Invitations: Make flip flop invitations by cutting card stock using an actual flip flop to make a template. On the back, write the date, time and place of the party, plus the suggestion to wear a swimsuit and bring sunscreen and a beach towel. Decorate the front to look like a flip flop with markers, stickers, puffy paints and paper flowers.
Several on-line vendors have flip flop party invites, including: Birthday in a Box, Oriental Trading Company and Fine Stationery.
Decorations: This party lends itself to pool or beach venues. But it also works well in your own backyard. Water activities are the heart of this party and so minimal decorations are in order. Create a backyard water park by setting up an inflatable wading pool, a sprinkler and/or other water-related activities. Fill buckets with water toys and water balloons and let the splashy fun begin. Play beach music to reinforce the flip flop splash party mood.
Several on-line vendors have flip flop themed party supplies, including: Birthday in a Box, Oriental Trading Company and Target.
You may want to purchase large colorful t-shirts ($2.05-3.33/each, depending on color selected) for the kids to wear as cover-ups at snack time. Be sure to have a garbage bag available for each guest to store wet towels etc. for the ride home. You may want to write the names in permanent marker in advance so there will be no mix-ups at parent pick-up time.
When swimming or doing pool activities with kids always make sure there is sufficient adult supervision or a lifeguard present. You may also want to clean out a party space in the garage or basement, just in case of unexpected rain.
Activities: Organize a guessing game as the guests arrive. Fill a large unbreakable jar with individually wrapped pieces of salt water taffy. Have each child write down his or her guess for the number of pieces in the jar along with his or her name. At the end of the party award the taffy to the child whose guess came the closest to the actual number.
Purchase several disposable waterproof cameras. Take photos of the kids in the pool, running through the sprinklers and playing games. Send copies to guests with the thank you notes.
Games: Play Water Balloon Catch. Pair guests off with each pair receiving a water balloon. One throws the balloon to the other. Those who catch the balloon without bursting move a step further from their partner. When the balloon bursts, the pair is eliminated. The game continues until a winning pair is left.
Play Cold Potato. Get an ice cube and form a circle with the party kids. Pass the ice cube around as fast as you can until it melts. The last person holding the ice cube before it melts is the winner.
Organize a Hula Hoop Contest under a sprinkler. Twirling a slippery hula hoop will be extra tough to do. Have someone time each kid's attempt. Winner will be the one who can hula the longest.
Play a Splash Party version of Bozo Buckets. Have kids throw three wet sponges into three buckets. The closest bucket earns one point. The second bucket gets two points. The third earns three points. Whoever has the most points after two turns wins.
Play Water Basketball. Shoot "baskets" in the pool. Float an inner tube in the pool. See how many "baskets" each kid can make by tossing a ball into the center of the tube. Give each child three tries. Kid with the most "baskets" wins. You may need to have several tie breakers with this game to determine the winner.
Play Limbo with a hose. While an adult tightly holds the hose, have kids limbo under the stream of water. If a kid gets hit with the water, he or she is out. If a kid falls or trips, he or she is out. After all guests have had a turn, have the adult holding the hose lower it. See how low the winner can go.
Crafts: On a hot day the water games and play time might be enough fun for this party, but if you would like to make a craft - fancy flip flops would be an excellent choice. This craft is easy and inexpensive. To do this project you will need a pair of inexpensive flip flops for each guest, various colored buttons, beads or rhinestones and white craft glue.
Using white craft glue, start in the center of the flip flop strap and attach buttons, beads or rhinestones, one after another. Allow the glue to dry for an hour or two before wearing. Do not use hot glue for this project as it comes loose from the plastic too easily.
Food: Serve the party food in small sand pails. Cute, inexpensive ones are available from vendors like Oriental Trading Company and Toy Connection. Fill the pails with simple small sandwiches cut into the shape of starfish wrapped in waxed paper. Add some carrot and celery sticks also wrapped along with some napkins. Recycle plastic Easter eggs ($9.99 for 144) and fill them with a mixture of gold fish crackers, raisins and the new pretzel M&Ms.
Serve Island Punch with colorful paper beverage umbrellas and neon straws.
Cakes: A pair of flip flop cakes will be the perfect dessert for this party. Click here for easy bake and make directions. If you prefer cupcakes, serve flip flop cupcakes. Use Wilton Beach Sandal Candles to top cupcakes iced with bold pastel frosting.
If your birthday child does not care for cake, you may want to serve fruit pizza, summer sugar cookies or a variety of frozen pops, such as chocolate peanut butter pudding pops or frosty bites.
Favors: Each guest will have a sand pail set and t-shirt cover-up to take home. The decorated flip flops will also make great favors. If you want to do more, consider wrapping up a variety of items like small water toys, bubbles, beach balls, funky sunglasses, jump ropes, yo-yo's etc and let each child choose one mystery package as his or her favor.
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