My youngest son Deacon is a *SHARK FANATIC*, so there was no question what kind of party he would have for his 3rd birthday…

Guests were greeted with shark ‘warning’ signs that we mounted onto paint sticks. Easy peasy!
The signs are included with my Shark collection.

We hung green streamers on the front door, to look like seaweed. And a final shark warning sign…

In the foyer, a welcome sign…

The Shark Collection comes in two different patterns… I call the left one ‘ripple’ and the right one ‘swirl’. These are the bubble wrappers, included with the shark collection, or sold separately here.

Here is the main table, done with the blue & green Ripple printables.

And the second table, done with the Swirl pattern.

The ocean-themed foods were a lot of fun to think up and create. This watermelon shark was definitely the highlight of the table. And it was surprisingly easy to create! My sister Rochelle carved it in around 20 minutes.

Here are the ‘life preservers’ (made with powdered mini donuts and decorated with a tube of red gel icing).

I typed onto the food labels (included in the collection) in a paint/graphic program, but you could also just write onto them.

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The birthday boy and his cousin loved the life preservers.
These are the looks I got from them when I asked, “Where did all the donuts go?”
#guilty

These Shark-Infested Jell-O cups were a big hit with the kids. I just filled some clear cups with blue gelatin, and once it had set up, I added Cool Whip and gummy sharks and fishes. You can find the gummy sharks at candy stores or in the loose bins at Sprouts.

I also made some of the shark-infested Jell-O in a trifle bowl.

I filled the apothecary jars with blue mint M&Ms, gummy sharks, and Hershey’s Kisses that had blue wrappers.

I was trying include some foods that weren’t sweet. Do you like how I labeled the Chips & Salsa? 🙂

The label on this basket is a 4-in medallion and the medallions are included with the Shark Collection.

I took a photo of the birthday boy in his shark Halloween costume, and added it to the table.
I liked how this Hobby Lobby frame resembled ocean waves, or sea foam.

These ‘Shark Teeth’ were also popular, especially with those who like salty + sweet snacks.

They are just Bugels snacks, dipped in melted white chocolate / white candy melts. Here is a close-up.

I thought blue popcorn might be a fun addition. You can make lots of popcorn colors by following these instructions.

This beverage container was just water with a few squirts of blueberry lemonade Mio, and some fresh blueberries.
The medallion on the front is one of the personalized items included in the Shark collection.

I made the “3” with a cardboard number from Hobby Lobby, and I put Mod Podge on it to glue on the matching paper included with the collection.

Here are the included water wraps. Like everything else, they can be purchased separately, or within the Shark collection.

And the cupcake toppers, which I punched out with a flourish square puncher.
I personalize them free with name and age when you purchase the printables.

Because my son already has a large collection of shark books, I put them out for guests to read or look at, as an indoor activity.
I was surprised at how much activity this station received.

We also set up a place for photo op’s, and let guests take pictures of themselves, or shots with the birthday boy.
This is my sister Rochelle with the wee Man of Honor…

But the MOST fun activity was when Dad put a shark fin on, and the kids got to chase him with water balloons!

We put the pre-filled water balloons into a shark play pool, and once they were gone, we let the kids splash around in it. Since most of the guests were preschoolers, this was the perfect activity for a hot summer day.

This is the birthday boy dancing in his pool after the party. 🙂

And here are the favors!

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I love adding custom bubble wrappers to dollar store bubble bottles. A fun and inexpensive favor!

I think the birthday boy had a great time!

 

And so did his big bro. 🙂

Here is the Shark printable collection, which contains 16 items (this is the Swirl version):

And here are the invitations available:

 

If you want to see just one example of why we chose a shark theme for his party, watch this 45-second video:

And he thought I was taking a still photo, which is why he said ‘cheese’. LOL!
And yes that’s me snorting! Because kids are That. Funny.

 

I hope you enjoyed our Shark Party as much as we did!

 

{Party Partners}

Shark Printables ~ Renee’s Soirees
Shark invitation ~ Renee’s Soirees
Photography ~ Rule of Faith Photography (Phoenix metro area)
Shark lunch sack / favor bag ~ Walmart $1.99 (in party goods section)
Bubble bottle ~ Dollar Tree, 3 for $1
Bubble Label ~ Renee’s Soirees
Shark Fruit Snacks ~ Kroger grocery store
Watermelon Shark ~ Instructions here
Shark wall hanging ~ Oriental Trading $6.50
Shark party blowers ~ Oriental Trading, $3 /dozen
Shark water gun ~ Oriental Trading  $10/dozen
Shark paper plate craft ~ Dollar Store Crafts
Baroque Frame ~ Hobby Lobby
Shark Fin on Dad ~ SwimFin

 

{Features & Link Ups}

Kara’s Party Ideas
Tip Junkie
Tatertots & Jello
I {heart} Naptime
Under the Table & Dreaming
Craft-O-Matic
The Girl Creative
Making the World Cuter
A Round Tuit
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
C.R.A.F.T.
Mad in Crafts
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Skip to My Lou
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All My Bloggy Friends