I never fully appreciated the scope of a child’s full-blown obsession until my daughter met the Octonauts. After an 18-month obsession, my daughter finally had the Octonauts birthday party of her dreams. Complete with a homemade Octonauts crew hat, a creature report and plenty of ocean-themed food, the party was a blast and Captain Barnacles would have been proud.
My daughter’s obsession with the Octonauts is so great that an episode of the Octonauts is a unit of time measurement. How long until we get there? Four Octonauts (which is approximately one hour). For the record, our party was approximately eight Octonauts, and it was perfect.
Of course, it all starts with an invitation (which I designed).
Creature Report
When I started planning the party months ago, I decided that I wanted to turn the kitchen into the Octopod – I wanted partygoers to feel like they were onboard the Octopod.
Those who have seen the Octonauts know that the Creature Report is the coolest part of the show. So the first thing I needed to achieve that was the set of computer screens used to display the Creature Report each episode. The screens made the perfect party background, and I loved the way they turned out. Plus K got a kick out of a Creature Report all about the birthday girl.
Custom Creature Reports are available by order. Email to inquire about price.
Under Water Balloon Canopy
The next most striking thing I did to emphasize the Octopod feel was to create a balloon canopy over the kitchen. The canopy of blue balloons gave the feeling of looking up at the ocean.
It was simple to create, but my husband thought I was nuts when I told him I wanted to hang balloons from our 14-foot ceiling. In the end, even he admitted that it looked really cool. And it really is a cool effect.
We used 29 balloons to create the canopy (one in the package was busted).
DIY Bling Candle
One of my favorite details was the candle for K’s cupcake. I looked everywhere for a pretty number candle for her cupcake, but was sad to find that all of the number candles are just plain ugly. Well, not ugly – but boring and with little options to match a theme. I ended up with one with red, yellow and blue stars all over it.
Then I got an idea – decorate it! So I found self-adhesive blue crystals at JoAnn’s for $1 (and I had a 40% coupon!), and I made some magic. I already had the big clear crystal in my stash, so it was just a matter of a little craft glue and ugly candle be gone. Seriously, I am going to be doing this from now on. For less than $2, K had a beautiful blinged out candle for her cupcake.
Octonauts Printables
Playing with the Octonauts colors of blue and orange and emphasizing the ocean feel, I used accents of blue and with white polka dots as the basis for all of the coordinating printables I created. I made coordinating table tents for food labels and several items for the goodie bags.
Free Octonauts Party Printables coming soon.
Octo-Food
All of the party food was ocean themed. I served:
- Captain’s Chow
- Coral Reef Salad
- Shark’s Teeth
- Sandollars
- Seaweed dip
- Pirate’s Booty
- Buncha Muncha Crunchy Carrots
- Fish Biscuits
- Giant Clam Cookies
- Octopus Puffs
Peso’s Medical Goodie Bags
When searching for ideas for an Octonauts birthday party, I fell in love with the idea of using Peso’s Medical Bag as the goodie bag / treat box. Careful thought went into these goodie bags which contained gifts from each of the eight crew members and an Official Octonauts certificate.
***Update*** Details about what is inside the Octonauts goodie bags as well as three four printables — Official Octonauts certificate, Fish Biscuits Treat Toppers, notepad covers and crew list — are now available.
Octonauts Games
To keep the party running smoothly with a gaggle of Kindergarteners in my house, we played three Octo-themed games: Octonaut Bingo, Pin the Mouth on the Octoalert and an Octopod pinata.
I designed the Bingo and Octoalert games myself, and I plan to make them available as a free printable soon.
My free Octonaut BINGO is now available.
Octonauts on DVD
Of course, not everyone at the party was as Octonauts savvy as K. So to help “educate” them on all things Octonauts, we also had the new Octonauts: To the Gup-X DVD playing in the background. Featuring some of K’s favorite episodes, it was a great birthday gift for K that was also very useful at the party!
Octonauts Birthday Party Supplies:
- Octonauts Shirt from Etsy
- Octonauts Hair Clip
- The Octonauts: Meet the Octonauts!
- Octonauts: To the Gup-X
- Octonauts Stickers (I used as game prizes)
- Octonauts Tattoos
- Octonauts Octopod Pinata
- Octonauts Party Supplies
Sue E says
June 8, 2014 at 12:33 amMy granddaughter loves Octonauts! As a matter of fact, for Christmas & her birthday, we bought her Octonaut toys. I wish I would have seen this site before May 31st, because my daughter had all 3 of her kids’ birthdays then. GREAT ideas!!
Sue E says
June 8, 2014 at 12:36 amI just pinned the page – THANKS!!
Natalie from Sewoutnumbered says
June 23, 2014 at 2:00 amLove love love your party!!! My son is similarly OB.SESSED with the octonauts and I’m planning his party which is in 3 weeks. Don’t suppose any of your printables would be available before then??! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
jen says
June 23, 2014 at 9:51 amI am so excited for you! Octonauts are AWESOME! Ok, you are going to be my motivation to stop slacking and get them posted. If in 1 week I don’t have any posted, email me — I will get them to you! [email protected].
Natalie from Sewoutnumbered says
June 23, 2014 at 9:29 pmJen you are a SUPERSTAR!! Thank you sooooo much – this will make my party planning a breeze! 😀
danielle says
January 4, 2015 at 12:32 amDo you still do the Creature reports? I am looking for one for my 4 year old. thank you!
jen says
January 13, 2015 at 8:48 pmHi – Yes, I do. Email me directly [email protected].
Denise Zirbel says
June 26, 2014 at 1:46 pmLove your party decor and ideas. What items did you use for the goody bags?
Claire Alexander says
June 30, 2014 at 6:06 pmHi Jen,
Thank you for the inspiration. Any update on those printables. I am behind on my organisation so would really appreciate your help.
Greetings from Oz
Claire
jen says
July 7, 2014 at 10:46 amHi – I am actively working on getting my Octonauts posts up. The BINGO game is now available here –> https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2014/07/07/octonauts-birthday-party-free-printable-bingo-game/
Jennifer R says
July 1, 2014 at 5:52 amI am super interested in your printables as well. I had midway through planning my son’s 3rd birthday party for July 12th when I found your blog! Now I am sending back a lot of what I have ordered and doing something more along the lines of what you have done here! SO CUTE, you did a fabulous job!
Jennifer R says
July 1, 2014 at 5:52 amI am super interested in your printables as well. I was midway through planning my son’s 3rd birthday party for July 12th when I found your blog! Now I am sending back a lot of what I have ordered and doing something more along the lines of what you have done here! SO CUTE, you did a fabulous job!
jen says
July 7, 2014 at 10:47 amThanks so much Jennifer, I am honored to have inspired you!!! You can now find the BINGO game here –> https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2014/07/07/octonauts-birthday-party-free-printable-bingo-game/
Jessica says
July 18, 2014 at 4:18 pmI am absolutely in LOVE with your Octonauts Birthday Theme/Ideas. It is so adorable. I am very interested in your printables. This would be saving me money for my sons 3rd birthday.
Candice says
August 25, 2014 at 10:32 pmLove your party! One question, HOW did you make the 6 door hanger? I love it and so desperately want to make one! Please please please share how you make it! So cute!!
jen says
August 26, 2014 at 8:25 pmCandice – I WISH I could take credit for it. But it was actually made by a friend of a friend (whom I don’t know). She made it for her daughter when she turned 6 and passed it on to my friend for her daughter’s 6th. Then it was the PERFECT color for my daughter… And it had one more 6th birthday to celebrate after mine 🙂 I can tell you that it is coffee filters and the back is a giant piece of poster board. But I don’t know the details on how she dipped them. Although one of these days, I might have to try my hand at making one 🙂
Heather says
September 9, 2014 at 8:27 pmMy son loves The Octonauts. Thank you for ideas. His birthday is in December
lydia says
October 7, 2014 at 2:54 pmLove your party. I’m doing one for my son. Is there anway to get the personalized creature report signs? I desperately need them but it says its no longer available on etsy. Thanks in advance for your help!
Marsha says
January 13, 2015 at 12:24 pmHi – What a wonderful Octonauts party you hosted. I am planning my son’s party for Feb 14th and was wondering if you were still doing the creature reports?
Thanks,
Marsha
jen says
January 13, 2015 at 8:49 pmThanks! It was a lot of fun. I do still make them, email me directly [email protected].
monica says
January 22, 2015 at 7:02 pmI am very interested in creature report signs. Can I place an order?
jen says
February 2, 2015 at 10:31 pmHello, please email me [email protected] to order.
Jen says
March 4, 2015 at 10:52 pmI love all your creative ideas! Our son is having Octonauts as his theme for his 4th birthday this month. Do you have your creature report available as a printable? If so, could you please email me with details? Thanks so much!
jen says
March 5, 2015 at 9:54 amHi Jen – the customized creature report printable is available for sale, please email me directly for information to order. [email protected]
Jesse says
April 12, 2015 at 10:21 amWonderful party! My boys want their party to be Octonaut themed. Can you tell me how you did the giant clam cookies? And what’s underneath that looks like sand? Thanks!
jen says
April 12, 2015 at 6:15 pmSure thing! The clam cookies are Nilla Waffers filled with orange icing. The “pearl” is a yogurt covered raisin. And it is all sitting in a “sandy” ocean floor — brown sugar! Have fun creating an Octonauts party!
Brenda says
April 14, 2015 at 12:18 pmI LOVE all the ideas and creativity! We are using a lot of your inspiration for my son’s 3rd birthday party, this Saturday at our local aquarium. He is SO excited! One of the last things we are having difficulty with is figuring out either A) how to do the Tweak keychains. (already found a cute keychain, just need the printable and instruction) OR B) an alternative option for the “Goody” (medical) bag. I saw a tutorial was coming soon, and figured I just hadn’t clicked on it. Any advice you can offer, or alternative ideas p.would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Brenda
P.S. LOVING the blog. Have shared it with all my girlfriends, and they are all fans now, too. : D
Tiffany says
July 18, 2015 at 11:34 pmWhat are the Octopus Puffs made out of?
jen says
July 19, 2015 at 8:42 pmThey were Pirates Booty! Easy Peasy.
PnkMomma1029 says
September 10, 2015 at 8:40 amHello! I am currently planning my daughter’s 3rd birthday party. She has requested an Octonauts-themed party and I am loving the Creature Report based on the child herself that you have shown in this post. How can I go about having one made for me for a party that is scheduled for early October 2015? Any assistance you are able to offer is greatly appreciated. Thank you !
jen says
September 18, 2015 at 12:32 pmHI! happy birthday to you daughter. Please email me directly at [email protected].
Bri says
October 22, 2015 at 1:46 amHi! My daughter’s birthday is in January and I’m planning on making it octonauts, she loves octonauts, she’d watch it all day if I let her. But I have a question, did having it blue and orange ever make it feel too boyish since the party was for your daughter, I’m planning on making it teal and orange for my daughter since it felt too boyish to me lol but besides that, I love all your ideas! Where do I find the peso medic printable? Gonna make the medic bags as goodie/thank you bags 🙂
jen says
October 27, 2015 at 1:22 pmHi Bri – I didn’t feel as if my daughter’s party was “boyish” at all. You can see from the pictures, it was light and colorful and my daughter loved everything about it. She even had bling on her candle. You can get all of the details for the goodie bags, including the printable, here -> https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2014/09/09/octonauts-birthday-party-goodie-bag-ideas-free-printables. Happy party planning.
kavya says
May 10, 2016 at 12:31 pmHow did you make the number six which is hung in the front door, can u shares the process, I am planning my daughters 4 th octonauts themed birthday party
jen says
May 11, 2016 at 8:20 pmUnfortunately, that is probably the only project I don’t have any pictures of, so I don’t have a tutorial to share. However, this YouTube video does a fantastic job. It looks like she used foam board, I used cardboard from a large shipping box I had lying around (free!). Hope this helps! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsQpHPuUVc8
Melissa says
August 1, 2016 at 9:57 pmI’m planning my son 3rd Birthday Bash and I really can use your help……
Sandie Cruz says
August 2, 2016 at 10:11 pmHow big did you make the creature report? I am working on one for my lo 3rd birthday but I feel like it is too small to be seen from far away.
jen says
August 5, 2016 at 10:07 amThe printed portion of the screen was an 8×10, and the orange frame was about 2 inches bigger. Hope this helps!
Nicola Waterlow says
September 5, 2016 at 5:28 amThis is fab. Sadly I’ve run out of time to make my daughters October party quite so fabulous.
Do you have any food printables to share? I would be so grateful 🙂
Celeste says
October 11, 2016 at 11:11 pmCute party! My son wants an Octonaut party this year and would love the ‘Creature Report’ of himself! How did you do this? Thanks!
jen says
November 7, 2016 at 11:24 amHi Celeste – I designed the Creature Reports myself. I sell custom ones, if you are interested. Feel free to email me.
Jenni says
November 6, 2016 at 6:44 pmHi Jen,
The link to the octonaut medical bag plaster printable doesn’t work. Is there any way you can fix this or get it to me? Your party looked amazing, I can’t match it but nicking a few of your great ideas!
jen says
November 8, 2016 at 10:48 pmHi Jenni – Looks like the blog that originally posted the bandages is no longer online. Luckily I still have them in my files, so I have added a link to download them in the post here – https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2014/09/09/octonauts-birthday-party-goodie-bag-ideas-free-printables/
Melissa says
January 31, 2017 at 9:26 pmHi there. I am planning my son’s Octonauts birthday party for this coming Saturday, Feb. 4 2016. I created the medical bag party favor using your ideas (but I swapped out some of the favors for other items. Any chance you would be able to create a modified version of the Octonauts Gift List for me? I would so appreciate it! Thank you 🙂
Melissa says
January 31, 2017 at 9:26 pmOops I meant Feb. 4, 2017
Sherry A says
June 15, 2017 at 1:29 pmI have been trying to print the food label for Tunips Fish Food with no success. It prints out very large and off to the right. I can’t get one label to print in whole. I’ve messed around with the sizes trying to get it on one page and no luck. Any ideas? Thanks and appreciate any help you can provide.
jen says
August 30, 2017 at 8:34 amHi – make sure you are downloading the file to your computer. Don’t just save the image on the blog, download the image from the link. Then print the file from your computer. This should help.
kimberlyn mccraney says
July 19, 2017 at 11:34 pmi would really love your help with planning this theme for my son jayce 1st birthday party on august 16 2017
Amanda says
August 23, 2017 at 4:12 pmHi love your creature report! My son is having an Octonauts themed birthday as well and I love to have the creature report! Thanks!