• You don't need a beach to have a beach party.beach image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  A trip to the beach is special for people of all ages, but sometimes it's just not possible. It is, however, easy to recreate a laid-back beach vibe in any backyard. Next time your friend or relative has a birthday coming up, give him the gift of beach-side fun with a beach birthday party.
  
  

Volleyball

• Beach volleyball can be transferred to the backyard.beach volleyball image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  Volleyball is a popular beach sport. Your backyard can host a game if it is big enough for a volleyball net and at least four players. Playing a sport during a birthday party could generate laughs and memories, and certainly generate an appetite for birthday cake. Be sure that players drink plenty of water during and after the game to prevent dehydration.
  
  

Seafood Barbeque Party

• Fire up the grill for some delicious birthday food.barbeque image by Wouter Tolenaars from Fotolia.com
  
  Bring the taste of the ocean to your backyard with a seafood barbecue birthday potluck. Buy some fish to grill at the party and have guests bring side dishes. The birthday cake should be shaped and decorated like a seashell or sea creature. If it is an adult party, serve tropical beach drinks such as margaritas and pina coladas. For an extra treat, have a fish-shaped pinata filled with goodies like Swedish fish and fake pearl necklaces.
  
  

Surf Theme

• Get excited for future surfing at a surfing-themed party.surf image by bacalao from Fotolia.com
  
  Have a surf-themed birthday party featuring everything surfing without the beach itself. Make a soundtrack with surfing songs such as the Beach Boys' "Surfing USA," and pick up beers from places with great surf spots, such as Kona beer from Hawaii. At the party, have an air surfing competition (think air guitar) and have a small bonfire in the evening, similar to the beach bonfires popular in surf culture. Birthday gifts can range from a surfing calendar to a promise for a trip to the beach for a real surfing in the future.
  
  

Goofy Swimwear Competition

• Get ready for the funniest fashion show ever.funny girl outdoors image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
  
  Goofy swimwear will bring out the laughs, even far from the beach. A goofy swimwear competition means guests should be told in advance to dust off those 1980s fluorescent swimsuits, be on the lookout at thrift stores and shed all pride in preparation for finding and modeling the silliest, most absurd and ugly swimsuits out there. The birthday person should be allowed to judge the contest. If it's a hot day, hook up the sprinkler after the contest for some imitation ocean spray.