Why a dolphin works for an under-the-sea party
Painting the dolphins is the party craft, and the finished dolphin is the favour, so there's no separate activity to plan and no party bag to fill.
It's bendy, so kids can curve it into a leap, and it has magnets in the head and at the tail end to hold up drawings on the fridge for months.
There's a story in it too. Hector's dolphins are among the smallest dolphins in the world and live only around New Zealand, which makes a good fact to share while the paint dries.
Ocean painting ideas
The dolphin can be real, magical or somewhere in between:
- A real Hector's dolphin: grey body, black face and fins, white belly.
- Ocean colours: blues and greens with a wave pattern along the back.
- A mermaid's pet in pinks, purples and glitter-look dots.
- A shark makeover: grey on top, white underneath, painted teeth.
- A coral reef: bright fish, starfish and seaweed painted all over.
Bring the sea to the party
Cover the painting table in blue paper and call it the lagoon. Let the dolphins dry on a tray 'beach' while the kids play a round of sharks and minnows or go on a shell hunt.
Mix designs in the same pack if you like. An axolotl fits a water theme too, and a few cats or pugs suit guests who'd rather stay on dry land.
Questions parents ask
- How much does an ocean party pack cost?
- It depends on how many critters you choose (minimum 6) and whether you add paint marker sets or kids' mess kits. Every pack ships free within New Zealand, and the builder shows the total as you go. See prices and build your pack →
- What age is it suitable for?
- Ages 6 and up, with an adult supervising. The critters contain magnets and small parts, so keep them away from younger siblings.
- What should the kids paint with?
- Acrylic paint markers. They grip the smooth plastic and there are no brushes or water pots to manage. Ordinary felt-tips and washable markers smudge and won't stick. Our marker sets have 8 colours, and one set covers about 3 kids.
More answers on the FAQ page.