You don't have to travel to Hawaii to enjoy a good luau; instead, you can throw a luau-themed party.
King Kamehameha II is credited with introducing the first luau event in Hawaii. At a traditional luau, guests ate their food on the floor, and they did not use utensils. If you'd like to have a luau-themed party for your child, you do not have to travel to Hawaii; instead, create a memorable luau right in your own yard with the right combination of decorations and music.
Decorations
Set the stage for your luau-themed party by transforming your yard into a beach. You can paint palm trees on large, white sheets of art paper. Purchase bags of sand from your local toy store and sprinkle the sand along the path leading to the party area. You can also set up a surf board right next to the food tables or position the surf board in front of your gate so that it sets the party mood.
Luau Games
Purchase a CD of Hawaiian music before the party. When it's time to start the games, turn on the music to liven up the festivities. Allow kids to take turns playing limbo. The child that can go the lowest should win a large shell prize. Kids can also enjoy playing a game of hot coconut. The children should form a large circle and begin passing around a coconut. One adult will randomly turn off the music. When the music stops, the child holding the coconut is eliminated. The game will continue until a winner is determined.
Luau Food
Prepare a large selection of fresh fruits for the party guests. Pineapples, watermelons and grapes will all be healthy snacks. For an extra touch, skewer the fruits and put them in the middle of the table. You can serve Hawaiian pizza to the children (the pizza will include pepperoni and pineapples), and you can offer a cake decorated to resemble a beach for dessert.
If the children are old enough, they can take turns making tropical fruit smoothies to drink. Younger children will need adult assistance. Provide fruits, juice and ice for the smoothies. You can also put small pink and blue umbrellas in the finished drinks.
Hula Time
If you think that your guests would enjoy some dance instruction, then contact a local dance studio and see if one of the dancers can teach hula dancing to the children. Provide grass skirts to your dancers and let them take the spotlight as they learn the hula. They'll leave the party with a new skill and fun memories.
Luau Goodies
Buy an assortment of brightly colored leis to give as party favors.
Each child should receive a lei at the party. In addition to the leis, set up a shell shack--an area where you have spread out an assortment of sea shells. Allow each child to select at least three shells to take home. You can also give guests beach balls or sunglasses as goodies. The guests can put their goodies inside bright, plastic beach buckets.
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