Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

INVITATIONS: 

• On the Sea—Boating & Surfing;
• Under the Sea—Fish & Seashells;
• Pirate Treasure

DRESS:

• Leis (can be made as craft)
• Hawaiian Shirts
• Seashell Jewelry
• Sunglasses (can decorate as craft)

REFRESHMENTS:

• Pepperidge Farm Fish
• Goldfish in the Pond/Graham Cracker (add gummy sharks)
• Ocean Snack
• Pearly Bites
• Boat Cupcakes
• Edible Campfire 

DECORATIONS:

• California beach music from the 60’s
• Playing fun games themed to the ocean and some Caribbean music for the kids to dance to will help keep the party fun and lively.

FAVORS/CRAFTS:

• Beach Crafts
• Bag for the beach—to the pool, the lake, or the ocean
• Magic scratch surf board bookmark
• Shell creatures and other crafts using small seashells
• Pirate Booty—search for buried treasure, test your pirate skills
• Pirate Flags--design their own flags using red, black, and white paper (show them how to draw a bone and a skull)
• Pirate Hooks, maps, treasure chests, and spyglasses
• Sand painting or fill a sand art bottle (can substitute salt).
• Watercolor paintings—create an underwater scene
• Scuba Mask mobile
• Beach Balls
• Sea serpent
  

GAMES:

• PIN—fish in the coral reef
• TOSS—sponges
• FLOOR—surf the wild waves; fishing

• WET--have baby pools filled with water and make boats out of foil, masking tape, and craft sticks. Then sail the boats and see how many seashells each boat would hold until it sinks.

PROGRAM:

• Have various stations for crafts & games before ending with a snack
• Read a book or a chapter, depending on your theme. 
• Explore life at the beach as you study shells and plants, get an up close look at what’s hiding in the sand.

VOLUNTEERS:

• Get adult help to “serve” 

COST:

• Most supplies can be purchased in bargain bins at craft stores or Dollar Stores. 

TIME:

• About an hour-and-a-half should be sufficient. (Dependent on the number of families passing through; and how many stations are offered.)