Aloha, fellow party planners and creative moms! If your child dreams of exploring the ocean, meeting demigods, and embarking on incredible adventures, then a Moana-themed party is the perfect way to make their Disney dreams come true. With the ocean as our guide, let’s dive into some amazing Moana party ideas to make your child’s special day a magical trip to remember!
What to Do at a Moana Party: Moana Party Activities for Little Explorers
I’m excited to share all the magical details from the Moana-themed birthday bash we recently threw for our little adventurer!
Invitations: We started the party planning with some adorable Moana-inspired invitations featuring an oceanic color palette and, of course, a sprinkle of tropical vibes. It sets the tone perfectly!
Decoration: Our backyard has become a tropical paradise! We hung bright lei and seashells and decorated the tables with Moana themed tablecloths and centerpieces. Plus, you can’t have a Moana party without a big, beautiful banner featuring our favorite fearless princess!
Costumes: Oh, the kids had so much fun dressing up as their favorite characters from the movie! Grass skirts, flower crowns, and seashell necklaces are a sea of mini-Moanas and Mauis!
Activities: We’ve got a whole bunch of ocean-inspired games and activities planned! From a “Find the Heart of TeFiti” scavenger hunt to a “Pass the Coconut” game, the kids are giggling and having fun the whole time.
Craft Station: We set up a crafting station with supplies for making their own DIY Moana necklaces and bracelets. It was a hit, and the kids got to take home a little piece of the party!
Food: For snacks, we went all out with a tropical fruit platter, coconut shrimp, and, of course, pineapple pizza! And let’s not forget the showstopper—a Moana-themed cake featuring our favorite characters and the TeFiti heart on top. It’s almost too good to eat—almost!
Entertainment: We hired a local hula dance troupe to teach the kids some traditional Polynesian dances. It was a fun and educational experience for them, and they absolutely loved it!
Party Favors: As a small thank you, each guest received a mini Moana tote bag filled with goodies like seashell chocolates, stickers, and a small Moana figurine.
Photo Booth: We set up a photo booth area with props like flower crowns, leis, and even a blow-up palm tree. The kids had so much fun in their best Moana poses!
Overall, it was a day filled with laughter, sunshine, and lots of “You’re Welcome”! Seeing our little boy’s face light up with joy made all the planning and preparation worth it. I hope this inspires you to throw a Moana Party Ideas bash of your own it will be a party they will never forget!
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Our favorite Moana Party Ideas
Storytime with Grandma Tala: Get your party started with a storytelling session featuring Moana’s grandmother, Tala. Share Moana’s epic journey and adventure with kids.
DIY Leis: Set up a lei making station with colorful flowers and string. Kids can make their own leis to wear during the party and take them home as party favors.
Travel to TeFiti: Organize a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt with clues that lead children on a journey to find the Heart of TeFiti (a special treasure or artifact).
Maui’s Hook Toss: Create a game where children can throw a “fish” (a small toy or bean bag) into the center of Maui’s magic hook. Offer prizes for successful throws.
Ocean Exploration: Set up a sensory play area with blue-tinted rice or sand. Provide seashells, toy boats, and ocean-themed toys for children to explore and play with.
Hula Dance: Arrange for a hula dance lesson or performance. Kids can learn some basic hula moves and dance to Moana’s songs.
Moana Movie Release: Create a cozy movie spot and screen the movie “Moana” for the kids to enjoy. Popcorn and comfy pillows are a must!
Character Meet and Greet: If possible, consider hiring a Moana and Maui character performer for a meet and greet. They can take pictures with the children and even lead some activities.
Moana Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine and let the kids sing along to their favorite Moana songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.”
Tiki Mask Painting: Provide plain masks or paper plates and let the kids paint their own tiki masks. They can be creative and use colorful paints to design their masks.
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Moana Party Decorations: Bringing the Island to Your Home
Island Vibes: Set the stage with a tropical island paradise vibe. Decorate with palm leaves, leis, and colorful tropical flowers. You can also add some tiki torches (LED for safety) to create a unique ambiance.
Moana’s Canoe: Make a cardboard cutout or inflatable canoe as the focal point. Moana’s canoe, decorated with flowers, can serve as a backdrop for photos and storytelling.
Ocean waves: Hang blue streamers or fabric from the ceiling to mimic ocean waves. You can add fish cutouts or inflatable fish to complete the underwater scene.
Wayfinder Symbols: Incorporate Moana’s Wayfinder symbols into your decor. You can make them out of cardboard or print them out as banners and place them around the party area.
Maui’s hook: Display a replica of Maui’s magical fishhook as a centerpiece. You can also use it to hold balloons or as a dessert table decoration.
Moana and Friends Cutouts: Place cardboard cutouts of Moana, Maui, Pua, and Heihei around the party space. These beloved characters will transport your guests to Motunui.
Lanterns and Fairy Lights: Hang paper lanterns and string lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, like the lantern scene in the movie.
Moana Party Food: A Feast Fit for Adventurers
Heart of TeFiti Cookies: Make heart-shaped sugar cookies and decorate them to resemble the Heart of TeFiti. Use green icing for the heart and blue for the surrounding water.
Pineapple Delights: Serve with pineapple chunks, pineapple skewers, or pineapple boat fruit salad for a tropical touch. Kids will love the sweet and juicy goodness.
Coconut cups: Serve drinks in coconut cups or serve coconut water for a refreshing and hydrating drink option.
Pua’s Pineapple Pizza: Serve the pineapple and ham pizza, also known as “Hawaiian pizza.” Cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking. You can also use a cookie cutter to shape the pizza slices like tropical islands.
Tropical Fruit Skewers: Make colorful fruit skewers with a variety of tropical fruits, such as pineapple chunks, mango slices, kiwi, and strawberries. Children will enjoy the colorful and healthy treats.
Mini Huli Huli Chicken Sliders: Serve mini chicken sliders with Huli Huli sauce, a sweet and tangy Hawaiian barbecue sauce. You can also include some teriyaki sauce for an extra flavor option.
Palm Tree Fruit Platter: Arrange the kiwi slices on toothpicks to create palm tree-shaped fruit skewers. Place them in a pineapple or coconut for a tropical display.
Seafood Spread: If your little explorer loves seafood, consider serving shrimp cocktails or crab cakes. Label them “Under the Sea Delights” for a fun touch.
Tropical Smoothies: Mix up tropical fruit smoothies with ingredients like mango, pineapple, coconut milk, and a touch of honey. Provide colorful paper straws for sipping.
Island Salad: Make a colorful island salad with a mix of tropical fruits, shredded coconut, and a drizzle of lime or passion fruit dressing.
Taro Chips: Offer taro chips as a crunchy snack option. These root vegetable chips are reminiscent of the exotic flavors of the Pacific Islands.
Ocean Blue Jello Cups: Make blue raspberry-flavored Jello cups and top with whipped cream and a small umbrella. They will look like ocean waves ready to sail.
Moana’s Ocean Water Punch: Make a kid-friendly “ocean water” punch by mixing blue raspberry lemonade with lemon-lime soda. Add gummy fish or Swedish fish candies for a playful touch.
Heihei’s Veggie Platter: Arrange a veggie platter to look like Heihei, Moana’s furry friend. Use bell peppers for the beak and cucumbers for the body.
Tropical Fruit Punch: Offer a colorful tropical fruit punch made with fruit juices and sparkling water. This is a non-alcoholic treat that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Kakamora Cake Pops: Make cake pops that look like Kakamora, the coconut pirates from the movie. Decorate them with candy faces and attach small pieces of licorice for arms and legs.
Mini Taro Buns: Serve the mini taro buns or rolls as a side dish. Taro is a staple in Polynesian cuisine and adds an authentic touch to your menu.
Moana Party Ideas: Final Note
By incorporating these Moana-themed decorations, food ideas, and activities, you’ll create a party experience that captures the spirit of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery found in the movie. Your little explorers will set sail on an unforgettable trip to Motunui!
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About the Author
Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mother of three. She started Darling Celebrations in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating life’s special events.
