Everything You Need for a Moana Theme Party
Maddie Sheely
Account Specialist + Contributor
Since the movie release in 2016 and the announcement of the upcoming live action version, the world has been captivated by the special story of Moana the Polynesian Princess and her adventure to restore the heart of Te Fiti. So, it’s no wonder that plenty of kids are asking their parents for a Moana theme party! With music that all ages enjoy and lovable characters like Maui, Heihei, and Pua, a Moana themed party is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Now that you’ve chosen your theme, it’s time to adventure into the details of the celebration. If you’re looking for ideas to make your kiddo’s next birthday party extra memorable for everyone in attendance, don’t forget to check out our kids birthday party checklist and keep reading for more Moana party theme ideas below!
Check out these fun Moana theme party ideas...
Moana Theme Party Decorations
Decorations are crucial with any type of birthday party, but especially when it comes to a birthday fit for your little princess or prince! From the moment your guests step into your party, you want them to feel like they’ve stepped into Motunui, whether you’re hosting your event indoors or having an outdoor Moana theme party.
Island Inspiration
Invite guests into the birthday space with lots of island decorations like leaf garland and table accessories. You also can’t forget about decorating any extra tables you may have set up, so grass table skirts are sure to impress your guests by making them feel like they’re about to have a meal with Maui himself!
Backgrounds for Photos
We know you’ll want to document your kiddo’s special day, so making sure you have an area for photos can be helpful as well. Whether you’d like one with baby Moana or a plain blue background with DIY decorations around it, these are both great options to make sure you and guests can take pictures that you’ll want to share with your friends.
Pro tip: In addition to having guests snap their own selfies, consider booking a photographer for professional and high quality photos guests will cherish forever.
Pineapple Palm Tree Serving Tray
Tropical fruit is a necessity for any type of island inspired party, especially for a Moana theme party idea. eHow made this incredible pineapple palm tree serving tray that would be the perfect fit if you’re looking for a centerpiece to hold other snacks. Fill this custom tray with other fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and grapes for guests to enjoy.
Tropical Balloon Wall
If you want to bring your event to another level, take a look into hiring a balloon decorating company to create a special wall decoration or archway to tie your Moana birthday theme party together. The Bash has amazing balloon artists who can add a pop of color to your celebration, so make sure to check them out
Moana Themed Party Activities
Now that your guests have arrived, the kids will be ready for the Moana theme party activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to hire entertainers or DIY some activities, we’ve got you covered with both!
Book a Visit from Moana
Looking to bring your party to the next level and surprise not only the birthday boy or girl, but your guests? Take a look into hiring a real life princess to interact and play with the kids. Many costumed character entertainers on The Bash are able to sing and dance to songs from Moana, and may even bring along some activities of their own for the kids to enjoy, like face painting, story times and more.
Moana Theme Petting Zoo
We can’t forget about Moana’s sidekicks: the adorable Heihei and Pua! Take a look at hiring a petting zoo near you who can bring Moana’s friends to life! Petting zoos are incredible ways to give your guests an up close and personalized experience with a pig similar to Pua or a rooster like Heihei. They also might be able to bring even more types of animals (like bunnies, goats, turtles, etc.) so make sure to check out our animal vendors in your area as well!
Moana Themed Karaoke
Who doesn’t want to sing along to “How Far I’ll Go” or “Where Are You” when they come on? If you’ve got older guests, queuing up a karaoke session or hiring a karaoke DJ to play the Moana soundtrack is sure to be a hit! Karaoke DJs provide all the necessary equipment; microphones, screens, and karaoke versions of the songs.
Kakamora Bowling
Let the kids take a chance at knocking down the Kakamora just like Moana and Maui did by buying a bowling set and adding these prints to the front. You could also use these prints to decorate coconut cups for an extra special detail.
Tamatoa Target Practice
One of the challenges Moana and Maui have to get past is the villainous giant crab named Tamatoa. You can print out a photo of Tamatoa, order chicken flingers that look like Hai-Hai, and hang the photo up so the kids can try to defeat Tamatoa—just like their favorite duo did!
Moana Watch Party
Of course no Moana themed birthday party is complete without watching the movie! Queue up Moana on your TV and let the kids sit and enjoy the movie while you’re setting up to open gifts. This is also the perfect way to end the party if the young Montuni guests are getting tired after a long day of playing on the island!
Moana Party Food and Drink Ideas
A necessity at any party is food! Delight your guests with themed snacks based on Moana, including some of the treats we found below.
Moana Theme Mocktails
While we’re on the same theme of fruit, this Moana inspired mocktail will be enjoyed by the kids and adults at the Moana theme birthday party. This drink is made with pineapple juice, coconut water, and strawberries for a fun and refreshing beverage.
You can even serve them in coconut shaped cups from your local party store and add tiny umbrellas to make everyone feel like they’re on a tropical island—even if it’s in the comfort of your own home!
Moana Taco Boats
If you’re looking to stick with Moana themed food items, these taco boats would be a wonderful option because they look just like Moana’s sailboat. Use a slice of cheese as the sail or purchase mini flags to put on top for an added Moana theme party detail. Guests will love seeing this theme carried throughout the party, even while they’re eating.
Heart of Te Fiti Cupcakes
When it comes to desserts, cupcakes are a great option if you’re not looking to purchase or bake an entire cake. Mama Cheaps these adorable Heart of Te Fiti cupcakes that would be perfect for a larger group with a little less mess than a cake! To whip up these Moana inspired cupcakes you’ll need a stencil and sanding sugar to recreate the island symbol. If you’d rather go the traditional route, this design can easily be made on a birthday cake.
Pro tip: If baking isn’t your strong suit, consider booking a caterer and see what Moana inspired treats the culinary team can create.
Tropical Punch
Make a refreshing tropical punch with pineapple juice, orange juice, lemonade, and soda. You can also add a drop of green food coloring to make it resemble the ocean for an extra special touch. Serve it in a large punch bowl with tropical fruit slices to enhance the Moana theme even more.
Grilled Kabobs
Serving food at a kid’s party can definitely be tricky with picky eaters and dietary restrictions, that’s why kabobs fit the theme perfectly! Kabobs can be customized with different meats, veggies, and fish so there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can serve these on skewers or take them off after grilling for easy eating.
Build Your Own Jello Treat
Another great Moana birthday party theme idea is a Jello dessert you could create ahead of time or let the kids make their own. The Jersey Momma assembled mini boats in the ocean using wafer cookies, blue Jello, and small flags. If you opt into letting the kids create their own, set up this DIY station ahead of time and watch them create their own special dessert.
Find more theme party ideas here on The Bash.
