Themes & Plans

Party Resources

Party Blog

Subscribe To This Site

A Hawaiian Luau
Birthday Party

Luau birthday party

Want to throw a great luau birthday party? Here are some creative Hawaiian theme party ideas that are sure to make your next luau a blast!

Luau Birthday Party Invitations

Luau party invitation idea

Sending great invitations can make your guests feel special before the party even starts. You can either make your own luau invitations, or purchase some pre-made invites. Here are some ideas for both options:

A Postcard Invitation-- For this Hawaiian party theme invitation, use your computer to find a picture of a tropical beach and size it to 4x6. Over the picture, write the words, "Escape to Paradise... Join us at _________'s Luau Party." Glue your picture to a 4x6 index card. On the back, fill in all of your party information on one half of the card, and put your guest's address on the other so that your invitation looks like a real postcard!
An Origami Hawaiian Shirt Invitation-- Nothing says Hawaii like a tropical shirt. Click on this link for a video showing just how to make this fun Hawaiian luau party theme invitation. Write your party information on the inside of the shirt.
Coconut Invitation -- Did you know that the post office will mail an actual coconut?! Why not use a permanent marker to write your luau information on a coconut. Then head over to your local post office and have them add some unique stamps and send these off to your guests!

**General Invitation Tips** -- If you choose to make your own luau invitations, don't forget to include the date, location, and time of your party. It is also helpful to put the host's name, RSVP by date, and either your phone number or email.

Want something a little easier? Here are a few inspirations for Luau Party Invitations that we really like, available from Tiny Prints:

Lively Luau Invitations

Tiki Time Invitations

Happy Hibiscus Invitations

Hawaiian Luau Party Decoration Ideas

Decorating for a luau is all about using tropical colors and items reminiscent of the islands. Here are some ideas to help get you started:

Use sherbet colors -- Mix orange, lime, raspberry, and yellow, for an instant tropical feel.
Add some tropical flowers -- Decorate with tropical flowers such as orchids or anthurium for a splash of natural color. Another easy way to incorporate Hawaiian flowers in your party decor is by using colorful silk leis. Hang these from the backs of chairs, scatter them on your tabletops, and pass them out to your party guests as a Hawaiian greeting!
Use Raffia -- A raffia table skirt is a great way to dress up your serving table.
Make tropical fruit centerpieces -- Another thing Hawaii is famous for is their fruit. Create a fun luau centerpiece by combining fruits such as pineapple, coconut, kiwi, and star fruit. Add some flowers or a small tiki statue to finish the look. Another idea is to make centerpieces of mixed fruit on skewers stuck into a pineapple base. This can be a centerpiece and snack all in one!
Use great lighting -- Lighting is really important at a party, especially an outdoor luau. Consider hanging colorful Hawaiian lanterns or using tiki torches to light your party. You might also add some citronella candles if mosquitoes are a problem.
Add some bigger props -- If you want some great focal point ideas, consider adding a large inflatable palm tree, setting up some beach chairs under a raffia covered beach umbrella, or setting up a big inflatable tiki pole. These are all great props that will bring the island feel to your decoration in a big way.

Here are some Hawaiian party supply kits that would be perfect for a luau birthday party:

Day in Paradise Party Supplies	Luau Deluxe Party Supplies	Hibiscus Party Supplies
Flip Flop Party Supplies	Hibiscus Heat Party Supplies	Hawaiian Girl Party Supplies

Luau Party Games

Beach Theme Charades – Write up charade ideas and put them in a sack. Then have the children take turns coming up and acting out these beach related things. Some ideas you might use include: surfer, swimmer, crab, fish, dolphin, parrot, boater, boogie boarder, making a sandcastle, putting on suntan lotion, collecting shells, taking photos, sipping a cool drink, snorkeling, spreading out a towel and arranging your gear, performing a lifeguard rescue.
Limbo Contest – Use some fun music and a limbo stick or broom handle to have a limbo contest. Either adults or children can hold the stick and lower it after each round to see how low everybody can go!
Activity Hoop Relay – Split your guests into two teams and have them stand in a line, holding hands. Place a hoop in front of each line. When you say, “Go” the first child in line picks up the hoop without letting go of her teammate’s hand. Each child should then pass the hoop over her head and shoulders, step through, and pass it onto the arm of the next child in line without letting go of anyone’s hand. If at any time a team becomes disconnected, they must start over. The team that gets the hoop passed down the entire line and onto the ground behind the last teammate wins!
Dancing -- Play some of your favorite Hawaiian or summertime music and clear a space for some dancing.
Hot Coconut — Using either a coconut cup or a ball, or a real coconut, play a traditional game of hot potato. Have either an adult or child play music while facing away from the group. When the music stops, whoever is holding the coconut is out. Continue until there is only one player left. Then that player can become the music controller for the next round.

Because the luau is one of our favorite themes, we have created for you a complete luau birthday party in a box where we give you a detailed party plan full of our favorite Hawaiian theme party ideas to walk you through your entire event, as well as all of the party decorations, supplies, game materials, and favors that you need to host an amazing party, including games, a flower making craft, a fabric beach bag craft, coconut cups, and leis for all of your guests. Check out our sister website Party Time Party Boxes for this complete party in a box.
Now free shipping! Hooray!

Luau Birthday Party Menu Ideas

One of the best things about a luau birthday party is the great food. Here are a few menu ideas for some tasty tiki treats:

Fruit Kabobs - Make these by alternating your favorite colorful fruit on wooden skewers.
Tropical Trail Mix -- Mix together things like macadamia nuts, cashews, dried pineapple, dried banana, and coconut for a tropical snack.
Tropical Punch -- Mix pineapple or POG (pineapple, orange, guava) juice with 7-Up. You can also freeze pieces of fruit into ice cubes and use them as a colorful addition.
Fruit Smoothies -- Blend 2 bananas, 2 cups of frozen berries (or strawberries if they are available), 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of frozen yogurt.

Luau Birthday Party Favors

Here are a few of our favorite ideas for some fun luau birthday party favors:

Flower leis to greet your guests (a Hawaiian party must!)
Flip Flops
Sunglasses
Bucket Hats or Visors
Sand Pails and Shovels (can also be used as a goody bag)
Beach Balls
Small bottles of suntan lotion

Hope you found some useful Hawaiian theme party ideas on this page. We hope your next luau birthday party is a day at the beach!

If you enjoyed these luau party ideas, you might also enjoy these parties:

Under the Sea Party

Pool Party

Jamaican Party

Share Your Party With Us!

Have you hosted or attended a great party recently? We would love to hear about it! Tell us about your party and what made it special. We'll post it here to share with all our readers. Plus, your party will automatically be entered in our next party submission contest!

Your Party Theme