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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cake

    Beach Themed Birthday Party

    September 23, 2013 By Brandy 5 Comments

    beach cake

    Last year it was 90 degrees on Kaylee's birthday. I remember thinking how fun it would be to do an outdoor water party for her sometime. We bought the kids a big blow up water slide this summer and it has been a hit. I figured I would get it out, invite 15 of her closest friends and grill hot dogs. EASY party. Minimal set up. With the weather being in the high 90s lately, I thought that surely we would be fine with planning the easiest birthday party ever! Fast forward to the night before the party. The forecast went from sunny and in the 70s earlier in the week to 63 and cloudy, and finally settled at 60 and thunderstorms. I was in a panic. Almost everyone had RSVP'd that they were coming. 15 kids inside our house on a rainy day. We were scrambling with coming up with activities! We came up with "Hot Octopus" (passing around the octopus puppet to the music instead of hot potato), animal charades, freeze dancing and making oceans in a bottle (photo at the bottom of the post). We served lunch. We opened presents. We ate cake. Everyone went home. It was a whirlwind!

    If you are interested in the details of the treats, keep reading!

    cupcake boxes

    This cake was so much fun to make. I stacked two square cakes and iced it using a fun scallop technique. Then I used a tiny round cake that had been cut on an angle for the island. The island is covered with white frosting and graham cracker crumbs. The little creatures are made from chocolate molds and colored melting chocolate. I love it when I don't have to use fondant to get the look I am going for. I much prefer using butter cream.

    ocean themed cupcakes

    Instead of passing out treat bags, we sent each child home with a cupcake.

    turtle cupcake in box

    I picked up these darling cupcake boxes, along with the cupcake liners and masking tape, from Wholeport. Their masking stickers are one of my favorite products. I use them for so many things.

    sensory bottles

    My husband came up with the "Ocean in a Bottle" activity and helped the kids make them. He ran out of mineral oil and had to use vegetable oil for some (hence the yellow). They filled them with food coloring, glitter, jewels, ocean foamies, water and oil. They are fun to shake and fun to look at. He sealed each cap with hot glue and electrical tape.

    The party was a success. The kids had fun and even though it rained we were still able to have a beach party. After it was over...I took a nap.

    This post contains sponsored product (cupcake boxes).

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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. Tamsyn says

      September 24, 2013 at 6:47 pm

      This is such a gorgeous party!! I love those cupcake boxes, such a great idea.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        September 25, 2013 at 4:24 pm

        Thank you! When my kids come home with party bags, the toys usually end up in the trash after a few days. I figured kids would love cupcakes and they were so inexpensive too!

        Reply
    2. Brenda says

      September 24, 2013 at 5:19 am

      I love the cake and the cupcake idea! The ocean bottles are very cool too! Looks like this party was a success despite the weather!!

      Reply
    3. Emilee Belliston says

      September 23, 2013 at 10:28 pm

      Cute cake! Glad the party was a success even though it rained

      Reply
    4. Lisa @ creative raisins says

      September 23, 2013 at 10:24 am

      How cute is that cake, I love the idea of the cupcakes in those cute boxes. ~ Lisa

      Reply

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