Totally Nautical Kids' Birthday Party

Turn tin cans into ship-tastic serving vessels with hot glue and twine.

Whether you’re right on the beach or landlocked, you can give your party an air of the high seas. Opt for a palette of blue and white with touches of red and lots and lots of stripes. Stringing up a garland of nautical-style flags keeps things fun and festive. Galvanized metals and natural rope and twine echo the accoutrements of a ship. Start by recycling cans: Wash, remove the label and dry each can. Then dab a dot of hot glue at the base of the can and press twine to secure; next wrap the twine all the way up to the top rim, where you can secure it with another spot of glue. A piece of grosgrain ribbon finishes the look. If you have seashells, starfish or other beach-y accessories on hand, bring them out to add to the party’s atmosphere.