Gather all the lions, tigers, and bears in the neighborhood and throw your child a grrrrr-eat birthday party with our Jungle Party Ideas! We have provided some general party planning tips as well as jungle-themed decorating suggestions, and food, game, and activity ideas that will ensure your guests have a wildly good time!
Invitations
Decorations
Food
Party Favors
Games & Activities
Planning & Invitations
For peace of mind, begin planning 6-8 weeks in advance to allow time to purchase and mail invitations, as well as to give your guests time to RSVP and make travel plans, if needed. Try to pick a location for your party early on as well. You can throw a great Jungle theme party at home, but if you would rather have the party elsewhere, consider a local park, nature center, or zoo where you can visit real jungle animals. Take a look at our When & Where to Have the Party article for more suggestions.
What Do I Need for the Party?
If you plan to use paper tableware and jungle party supplies, our Suggested Party Supply List may be helpful when placing an order. Please note that you may not need everything on the list; it is intended only as a guide.
Along with the traditional supplies like cups, plates, napkins, and streamers, you may also want to consider purchasing or borrowing the following items:
- Potted plants like ferns, bamboo, or palms
- Animal-print rugs or blankets
- Jungle music CDs
- Animal Planet DVDs
You may also want to consider hiring a snake or reptile handler to come to your party to entertain and educate the children about different jungle animals.
Jungle Party Invitations
Creative jungle invitations can help build excitement before a party. If you have time to make your own, here are some ideas to get your started:
- Cut palm leaves out of green construction paper. Run a glue stick along the outside and sprinkle with green glitter. Write your party details in the center.
- Fold a sheet of yellow construction paper in half to create a card-style invitation. On the front, draw large brown uneven circles to resemble giraffe spots. In one of the circles, write “You’re Invited…” Write your party details on the inside, and either continue the spotted theme, or use a large sticker or stamp of a giraffe.
- Design your invitations to resemble a passport, with “Africa” stamped on the inside.
- Attach a card-style invitation to a box of animal crackers and hand-deliver to your guests.
- Use creative wording for the party details, such as:
[Child’s Name]’s African Safari Birthday Party!
Jungle Location: [Party Location]
The Adventure Starts at [Party Time]
RSVP to the Den Mother at [Phone Number]
- Seal your invitation envelopes with jungle stickers.
If you don’t have time to make your own invitations, take a look at our popular personalized jungle invitations, which include your child’s name and all the party details on a background that fits your jungle theme. You can also check out the blank invitations we offer.
Decorating & Food Ideas
Jungle Party Decorations
- Give your house a "welcome to the jungle" feel by placing large potted palms or other plants in the party area.
- Hang animal prints or mosquito netting from the ceiling.
- Cluster a few coconuts, a bunch or two of bananas, a safari hat, and binoculars in the middle of the food table to create a centerpiece.
- Make signs that say things like "Madagascar -- 21 Miles", "Giraffe Crossing", "Go Wild", and "Monkey See, Monkey Do" and post them to the walls around the party area.
- Cut out construction paper paw prints and tape them going up a wall or to the front door.
- Decorate with stuffed jungle animals or other types of wild animal figures. Or, set up a stuffed animal petting zoo.
- Hang a pinata in the party area as a decoration before the activity starts.
- Use chalk to draw big gray elephant footprints on your driveway and the sidewalk leading up to your front door.
- Make a cardboard jungle using wrapping paper tubes to form palm tree trunks and green construction paper to make large palm leaves. Use a brown marker to draw ridges on the trunks.
- Balloons are a must-have at any party! Tie helium balloons in different shades of green around the party area, as well as to the back of the chair where the birthday child will sit. For added effect, combine a jungle-themed Mylar balloon with four or five latex balloons.
- Play animal sounds for background music or show an animal-based movie (such as episodes of Animal Planet) on mute on the TV.
- Drape green streamers from the walls and ceiling to resemble vines.
Create Jungle-Themed Costumes for Your Guests
Make no-sewing costumes for your guests using animal print fabric. Just cut the fabric into jagged-edged rectangles, then cut a circle in the center of each piece of cloth big enough for a child's head to fit through. When the children arrive, slip the rectangles of cloth over their heads and tie each at the waist using rope or cord.
You can also make individual animal headbands for your guests using wide construction paper strips. (It may be necessary to staple two lengths together unless you have access to long sheets of construction paper.) To decorate the strips, cut out different-colored ears and glue them on, then draw on patterns or glue on faux fur from a craft store. For instance:- Tiger headband - orange construction paper with black stripes drawn on it.
- Lion headband - glue brown faux fur onto a strip of yellow construction paper.
- Giraffe headband - yellow construction paper with brown spots drawn on it.
- Zebra headband - draw black stripes on a strip of white construction paper.
For additional birthday party decoration ideas, visit our partner, Celebrations.com.
Jungle Party Food Ideas
Serving party treats that complement your theme is fun for both the host and the guests! Serve up some wild jungle fare that will have everyone roaring with delight! Here are some suggestions:
- Serve animal crackers or animal-shaped cookies in safari hats lined with paper towels.
- Hippo Muddy Puddles can be made from brownies cut into circles topped with hot fudge. For a special touch, add a marzipan animal to each (found at specialty and gourmet stores).
- Make an easy trail mix that includes raisins, nuts and M&Ms.
- Make your own banana chips! Arrange slices of banana in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Brush with a thin layer of honey. Bake at 150 degrees for two hours with the oven door open 1 inch. Flip the banana slices over and bake for another two hours. Let cool and serve!
- Use jungle animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut fun shapes from cheese and lunchmeat and serve them with crackers.
- Serve beverages in canteens or animal-print party cups and give each guest a jungle-themed silly straw.
- Serve tropical foods like mango, papaya, coconut and cashews.
- Make a “banana pop” for each guest. Insert a popcicle stick into the bottom of a halved banana. Pour chocolate syrup over the banana until it is completely covered. Roll the chocolate-covered banana in a thin layer of nuts. Freeze 4-6 hours before serving.
- Set out small bowls and fill each with a different gummy insect.
- Make a jungle cake using your favorite recipe or mix. After baking the cake, frost the top with green icing. Add a few watering holes with blue frosting and/or mud puddles with chocolate sauce. Add plastic palm trees and jungle animals to complete the effect.
Jungle Party Favors
Send your guests home feeling like kings and queens of the forest with fun jungle party favors! Consider small binoculars, compasses, Animal Planet DVDs, gift certificates to a nature preserve or zoo, stuffed jungle animals, or safari hats. Or, to save time, check out our complete Jungle Party Favor Sets, which include matching favor bags!
Also, don't forget to take a look at our personalized favors, such as stickers, magnets, and bag tags. These can be printed with your guests' names or a special message from you!
Jungle Party Games & Activities
Try to have a few extra activity ideas on hand in case there is extra time at the end of the party. But don't be afraid to let the children play a game they really love over and over, either! For ideas, see the Games & Activities section below.
For other party planning tips, our Party Planning 101 Guide includes cake ideas, party etiquette tips, a printable guest list, and more.
|
