Fun seascape beach party

Beach parties are fun and the perfect way to celebrate summer. Invite your friends to enjoy the pleasures of the sandy beaches, salty sea air and the sound of the mighty sea. Keep your party casual and relaxed as a day at the beach should be.

Prior to the planning of your beach party

Because beaches are public areas, they are under the protection of local authorities. Therefore, you will have to establish well in advance what the rules are on having a party on the beach.

1. Before the party, check with local authorities on the rules regarding trash, glass bottles, alcohol, fires and time of day available for a beach party.
2. If you require any permits, make sure that you apply for them well in advance. Permits may take longer to issue than you anticipate.
3. Check with the authorities which beaches can be used for a party.
4. Scout the beaches for a suitable beach area for a party. An area with some kind of protection is a good idea; rock outcrops, brush or alcove. Make sure that access to the beach area is adequate and that there are restroom facilities and showers. The perfect spot for a great beach party should be clean, with a wide sandy area that won't completely disappear at high tide.

Invitation to a beach party

To the conventional information (date, time, venue, directions, etc.) that forms part of an invitation, add the following:

Ask your guests to:

• Bring beach blankets, chairs and towels.
• Sun protection lotion and sun hats.
• If it is a theme-based party, give the instructions.

Preparing for your beach party

There is a collection of items that you need to bring to your party for it to be a success:

• Cooler boxes with ample ice to keep food and drinks cold
• One or more fold-up portable tables
• Food
• Grill and grilling supplies, if barbecuing
• Disposable cups, dinnerware, utensils and napkins
• Trash bags
• Beverages
• Music
• Beach umbrellas

Favorite beach games

Beach games are always a hit at a beach party. Here are a few favorite beach games that you can try.

• Frisbee tossing.
Frisbee tossing involves tossing one or more Frisbees amongst a group of guests on the beach. If you would like to add a bit of spice to the game and you are more than five players, players that miss a catch can be eliminated. The last person standing is the winner.
• Volleyball is another favorite beach game. Volleyball sets can be purchased at many sports shops.
• Beach ball batting is especially popular amongst the men. Toss a tennis ball and see how far you are able to bat the ball. A number of “fielders” will attempt to catch the ball, and if caught, the next batsman will take the bat. The person with the largest number of hits without being caught is the winner.
• If children are included, bring sand building equipment, buckets and spades.
• Tossing beach balls is also a fun kid's game.
• Plan to have a dance contest.

Safety tips

• Check the sand for hurtful debris before the guests arrive.
• Be certain, if your party is at a swimming beach, a lifeguard is on duty.
• At a swimming beach, adults should take turns watching the children near the water.
• Ensure that all the guests use the trash bags. Debris in the sand can hurt or cut your feet.
• Sunscreen should be applied regularly, especially to the children.
• Beach games should be played at a distance from guests that are not participating in the games.
• After the party scout the beach for trash.