A JAWsome Backyard Beach Birthday Bash

I’m not sure how it happened, but we have a six year old! Come see how we celebrated with a shark birthday party- it was JAWSOME!

Summer birthdays are a little awkward. It’s hot.

The kids are between their classes at school. It’s hot.

People are traveling. It’s hot. 

I have actually avoided planning a birthday party for Sweet P since his big First Birthday shindig and have managed to get by with smaller family birthday gatherings the past couple years. 

Shark Birthday Party

But this six year old was not letting me off the hook this year! I am pretty sure the birthday party discussions started back in April. There were lots of specific requests and I think he invited everyone he saw for around 60 days. And I was so happy to oblige in his excitement! 

With an early August birthday, we decided the best route for a theme would be water. Because, you guessed it- IT IS HOT.  The invitations were sent and we let the children know to wear their swim suits and bring a towel because they would be getting WET! Once we decided on water, I ran with the backyard beach bash theme with a focus on sharks. 

Shark Birthday Party Decor

The decor was super simple- I just raided our garage for all of our beach gear to make our “beach”. 

And then I turned to Oriental Trading for the shark party themed decor. 

Instead of hanging paper lanterns, I opted for beach balls and it turned out pretty cute! 

We set up a slip ‘n slide, had a large baby pool and a sprinkler. We had water balloons and of course I also purchased enough water guns for all of the kids and a water war definitely happened! 

With the hot afternoons, we opted for a mid-morning time frame and we definitely got lucky and had lots of sunshine, particularly since the forecast was calling for rain all week. It did pour all night the night before and so we were so lucky to have a beautiful day! 

Shark Birthday Party Cake

I kept the cake simple (and inexpensive) and opted for a cookie cake from Publix. With very loose creative direction of “beach” and “shark”. Didn’t it turn out cute? 

SHIRT (on mega sale!)  |  EARRINGS (similar)

Shark Birthday Party Favors

I also kept the goodie bags super simple. Brown paper bags cut with a shark “fin” with my pinking shears, some sea creatures goggles from Oriental Trading, and some Shark Bites gummies I found at Publix. 

I made some “jawsome” shark party favor bag tags. 

I do admit the goggles were a hit- what it is with littles and their goggles?

Sweet and simple for the win. 

Sweet P also got his wish of a pinata, and we used a fun shark shaped one from Oriental Trading. I just had blue cups from the Dollar Tree ready to hand out and the kiddos all filled their cups with the candy treasure. 

I know lots of parents are opting for the destination parties because it is easy without any clean up. But I do love the simple backyard ones!  Honestly, this was one of the easiest parties we have ever executed (between breakfast and lunch so no meals!) and I have a feeling we will be repeating this party for the next couple of years. 

Happy 6th Sweet P! (and STOP GROWING ALREADY!)

Shark Birthday Party Supply List: 

Beach Ball “Lanterns”: Oriental Trading

Shark Cut-Out: Oriental Trading

Birthday Cake: Publix

Sea Creatures Goggles: Oriental Trading

Beach Chairs & Umbrella: Costco (link to Amazon)

Water Guns: Dollar Tree (link to Amazon)

xoxo-

Heather

Special thanks to Oriental Trading for providing all of the fun “JAWSOME” shark birthday party decor and the goggles for the gift bags.