A Flexible Plan for Animal Themed Party

The worst animal themed party I attended had every animal decoration you can buy: animal plates, animal cups, animal napkins, animal tablecloth, animal banner, animal balloons, animal centerpieces, animal cake toppers, animal favor bags. The host had spent $80 on animal-themed items. The kids ate the cake, played in the yard, and did not notice any of it. An animal themed party needs a few themed items and a good activity. The rest is overkill.

An animal themed party is a celebration built around an animal theme, featuring animal decorations, themed food, and animal-related activities. The best animal parties pick one animal or one type of animal and build the party around it. The worst try to include every animal and end up with a table that looks like a zoo gift shop.

The short answer: pick one animal or one type of animal (jungle, safari, farm, ocean). Buy two or three themed items (a cake topper, a banner, and a balloon). Fill the rest with solid colors from the animal’s habitat. The birthday party decoration kit in green or brown works for a jungle or safari theme. The carnival party decorations can be adapted for a circus animal theme.

Pick One Animal or Type

Jungle Theme

Green and brown decorations, jungle animal cake toppers, and a green tablecloth. The food is animal-themed (animal crackers, “jungle juice” punch, a cake with a lion on top).

Safari Theme

Tan and brown decorations, safari animal cake toppers, and a tan tablecloth. The food is safari-themed (animal crackers, trail mix, a cake with a zebra on top).

Farm Theme

Red and white decorations, farm animal cake toppers, and a red tablecloth. The food is farm-themed (animal crackers, a cake with a cow on top, milk and cookies).

Ocean Theme

Blue and white decorations, ocean animal cake toppers, and a blue tablecloth. The food is ocean-themed (goldfish crackers, blue punch, a cake with a fish on top).

The Activities

Animal Mask Making

A station with paper plates, markers, and elastic bands. Kids make animal masks. The activity is the craft. The favor is the mask.

Animal Trivia

Ten to fifteen questions about the chosen animal or type. Split the group into teams.

Animal Charades

Guests act out animals and the group guesses. The activity is the guessing. The flaw: charades is better for older kids and adults.

The Safari Hunt

A scavenger hunt with animal clues. Each clue leads to the next. The final clue leads to a prize. Keep it to five to seven clues.

What to Avoid

Avoid buying every animal item available. Two or three themed items and solid colors are enough. Avoid mixing animal types (jungle and farm and ocean). Pick one and commit. Avoid the animal costume unless the birthday person specifically wants it.

The Verdict

An animal themed party works when you pick one animal or type, buy two or three themed items, and fill the rest with solid colors. The most common mistake is buying every animal item available and spending $80 on decorations the kids do not notice. A few themed items and a good activity are enough.

FAQ

How do I throw an animal themed party? Pick one animal or type (jungle, safari, farm, ocean). Buy two or three themed items (cake topper, banner, balloon). Fill the rest with solid colors from the animal’s habitat. Pick one activity.

What animal theme works for a birthday party? Jungle (green and brown), safari (tan and brown), farm (red and white), or ocean (blue and white). Pick one and commit.

What food works for an animal themed party? Animal crackers, themed punch (“jungle juice,” “ocean punch”), a cake with the chosen animal on top, and snacks that match the theme.

What activities work for an animal themed party? Animal mask making, animal trivia, animal charades, or a safari scavenger hunt. Pick one activity.

How much should I spend on animal party decorations? $20 to $30 for a cake topper, a banner, and solid color plates and napkins. Do not buy every themed item. Two or three themed items and solid colors are enough.

Should I mix animal types at a party? No. Pick one type (jungle, safari, farm, ocean) and commit. Mixing types makes the table look like a zoo gift shop.

What should I avoid for an animal themed party? Buying every animal item available, mixing animal types, and animal costumes (unless the birthday person wants one). A few themed items and a good activity are enough.

References

• Catch My Party, “Animal Birthday Party Ideas,” catchmyparty.com
• Party City, “Animal Party Supplies,” partycity.com
• Birthday Party Ideas 4 Kids, “Jungle Party Ideas,” birthdaypartyideas4kids.com