If your little one is obsessed with Dory, Nemo, and their underwater adventures, then a Finding Dory birthday party is an absolute must.
Now, I know party planning can feel like navigating the deep blue sea—exciting, but also a little overwhelming. That’s where the magic of organization comes in!
So, in this article, I’m not only sharing the ultimate Finding Dory birthday party ideas, but I’m also giving you a FREE downloadable party planner—yes, completely free! It’s editable, customizable, and will make your party planning experience smoother than a dolphin gliding through the waves. Let’s dive right in!
Why Use a Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner?
If you’ve ever hosted a kid’s birthday party before, you know the chaos that can unfold—missing RSVPs, last-minute shopping, going over budget… you name it.
But with my Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner, you’ll have everything under control. Here’s why you need this planner in your life:
- Keep Everything Organized – From guest lists to decorations, food, and party games, you’ll have every single detail in one place. No more scrambling for sticky notes or searching through endless text messages.
- Easy Collaboration – Need help from your partner, a friend, or even the birthday child? Simply share the planner via Google Sheets, and everyone can stay in the loop.
- Budget Management – Let’s be real—birthday parties can get expensive fast. With the budget tracker, you’ll be able to keep an eye on expenses and make sure you don’t go overboard (pun intended).
- Checklist for Success – There’s nothing worse than forgetting an important detail. With a built-in checklist and timeline, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and when.
Free Download: Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner (Google Sheets Format)
Now, let’s talk about the real MVP of this entire article—your FREE Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner!
This planner is a Google Sheets file that’s completely editable and accessible on any device. Whether you’re planning from your laptop, tablet, or phone, you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.
How to Download & Access:
- Click the download link (insert link here).
- The file will open in Google Sheets.
- Click File > Make a Copy to save it to your Google Drive.
- Start customizing and planning your party with ease!
Click Here to Download Your Free Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner
What’s Included in the Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner?
This isn’t just some basic to-do list—oh no, it’s a full-fledged party-planning system that covers every single detail. Here’s what you’ll find inside:
1. Guest List Tracker
- Add guests’ names, RSVP status, and any special notes.
- Includes a section for parent contact details (because let’s be honest, you’ll probably need to check in with a few parents).
Need more invitations ideas? Click here to customize yours!
2. Budget & Expense Sheet
- Set your total budget and track expenses like decorations, food, entertainment, and party favors.
- Includes automatic calculations so you can see how much you’ve spent and what’s left.
3. To-Do Checklist & Timeline
- Pre-Party Tasks: What to do one month before, two weeks before, and the day before the party.
- Party Day Schedule: A timeline of when to set up, when guests arrive, and when to serve food and cut the cake.
4. Finding Dory-Themed Decorations Planner
You can’t have a Finding Dory party without the right decor! The planner includes:
- Shopping list for blue and yellow balloons, ocean backdrops, Finding Dory banners, and DIY seaweed streamers.
- DIY decor ideas like jellyfish lanterns, seashell centerpieces, and a “Finding Dory” welcome sign.
5. Food & Cake Planning
Get creative with an ocean-themed menu! Some unique ideas:
- Fish-Shaped Snacks – Use cookie cutters for sandwiches or fruit slices.
- “Seaweed” Treats – Green sour belts or spinach-flavored chips.
- Blue Ocean Punch – A fun mix of blue lemonade and soda with floating gummy fish!
- The Cake! – A Finding Dory cake, cupcakes with edible sea creatures, or even a “Dory’s Bubble” cake with blue icing and sugar pearls.
6. Entertainment & Activities
Because no party is complete without fun! Here are some ideas:
- “Finding Nemo” Treasure Hunt – Hide toy fish around the party area and have kids search for them.
- Underwater Crafts Station – Let kids make their own sea creature masks or decorate mini aquariums.
- Finding Dory Movie Screening – Set up a cozy area with bean bags and play the movie for a chill wind-down.
7. Party Favors & Thank You Notes
- Goodie Bag Ideas – Mini plush Dorys, ocean-themed stickers, fish-shaped candy, or mini bubble wands.
- Thank You Message Template – A pre-written note that you can easily personalize and print.
How to Use the Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner Effectively
Even the best planner won’t work unless you actually use it! Here are my top tips to get the most out of your Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner:
- Start planning at least a month in advance – This gives you plenty of time to book vendors, send out invitations, and get all your supplies.
- Assign tasks – If you have a co-host, delegate tasks so you’re not doing everything yourself.
- Update expenses as you go – Don’t wait until the last minute to check your budget—track spending from the start.
- Print a hard copy for quick access – Having a physical copy on hand is always a good backup!
Free Download Link & Final Tips
Now that you have ALL the tools you need, it’s time to grab your free Finding Dory Birthday Party Planner and start organizing!
Final Tips for a Magical Finding Dory Party:
- Make it immersive – Use ocean sounds in the background or set up a bubble machine for an underwater effect.
- Encourage kids to dress up – A blue dress for Dory, orange for Nemo, or even cute sea creature hats!
- Take lots of photos – Set up a themed photo booth with underwater props.
A Finding Dory birthday party is guaranteed to create lasting memories, and with this planner, you’ll be the ultimate party-planning queen! Happy planning, and may your party be as unforgettable as Dory herself!