Mini party plan: How to plan a shark birthday party

Our family is a mixed bag when it comes to shark fandom. My husband has never quite gotten over the movie Jaws, and maintains a healthy respect for sharks. Baby B is fascinated by them, and wanted to become a marine biologist for a while. Baby A and I are big fans of the ridiculousness that is the Sharknado movie series. One year, I was busy planning a Sharks & Surfers birthday party for the girls when they changed their minds at the last minute.

So you could call this mini party plan a little wish-fulfillment. Here’s how I’d plan a shark birthday party. I hope these ideas help you plan your shark birthday party!

P.S. If you like the ideas in this mini party plan, you can also:

• See all my mini party plans here.
• Check out the full party plans in my shop.
• Join The Party Plan Club for exclusive, done-for-you party plans — get a new party every month.
• Take The Party Course to plan your next party using my minutes-a-day method.

Shark Party Invitations and Printables

1. Chomp invitation by Prints for Events on Etsy
2. Wood die cut invitation by Harper Gray
3. “Mason” invitation by Chickabug on Etsy
4. “Ashton” invitation by Sqweez Design on Etsy
5. “Braxton” invitation by Paper Me Bloosom on Etsy
6. “Brayden” invitation by Pink PIckle Parties on Etsy
7. “Austin” invitation by MKKM Designs on Etsy
8. “Jackson” invitation by Delight Paperie on Etsy
9. “Perry” invitation by TLC Squared on Etsy

Shark Party Decor Ideas

1. Shark fabric bunting by The Party Teacher
2. Fish netting by Birthday In a Box
3. Blue balloon garland kit by One Stylish Party on Etsy
4. Powder blue candles by Shop Sweet Lulu
5. Shark wreath via Catch My Party
6. Pinata by Oriental Trading
7. Silver number balloons by Birthday In a Box
8. Inflatable shark by Birthday In a Box – This would be great as a dessert table backdrop, maybe caught in the fishing net.
9. Navy paper fans by Shop Sweet Lulu – Also great as a backdrop for your dessert table, photo booth or favor table.

Shark Party Place Settings

1. Shark cups by Oriental Trading (photo styled by Sweetly Chic Events & Designs)
2. Navy stripe table runner by Shop Sweet Lulu
3. Centerpiece idea with paper lanterns and gummy worm “bait” by Everyday Party Magazine
4. Soft blue wooden cutlery by Shop Sweet Lulu
5. Party hat by La La Lola on Etsy
6. Straw assortment by Creative Juice Cafe on Etsy
7. Blue napkins by Party City
8. Red scalloped plastic dinner plates by Party City
9. Silver scalloped plastic lunch plates by Party City

Another option is buying blue soda, peeling off the label, and adding a shark fin to the bottle — here’s how.

Shark Party Desserts

1. Shark gummy bark by Sandy Toes & Popsicles
2. Lollipops by Custom Candy Creations on Etsy
3. Shark tooth necklace by Oriental Trading (photo styling by Kara’s Party Ideas)
4. Shark chum Jell-O by The Party Teacher
5. Cake with fondant fins by Cherry Blossom Events – This is a much less expensive alternative to a sculpted fondant cake.
6. Sea glass candy by Happiness Is Homemade
7. Rice Krispies Treats by Sparkling Sweets Shop on Etsy
8. Shark and life preserver cookies by Mrs. Cookie Bakes on Etsy
9. Shark ocean cupcakes by Beauty & The Beard

I didn’t include these in the collage above, but you also might want to try my Shark Tooth Rice Krispies Treats. They are super simple to make!

Shark Party Games & Activities

1. Shark slime by A Night Owl Blog
2. Backyard obstacle course by Paper & Cake – Have your guests wear fins!
3. Shark pool toss by Melissa & Doug on Amazon
4. Mason jar aquarium by Hello Wonderful
5. Fish toss by Party City
6. Shark squirt guns by Oriental Trading – Just keep these in a plastic tub of water so they are easy to refill.
7. Walk the plank game via HWTM – Do this over a wading pool with shark toys or even a blue table cloth spread on the ground
8. Shark bouncy slide by Kara’s Party Ideas – This party has tons of great rental ideas, including a dunk tank and snow cone station.
9. Oven mitt shark puppet by Dollar Store Crafts

Shark Party Favors

1. Candy kabob by Couture Parties via HWTM
2. Monogrammed popsicle holders by Nora Boutique Designs on Etsy
3. Jawsome fabric favor bags by Scrapendipity Bags on Etsy
4. 6-inch toy shark by Birthday In a Box
5. Felt shark favor bucket by Party City
6. Shark crayons by Krazy Kool Krayons on Etsy
7. Felt shark mask by Carries Hair Pretties 1 on Etsy
8. Jawsome thank you tag by Paper Me Blossom on Etsy
9. Bath bomb with shark toys by Seasons of Life Gifts on Etsy

If you’re up for making your own party favors, you could try my Shark Favor Balls. The beauty of these favors balls is that if you don’t make a perfectly round ball, it looks even more like a shark.

Shark Party Inspiration

I love each of these parties for different reasons.

• Chomp shark birthday party – This party has a great color palette and is an achievable, at-home party. It is packed with details without going overboard.
• Shark infested waters birthday party – Fun rustic details with lots of great dessert ideas.
• Beached shark birthday party – This is a fun take that combines beach balls with sharks. Check out the macarons!
• Shark pool party – I love everything Jenny Keller styles and this party is no exception.
• Ombre watercolor shark birthday party – I love the colors in this party. The orange is a fun alternative to red, and the party uses balloon garlands in a really cute way.
• Modern shark and ocean party – An eclectic combination of decor items help fill out this dessert table. The surprise color is teal.
• Shark Week party – Lots of DIY details here + this is the only party I saw that had a 3-D centerpiece on the dining table instead of just a table runner.
• Wet and wild shark party – Oh. my. goodness. This party wins for desserts. The shark push-up pops are killing me.
• Jaws pool party – This party is movie inspired, so if your kids love the original Jaws, this is the party for you.
• Shark and painting party – It’s a shark party on the beach. I’m in love. And check out the super simple (and inexpensive) way Laura dressed up a plain cake!
• Modern shark birthday party – If you like your parties clean, modern and simple, this is the party for you.
• Jaw-some shark birthday party – Loads and loads of great outdoor game ideas.

Want more shark birthday party ideas? Check out my Shark Party board on Pinterest. I add to it all the time.