Transform your party space into an underwater wonderland with this guide to making mermaid-themed decorations. From glittery seashells to ocean backdrops and jellyfish lanterns, you’ll find simple steps to create a magical atmosphere using affordable materials. Pair these handmade touches with water attractions like slides or dunk tanks for a fun and immersive celebration. Key tips:
- Colors to Use: Teal, aqua, seafoam, lavender, with metallic accents.
- Materials: Glitter cardstock, tulle, foam core, seashells, faux pearls, and pool noodles.
- Safety Tips: Handle sharp tools, hot glue, and spray paint carefully; supervise kids.
- Decoration Ideas:
- Glittery seashells as table accents or cake toppers.
- Ocean backdrops using iridescent paper plates or painted boards.
- Jellyfish lanterns made from paper lanterns and streamers.
- Coral reefs crafted from pool noodles.
- Fishing nets draped with balloons, seashells, and pearls.
Combine these DIY ideas with rented water attractions for a cohesive party setup. Add final touches like themed signs, bubble garlands, and treasure trove stations for unforgettable memories.
DIY Mermaid Party Decorations: Materials, Safety Tips, and Step-by-Step Craft Guide
Materials and Supplies You’ll Need
Gather everything you need to bring your underwater dream to life. The right materials can transform your decorations from basic to magical, capturing that shimmering ocean vibe.
Colors and Materials
The colors you choose will set the mood for the entire party. Think teal, aqua, seafoam, and lavender, paired with metallic accents like blue, silver, and gold. Iridescent finishes are key – they reflect light beautifully, giving your setup an authentic underwater glow.
For your base materials, grab cardstock (both plain and glittered), poster board, and foam core for creating backdrops and cutouts. To mimic flowing water or seaweed, stock up on tulle, gauzy fabric, and streamers. Everyday items like iridescent paper plates can add texture, while pool noodles, when cut and painted, can be transformed into coral.
"I used shiny, iridescent paper plates I found at the dollar store and simply glued them onto a backdrop… It’s the perfect dessert table or photo booth backdrop."
- Nikki Wills, tikkido.com
For added texture, incorporate natural elements like seashells, starfish, sand dollars, and driftwood. To create a treasure-trove effect, add faux pearls, clear marbles, gems, and iridescent confetti. Brenda Ponnay from Fern and Maple suggests watering down acrylic paint (15 parts water to 1 part paint) to create a driftwood effect that looks like it’s been weathered by the sea.
Basic Crafting Tools
You’ll need some standard crafting tools to get started: scissors, a hot glue gun, and paintbrushes (sponge brushes work great for adding texture). For more detailed work, keep an X-acto knife and a self-healing cutting mat on hand. If you’re shaping pool noodles into coral, a serrated knife works wonders.
"I used hot glue to attach the letters to the finished board. Tacky glue sometimes slips around, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t smear any of the paint."
- Jenna, Hey It’s Jenna
When it comes to adhesives, have a variety on hand: Tacky glue, Gem-Tac, and Power-tac are great for different materials. Use painter’s tape or command hooks to hang decorations without damaging walls. To create a floating effect for bubbles or garlands, fishing line is your go-to.
Safety Guidelines for Crafting
Safety is crucial, especially if kids are involved. Spray painting should always be done by an adult in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Sharp tools like X-acto knives and serrated knives should only be used by adults or closely supervised teens. Hot glue guns can cause burns, so adults should handle those as well when children are helping.
For projects involving kids, stick to non-toxic paints and adhesives. Gem-Tac is especially great because it allows for repositioning before it dries. Keep small items like beads, pearls, and rhinestones out of reach of young children to avoid choking hazards. If you’re cutting glittered cardstock, flip it over and trace letters on the plain side – this makes cutting much easier and more precise.
How to Make Mermaid Party Decorations
Transform your party space into an enchanting underwater world with these three creative decoration projects.
Glittery Seashells
Start with real seashells or opt for lightweight paper mâché ones. Take them outside and spray on a metallic gold base coat to create a shiny, reflective surface. Once the base is dry, layer on glitter spray or glitter-infused paint to give the shells a sparkling finish.
"I’ve found the glitter gold paint over the top gives such a lovely finish on letters. It gives the bling you need when using paper products."
- Fern and Maple
For an extra touch, use tweezers to secure small faux pearls onto the shells with Power-tac adhesive. This method keeps your fingers safe from glue burns and ensures the accents stay firmly in place. These glittery seashells can be scattered across tables, used as cake toppers, or glued onto fishing nets for a whimsical "caught in the net" display.
Next, bring the ocean to life with an eye-catching backdrop.
Ocean Backdrop
Create a sturdy base by taping together four foam poster boards with packing tape. For a budget-friendly way to mimic fish scales, glue iridescent paper plates in overlapping rows, starting at the bottom and working upward. Nikki Wills from tikkido.com achieved this stunning look for just $5.00 using supplies from a dollar store. If you’d rather paint, spray cardboard in blended shades of aqua and blue for a marbled effect, or splatter teal, seafoam, and metallic blue paint for a textured, abstract feel.
To add movement, drape gauzy fabric or tulle over the backdrop and let it hang loosely like flowing water. For a bubble effect, string clear marbles or foam pearls onto fishing line and hang them vertically. Use painter’s tape or Command hooks to secure everything without damaging your walls.
Finish the scene with elegant pearl garlands and whimsical jellyfish lanterns.
Pearl Garlands and Jellyfish Lanterns
Create "bubbles rising through seaweed" by stringing faux pearls of various sizes onto clear fishing line. Drape these garlands over your backdrop or weave them into vases filled with artificial greenery. For jellyfish lanterns, start with pink paper lanterns as the body. Cut streamers or plastic tablecloths into tentacle-like strips and attach them to the bottom. Add eyes by cutting out white cardstock circles and drawing pupils with a black marker.
"The pink jellyfish were super easy and are one of the best mermaid party ideas I’ve seen!"
- Kim Emery, Clipper City House
To make the lanterns reusable, use tape instead of hot glue when attaching the eyes and tentacles. Hang them from the ceiling with Command hooks to create a floating, underwater illusion. These playful jellyfish will add a magical touch to your mermaid-themed celebration.
More Decoration Ideas
Bring your underwater theme to life with creative decoration ideas that perfectly complement your DIY mermaid décor.
Imagine adding fishing nets and coral reef displays to your setup – these elements add texture, depth, and a touch of ocean magic to your party space.
Fishing Net Drapes
Fishing nets are an easy way to transform any room into a seaside escape. Drape large nets across doorways or suspend them from the ceiling with thumbtacks to create an instant "under the sea" vibe. For a playful touch, tuck clusters of pink, green, and white balloons into the netting.
When attaching the nets to backdrops, keep them loose and secure at different points to mimic the natural flow of ocean waves. This works especially well for photo backdrops, where you can nest decorative accents like starfish, sand dollars, or faux pearls into the mesh. Smaller nets can also be used creatively – drape them over dessert tables or wrap them around mason jars to craft charming nautical centerpieces.
"A little creativity goes a long way when you improvise with what you have laying around at home! Everyone ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ as soon as they walked in the door and it set that ‘under the sea’ feeling I was going for easily."
- Nicole Mayer, Founder and CEO, Craftin Nikki
Pair these net drapes with vibrant coral reef displays to add even more dimension to your décor.
Coral Reef Displays
Did you know pool noodles can double as coral reefs? With a serrated knife, slice the noodle diagonally toward the hollow center, then twist and pull the pieces apart to create a spiral, organic shape. For variety, cut some noodles into rings and stack them on wooden skewers.
Showcase your coral creations in spray-painted tins or sand-filled vases. To mimic the ocean floor, use cardboard boxes wrapped in crinkled brown kraft paper as a base. For an extra pop, fold tissue paper accordion-style and snip the ends into sharp points to resemble anemones. Scatter these coral reefs on tables or arrange them into a large display near your photo area for a show-stopping centerpiece.
Combining Decorations with Bouncy Rentals USA
Bring your water attractions to life with some DIY mermaid-inspired decor. It’s all about adding those magical touches that make your event unforgettable.
Decorating Around Water Slides
Set the stage near water slides with thoughtful decor placement. Use painter’s tape or Command hooks to secure lightweight decorations like backdrops or jellyfish lanterns. Hang the lanterns high enough to keep them safe from curious, wet hands. To add more flair, drape fishing nets over nearby fences and tuck in glittery seashells for a whimsical touch.
Scatter matching beach balls and balloons around splash zones for an extra pop of color and fun.
"One of the fun mermaid pool party ideas I had was to carry the decor into the pool… It looked SO pretty and really tied everything together." – Tammy Mitchell, Creative Director at Pink Peppermint Design
For a creative yet practical addition, place pool noodle coral displays in weighted tins at the base of the slide. This adds texture while keeping safety in mind by eliminating tripping hazards.
Dunk tanks can also benefit from a bit of themed flair.
Styling Dunk Tanks
Frame your dunk tank with seashell garlands and coral displays to keep the ocean theme flowing. Use blue and green tablecloths to mimic soft ocean waves, creating a cohesive backdrop. These small details can make a big difference in tying everything together.
Keep safety in mind by leaving space around air blowers clear and accessible.
Nearby, set up a "Treasure Trove" station using netting, seashells, and gold-painted forks for a fun and interactive activity. Oversized beach towels hung on Command hooks can double as drying stations and decorative accents.
Planning the Full Party Layout
Pairing your handmade decorations with rented water attractions simplifies the planning process while delivering a complete party vibe. Use shimmery "SWIM" letters or themed signs to guide guests from the entrance to the water attractions. Twisted streamers can create "ocean seaweed" paths leading from the house to the outdoor area.
For example, a giant waterslide decorated with a shark caught in a net and mermaid-scale walls kept the theme consistent. Matching your DIY color scheme with the rented attractions helps create a seamless, cohesive look.
Final Thoughts
Throwing a standout mermaid party is all about blending the personal touch of DIY decorations with the excitement of professional entertainment. Simple yet creative ideas like glittery seashells, ocean-inspired backdrops, pearl garlands, and jellyfish lanterns can completely transform your space into a magical underwater escape. These thoughtful details work beautifully alongside larger attractions like water slides and dunk tanks, tying everything together with a cohesive mermaid vibe.
"A few key pieces of decor is all you really need. It sets the tone for the theme of the party." – Parties 365
Handmade decorations do more than just look pretty – they create a welcoming atmosphere while complementing the fun and energy brought by Bouncy Rentals USA’s attractions. It’s the perfect balance of charm and excitement to make your mermaid party unforgettable.
FAQs
What safety tips should I follow when making mermaid decorations with kids?
To keep crafting both safe and enjoyable, it’s important to supervise kids when they’re using tools like scissors or glue guns. Stick to non-toxic, child-friendly materials such as washable paints, glue, and glitter. This helps avoid allergic reactions and makes cleanup much easier. If you’re working with small items like pearls or shells, make sure they’re securely attached to projects to prevent choking hazards, especially around younger children.
For tools like hot glue guns, leave the handling to adults and ensure kids stay at a safe distance. Create a tidy and organized workspace to reduce the risk of accidents and keep everything running smoothly. By following these steps, kids can dive into crafting magical mermaid-themed decorations without worry!
What’s an easy and budget-friendly way to create an ocean backdrop for a mermaid party?
Creating an ocean backdrop for a mermaid party is easier (and cheaper) than you might think! Grab some foam boards or large poster boards from your local dollar store – they’re perfect for creating a sturdy base. Tape them together and let your creativity flow. Paint waves, add seashell cutouts, or glue on paper circles in shades of blue, teal, and purple to capture that underwater vibe. Want to take it up a notch? Drape netting or tulle over the boards for a dreamy, layered effect.
For extra texture, try hanging streamers and balloons in ocean colors, or get crafty with items you already have at home, like painted paper plates to mimic the shimmer of the sea. With just a few inexpensive supplies, you can create a magical ocean scene that’s perfect for your mermaid-themed celebration!
How can I add water attractions to a mermaid-themed party?
To make your mermaid-themed party truly magical, set up a pool or splash pad and decorate it with ocean-inspired elements like seashells, starfish, and fishing nets to create an underwater atmosphere. Amp up the fun with water games like a treasure hunt featuring floating treasures or a water balloon toss – sure to keep everyone entertained and engaged.
For an extra touch of creativity, craft a photo-ready backdrop. Use flowing fabrics, iridescent details, or shimmering decorations to capture the look of the ocean. These touches will transform your party into an enchanting under-the-sea experience that guests of all ages will love!
