Martha -A beach party is not difficult. A few must haves - a volley ball set up, several Frisbees, beach balls things that your guest can goof around with. Boogie boards are also a lot of fun. You can probably rent the volley ball set and boogie boards. Get the beach balls and Frisbees from a dollar store.

Of course you need music. Hopefully you have a portable CD player or ITunes play. bring spare batteries.

If there are tables available have someone get there early to claim space. Get some brightly colored vinyl table cloths - dollar store or WalMart. The top is vinyl and the bottom is felt or something like that. After the party hose them down or wash them in cold water and hang to dry. If there are no tables use several table cloths on the sand for your food and drinks. Remember that you need something to hold down the edges. Several beach umbrellas or a tent would be a good idea to shade the food area and to give your guest a place to get out of the sun. Rent those if you do not have it.

Food is an issue at a beach party because of the sand.

Do cup cakes instead of a cake. Easier to transport in a sealed container. Lots of cold drinks - sodas, sport drinks and water. If the beach has grills you can cook hamburgers and hot dogs. If not bring fried chicken. Take chips out of the bags and put them in large bowls with a snap lid. Most dips need to be kept refrigerated. Half fill a large ice chest with ice. Put your dips in sealed plastic containers and put the containers in the ice. Have large container of hand wipes so your guest can wipe the sand off of their hands before reaching in for food. Make sure you have several large garbage bags to keep trash from scattering on the beach.

Instead of e-mailing your invitations snail mail real invitations. Make your own. Lots of beachy clip art available. Remind your guest to bring sun screen, beach towels, chairs and or umbrellas and beach toys. Since you and your guest live in a beach area they probably have stuff like that.

Even on the Gulf coast the water is still chilly in March so plan on lots of shore activities. How about a sand sculpture competition? You need buckets and shovels and even sand castle kits for your guest - dollar store or Big Lots. That may even be available for rent - just make sure none of the pieces get lost.

Good luck and have a great time.

dj, party favors, beach volleyball competitions/ other beach games with prizes, karaoke, bon fire of course. games are most fun

So, in about a month I am throwing a beach birthday party, and I really don't know what to do, since I've never thrown or been to one before... It'll be a group of 13-14 year old girls. I'd like to get this all planned as quickly as possible, because if I leave it to only a week of anticipation then some girls might already have plans.