Luau Birthday Party for Kids

Throwing a luau birthday for a child is an awesome way to enjoy pleasant weather outside with a pool party. or to mock cold weather by hosting the party indoors during the winter. Tropical decor, refreshing party food, the right location and entertainment all add up to make the kids' birthday party a memorable occasion.

Location

If your home has a swimming pool and the weather is warm, this is the perfect location for your birthday party luau. If you have a generous budget for the party, rent a hotel room or suite and invite the guests for a slumber party after the luau. Luau birthday parties are typically a success even if held indoors because of the casual, colorful and festive theme. Invite guests to wear tropical-inspired clothing or provide grass skirts for each guest to wear.

Decorations

Party-supply stores carry inexpensive leis year-round. These serve as party favors that you can use to greet the party guests with a warm "Aloha" at the door. Leis are an economical way to decorate the room as well. Use pushpins to hang them from the walls or ceiling, drape them over doorknobs and lampshades and surround a centerpiece. Buy posters of tropical scenes at discount or party-supply stores and hang them from the walls. Decorate a poster board with tropical-looking pictures you cut out of magazines or print off a computer. Brightly colored tablecloths, paper plates and napkins add to the casual and tropical ambience of the party. Float helium balloons with tropical flowers, pictures of hula girls or palm trees.

Food

Supply coconut- or pineapple-flavored punch for the party guests. Stick a cocktail umbrella pick in each beverage glass to enhance the luau theme. Create a "pupu platter" of Hawaiian appetizers. Place cubes of fresh fruit, such as pineapples, kiwi, strawberries and papaya on fancy toothpicks for a mini-fruit kabob. Provide meatballs, cheese cubes and cocktail sausages on fancy toothpicks as well. Add a Hawaiian-themed birthday cake and your food preparations are complete.

Entertainment

Play tropical-sounding music in the background while your guests are enjoying the luau. Organize a game of limbo by using a rope or long pole. Provide hoops for the guests and have contests to see who can spin the hoops the longest or in the most creative fashion. Supply the kids with a pair of inexpensive flip-flops and craft or school glue. Provide scissors, craft foam, silk flowers, beads or other decor to allow each guest to personalize his own funky beach sandals.