Finding Nemo is a great story, full of important messages and quite a bit of silliness. Loved by kids everywhere, this movie has been enjoyed again and again and again. (Even most adults don’t get tired of it.) With such a wide variety of characters, Finding Nemo makes a great theme for any child’s birthday party, whether they are a boy or a girl.

To start the festivities, why don’t you let the guests all go fishing? Okay…so real fishing is probably out, unless you live right on the beach. It is easy to get a kiddie pool full of water, though! You can put little plastic fish in the water and give all the kids a net like you’d find at the pet store. If you are very crafty oriented, you could attach a magnet to the fish in some way and then give the kids an actual “pole” (made from a small wooden rod with string and a magnet for the “hook”). There are also manufactured children’s board games that allow kids to “go fishing”, so that would be an option if it is too cold outside for the other activity.

Next, why don’t you play a favorite game, “Mother May I”? Set up an area, starting with the “drop-off” and ending in Sydney! The first person to get to Sydney wins the game and saves Nemo! You can leave the birthday boy or girl choose the character that the others have to ask “May I” to. (“Marlin May I?” or “Dory May I?”)

If crafts are enjoyable for you and your child, get the guests into the act by making a fun paper plate fish during your party. It doesn’t take much:

• Paper plates
• Scissors
• Glue
• Googly Eyes
• Crayons

Just cut a triangle out of the paper plate, glue it onto the larger portion so that it looks like a tail, add some eyes and color to match your favorite Finding Nemo character!

Since piñatas are such a big hit at birthday parties, finding a Nemo shaped piñata online is not too difficult. If you cannot find one specifically depicting one of the movie characters, any piñata shaped like a fish, a shark, a turtle or a pelican could be used. Guest can keep the prizes that fall out of the piñata is a small, brown bag or a goodie bag with the Nemo theme on it.

Food at a Finding Nemo themed party couldn’t be easier. Goldfish Crackers are a great treat for young and old, and they come in many colors and flavors! There are also Goldfish pretzels, for those that may not be crazy about cheese. If you want something sweet, you can always make a “Bowl of Fish” for the guests to enjoy. Some blue jello and gummy fish all in a big bowl makes a sweet snack! The guests can make their own snack, as well. Everyone can make “Sand” (a variation on “Dirt”) out of vanilla pudding, ‘Nilla Wafer’ crumbs and gummy sea creatures.

At the end of the party, when presents have been opened and guests are good and tired, why not pop in the movie “Finding Nemo”? This will give everyone a quiet time to relax after all that activity, but still be entertaining and enjoyable. If you don’t have that much time, or are avoiding the television at your party, you can always read one of the numerous books based on the movie to the guests.

Everything you need for a Finding Nemo party, like cups, plates, napkins, decorations, invitations and thank you notes, can be found at local party stores or online. Ready made goodie bags can be found, too, if you plan to give those to the guests of the party. (Tip: when ordering online, leave plenty of time for shipping!)