bite-shaped edge.
• Sea cake: blue frosting waves with a fondant whale, octopus or shark fin.

Games and activities

• Go fishing: magnetic fishing rods and paper fish with paper clips.
• Shark and minnows: one child is the shark, the others are minnows trying to cross the yard without being tagged.
• Sea creature craft: paper-plate jellyfish or sock octopuses.
• Ocean sensory bin: blue water beads or water with toy sea animals (supervise closely; water beads are not for little ones who might put them in their mouth).
• Pool or sprinkler play on a hot day, with an adult watching the water at all times.

Party favors

• Sea animal toys or squishies
• Fish-shaped bubble wands
• Ocean stickers and tattoos
• Gummy fish
• Mini beach balls

Keep it simple

A fishing game, streamer "water" and a sea cake set the scene. When you're ready to dive in, Birfy gives you an under-the-sea design, RSVPs and a gift wishlist in one link that guests open on their phone.