This year we are going to do a SURFING SAFARI theme. My daughter's birthday is in August and hot weather abounds. We were going to host the party at the local wave pool, but the pool had to be shut down for repairs so we are going to the lake instead. I am making two surfboards out of an old cardboard refrigerator box that I will paint brightly and put into the sand standing up to make our party easy to be identified by those coming to the busy beach to find us. Also the children playing off the shore can hone in to where their area of beach is. Later on these "surf boards" will be ideal for photo ops with individuals and the group.  I will go early (10 - 11:00 a.m.) to secure a bit of beach area as the lake we are going to is very popular. I need the area for games like water balloon volley ball. Pairing off in teams the girls try to toss and catch water balloons with a beach towel held tightly between them. Just draw a line in the sand and let them go at it.  I also like the idea of whip cream pie hot potato, where the children have to put there face in the cream if they get the pie plate. They are right by the water to wash off. Since it is quite a bit of effort for parents to get there children there and pick them out later, I am inviting the parents to stay and enjoy the festivities. I am thinking a timed family challenge of building the best sand castle/creation would be fun. We would pull out innocent bystanders as judges.  The winners get a picture with the champion sand structure and maybe lais to wear.  I will have beach boys music playing as long as the batteries will last to keep the surfing theme alive.  Part of the convenience is that the lake itself is a lot of fun I don't even have to plan, leaving me to enjoy watching the kids and visit with the other parents. I am not sure what I will serve on a beach for food yet, but I will have sea shells to serve salads in and dips and the table cloth should be a bright beach towel. And if not too windy I will put little paper umbrellas in the drinks. I intend to have coolers full of bottled water and pop on ice ready to use for everyone anytime. We will have a cake with a dog on a surf board riding a blue wave of whip cream, (the dog and board is really a Barbie accessory available in most stores now) Of course there will be ice cream. Beach balls with each kids name on them, waterproof temporary tattoos and salt water taffy are part of the give aways for the children.  "And we'll have fun, fun, fun, till the parents take the children away..."