Little Mermaid 5 yr old party IDEAS?

[tinaw]

We are having a Little Mermaid bday party for my daughter and I thought I'd see if anybody had any really good ideas. It is an outside party, 8 girls and 1 boy ( lucky guy!) nothing to extravagent. These are what I have so far:
1. Sand dough- kinda like home made play dough but you use sand in the mix. Lots of sand castle molds.
2. Treasure ballons- fill small water balloons with water and add a small treaure (beaded necklaces, plastic coins etc). After freezing, remove the balloon and let float in one of the 3 small plastic pools the kids will be playing in. As the ice melts kids get treasures.
3. Ariel's treasure hunt - small styrofoam cooler covered in aluminum foil and decorated with jewels. To be found after decifering clues. In the treasure chest will be the pary bags for the kids to take home.
Does that sound like nough to keep all those kids busy for 2.5 hours not including cake, ice cream and presents? We are a very tight budget SAVING FOR DISNEY and really want more an old fashioned at home birthday party without all the hoopla of a lot parties these days ( no offence intended )
Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have

 

[Lars624]

What about the individual pudding cups with crushed vanilla wafers on top like sand & little drink umbrellas in them like beach umbrellas? or a cheap fish bowl layered with blue jello & gummy fish to look like a fish bowl with fish swimming? serve goldfish crackers & blue kool aid? Cheap plastic leis?
One time we did a hula hoop contest (hula hoops from the dollar store) the winner got a small prize & each participant got to keep their hula-hoop.

 

[BounceyOne]

Not exactly an ariel theme but how about dress up for the girls? If your DD doesn't have 'pretend' dress up clothes you can raid your closet or a thrift store for some great stuff. If they get bored with dress up, turn it into a game, see who can get dressed the fastest or undressed the fastest?

Sidewalk chalk is good for some time also.

Bubbles.

The simple games such as musical chairs or hot potato? I am not a fan of these games but have learned that when a child gets 'out' they get a small prize instead of a grand winner at the end.

Have a great party.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Don't really have anything to add, but wanted to say that you have some great ideas for a Little Mermaid party. I love the frozen balloon with treasures Idea!!