Bathing suits, sun, sunscreen, beach balls, sand…all of these things put together make the beach a great party place for teens. However, not everyone lives close enough to the beach to visit very often. If that happens to be the case with your family, you can still make your teen’s next party have a beach theme. But if you cannot go to the beach, just bring the beach to you!

Plan A - If your party takes place in the summer:

In the preparations for your party, buy a small outdoor kiddie pool if you do not have one. For a teen party, this is mostly a symbolic gesture as they will not want to go "swimming" in a kiddie pool. But what is a beach party without getting a least a little wet? If you are fortunate to have a swimming pool, use the small kiddie pool for sand and stake up an umbrella inside for an authentic beach party feel. Since a teen party is more likely to last longer or take place in the early evening, you can add lights to your "beach" location to give the ambiance of a beach club. Set up a couple of tables outside with lanterns and serve beverages with those little umbrellas to help set the theme. Put the boombox outdoors with your teen's favorite music.

Food at a beach party can be anything at all. Just serve it as if you were on a picnic! spread out the beach blankets and let serve themselves buffet style, lounging anywhere they like while they chat and snack! Goldfish crackers and pretzels would be thematic, as would shark-shaped gummy snacks and gummy worms for the snack bowls. The main meal can be anything light and summery - always a great idea to let your teen decide the dinner, from pizza to chicken wings.

The beach party theme is easy to find in many dollar or party outlet stores. You will be able to find plates, cups, napkins, decorations & invitations, all with sunny skies, sand castles, flowers or ocean creatures. If you do happen to have trouble locating paper products, go to your computer and look at the many quality party stores that are located online. (Tip: when ordering online, leave plenty of time for shipping!)

To close out your party, the guests can relax in front of any number of movies that have a beach theme. Plan a trip to the video store ahead of time with your teen to choose a movie together.

Plan B - If your party takes place in the winter:

A beach party indoors will require a little more space - a great spot is a rec room or a location where your teens can have some space to themselves. In the invites, ask each guest to wear a Hawaiian shirt to get in the spirit of the party. Or, you could pick up some inexpensive colourful shirts and find some cheerful Hawaiian leis at the dollar store to adorn your guest with as they arrive. To help support the ambiance of a beach party, have some Beach Boys music playing as the guests arrive, but always defer to your teen for their favorite style of music once the guests are assembled.

Spread out a bunch of beach towels and pillows, and put out the munchies as above, with all the trimmings of a tropical location. Teens will always prefer that once you set the scene, that you let them socialize the way they wish with their friends, so allow them the opportunity to have their own space. Always touch back into the party at the appropriate times, like coordinating the dinner meal or opening the gifts, or even (embarrassingly) poking your head in to take a few snapshots. Even though they may complain, they will love to see the pictures after the fact.

To close out your party, the guests can relax in front of any number of movies that have a beach theme. Plan a trip to the video store ahead of time with your teen to choose a movie together.