Aloha, It Is Time to Have a Luau Party!

Ukulele music playing in the background, guests laughing and playing luau games and enjoying delicious food and beverages from the Tiki Bar.

That’s what a luau party is all about. Food and fun!

These awesome luau party ideas will help you to plan and host a fabulous luau with ease whether it is a Hawaiian themed birthday party for Moana fans or a summer party for hanging out with friends.

Combine these ideas with Christmas things for a fabulous Christmas luau party. I have fun holiday luau printables for you. See them in the decorations and games sections.

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Luau Party Plan

Luau party is more fun with

• Delicious FOOD to be enjoyed with friends
• Fun GAMES and ACTIVITIES that create great memories
• Cool FAVORS for bringing home the aloha spirit
• INVITATIONS that get you in the party mood
• Awesome DECORATIONS for the aloha atmosphere
• Beautiful OUTFITS Hawaiian style

27 Luau Food Ideas

Here you find luau food ideas that will please the crowd!

Serve them from pineapple-shaped plates and coconut bowls (These are made of coconuts!). Label the food with luau themed food tents.

1. Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

And you definitely want to serve these sweet and savory Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Meatballs from Sip Bite Go. Watch the video on how they are done.

2. Roasted Bananas

Caramelized bananas. Yummy! Serve with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes. Or enjoy as is. Air-fryer roasted bananas will be a hit; and you’ll love this part: they are easy to make. Yay!

3.-27. Luau Party Menu

Check out the other mouth-watering ideas.

I created a separate post for a luau party menu, so that I could present you a fun list of luau party food ideas, from appetizers to desserts.

19 Luau Games and Activities

These easy luau games will delight kids, teens, and adults.

1. Tacky Tourist Relay

The kids really loved this game. We’ll do it again at our next Luau!

You’ll need:

• two teams.
• A carry on suitcase for each team.
• in each suitcase: a pair of sunglasses, beach towel, sunhat, lei, grass skirt etc.

1. One member of each team at a time pulls the suitcase to the “Beach”.
2. Spreads the towel on the “sand”, puts on the sunglasses, sunhat, lei etc. and lies down on the towel.
3. Quickly gets up and packs everything back in the suitcase.
4. Runs back home and gives the suitcase to the next person.

We had two inflatable flamingos that did not fit inside the suitcases so the “tourists” carried them. The kids, from preschoolers to teens had fun with this Luau game!

2. Beach Ball Hockey

Items you need:

• Pool Noodle for each player.
• Beach Ball.
• Cones or soccer goal.

The pool noodles from dollar store were little too flimsy. They might work for small kids if you make the pool noodles shorter.

I have not tried these pool noodles from Amazon but per reviews they are sturdier. They come in 9 different colors so you can pick the two you like the best for your pool noodle hockey teams.

This game is fun for any summer party like a pool party. Check out all the cool ideas I’ve got for you.

3. Mango Battle

What You Need

• mangos
• big spoons

Prep

• draw a 5 or 6ft circle on the ground

How to Play

1. Two players at a time enter the circle. They hold a mango on their spoon.
2. The goal is to knock down the opponent’s mango. If you drop yours, you lose. The players can’t touch the opponent, only the spoon.

You could play this in various ways, e.g., pair all the players, the winner of each pair stays in the game and faces another opponent.

4. Pineapple Bowling

You’ll need

• pineapples for the pins and
• a coconut for the ball.

If you don’t want to be knocking over real pineapples you could make pineapple pins with water or soda bottles and cardboard or card stock. Cut out pineapple shapes and attach to plastic bottles and you are all set for bowling.

5. Hawaiian Pictionary

Here is a list of 44 Hawaiian Pictionary™ Words a.k.a. draw and guess to get you started with this luau game for adults or kids. Write down on paper slips words that relate to Hawaii.

Or purchase the 48 Hawaiian Luau Word cards. They are a part of the inexpensive luau party game collection. (Two styles available.)

1. lei
2. volcano
3. rainbow
4. pineapple
5. beach ball
6. Diamond Head
7. Blowhole
8. waterfall
9. palm tree
10. Turtle Cove
11. black sand
12. Macadamia nut
13. surf board
14. beach chair
15. coconut
16. grass skirt
17. beach toys
18. Tiki head
19. hula
20. kalua (pig)
21. lomi lomi salmon
22. flip flops
23. shaka sign
24. Spam
25. luau
26. Kamehameha
27. muumuu
28. hibiscus
29. sea turtle
30. Sunset Beach
31. humpback whale
32. gecko
33. dolphin
34. orchid
35. flamingo
36. Tiki Bar
37. seashell
38. jellyfish
39. Tiki torch
40. hut
41. towel
42. sun glasses
43. sunscreen
44. sarong

Have also a white board or paper and pens ready for the amazing drawings.

6. Surf Board Craft

DIY surf board decoration. These cute, inexpensive surf boards from Craft Cut Concepts, Etsy are perfect for a craft time. They come in various sizes. The kids can paint them and write their name or the word Aloha on them.

7. Printable Luau Games

12 luau party games for adults and teens. You’ll have a terrific time playing these! (Currently, available only in the USA.)

8.-19. Luau Party Games and Activities

Unleash tropical excitement: 19 luau party games and activities that have you all laughing and making fantastic summer memories. (So much fun that the ideas needed their own post.)

16 Luau Party Favors and Prizes

1. pineapple
2. coconut
3. beach bucket
4. sunglasses
5. towel
6. seashell bookmark
7. luau themed ankle bracelet
8. surf board decor
9. cocktail umbrellas
10. tiki cup
11. turtle knick knacks
12. coconut bowl
13. tiki torch
14. luau themed book
15. beach themed office supplies
16. luau stationary

Luau Invitations

Get the guests in the Aloha mood with fun invitations. This can be accomplished very easily with colorful tropical flowers and the word Aloha.

Here are a couple of awesome ideas for you:

• travel poster (who would not want to go to Hawaii or to your Hawaiian luau)
• pineapple shaped invitation
• “plane ticket”

Or attach the invitation to

• a lei
• pineapple
• grass skirt
• flip flops
• can of Spam
• fun straw
• coconut shaped cup

There are many options available for purchase too like this one: Beautiful colorful aloha luau invitations. Your friends will be excited to receive these invitations to a Hawaiian luau party.

20 Luau Decoration Ideas

With simple Luau decorations, you can easily create the perfect tropical atmosphere for an Aloha party!

1. Aloha Sign

We made a big ALOHA sign out of cardboard to welcome the guests to the Luau party.

Just wrap any size of cardboard with a plastic tablecloth. Cut up and glue your letters on and use flowers from a Lei to make it pretty. We used tacks to attach them to the cardboard.

Our sign was about 4 ft wide.

2. Mahalo Sign Thanks Them for Coming

And we also had a MAHALO sign to say thank you. It’s another easy DIY luau decoration.

3. Luau This Way!

And one more simple Luau sign made out of cardboard. You can attach the signs to bonfire forks and stick them to the ground. Really easy!

4. Printables You’ll Love

This collection of Luau party printables is pretty cool. The set has fun luau party signs and luau banner flags. And you have two NEW styles to choose from!

Enhance the party atmosphere with fun luau party signs and banners. Since all the letters and numbers are included, you can create any kind of banners:

• ALOHA
• LUAU
• HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY
• TIKI BAR
• E KOMO MAI (Welcome)
• HAU’OLI LA HANAU (Happy birthday)
• MAHALO (Thank you)

Matching printable luau party games bring excitement to the party! Mingle and find the guest, declare who is most likely to, unscramble words, match Hawaiian words to English ones, etc.

5. Surf’s Up

Hawaii has incredible beaches, and what better way to spend time there than surfing… not that I have ever surfed, but that would have been a fantastic way to spend time.

This is a surfboard. Made of cardboard and covered with gift wrapping paper: it does not have to be perfect to be awesome!

Bring Hawaii-look to your party with actual or DIY surfboards. Or buy a gorgeous wooden surfboard sign and have it personalized to match your luau-themed party.

6. Luau Signs from Dollar Tree

You can make great finds at Dollar Tree at the beginning of the summer. You’ll find there many fun signs, inexpensive leis, and serving dishes.

7. Walk Through Waterfall

Though our party was mainly outside, we made a waterfall to cover the hallway entrance guests used to go to the restroom. I wish I had a picture of it! (I know I took one, but I must have deleted it accidentally!)

What You Need

• blue ribbon in various shades (save money and buy satin fabric and cut it into strips)
•  blue sparkly tulle
•  tension rod or tape

1. Cut the ribbon and tulle to the needed length.
2.  Attach the ribbons and tulle to a tension rod and place it between the doorposts. Or tape the ribbons to the doorway.

A waterfall is a fun Hawaiian birthday party decoration. Use it as a unique backdrop for a group photo of the guests and the birthday star.

8. Beach Scene Backdrop

This inexpensive gorgeous beach scene will make your party area look even more Hawaiian. Use it as a photo booth backdrop or a beautiful setting behind the dessert table.

Or create a fun background for a seating area. Put a couple of beach chairs in front of it for the guests to sit and relax while gazing at the horizon.

9. Luau Cups with Candles

Buy a few inexpensive Luau themed cups. Put some rocks in to keep the wind from blowing them away, and place a battery-powered candle in each.

An easy Luau centerpiece idea.

10. Grass Table Skirt

A Hawaiian Luau party would not be a luau without the grass table skirts! It is an easy and cheap way to decorate the food tables.

11. Hibiscus and Lantern Garland

You’ll love this! Hibiscus garland and lanterns create a wonderful atmosphere.

Hawaii is a colorful place. I had the privilege to live there for three years and loved it! Lovely flowers everywhere.

Hang a few beautiful flower garlands to bring in the Aloha.

The yellow hibiscus is the state flower. Cut out flower shapes from bright-colored card stock and put those on walls and doors.

12. Pineapples

Hawaii and pineapples go together. Create Luau centerpieces around real pineapples or use honeycomb pineapples.

Add coconuts, mangoes, and palm leaves to complete the Hawaiian look.

13. Palm Trees

Palm trees say “vacation” to me. What could stress you out when surrounded by palm trees and sunshine. A 7 ft palm tree next to your Tiki Bar or dessert table gives the Luau party just what it needs.

14. Palm Leaves

Buy inexpensive fabric palm leaves and get creative with them.

Use palm leaves as placemats or make a table runner with them. Or hang them on the wall or use them to decorate your Tiki Bar.

15. Pineapples and Coconuts

Pineapple and coconut-shaped cups add a nice touch to your aloha party. Use them for serving beverages or snacks such as fruit and candy.

16. Tiki Bar – a Luau Party Must-have

Whether you serve cocktails or mocktails, this customizable Tiki Bar sign turns any table into a Tiki Bar. Sample sign says: Tiki Lounge: Cold Drinks – Good Food – Good Times / Happy Hour from 5:00 – 9:00 pm

Wrap a grass table skirt around the table. Add a few props, and you are ready to go.

Create your Tiki Bar with these items

• Tiki Bar Sign: now proudly serving whatever you bring.
• Tiki Bar with Bar Stools
• Grass Table Skirt and Palm Leaves
• Hand Carved Tiki Masks
• Tiki Cocktails (200 recipes!!)
• Tropical Straws
• Colorful Hurricane Glasses

17. Lights and Torches

I loved seeing trees wrapped with lights in Honolulu year around. Looks really pretty.

You can do that same thing at your place if you have trees. If you don’t, hang them from your deck or anchor poles to the ground to hold the lights up.

Light up a few torches, too, for a cool Hawaiian look.

18. Sea Turtles

Hawaiian Honu, Green Sea Turtle, symbolizes wisdom and good luck.

Create a turtle cove in your luau party area: A kiddie pool with a bit of water and inflatable turtles floating around.

You could also simply place turtles in various places in different forms:

• Sea Turtle Coasters from Amazon
• Wisdom of Sea Turtle-Sign
• Sea Turtle Cake Toppers, you can also use these for making fun centerpieces.

20. Free Christmas Luau Printables

Mele Kalikimaka! This festive flamingo is ready to party, are you? Grab the free Christmas luau printable and come back for more ideas.

13 Luau Outfits

Dresses, shirts, simple accessories.

1. Leis

Nothing like an actual flower lei. You’ll love the soft touch and fragrant scent of ginger, hibiscus, or plumeria flowers.

Seashell lei is a fun alternative to a flower lei. You could have leis set up for the guests to pick one when they enter the luau party.

2. Plumeria Flower Clip

A beautiful plumeria flower hair clip adds a nice touch to your luau outfit.

3. – 13. Luau Party Outfits

I moved the outfit ideas to their own post. You’ll love the simple, creative ways to turn any clothes into a Hawaiian-themed attire.

Do you know which side you are supposed to wear the flower hair clip? I tell you. Just take a quick detour and check out: what to wear to a luau.

You did it! You went through all the fun ideas for an easy luau party! I hope you’ll have a wonderful time hosting your summer party.

What will you do after the luau?

Make Other Amazing Summer Memories:

1. Host a pool party that is splashing fun regardless the size of your pool.
2. Enjoy ice cream and fun activities at an ice cream party.
3. Invite neighbors over to play awesome lawn games.
4. Go on an imaginary cruise – a nautical party you’ll never forget

P.S. Save for later! My Tuesday Therapy is here to help you to make Great Memories!

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