A Moana Birthday Party Story
“(And Free Editable Invitations Included!)”
It all started with a song. You know the one — “See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me…” Well, it didn’t just call Moana. It called my daughter. Loudly. Repeatedly. Every. Single. Morning. For weeks. So when her first birthday was coming up, I knew I didn’t want just any party. I wanted it to feel like a sun-soaked, sea-salted memory. And honestly? The Moana theme was a no-brainer. Her brave, island spirit and wild curiosity fit my daughter to a tee — plus, I was already humming the soundtrack in my sleep. We were halfway there.
Credit: Spot of Tea Designs
With just a few dollars, a lot of coconut-scented inspiration, and a pinch of Canva magic, we threw a tropical birthday bash that felt like a true island adventure. And now, I’m sharing everything I learned — every lei, every coconut cupcake, and every laugh — with you. Because if you’re a mom dreaming of giving your child a Moana moment to remember, then girl… the ocean is calling.
The Backyard: Our DIY Tropical Paradise
I debated for a solid week between having the party indoors or outside. I mean, living room parties are great — no bugs, no unexpected rain showers. But when your party is island-themed and your backyard gets bathed in golden sunlight every afternoon? You go outside and you cross your fingers that the weather behaves. So, backyard it was. And with a little help from some dollar-store finds, string lights, and leftover faux greenery from last year’s party (never throw anything away, y’all), we were halfway to paradise.
Credit: Moana Inspired Luau Birthday Party by twinkle twinkle little party
I grabbed a couple rolls of raffia to wrap around our table legs — instant tiki tables. Used cardboard boxes to build a pretend Moana canoe, which doubled as a photo booth. And sprinkled in a few inflatable flamingos because, why not? They were pink, cute, and made the photos pop.
By the time I finished hanging the flower garlands and lighting the torches (battery-operated, of course), I stood back and smiled. It wasn’t Maui’s island. But it was mine. And my daughter squealed the minute she stepped outside. Still, none of it would’ve come together without the perfect invite. Let’s talk about that next…
The Ocean Was Calling… And Our Invitations Answered
Let me tell you, I’ve spent years designing birthday invites. From princess tea parties to dinosaur digs, I’ve crafted it all. But our Moana invitations? They might be my favorite yet. And here’s why — not only did they feature Moana, Maui, and that bold tropical color scheme that just screams fun, but they were free, editable, and beautifully designed in Canva. Yes, I said free. (You can grab them too, by the way. I’ll link them below — they come in three styles, and yes, one includes a pink flamingo.)
The one we chose had Moana holding her oar on the left, Maui flexing on the right, and this big wooden sign right in the middle that said:
“SARAH IS TURNING ONE! The Ocean is Calling… Celebrate with us on October 25, 8AM”
It looked like something you’d pay a designer $50+ to create — but I personalized it in 10 minutes flat on Canva. Then I printed a few, emailed the rest, and even used it as the wallpaper for my phone the week of the party. It made everything feel official.
And here’s the truth, designing invitations can get pricey. I’ve had quotes from local print shops that made my jaw drop. But when I found these templates? It was like the ocean parted and said, girl, you got this. But once the invites were out, the countdown was on. Next up — food. And if you think I served boring pizza and juice boxes, oh no. Moana would never allow it.
CUSTOMIZE AND DOWNLOAD NOW ON CANVA!
Beginner’s Guides
Before you get too wrapped up in planning the rest of your party magic, let’s talk about invitations! Our free invitation templates are not only adorable, but they’re super easy to customize too. Whether you’re adding in party details like the date, time, and location or even a special note, you can personalize everything to fit your theme perfectly.
A. Download Instruction
Want to know how? Read this step-by-step guide to help you download and customize our free editable invitation templates:
- Scroll up the page until you see the “Download Free Editable … Here” button.
- A new page will be shown in seconds, and you will be able to see the preview of our template designs.
- Choose/click the “Edit Template” button (blue button).
- Now you can personalize our templates, like putting your son or daughter’s name, changing the font-size and color.
- Once you finished with the editing, you can download the final draft (Go to File > Download > Select the File Type (PNG is the best option) > Download.
B. How to Print the file?
“Steps for printing our templates”
- Save the image you want to print to the computer or to a flash drive if it is not saved already. (Step 5 of Download Instruction).
- Go to the file explorer and find the file. Double click the image.
- The file will open in Windows Photo Viewer
- Go to print at the top and then go to the print option
- Select the color printer if you want the photo to print in color
- Select the print size you want
- You may want to play around with the “Fit picture to frame” option. Sometimes that option will allow the photo to print closer to the border, but sometimes it will cut off the edges of the photo.
- Hit print and Voila!!!
Speaking of party invitation, we avoid to see anything basic, especially when it comes to birthday celebration. By unusual, I mean something that isn’t typical Floral or Disney theme, but rather something like what’s in this page or maybe you want to see other themes like Moana 2 and Fun Summer Moana themed birthday invitation templates.
Budget Decor That Felt Totally Luau-Chic
So, here’s the deal: tropical-themed party supplies are everywhere, but they can add up faster than Hei Hei chasing a rock. I wanted the vibe without the price tag, so I got creative. And when I say creative, I mean hot glue gun, dollar store run, and a little YouTube magic. Most of our décor was made from items I already had — or printed myself. From the invitation set (which came with matching welcome signs, backdrop, and thank you cards!) to the centerpiece “Heart of Te Fiti” cutouts, it all followed one simple rule: keep it cute and cohesive.
Credit: DIY Moana Birthday Party Backdrop “Returns the heart of Te Fiti” by partyace on Etsy
I even repurposed old mason jars as tropical vases — just stuffed them with fake hibiscus flowers and some shredded green paper. My daughter helped decorate them, which led to one accidentally hot-glued napkin (whoops) and a memory I’ll keep forever.
The real magic came from the coordinated design of our Moana party kit. The invitation image — with Moana and Maui standing proudly beside Sarah’s name on a bamboo plank sign — set the tone perfectly. The whole kit matched. Bright turquoise waves, lush island leaves, flamingos, flowers, the whole tropical vibe. It was chef’s kiss and made everything feel next-level.
Use this template and print it on durable lightweight polyester fabric (6ftx3ft)
If you’ve ever wondered whether an editable Canva party kit can really elevate your party… friend, let me be the one to say YES. It saved me time, money, and sanity. Plus, it made me look way more put-together than I actually was. But before I tell you about the cake (because oh my coconut, it was a moment) — let’s take a closer look at these templates that tied it all together.
It’s Time for The Cake!
No Moana-themed party would be complete without a cake that captures the spirit of the ocean and adventure. For my daughter’s birthday, I wanted a cake that was both visually stunning and delicious. Inspired by various designs I found online , I decided on a two-tiered cake adorned with ocean waves, tropical flowers, and a fondant Moana figurine standing proudly at the top.
Credit: Moana birthday cake by Soul Cakes by Tanya on Facebook
To add a personal touch, I incorporated elements from our free Moana party kit into the cake design. The vibrant colors and tropical motifs from the invitation templates seamlessly tied into the cake’s aesthetic, creating a cohesive look that delighted both kids and adults.
Conclusion
Planning my daughter’s Moana-themed birthday party was a labor of love. From the DIY decorations to the personalized invitations and engaging activities, every element was crafted with care and intention. Seeing the joy on her face and the smiles of our guests made all the effort worthwhile.
For fellow moms looking to create a memorable and budget-friendly celebration, I encourage you to utilize our free Moana party kit. With editable Canva templates for invitations, backdrops, welcome signs, and thank-you cards, it’s a valuable resource to help bring your vision to life.
Your Moana Party Planning Questions Answered
1. Where can I find Moana-themed party supplies?
Many party supply stores and online retailers offer Moana-themed decorations, tableware, and favors. Additionally, our free Moana party kit provides editable templates to help you create personalized items at home.
2. How can I make a Moana cake at home?
Start with a basic cake recipe or mix, and use food coloring to create ocean-inspired hues. Decorate with tropical-themed toppers, edible flowers, and Moana figurines. For inspiration, check out various cake designs online .
3. What activities are suitable for a Moana-themed party?
Consider setting up a coloring station with Moana-themed pages, organizing a treasure hunt for “Heart of Te Fiti” stones, or crafting leis with the children. These activities are engaging and align well with the theme.
