How to Throw a Luau Birthday Party for Kids
Luau feasts were born when King Kamehameha II made a decision put an end to Hawaiian religious tabus. Luau feast quickly became a traditional feast and nowadays, people even throw in Luau parties at home. Therefore this is the subject of this page: how to throw in a Luau birthday party for your kids.
Luau Birthday Party Sets and Decorations
Which Luau Birthday Party Theme to Choose?
The great thing with party suppliers, is that some offer a wide range of birthday party themes for you to choose from. And one of them has 5 different Luau, beach and tropical birthday party themes to offer:
- Bahama Breeze Deluxe Party Pack
- Aloha Birthday Deluxe Party Pack
- Hawaiian Girl Basic Party Pack
- Flip Flop Deluxe Party Pack
- Goin' Coastal Deluxe Party Pack
I think that the hardest part of the Luau birthday party planning will be to choose a specific theme...
Where to Hold a Luau Birthday Party for Kids?
Depending on the atmospheric conditions, you can choose whether to hold the party indoors, if weather is quite cold or in the backyard if weather is hot.
For example, you can rent a tent and hold the party in the garden; which would allow to get a mix of birthday activities from printable games to water activities without having to clean the home afterwards.
Photo: All In One Luau Decorating Kit (2 rolls/4 add-ons)
Luau Birtday Party Costume
When planning a Luau birthday party, it's important to make everything match to the Luau party theme.
This is why your child would probably want to wear a Hawaiian costume on their birthday party.
A Luau party costume doesn't require a huge investment nor a lot of clothes.
All you need to make your kid a Luau party costume is a hula skirt, a flower lei, a flower bracelet and a flower headband.
Photo: Child Size Hula Skirt Set
Luau Birthday Party Decorations
A Luau birthday party requires some investment in home decor.
You will, therefore, get Luau party decorations such as tropical flowers to be displayed all around the room or in the tent you rent for that special occasion.
If you can't get tropical flowers, I'd suggest to get a few banana leaves, some colored lilies, few orchids and other special shaped flowers; which give you the impression of being tropical.
Obviously, silk and paper flowers are also welcome in your Luau decor.
(Photo above: 5' Inflatable Palm Tree)
Apart from flowers, you will want to get a few artificial palm trees and inflatable beach balls so that you set up the beach atmosphere - Hawaii is an island and well known for its wonderful beaches.
The table should show a nice sand castle centerpiece for which you can buy materials at your local craft store. Put sand around the centerpiece and add some seashells and starfish on it; this will improve the beach atmosphere. Instead of using a tablecover you can place a few banana leaves and use them as placemats. Decorate the chairs with beach towels.
Another great decorating idea is to hang paper lanterns from the ceiling.
If you hold the Luau birthday party in the garden, you can hang paper lanterns from tree branches and also spread a few torches on the ground to increase the Hawaiian ambiance.
(Photo to the right: 12' Paper Lantern Garland)
Fruits such as coconuts, bananas, pineapples have their place in a Luau birthday party and you will want to add as many of them as possible. A great idea would be to serve drinks in empty coconuts and pineapples. Remember to decorate drink containers with pineapple slices and/or paper parasols.
Plan sunglasses for each guest that you'll distribute when they arrive at the party so that they directly enter the beach-y and Luau mood.
Prepare a few Island Flower Leis so that you welcome your guests the Hawaiian way.
Click here to learn how to make a flower lei.
Set Up your Luau Birthday Party Table
Now that the home/tent decorating part is properly planned, you are going to think about the plates, glasses and cutlery set.
A Luau birthday party set is of course a must-have when hosting a Luau birthday party.
Depending on the number of guests you expect, you'll get a 8 or 16 persons party set. If you expect more than 16 guests but less than 24, prefer to get an add-on Luau party set so that you don't find yourself having more materials than you need.
Photo: Aloha Luau Deluxe Party Pack for 8
Luau Birthday Party Invites and Favors
Luau Birthday Party Invitations Cards and Thank you Notes
Depending on the season you are going to plan your Luau birthday party 4 up to 8 weeks in advance (just in case your guests are gone on summer vacation).
The best invitation card theme for your party is obviously a Luau theme, therefore, you are going to choose Luau themed birthday invitation cards or make them yourself with the kids.
If you create your Luau birthday party invites yourself, I'd suggest to find a text that is Hawaii and Luau related - if you need help to do this, visit the Hawaiian and Luau resource chapter at the end of the page.
Don't forget to give Luau Thank-You Notes to your guests after the party.
Photo: Aloha Invitation Cards
Luau Birthday Party Favors
Party favors have become a must-have when throwing in a birthday party and Luau birthday parties aren't exception to the rule.
Kids enjoy getting those party favors; therefore, you're going to make sure to get a few Luau party favor sets ready to give them.
Kids will surely find items that will keep them occupied for a while and which they will bring at home after the party and cherish till next year.
Photo: Luau Party Favor Box
Luau Birthday Party Entertainment
Luau Birtdhay Party Music
Music is entire part of Luau feast; therefore you will want to set up a list with hawaiian music or get a Luau party CD to entertain the kids during the party.
Maybe some will want to dance to the sound of the music.
A great idea would be to take some Luau dance classes so that you can get your guests a demonstration - this can also make a fantastic birthday party activity to show and teach your guests how to dance Luau.
Photo: Luau Party Music CD
Luau Birtday Party Games
Throwing a birthday party implies to keep the children occupied an entire afternoon. Plan some games and activities that will entertain them.
Luau birthday party games can include a seashell hunt after which you would give them Luau party favors as reward.
A great activity to plan is a limbo contest; which will tell you which kid does the limbo the best.
Water activities are a great way to entertain Luau party guests - therefore, if you have a pool at home, I suggest to plan a few water games.
Some Luau birthday party games and coloring page printables may end the day.
Photo: 6 Ft. Limbo Kit
More Luau Party Resources
More Information About Luau Feast
If you want to get more information on how to throw a Luau party or simply learn more about Luau traditions, here are a few links that might help you.
The Hawaiian Luau
The Hawaiian Luau - Your guide to Hawaii Luaus, planning, recipes, music and entertainment.
Luau on Wikipedia
A luau (in Hawaiian, lu‘au) is a Hawaiian feast. It may feature food, such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia, and beer; and entertainment, such as Hawaiian music and hula.
Official Germaine's Luau Web site. The Original Hawaiian Luau
Take in the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands. Enjoy the spectacular show delivered to you at the ocean’s edge, under the stars and palm trees. Be touched by the magic of ancient Hawaii and its splendor.
Maui Luau Guide - Maui luaus reviewed
Maui luaus are the most popular Maui activity! Any Maui vacation should include at least one Maui luau. That is why we have set up the Maui Luau Guide to help you choose the luau that is best for you. There are many different Maui luaus, each aimed at a different type of experience.
