Jungle Theme Party
Jungle Theme Party
Children are naturally curious, and as such, they all have inner explorers. Take your child on the exploration of a lifetime with this jungle themed party. Whether your theme leans more towards Tarzan or rainforest jungle, you’re sure to find lots of ideas here!
It’s best to begin planning for the party at least 4 – 5 weeks in advance. This will ensure that you have enough time to send out invitations and purchase or make the decorations.
The first consideration that often comes up when planning a birthday party is where to have it. Your backyard or even inside of your home can be magically transformed into a lush jungle with just a few choice decorations.
If you plan on making the decorations or invitations yourself, be sure to allow enough time to gather materials and complete the crafts. For those of us on a more pressing time schedule, there are companies that offer everything from pre-assembled jungle themed birthday kits to dozens of trinkets and party favors—just be mindful of the shipping dates/times.
Tips
- Pass out safari hats and compasses to guests as they enter. Encourage them to come dressed in khaki as ‘explorers’ to complete the look.
- Consider renting rarely used items such as tables/chairs or karaoke machines from party rental supply stores to save money.
- Allow for extra guests by having a little extra food or a few extra goodie bags on hand.
- Go to the library and check out various “rain forest” or “jungle sounds” CDs. This will set the direction and really make people feel as if they’re in the jungle.
- You can also rent jungle documentaries or Animal Planet series to educate as well as entertain the children.
- Don’t forget to send thank you notes to those who were in attendance.
Invitations
For these invitations, think—ADVENTURE!
You want your guests to anticipate their safari long before the party starts. Make sure to mail the invitations 3-4 weeks prior to the event.
For truly unique and memorable invitations try the following:
- Write your invitations on large luggage tags
- Send out invitations on postcards from Africa or the Amazon inviting guests to join you on a jungle adventure of a lifetime
- Search for passport or suitcase themed invitations
- If you don’t have time to make your own invitations, there are many jungle themed invitations you can purchase online.
Jungle Party Decorations
A great party needs great decorations. Decorations need not be expensive to be dazzling. A few key and strategically placed items can make a world of difference. Have fun with it. The movies Jumanji or Indiana Jones may give you some ideas and don’t forget to take a look around your home for things you may already have.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Lush plants like ferns, potted palms and even hanging house plants can give the impression of a humid, jungle environment.
- Tropical fruits such as coconuts, papayas, pineapples and mangos make great table centerpieces. Encourage the guests to take them home for a nutritious party favor!
- The color scheme for this party could be greens with browns and sparingly use oranges, reds and yellows. You can also go totally wild with animal prints. Solid colors mixed with animal print balloons or Mylar balloons are nice touches Streamers and all other decorations should remain true to the color scheme.
- Don’t forget the birthday banners! Sometimes this simple decoration is often forgotten. Birthday banners are easy to make, or if you’re pressed for time, try purchasing a jungle themed banner. If you really want to surprise your explorer, try getting a personalized birthday party banner.
- Raffia from a craft supply store can be place down the center of a table which mimics native grasses
- Hang animal or African masks o the wall.
- Cover the food area with palm fronds (fresh or silk) for a lush, tropical feel to the serving table.
Foods
Your choice of food can make or break a party. If you aren’t so inclined to do the food preparation yourself, by all means have it catered or even make it a potluck. Challenge guests to come up with jungle or safari themed main dishes, salads and beverages.
If you want to come up with some small snacks or ideas on your own, here is some food for thought!
- Safari Burgers and Spears- grilled burgers with sweet potato fries
- Place bowls of gummy worms and bugs onto the tables
- Jungle Salad- tropical fruit salad served in hollowed-out pineapples
- Monkey Tails- chocolate covered frozen bananas on a stick
- Rainforest Ribs- sticky sweet pineapple teriyaki ribs
- Swamp Punch- tint your favorite punch green
Game/Activity Ideas:
Every party needs games and activities. These games are sure to keep everyone giggling and provide good times for all!
Face Painting
Set up an animal face painting station. There are many websites you can find online to show you how to paint safari faces. This helps everyone get into the spirit! Children transform into magically into lions, zebras and tigers with the stroke of a brush.
Scavenger Hunt
Have the children embark on a fun trek through the jungle! Divide the children into small teams and give them a list of items they are to find. Be sure to let everyone know the scavenger boundaries. If at all possible, it’s best for each time to have a separate place to search. The team that finds the most items wins!
Animal Roundup
Take animal crackers and place them in bowls. Divide guests into groups of two. With each child in the team using only one of their index fingers, the object of the game is to retrieve one cookie from the bowl together, press the cookie between their cheeks and run or walk briskly to another bowl waiting on the other end. Together, they must drop the cookie into a waiting bowl and run back to repeat the process. The children have to work as a team and expect many dropped cookies! The team with the most cookies in the allotted time wins.
Lion, Lion TIGER!
A jungley variation on the game “Duck Duck Goose”–this game never gets old.
Piñata
What jungle party could be complete without a monkey piñata filled with goodies??
Favors/Goodie Bags
For a safari or jungle themed party think adventure and exploration. Favors and goodies such as plastic compasses, candy gold coins mini animal cameras, and safari hats all make excellent choices.
Good luck on your adventure—now go throw your child a party they’ll never forget!
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