If you’re throwing a jungle themed birthday party then check out this list of 37 ideas that will surely inspire you. These guide ideas include invitations, decorations, activities, foods, and party favors to ensure every aspect of your party is a safari adventure.
Invitations:
First impressions are always important, and the first impression anyone will have of your party will be through the invitation. This makes picking out your invitation an important part of your party planning. One of my favorite places to look for invitations is through Etsy. There are hundreds of different styles to choose from and the templates can all be customized. Invitations to choose from include wild animals, hanging vines, and tropical flowers. Check out these invitations that can be customized for any age.
Decorations:
What is a party without decorations? Backdrops, table cloths, centerpieces, and balloons can all be used to transform your party into a tropical jungle.
- Jungle Themed Backdrop
A backdrop can be made from many things including a table cloth with a jungle leaf pattern, a dark green sheet, or a customized party banner. To make any of these options look professional, just add balloons, hanging vines, or paper flowers around the edges. Check out this Customizable Jungle Themed Banner. - Miniature Palm Trees for Table Centerpieces
A great addition to your tables is a jungle tree centerpiece. You can create these center pieces yourself with cardboard tubing, burlap ribbon, and palm fronds. Check out A Cotton Kandi Life for the full tutorial. - Animal Prints along Table Runners
For any easy DIY table runner, just roll out some brown paper and paint animal tracks across it. If you want uniform footprints, then make a stamp that you can use for each print.
- Jungle Themed Plates
Check out these Jungle Themed Paper Plates. They feature safari animals and animal prints. Another great option are these Charity Leaf Compostable 10″ Square Palm Leaf Dinner Plates. They look like bamboo plates and would give the party a more sophisticated look. - Balloon Archway
A balloon archway is becoming a classic for birthday parties. They look great when framing a backdrop and the extra balloons are lots of fun for littles to play with. To give your archway some dimension, make sure to add different shaped balloons. Check out this Balloon Garland Set that includes giraffe print balloons, confetti balloons, and palm leaves. - Jungle Sign
A sign post is a great decoration to include at the entrance to your party. You can decorate it with hanging vines and write cute sayings on it like “Don’t Feed the Animals” or “Watering Hole.”
- Hanging Vines Made from Paper
Use brown paper to create vines that you can hang throughout the party. Just take long strips of brown paper and twist them until they look like a vine. Add some leaves cut from green paper and you’ll have some fantastic looking jungle vines. - Paper Jungle Flowers
Paper flowers can be a great addition to a balloon archway, a backdrop, or just scattered throughout the party. Check out this tutorial on how to make crepe paper hibiscus flowers by Lia Griffith. Just make sure to use vibrant oranges or pinks for a tropical jungle vibe. - Wild Animals made from Paper Chains
If you want some wild animals hanging out during your party then make some with paper chains. The easiest animals to make with paper chains are snakes. This tutorial by Easy Peasy and Fun will show you exactly how to make them. - Butterflies Made from Coffee Filters
Add some butterflies throughout your party to add little pops of color. This article by One Little Project will show you how to make them with coffee filters.
Specialty Foods:
Now that your guests have arrived, it’s time to feed them. This list of ideas includes sides, main dishes, and desserts to ensure your whole menu is fit for your party animals.
- Swamp Spinach Dip
If you’re planning on serving chips at your part then you should also serve this spinach and artichoke dip by Onion Rings and Things. Its green color will match with you jungle theme perfectly, especially when you label it as Swamp Dip. - Snail Pinwheels
Pinwheels are a great party food and can easily be made into snails. Just lay the pinwheel on its side, stick two tooth picks in the top and then add olives to the toothpicks to make eyes. This food is especially great because of how versatile it is. It can be filled with whatever you like. Check out this recipe by A Couple Cooks which uses cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for the filling. - Alligator Fruit Tray
Surprise your guests by hiding an alligator in your fruit tray. To do this, just use the skin of a pineapple to capture the look of the alligator’s scales.
- Giraffe Bread Sandwiches
Take a look at this giraffe patterned bread by Yoyomax12. You can cut it into slices to make giraffe sandwiches. Whether you choose to use ham, peanut butter, or egg salad, these sandwiches will look just like a wild animal. - Hot Dog Snakes
Wrap your hot dogs in snakes to create a dangerous treat that only the most daring guest will reach for. To make the snakes, just wrap a thin strip of pastry dough around each hot dog in a way that will make it look like a snake. Then, bake the hot dogs in the oven as the pastry dough instructs. Once finished, you can paint eyes onto the dough and you can even add a snake tongue sticking out of its mouth. - Lion Charcuteri Board
Turn a charcuterie board into a lion with a colorful mane that’s sure to wow your guests. Just arrange your crackers, meats, and cheeses into a nice pattern around a bowl of cheese dip. In the dip draw a lion’s face to complete this animal. Another option is to use a Lion Shaped Charcuterie Board.
- Chocolate “Mud Bath” Fountain
A Chocolate Fountain would make a great centerpiece for a jungle themed desert table. Just add a sign letting your guests know that the chocolate is actually a mud bath. - Giraffe Swish Roll
Check out this giant giraffe swish roll by WonderfulDIY. It’s made with a beautiful giraffe patterned bread and a creamy whip cream filling that will surely impress all of your guests. - Animal Pattern Macaroons
Turn your macaroons into wild animals by painting animal prints on them. For the paints, just mix some food coloring with almond extract and use a food safe paint brush. You can mix these patterned macaroons with some solid dark green ones for a beautiful display. If you don’t want to make your own, check out this listing for Safari Printed French Macarons.
For more jungle themed food ideas, check out 22 Jungle Themed Birthday Foods for a Wild Party.
Activities:
After the food, it’s time for the real fun to begin! But how to entertain so many little ones? Here are some of my favorite ideas.
- Create Your Own Binoculars
You can’t explore the jungle without a trusty pair of binoculars. So, have your guests create their own with paper tubes and string. For a full tutorial, check out Colorations.
- Guess Which Animal
Test your guest’s animal knowledge by playing Guess Which Animal. For the clues, you can play animal sounds, show a close up of the animal, or show their foot prints. You guests will have a great time trying to figure out what animal it could be. - Paint Stripes on a Zebra
Painting stripes on a zebra is a great activity for smaller children. Just set out some black paint and zebra coloring sheets. No matter their skill level, they will be able to create a zebra in no time. - Feed the Crocodile
For this game, paint a crocodile on a wooden board and cut out a hole where its mouth is. Hang the board up and then have your guests take turns trying to toss a bean bag into the crocodile’s mouth.
- Create a Rain Stick
A rainstick is a fun and simple craft for your guests. Just add a rolled piece of aluminum foil and some rice to a paper tube and cover each end with paper. Soon enough your guests will have instruments to play during your party. For a detailed tutorial, check out this article by Super Simple. - Jungle Obstacle Course
A jungle obstacle course is a great way to get your guests moving. Set up a challenging course that will make them feel like true jungle adventurers. Some ideas for the courses include following a wiggling snake tapped to the floor, moving through the “vines” that are taped between a doorway, and a tight rope walk across alligator infested water. - Make Your Own Safari Necklace
Have your guests create their own bead necklaces. For a safari theme, provide hemp cord, animal print beads, and animal charms.
- Catch the Lion by the Tail
Catch the Lion by the Tail is a wild twist on the classic Duck Duck Goose game. Have all your guests sit in a circle with one player being “it”. That player will wear a lion tail and will pick someone to chase them around the circle. If the new player doesn’t catch the lion’s tail, then they become the new lion. - Safari Animal Hunt
Turn your guests into safari explorers by hosting a safari animal hunt. Hide animal figurines around the party and pass out a list of what animals need to be found. You can even pass out safari hats and DIY binoculars to really get your guests into character.
For more jungle themed activities, check out 22 Jungle Themed Birthday Activities for an Exciting Party.
Favors:
The most successful party is one that is remembered well past the party date. A great way to help your guests remember is by sending them home with a souvenir. Check out these ideas for what to include in your favor bag.
- Petting Zoo Miniature Animals
What better way to remember a party than by getting to take home your very own petting zoo. Just fill a bag with a few miniature animal figurines and add a thank you label. Check out this pack of 60 Animal Figurines that would fit a wild animal theme perfectly.
- Binoculars
Help your guests get into character by gifting them their very own pair of binoculars. They can use these throughout to party as they pretend to be on a safari adventure. Check out this bundle of 20 Children’s Binoculars for your favor bag. - Safari Hat
A jungle explorer can’t venture out into the wilderness without their trusty hat! Make sure you provide some of these Safari Hats to your guests as they explore all the wonders at the party. - Animal Print Sunglasses
It can get pretty bright out in the jungle, so consider gifting your party animals some Animal Print Sunglasses. They will protect your guests eyes while also making them look super cool.
- Animal Ears
Turn your guests into party animals with these Jungle Animal Ear Headbands. These make a great party favor and your guests can wear them during the party as they pretend to be part of the jungle. - Jungle Themed painting kit
A painting kit is a great gift for children who love to craft. This is a gift that can be in the bags ready to take home or broken out during the party for some painting time. Check out these pre-made Jungle Themed Kits. - Adopt a Wild Animal
Send your guests home with their very own wild animal. Set out some stuffed animals and a sign that says “Adopt Your Own Wild Animal” and watch as your guests try to decide which will be their new pet. Check out this listing for 18 Jungle Animal Plushies that includes the animals’ own carry cases.
- Pre-made kits
Don’t worry if you don’t have time to make your own good bag. There are plenty of pre-made options online. This Pre-made Jungle Kit includes sunglasses, stickers, slap bracelets, miniature animal cars and plenty more.
For more party favor ideas, check out 22 Jungle Themed Party Favors Your Guests Will Love.
I hope this guide has inspired you. Let me know if you plan to incorporate any of these ideas into your jungle themed party.
