Beach Parties
If you are lucky enough to have a summer birthday, why not party on the beach?
Outside/Beach Parties
If there is one place where beach parties are an option it is Guernsey, we have such a great choice of venues !!!
Beach parties are super summer fun, especially when they are well planned, held at a great beach location, include delicious summer foods and exciting activities! The weather can be a little unpredictable of course so make sure that you always have a plan B up your sleave just in case. You can equally arrange some of these parties in your garden or at a local park.
For a great beach party location, find a beach with calm surf, clean toilets and maybe an area with some shade. If you can't find a beach with shade, make your own by setting up a large canopy.
Do remember that beach lovers in Guernsey are all ages and that if the weather is good you'll have company so be considerate of other beach users in terms of noise and space. Try to find a spot away from others already on the beach and those who choose to come an plonk themselves next to you once the party is in full swing obviously want to join in the fun. We have the link to the 2010 tide timetable at the bottom of this page.
Food
To ensure the success of your beach party, be sure to put together a fun summer menu. Bring along a barbecue and cook-up some hamburgers and hot dogs. Throw in some veggie burgers for those who prefer non-meat. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time and place lettuce, tomatoes, buns and other condiments in aluminum or plastic trays so that all you have to do is to uncover them. Don't forget all the extras like potato salad, pasta salad, vegetables, crisps and dips. Be sure to keep perishables cool by bringing along a couple of large ice bags that accommodate your prepackaged foil and plastic trays so you can quickly store them in the cooler when not being used or bring them out for those that are ready for a second helping. Set up a dedicated cooler with drinks and water and let everyone help themselves. The most interesting beach food we have seen on the Island is a Family once on the beach with their camping stove and a frying pan cooking up pancakes, with all sorts of fillings!!!! Send us some of your ideas for lovely yummy beach food so we can share them with all the other guernseymums.
Don't forget that if you are partying on the beach, take a bin bag and take all your litter home. Avoid any glass for safety reasons and ensure you adhere to any applicable beach regulations.
Games and Activities
We liked the games that we found on www.partyplan.co.uk, click here for a link to their outdoor games list, we really liked the balloon sit pop and cream game, great one for the beach and it sounds like it could be great fun!
Bring along a radio and play music, but as we said above always be aware of other beach users. Be sure to plan some fun games and activities that include getting a little sandy and a little wet, preferably in that order. Start with island limbo to see who can go the lowest under a bamboo pole. Then team up children with adults and see who can build the best sandcastle. Bring along water balloons and have teams of two toss them back and forth to each other moving further apart with each toss to see who can toss them the farthest without breaking them.
For invitations, write all the party details on inflatable beach balls and mail them to everyone deflated. Everyone will have to bring along the beach ball for directions to the party and this also provides another fun beach activity.
Click Here for a to States re policy on beach barbies Under 10 people then no permission is required between 10-50 people then you need to contact the Environment Dept on 717200
Themed Parties for the Beach and Outdoors
Some theme ideas for your beach party could be:
Sports day party
Active, fun and rewarding, sporty parties are a great way to get kids interacting and having fun. Ask your child what activities they want to do before hand and try to set up a good variety of sports that will appeal to girls aswell as boys. Egg & Spoon, sack races, assault courses, relays and a good old fashioned three-legged race will have everyone smiling in no time, or you could focus more on group activities like football, rounders or hockey.
As prizes try making mini medals with chocolate coins threaded through ribbons and giveaway little footballs or sporty pressies. Two of the sponsors of our party section CI Football Academy and Outdoor Guernsey offer lots of sport options for beach and outdoor parties. Click on their links to view more details.
Tea party
A good old fashioned tea party is a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon and little girls especially adore this kind of party. You could ask your little one to help you make fairy cakes and lay the food out on a big picnic rug with cushions that the children can sit on. If you're lucky enough to have a tree or you're planning a party in the park, hang little paper lanterns or bunting from it and take some music to help set the atmosphere.
Teddy bear's picnic
Ask each child to bring their favourite teddy bear or doll and set out picnic rugs, blankets or throws for them to eat on. Picnics are usually rather chilled affairs but you can help jazz them up with plenty of party games, songs and stories. The best thing about this type of party is you don't really need a schedule - it's more about children (and their mummies!) having a nice sociable time so perhaps see how the afternoon pans out but have some games/activities in place just in case the children start to get bored.
Themed character party
Whether it's Lazytown, Spiderman, princesses and princes - you can't go wrong with a character themed party, kids just love them. Ask the guests to come dressed up as their favourite character or set a theme such as 'superheros' or 'fairytale characters' and set up games and activities that fit the character theme. Make them aware though, that their costumes may get a bit sandy or dirty!
Art attack
The good thing about being outside is that you can get as messy as you like without having to worry about the carpet/curtains/couch getting destroyed. In fact, taking the fun outside is a jolly good excuse to get messy so perhaps tell the parents in advance to avoid sending their kids along in their best attire.
Pirate party
Treasure hunts, pirate stories, chocolate money...it's no wonder pirate-themed parties are such a hit with kids these days.
To add to the fun, you could make a boat-shaped picnic area by digging out a boat in the sand and get them to help you!
CLICK HERE for the 2010 TIDETIMES
Let us know your suggestions by email: info@guernseymums.gg or share your advice or experience on the Grapevine.
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