Seaside Picnic Theme for Barbecues and Parties

Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or a trip to the beach, create a series of seaside-themed treats everyone will love. The tips below will transform your favorite treats into edible sweet, sandy, or shell-covered creations perfect for picnics, birthday parties, and other gatherings.

Beach Cupcakes

Ice cupcakes with light brown icing (caramel, butterscotch, or peanut butter). Mix brown sugar with white sugar to create a crumbly “sand” mixture; add a touch of cinnamon if desired). Sprinkle over each cupcake generously for a sparkly sand touch.

Use candy molds shaped like shells, starfish, and other sea creatures to press cookie or chocolate ornaments for the top. Paint with colored icing or glaze to create striped shells, spotted starfish, or other creations.

Ocean Punch

Combine Sprite, 7-Up, or ginger ale with lime sherbet to create a creamy, pale green punch — then add ocean blue by using packets of blue Kool-Aid mixed with a little sugar and water. For a true blue ocean punch, simply mix blue Kool-Aid and the soda for a sparkly, fizzy brilliant blue drink.

Marzipan Mini Creatures

Use easy-to-mold marzipan to create edible sea creatures perfect for topping cupcakes, blue Jell-o cups, or served up by themselves on a platter. A basic marzipan recipe and food coloring will let you shape several small shells, starfish, sea horses, even a mermaid or two if desired.

Shell and Pearl Hors d’Ouvres

Large shell halves are usually easy to find and purchase in novelty bags or baskets — use them as hors d’ouvres serving dishes for your party. Simply tuck some smoked salmon or fresh-chopped tuna into each one, then add a grilled, sauteed, or pickled “pearl onion” on top. For a sweeter treat, try chopped melon and pineapple scooped round with a melon ball scoop.

Grilled Sea Fish

Grill salmon or tuna steaks, or your fresh catch of the day, then layer across a “seaweed” bed of wilted spinach, parsley and greens. Add a coral-pink touch with chopped pink tomatoes along the side (and maybe a few grilled pearl onions, too).

Creating a seaside picnic is easy and fun, even if you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest shoreline. Dress up your favorite party foods and create a magical ocean atmosphere nestled on your patio or picnic table.