Tropical Party Ideas: Our Favorites for a Fun Family Event
It’s hard not to have a smile on your face when thinking about being on a tropical island without a care in the world. Making it to a beautiful island isn’t always possible, but you can certainly throw an amazing tropical party to create unforgettable memories with family and friends.
If you’re planning a tropical birthday party, bridal shower, family get-together, or another celebration, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite tropical-themed party ideas to inspire your event.
1. Bright Table Settings
Design: Manu Torres
For a tropical party, you can’t go wrong with bright, bold colors for your table decor and styling. Look for tropical party supplies in bright pinks, yellows, blues, and greens to bring a truly fun flair to your celebration.
Seek out a tablecloth or covering that matches your overall look — maybe it features a contemporary design of palm leaves or a more traditional rustic look to complement your tiki torches and bamboo accents. Add a striking centerpiece, like a flamingo, pineapple, or floral arrangement, and sprinkle tropical confetti across your table. This will create a super fun backdrop for your delicious food and drinks.
2. Inflatable Palm Trees
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Want your party to really stand out? It’s time to take things a little over the top. Fill your party space with larger-than-life inflatables — whether or not there’s a pool!
We love the idea of using inflatable palm trees, flamingos, tropical leaves, and pineapples as party decor. You can fix them to walls to act as a lively backdrop for a DIY photo booth or a dessert or bar table, or have them lying around for guests to pose with. If you’re hosting a pool party, then even better — they’re a fun way to bring some color and excitement to your event.
3. Scented Candles
Design: Kiss by Kohl
You might not immediately think of candles as must-have party decor, but they’re a great way to add another sense to your celebration — unforgettable scents! Fragrant candles are an affordable and beautiful way to bring that tropical atmosphere to your get-together.
Look for candles with scents that remind you of being on a tropical island paradise. Seek out hints of coconut, orange, sea salt, amber, and agave nectar. Feature tiny tea lights in gorgeous, brightly colored lanterns around your party venue, or place a large scented candle as a centerpiece on your table. If you’re concerned about safety and can’t source a flameless option, add beautiful scents to your party through fresh flowers and potpourri.
4. Neon Lighting
Design: Robinson Creative House
There’s nothing that says summer party night quite like bright neon lighting. This is a fun way to liven up your party and works great whether you’re hosting an indoor get-together or backyard party.
There are plenty of great ways you can add neon lighting to your event. Invest in a large wall sign with a phrase like “Summer is here” or “Party all night,” or pick up more affordable mini neon lights in flamingo or palm tree shapes for your tables. Whatever you choose, this is a fun way to light up your tropical party.
5. Floral Leis
Design: Noonday Design
Aloha, friends! If you’re hosting a luau party or a Hawaiian-themed bash, you can’t go wrong with a true classic — the floral lei. This floral garland can be made of faux or real flowers in bright colors that bring out the tropical party spirit. This classic floral garland is a great accessory that your guests can enjoy while partying the night away. Plus, it also works just as well as a Hawaiian party favor to take home.
6. Tropical Flower Wall
Design: Jennifer Wick
Looking for the perfect backdrop for your party photos? There’s nothing better than a giant tropical flower wall. We love this idea for a baby shower, bridal shower, or bachelorette party because it’s a simple yet beautiful way to take gorgeous snaps.
This is a fun party decoration you can buy or DIY. You’ll need a few materials, including plenty of faux greenery and tropical flowers like hibiscus and birds of paradise. But once you have these key elements, there are plenty of DIY flower wall tutorials you can explore. If DIY isn’t in the cards, any great party decoration or event planning company can help you create something spectacular to wow your guests.
7. Tropical-Themed Classic Games
Design: Stacey Day
Add fun games to your tropical party by simply taking a few old favorites and giving them a new twist. Transform classics like bingo, charades, and trivia by basing your questions and clues around tropical themes. You don’t even have to come up with your own ideas or designs — there are tropical bingo games available on sites like Etsy and even tropical fruit trivia.
8. Outdoor Party Games
Design: Anna K Design
If you’re hosting your tropical party outside, then use the space for the kids (and grown-ups) to run around, play, and have fun together. All that space is perfect for outdoor party games.
Take a party game we all know and love — like Jenga — and DIY your own giant version or buy one from a store. Customize it by painting it in bright, tropical colors and adding fun flamingo or tropical flower stickers. You could also try a themed relay race, break out the hula hoops, or see who can go the lowest with a game or two of limbo.
9. Piña Colada Cake Pops
Design: Robinson Creative House
Who doesn’t love a piña colada? This sweet drink gives you a true taste of the islands and conjures up images of swaying palm trees, sandy shores, and fun in the sun.
Bring that can’t-miss flavor to your dessert table by making delicious piña colada cake pops. Best of all, these sweet treats are simple to make as you don’t need to craft a fancy cake topper design — you can just use brightly colored sprinkles or shredded coconut.
10. Caribbean-Inspired Feast
Design: National Park Foundation
Every great party has plenty of tantalizing food and drinks on offer, and your tropical party is no exception. While you can focus on Hawaiian luau dishes (think kalua pig, tuna poke, or lomi salmon), you could also grill up a Caribbean-inspired feast.
Caribbean food can fit your tropical party perfectly — it offers a gorgeous array of aromas and flavors that give off some serious island vibes. Take inspiration from these Caribbean grill-out recipes to perfect your jerk chicken, coconut rice, and garlicky plantains for the celebration.
11. Tropical Cocktails and Juices
Design: Stacey Day
Everyone at your party needs something to drink, so why not make it extra delicious? Bring out fresh, fruity flavors by offering a selection of chilled juices, smoothies, and tropical cocktails.
Set up your very own tiki bar or drink table where guests can mix their own concoctions. Feature Caribbean rums and coconut-flavored spirits alongside fresh fruit juices and uplifting mixers like cola and fresh lemonade. That way, whether your guests want to get in the party mood or simply get refreshed, you’ve got them covered.
12. Tropical Party Favors
Design: Noonday Design
You’ve put so much effort into planning the perfect tropical party, why not give your party favors a little extra flavor too? Sending your party guests home with themed swag is a fun way to end the event, and it gives them fond memories of the time spent with you.
Put together your own gift bags featuring tropical-inspired pieces. Throw in a flower lei, pineapple cupcake, and inflatable cup holder for a fun yet affordable memento for your guests. If you’re happy to spend more or are hosting a small get-together, consider adding beach sandals and a brightly colored beach towel.
Throw the Ultimate Tropical Party
We love the tropical party theme — it’s a fantastic way to bring people together to celebrate moments both big and small. The bright colors and vibrant, quirky decor accents make this an exciting celebration or birthday party idea. Take inspiration from our tropical party ideas, find the perfect online invitation, and let your guests know they’re in for an amazing time.
