Dreaming of an island adventure filled with the spirit of Moana? A Moana theme party can whisk you and your guests away to the enchanting island of Motunui, even if you’re right in your backyard! Here’s everything you need to host an unforgettable Moana-themed birthday party that’s full of island fun, tropical decor, and Polynesian-inspired touches.
Moana-Themed Party Decorations
To transform your space into Moana’s Polynesian paradise, aim for bold colors, natural elements, and tropical decor that brings the islands to life. Since a Moana theme party is perfect for the great outdoors, use the setting to your advantage!
Add a little Moana movie magic
Work various nods to the movie into your centerpieces and table decor. From all the unique characters to Maui’s intricate tattoos, there are plenty of references to work with. You can also use Moana’s sailboat or a beautiful recreation of the Heart of Te Fiti design as a focal point for your table settings.
Create an island paradise
Fill your space with large palm leaves, lush greenery, and vibrant tropical flowers. Whether real or artificial, these will make your outdoor Moana theme party feel like an island paradise. Set up tiki torches and place coconuts, pineapples, and seashells around the party area for added flair.
Make your party picture-perfect
When throwing a Moana-themed birthday party, be sure there’s a place to capture special photo opportunities. Get creative with DIY backdrops made of green streamers and tropical flowers. Or, use blue streamers to create the sea and sky, then build a boat to let your little guests set sail for fun pictures.
Moana-Inspired Activities
Keep the island energy flowing with engaging activities that embrace the Moana party theme. Here are a few ways to get guests involved and excited.
Send guests on a wayfinding adventure
Create a treasure hunt with island-themed clues that guide guests through “the ocean,” “volcanoes,” and “jungle” stations (simple props like blue fabric, red paper cones, and artificial plants work well). At the end of the hunt, award each adventurer with a Heart of Te Fiti necklace or a small Moana figurine.
See who can “Pin the Tail Feather on Hei Hei”
We love this idea from Viva Veltoro! It’s a spin on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game to fit a Moana party theme. Hei Hei is the hilariously clumsy rooster from the movie, which makes him perfect for some blindfolded bumbling fun. You can draw your own Hei Hei and tail feathers or print them online.
Set up a lei-making station
Channel the island spirit with a lei-making station. Provide colorful flowers (real or silk), string, and beads so guests can create their own beautiful Hawaiian lei. This activity doubles as a fun craft and a great party favor for everyone to take home.
🌺 You might also like: Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas for a Tropical Celebration
Tasty Treats for a Moana Party Theme
No Moana-themed birthday party would be complete without a spread of tropical-inspired treats and island snacks. Here are a few ideas to bring the flavors of the islands to your party.
Get tropical with an island-inspired fruit bar
Fruit is a great Moana party food because it fits the theme and gives kids something healthy to eat. Feature tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and coconut. You can also include unique options like dragon fruit and starfruit. Serve them skewered or chopped for a refreshing snack that embodies the island vibe.
Serve something refreshingly fruity to drink
Keep guests cool with refreshing coconut water served in coconuts or glasses with little umbrellas. Set up a drink station with tropical punch or smoothies featuring flavors like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit. For an outdoor Moana theme party in the hotter months, make slushies and snow cones!
Satisfy sweet cravings with Moana-themed treats
Delight your Moana-loving guests with themed cupcakes and cookies! Use cupcake toppers like Moana’s sailboat or Maui’s hook to add a special touch to simple frosting designs. Fill out your dessert table with sweet and simple sugar cookies that look like the Heart of Te Fiti. These will complement your Moana birthday cake perfectly!
Island-Style Entertainment Ideas
To truly transport guests to Motunui, consider hiring performers who can bring a Polynesian flavor to the party. With Moana’s adventurous theme, island entertainment will make it feel like a real tropical celebration.
🏝️ Polynesian Dance Show: Hiring Polynesian entertainers for a Moana theme party will bring authentic island flair. With traditional costumes and dance routines, they can add a memorable cultural touch.
🎶 Hawaiian Musicians: Create a calming, tropical atmosphere with a live ukulele player or Hawaiian band. They can play traditional island tunes or even Moana’s biggest hits.
✨ Character Visits: Invite a Moana or Maui character performer to interact with guests, take photos, and share an inspirational story of courage and self-discovery.
Moana-Themed Party Favors
Send your guests home with party favors that capture the spirit of Moana’s adventure. Choose items that feel like a piece of the island for everyone to enjoy. There are plenty of options, but here are a few of our favorites!
💚 Heart of Te Fiti stones: The Heart of Te Fiti is an important symbol in the Moana films, so it’s the perfect keepsake to send guests home with.
🐚 Moana goodie bags: Fill small bags with things like seashells, Maui tattoos, and ocean-themed stickers. Finish it off with a “thank you, and you’re welcome” message.
🪝 Maui hook necklaces: Buy off Etsy or DIY your own Maui hooks to gift to your guests as a fun reminder of their exciting Moana adventure.
🪇 Check out our other Disney-inspired post! Encanto Birthday Party Ideas for a Fiesta Magica
A Moana birthday party is perfect for Moana fans of all ages. With vibrant decorations, engaging activities, and delicious tropical treats, you’ll host a Moana theme party that guests will remember long after the last coconut drink is sipped. So grab a paddle, set sail, and prepare for an adventure that Moana herself would be proud of! ⛵🌊
Book something awesome for your Moana-themed birthday party! Find all kinds of live entertainment on GigSalad.
Heather is the Content Manager and a GigSalad veteran of 15+ years. She loves helping event planners create unforgettable celebrations and talent make a living doing what they love. When not at work, she enjoys reading romance and fantasy books, bingeing TV shows, playing board games, and spending time with friends.