Luau activities for children include anything from hula dancing to swimming.
A homemade luau party requires tropical fruits, some fun Hawaiian tunes, barbecued snacks, some water to splash in and some fun crafts and activities to keep the kids busy throughout the party. There are dozens of games, crafts and activities themed around Hawaii, so choose activities that are best suited for your child's age group. Does this Spark an idea?
Homemade Leis
Fun, colorful Hawaiian leis can be made with kitchen string or yarn, fake flower petals, paper flowers or even real flowers. Thick yarn is better for young children as it is easier to handle and thread. To use fake flowers, purchase bags of Hawaiian lei flowers from a party or craft-supply store or purchase already-made leis and deconstruct. For a more hands-on project, have the children cut out paper flowers from colored construction paper and string on the yarn or string along with beads or seashells. Have a hole punch ready to create or widen holes to string the yarn through.
Hula Dancing
Provide the children with grass (real or plastic) hula skirts purchased from a party-supply store and either learn basic hula-dancing motions by viewing examples online, or hire a professional hula dancer to give the kids lessons. If doing it yourself ,you will need to demonstrate the moves for the kids to follow. Hula luau music is necessary for dancing activities.
Limbo
The limbo may be a clich luau activity, but children love it. Use any long stick or dowel, preferably sanded smooth, to hold as a limbo stick. Tie Hawaiian flowers, leis or shells around the ends of the limbo stick for a more festive look.
Poi Experiment
Poi is a traditional thick soup-like dish made from purple taro root and corn and is one of Hawaii's iconic cultural foods. Poi is traditionally consumed by dipping your fingers into the bowl and sucking the viscous liquid quickly before it drips off. For children, poi may appear unappetizing and unpalatable, but playing with slimy finger food is a treat most young children endorse. Purchase powdered poi mix from your international-foods market, Asian grocer or online boutique and mix it with water and sugar. To avoid spreading germs, give each child her own bowl and instruct them to eat it with their fingers while giving brief verbal information about what poi is.
Pool or Sprinkler
After the poi mess, incorporate the the summer feel of water sport by setting up a swimming pool or sprinkler for the children to play in. If you live by the beach, allow the children to go into the water only if there are plenty of adults or a lifeguard standing watch.
Tropical Drinks
Fruity, sweet Hawaiian drinks are classic staples at a luau. Allow older children to mix together their own tropical drinks. Provide fun glasses either with thick stems or colored glass, jugs of lemonade, Hawaiian punch, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda, slices of real fruit including pineapples, bananas, limes and strawberries to slide on the rim of the glass, and some whipped cream and colorful sprinkles to finish it off. Colorful swizzle sticks and paper drink umbrellas help to add an over-the-top feel that children love.
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