Bucket Drinks
DIY bucket drinks for parties/summer
DIY Non-Alcoholic Party Bucket Drink Station:
Last summer, we made bucket drinks while staying at a hotel by the beach. I made a video of it for TikTok… it went kind of viral. We forgot about it for a while, but when it came time to plan my son’s birthday party this year, I brought the idea back, but this time as a full DIY bucket drink station.
The kids loved it. The parents were all asking where I got the buckets, how I set it up, and if I could send them the graphics I made. So I figured I’d just put everything here.
What You Need to Make Your Own
We kept it cheap and easy.
You don’t need much. I made an amazon list of the items i used to make it easier for you. If you wanna buy the stuff yourself, heresd what you need.
SUPPLIES:
• Mini plastic buckets with lids and handles (16–24 oz)
• Paper or curly straws
• Ice (lots)
• A tray or bowl for the mix-ins
• Drinks like Hawaiian Punch, Sprite, or Kool-Aid
• Candy and fruit: gummy worms, sour belts, Swedish Fish, cherries, strawberries, orange slices
How We Set It Up
I printed a little sign with the instructions and set out all the ingredients in trays so kids could walk through and build their own. Here’s how it goes:
1. Add ice
2. Pour in drinks (layer them if you want)
3. Add candy & fruit mix-ins
4. Stir it up
5. Lid on, straw in, done
It’s basically a choose-your-own adventure drink . And the kids loved it.
The Vibe
We had pizza, a snack table, a dessert table, and little karate-themed decorations. Honestly nothing too fancy, but it came together nicely.
Want to Make One?
I put together a Pinterest board with photos from the party, inspo, and all the setup ideas in one spot:
You could do this for any party, not just a birthday party; like a pool day, sleepover, beach day, baby shower, etc . You can always switch up the colors/ candies and make it fit the vibe.
A Few Tip:
• Pre chill the drinks if you can
• Keep paper towels nearby
• Lids are a must
• Don’t skip the candy, even just one kind makes it feel like a treat
Final Thought
Some things stick with you, especially the little details that make a good day feel like a great day. These bucket drinks are gonna be one of those things.
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Here’s the Pinterest board I made for it, including all the images I used that you’re free to print for your own party: