How to Host a Barbie Mermaid Party

To celebrate the upcoming release of Barbie: Dolphin Magic, I have put together this guide on how to have a mermaid-themed birthday party!

THE INVITATION

This one’s easy! Just download the PDF file here and print. I designed it in A5, but you can probably print two at once on A4. It’s a generic ‘mermaid party’ invite, so you can use it even if your party is not specifically “Barbie.”

Alternatively, you can make your own or buy one from the shops.

DECORATIONS

Mermaids, Mermaids Everywhere!

You can pick up a Dreamtopia mermaid for around $10 -these look fantastic displayed in the centre of the table. If you don’t have many party guests, consider giving them away to the guests, or using them as game prizes.

If you’re using the mermaids as party favours, give them out halfway through the party, so the children can spend some time playing together.

Beads in a Jar

This idea is my favourite because it’s just SO CHEAP! All you need is a jam jar (you probably have one around the house already) and a bunch of shells (you can pick these up at your local beach for free). All you need to do is fill the jar with shells, tie a ribbon around the rim and display!

PARTY IDEA -MERMAID PHOTOBOOTH

This photobooth doubles as both a party decoration and a game. Kids can pose their dolls against the backdrop and have a blast taking the photos themselves.

This one’s really easy to make, too. All you need is an image of the ocean, sand-textured paper and a rock. You can also add streamers, blue cellophane, seashells, anything you want.

PARTY IDEA -LIFE SIZE PHOTOBOOTH

This one’s a bit more difficult, but the results are worth it!

You’ll need to set up an area where the kids can take photos together against a backdrop -a blue sheet will work just fine. Then, decorate the area with streamers, balloons, anything you want!

You can even add in fun accessories like cut-out pictures of fish the kids can pose with. Simply print out an image of a fish, cut it out and stick it against some heavy cardboard. If you like, you can attach it to a popstick.

Now, snap away!

Bonus: Consider printing the photos out and giving them to the kids at a later date, that way they can always remember how much fun they had! Even better? Polaroid pictures.

PARTY IDEA -MAKEOVER SALON

In Barbie: The Pearl Princess, Lumina works at a hair salon and gives the other mermaids fun makeovers. Why not recreate that at home?

It’s not expensive to buy some child-appropriate beauty items -things like beads, sparkly hair clips, lip gloss, etc. Set up an area where the girls (and boys, of course) can do each others hair in simple styles like plaits or pigtails. Try to take as many pictures as you can, and send them to the parents after the party.

Instead of party favours, you can let the kids keep their accessories when they go home.

Bonus: You can do this to dolls, too! Mini hairclips and glitter do the job just as well.