15 Easy Under the Sea Snacks for a Splashin’ Good Party

I remember the year my son insisted on an “under the sea” birthday party. His eyes were wide with excitement talking about sharks and treasure chests, and I was determined to make it magical for him. I dove headfirst into planning, but as I scrolled through endless elaborate party food ideas, I felt a wave of panic. I’m a parent, not a pastry chef! I needed simple, fun, and cute ideas that wouldn’t have me crying over a collapsed fondant octopus at midnight.

That’s when I realized the magic wasn’t in complicated recipes. It was in creativity. The best under the sea theme snacks are the ones that are easy to assemble and instantly recognizable, sparking that same wonder in kids that the ocean itself does. They are the finger foods that let kids play with their food a little before they gobble it up.

So, if you’re planning your own ocean adventure, relax! I’ve put together a list of 15 fantastic and incredibly easy under the sea snacks for kids. These treats are all about clever assembly, not complex cooking, ensuring you can create a stunning party spread and still have time to enjoy the celebration.

Savory Sea Creatures & Critters

These savory bites are perfect for kicking off the party and filling little tummies.

1. Octopus Hot Dogs: A true kid-favorite. Slice a hot dog lengthwise from the bottom up, stopping about an inch from the top. Make two more cuts to create eight “tentacles.” When you boil them, the legs will curl up into a perfect little octopus!

2. Crab Croissants: This is the easiest party snack you’ll ever make. Simply buy mini croissants and stick two candy googly eyes on top with a dab of cream cheese. They look just like little crabs scuttling across the platter.

3. “Seaweed” Spinach Dip: Every ocean needs some plant life! A simple spinach dip serves as your delicious “seaweed.” Serve it with blue corn tortilla chips for the full water effect or pretzel sticks for “driftwood.”

4. Tuna Salad Bell Pepper Boats: Fill mini bell peppers, cut in half, with your favorite tuna or chicken salad. They look like colorful little boats floating on the sea and are a great healthy option.

5. “Fish & Bubbles”: This isn’t one snack, but a duo! Fill clear cups with Goldfish crackers (“fish”) and a separate bowl with green grapes (“bubbles” or “seaweed”). It’s a classic under the sea finger food that’s always a hit.

Sweet Ocean Wonders

No party is complete without some sweet treats. These ocean theme snacks are creative, colorful, and completely charming.

6. Jell-O Ocean Cups: A must-have for any under the sea party. Make blue Jell-O according to the package directions. Pour it into clear plastic cups, and once it’s partially set, push a gummy fish or shark into the middle.

7. Nutter Butter Clamshells: These are adorable and so clever. Use a dab of frosting to “glue” a candy pearl or yogurt-covered raisin inside a Nutter Butter cookie. It looks just like a clam with its precious pearl.

8. Oreo Sea Urchins: Separate an Oreo cookie. Use the cream side as your base. Break black licorice strings or thin pretzel sticks into small pieces and stick them all over the cream to look like the spines of a sea urchin.

9. Marshmallow “Fishing” Poles: Grab some pretzel sticks, tie a piece of licorice string to one end, and “hook” a gummy worm or fish on the other. They are fun to make and even more fun to eat.

10. Starfish Rice Krispie Treats: Make a pan of Rice Krispie treats, but before they cool, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out starfish. You can decorate them with edible glitter or colored sprinkles for extra sparkle.

Beachy Bites & Drinks

Bring the shoreline to your snack table with these beach-inspired ideas.

11. Sandy Beach Pudding Cups: Layer crushed vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies (“sand”) in the bottom of a clear cup. Top with blue-tinted vanilla pudding (“water”). Finish it off with a teddy graham bear lounging on a “towel” made from a piece of a fruit roll-up.

12. Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies: You don’t need fancy decorating skills for this one. Bake simple round sugar cookies. While they are still warm, gently press sliced almonds into the center in a star pattern to create a perfect sand dollar look.

13. Fruit Coral Reef: This is a stunning and healthy centerpiece. On a large platter, create a vibrant “coral reef” by arranging colorful fruits like strawberry chunks, mandarin orange slices, kiwi, and melon balls.

14. Watermelon Shark: A true showstopper! Carefully carve a watermelon to look like a shark’s open mouth. Hollow out the inside, fill it with a fresh fruit salad, and let the delicious “ocean” spill out.

15. Ocean Water Punch: Create a magical drink to go with your snacks. Mix blue Hawaiian Punch, lemonade, and lemon-lime soda. For extra fun, add some gummy fish to float in the punch bowl.

With these simple and fun ideas, your under the sea party is sure to be a huge success. The kids will love the creative treats, and you’ll love how easy they were to bring to life.