The Ultimate List of Ideas for Your Luau Party!
- dakotarhoad
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Planning a luau party, beach party, or Moana party? Whether your kiddo is a little beach bum or just obsessed with ocean vibes and tropical fun, you know the perfect theme is all about sunshine, surf, and island style!
If you’re looking for kids party ideas that are fun, creative, and stress-free, you’re in the right place! From themed games and themed treats to DIY crafts and party favors, this list has everything you need to keep the party planning process from being a total chore.
And if you’re in Austin, Texas, The Wander Center offers luau-themed party decor rentals– so you can create an immersive setting without the waste. Decor and add-ons are delivered directly to you… and then taken away after! Here’s your ultimate list of luau party ideas to bring your island celebration to life!
FTC Disclosure. This article includes affiliate links, from which I will receive a small commission should you purchase an item from the link. Girl needs commissions to build more themes! Maybe take a vacation.
Real Food
Hawaiian Pizza Skewers - Hawaiian Pizza on a stick!
Chicken Kebobs/Veggie Kebabs - Easy and flavorful, perfect for summer grilling. Chicken for the meat lovers, veggie if that’s your thing!
Nacho Bar - Give your party participants the ultimate nacho experience. Here’s a list of 101 nacho topping ideas!
Hawaiian Meatballs - Tired of Hawaiian flavors? NAH! Here’s a great crockpot option.
Hawaiian Pizza - Homemade or store-bought!
Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork - Great for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or by itself! Get the recipe here.
Coconut Shrimp - Adults coming to the party? Hit ‘em with a shrimp surprise!
Hawaiian Sliders - Delicious party-sized sandwiches filled with smoky ham, pineapple and gooey mozzarella cheese.
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches - Pick your kiddo’s favorite sandwich, and cut it into a luau shape. Like these pineapples!
Hawaiian Mac - Simple and delicious! You can’t beat the simple creamy classic flavors of Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
Ceviche - Yes please! Tons of recipes online.
Snacks
Tropical Chex Mix - The Chex Mix we all love with a tropical flavor twist.
Chips & Pineapple Salsa/Mango Salsa - A healthy dip for not-so-healthy chips, or as a topper for other delicious food. Try pineapple or mango!
Fresh Fish (Goldfish) - Simple and effective!
Fish Eggs (Cheeto balls) - Gross! I mean yum!
Monkey Treats (tropical fruit - watermelon, pineapple/grilled pineapple, banana, kiwi)
Tropical Fruit Salad - Fresh fruit with a delicious summery dressing. Here’s the recipe!
Desserts
Turtle Poop - Chocolate covered anything small and oval!
Themed Cake/Cupcakes - Tons of fun ideas!
Drinks
POG Jungle Juice - A refreshing mix of passion fruit, orange, and guava juice.
Pina Colada - Cocktails or mocktails!
Hibiscus Iced Tea - Pretty and refreshing.
Lemonade
Make Your Own Smoothie Bar - Entertaining, healthy, refreshing! Ideas here.
Activities
Scavenger hunt EASY (ages 2+) - An easy and fun scavenger hunt adventure. Click here for printables.
Limbo (ages 3+) - A classic! Be on the lookout for the perfect stick.
Pineapple bowling (ages 3+) - Real pineapple pins and a coconut ball.
Melon, melon, PINEAPPLE! (ages 3+) - A luau version of Duck, Duck, Goose.
Find the missing pineapple/flamingo (ages 3+) - Hide a pineapple (or something else) and let kids search for it. Here’s an example.
Island freeze dance (ages 3+) - Play themed music and have the kids hula! Several variations here!
Scavenger hunt HARD (ages 4+) - A slightly harder scavenger hunt adventure for ages 4+. Learn how to create the hunt!
Pin the tail on the monkey/coconut on the palm tree (ages 4+) - Classic! Find plenty of printables on Etsy.
Luau-themed charades (ages 4+) - Kids act out different luau-related themed while others guess. Find a great list here.
Hawaiian adventure (obstacle course, ages 5+) - Map out an adventure so kids can travel through the “island”! Like this!
Guess the number of ___ in a jar (ages 5+) - Candy or any luau-esque objects that fit in a jar! Prize for the winner.
Beach ball games (ages 6+) - Summer outdoor and indoor games that are fun for large or small groups and parties. Here are 20 game ideas.
Crafts
Coloring sheets (ages 2+) - Easy, entertaining, only a little mess! Etsy is your BFF!
Paint a wooden animal (ages 2+) - A fun craft using beach-themed wooden cutouts. 24hrcrafts has tons of options!
Seashell decorating (ages 3+) - Large or small shells, both are a blast!
TP roll tipi mask (ages 3+) - Chalk pens & toilet paper rolls!
Make a necklace (ages 4+) - With luau charms! A great double as a party favor. See tutorial!
Clothespin magnets (ages 4+) - Functional crafts! Great for fridges, and there are tons of luau options. Birds, tikis, or beach!
Hibiscus flowers (ages 4+) - Tissue paper flowers! Participants can help decorate, then take them home.
Painted rocks (ages 6+) - SO cute and can live indoors or outdoors. Here are great beach-themed options!
Flip flop decorating (ages 6+) - Fun and functional! See how-to here.
Clay pineapple magnets (ages 8+) - For the detailed group! https://wir-testen-und-berichten.de/diy-kuehlschrank-magnete-fruechte-modelliermasse-selber-machen/!
Party Favors
Craft item^ - Of course kids can take home their handmade luau-themed craft!
Snacks/consumables - Save recycles containers leading up to the party for fillable snacks
Painted rocks - A fun activity for you and your kiddo before the party, if you don’t want to have attendees paint!
Temporary tattoos - Beach options galore!
Stickers - Fun, easy, and a huge hit!
Bonus Tips:
Decorate your space!
Rent themed party decorations from The Wander Center! TWC offers affordable, curated decor rentals to match your event. As of 2024, we have 10 unique themes– Safari, Dinosaur, Farm, Fairy, Princess, Western, Luau, Glamping, Taylor Swift, and Construction, and have more coming soon. We’ll help create a memorable celebration without (waste)ing time, money or space! See all current and upcoming themes HERE.
Have invitees dress up to theme
Encourage guests to come dressed in outfits that match the party’s theme to make the event even more immersive and fun! Hula skirts, safari hats, princess gowns, construction gear, cowboy flannel– costumes bring the theme to life and create fantastic photo opportunities!
Play themed music
Set the mood with a playlist that complements your party theme! Hawaiian tunes, jungle sounds, popular princess move sing-alongs– music creates a fun and engaging atmosphere, ties the decor and activities together, and keeps the energy high throughout the party.
Need craft materials for your party? Check out 24hourcrafts for an amazing selection of wood cutouts that kids can paint or decorate– a fun activity and a memorable keepsake! 24 hour crafts is affordable and quick to deliver! Get 10% off when you use this link!
Make the party planning process MUCH easier and faster by downloading our themed party plans HERE! I've done the research for you!
About the Author
Dakota Rhoad is the owner of The Wander Center, a party decor rental service in Austin Texas, specializing in affordable, sustainable, and creative celebrations. With a passion for bringing joy and ease to families and reducing party waste, Dakota helps busy parents plan memorable events without the stress! Learn more at The Wander Center.
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