baby girl safari birthday theme

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Everything You Need for a Safari Themed Birthday Party

Lauren Miolene

We’ve all been to dozens of kids birthday parties , and we can probably agree they get repetitive quickly. That's why it’s always best to have a fun and exciting theme to make it stand out from the rest. If you’ve ever thought about hosting a safari themed birthday party, take this as your sign to get adventurous!

If your kiddo’s birthday is soon, take a walk on the wild side this year by hosting a safari themed birthday party using creative ideas from The Bash. Start with an outdoor venue, live animals, and of course plenty of safari inspired food and drinks. Use our handy kids birthday party checklist as a guide, so you don’t miss a thing.

Keep reading for safari themed birthday party ideas…

Safari themed venue.

You’ll want to establish a home base for this safari themed birthday party. We recommend keeping the festivities outside to enhance the adventurous setting.

Having the safari themed birthday outside just makes sense, so take the party to the park! Visit your local park that has plenty of tables, a pavilion, and a play area to celebrate the guest of honor. The park is also the perfect location so guests have ample space to run around and play.

You can never go wrong by hosting your child’s birthday party in your own backyard with the fresh air and sunlight. Sometimes the comfort of your own home makes the best party venue for everyone. Spend the day outside and easily transition the get-together inside depending on the weather.

If your child is an animal lover, organize this birthday bash at the zoo. Contact zoos in your area to set up a tour with different event packages. Visit different  website to read about animal interactions, a private party space, and other fun surprises.

Safari Theme Party Outfit

You’re probably wondering what to wear for a safari themed party, and the answer is all in the details!

Safari Hats

Invite guests to bring their dress up safari hats or take a trip to your local party store to distribute at the celebration. Your child and their friends will love this special touch that will get them into the safari spirit and provide additional protection from the sun. This creative touch also doubles as a party favor!

Animal Print, Camouflage, and Neutrals

Tap into the adventure for this safari theme with animal print, camouflage clothing, or neutral colors. Ask parents to dress their kiddos in these wild prints to help complete the safari aesthetic.

Safari Vests

To feel the part, guests will have to look the part. Stock up on children’s safari vests from Amazon so everyone can look like a wildlife explorer. These vests come complete with badges, patches, and plenty of pockets to keep some extra goodies in.

To complete any safari ensemble, you’ll need a set of binoculars. Of course guests can bring their own pair if they have them, but you can also distribute them in goodie bags so they can be used during the party. Shop binocular party favors on Amazon so everyone can have their own set.

Safari Theme Party Entertainment

These safari theme party entertainment ideas are guaranteed to bring a roaring good time.

Live Animals

This safari party requires animals, we don’t make the rules! Take a look on The Bash for live animals that can make a special appearance at the birthday celebration. Communicate with different animal handlers to decide which types of animals make the most sense for the faux-safari party. Choose from monkeys, reptiles, and much more!

Find Live Animals

Bounce House

The kids will feel like queens and kings of the jungle with an epic bounce house at the celebration. Browse various party inflatables including obstacle courses and waterslides that will match the safari themed birthday party. Jumping like kangaroos all day is the perfect way to release some of their energy.

Find Bounce Houses

Let the kids (and adults) unleash their inner animals by transforming them into their favorites! Face paint artists on The Bash use non-toxic paint to turn guests into safari creatures like lions, and tigers, and bears—oh my!

Find Face Painters

Photo Booth

A photo booth is exactly what this party needs to help create the safari feeling. Rent a photo booth for the day that will provide safari themed backdrops and props for an immersive wildlife experience.

Find Photo Booths

Allow the kids the opportunity to try different foods from various types of carts. From cotton pizza, to snow cones, and even donuts, party guests will love the freedom of choosing their own party food. Book your child’s favorites on The Bash.

Find Food Carts

Safari Theme Party Activities

Incorporate these safari theme party activities that will keep guests of all ages occupied and entertained.

You’ll need some sort of transportation for this safari adventure! Charge up your child’s mini trucks and cars, or shop safari vehicles on Amazon for guests to drive around the yard in. Block off an area with plenty of space so parents can keep an eye on the little ones.

Animal Charades

Put everyone’s acting skills to the test! A few rounds of animal charades is the perfect activity for this safari themed birthday party. Write various safari animals on a piece of paper for guests to randomly choose and act out. Their friends will have a ton of fun guessing and laughing about what animal they are.

Scavenger Hunt

Send the little explorers on a safari themed expedition during the party. Break everyone into groups, give them riddles to solve, and watch as they follow along to find the prize. You can keep this activity safari themed, but any type of scavenger hunt will work.

Outdoor Activities

Hosting your party outside means there will be plenty of space for all kinds of games and activities. Set up stations with things you probably already have like hula hoops, jump ropes, and other fun yard games that will keep everyone occupied.

Safari Theme Party Decorations

Get wild with these safari theme party decorations that will make this birthday extra special.

Any birthday party, especially a kid’s, needs balloons! Balloons are one of the best decor options because they are fairly easy to purchase or even assemble yourself. For this safari theme, use various shades of brown, green, and orange, or any other color you might find in the wild. You can also get balloons shaped like typical safari animals to incorporate. Details like this will help bring the wild theme to life!

Pro tip: Hire an event planner through The Bash that is an expert in assembling unique balloon arrangements.

Stuffed Animals

The key for any event decor is to make use of things you might already have. Incorporate your child's stuffed animals throughout the space to capture the safari theme. Find jumbo size plush animals including tigers, giraffes, and elephants that everyone will want to get a picture with.

One of the best places to incorporate themed decor for an outdoor party is on the tables. Whether you decide on multiple small tables or one large one, incorporate animal inspired tableware for guests to use. Shop animal print utensils , napkins, and tablecloths that will make the celebration pop.

For this safari, you can also use details like vines, pampas grass, and compasses for a wild dining experience.

Any experienced explorer most likely spends the majority of their time in a tent. Play into the safari theme by setting up tents in the outdoor space for a backdrop. Arrange a few blankets, pillows, and small activities like coloring books that will help keep everyone entertained.

Safari Theme Party Food and Drinks

Make sure there is plenty of fuel for the explorers at the safari themed birthday party.

Safari Themed Birthday Cake

You’re going to want to incorporate the safari theme into every party detail, including the cake. Place an order from your favorite bakery ahead of time to ensure there will be plenty of sugary animals, fake vines, and other wild accents on the birthday cake.

Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets

Who says dinosaurs can’t be invited to the safari party? Chicken nuggets are one of the most loved kid’s foods that are easy to make because all you have to do is pop them in the oven! Serve with different sauces, french fries, and maybe some broccoli trees.

It’s important that a safari explorer keeps plenty of snacks on hand that are easy to travel with, for example, trail mix. Make your own by purchasing a variety of nuts, dried fruit, and small candies. You can also set up a trail mix bar including separate ingredients so guests can make their own take home bag.

This dessert is a delicious DIY treat! All you’ll need to do is add crushed Oreos, gummy worms, and candy rocks on the top of a pudding cup to look like mud. If you don’t prepare these beforehand, kids will love decorating and customizing their own.

Ants on a Log

One of the best snacks for kids usually incorporates them being hiddenly healthy. Make a childhood classic of ants on a log that will help fuel the little explorers during the safari themed birthday party. All this classic entails is spreading peanut butter on a celery stick, and topping with raisins. This snack is easy to customize because you can easily swap the peanut butter with hummus in case of any allergies.

“Jungle Juice”

Whip up a big batch of kid-friendly jungle juice to quench everyone’s thirst. Add any ingredients you want; fruit juice, Gatorade, fresh juice, soda, the possibilities are endless. Serve in a beverage dispenser with a spout so kids will be able to easily refill their canteens. For an adults only drink, try adding champagne for a delicious and fruity mimosa.

Animal Crackers

Who doesn’t love animal crackers? Arrange a platter of plain and frosted animal crackers with different types of dessert dip. Guests will enjoy this sweet treat by dipping their cookie in edible brownie batter, cookie dough, and cheesecake dip.

Banana Splits

This safari themed birthday party will make everyone go absolutely bananas! Your child and their friends will love a homemade banana split that is the perfect treat to end the day.

Safari Themed Party Favors

You’ll definitely want to toss a few of these safari themed party favors into everyone’s goodie bags.

Custom Canteens

Once everyone RSVPs and the guest list is complete, place an Etsy order for customized canteens with everyone’s name. Kids will love having their own custom canteen to drink out of and make them feel like they are on a real safari.

Animal Bubbles

Little kids love bubbles, so give them their own to play with! Find animal inspired bubble bottles on Amazon for guests to use during and after the party.

Animal Ears

Once the face painter turns the kids into their favorite animals, give them ears to match. Visit your local party store or place an online order for lion ears, tigers, giraffes, and more. Try to stock up on a variety so everyone can choose what animal they want to be.

1st Birthday Safari Theme Party: Wild One

Turning one year old is wild! That’s why “Wild One” is such a popular first birthday party theme. You can easily incorporate these same safari ideas into this milestone occasion, but you’re not going to want to forget these details.

If you’ve seen kiddos go wild and destroy their gorgeous birthday cake, that’s exactly why smash cakes have become popular. Smash cakes are typically a smaller, homemade cake specially made for the guest of honor. After the proud parents help blow out the candle, let the one year old celebrate their special day with their own cake. It’s completely up to them if they play with it or eat it, but this way it saves plenty of birthday cake for the other guests to enjoy.

Photographer

A first birthday only happens once, so you’re going to want to remember it forever. Hire a photographer to capture every detail: the decor, the cake, and of course all the smiling faces in attendance! Miss no photo opportunity with our helpful 1st birthday picture list for ideas.

Photo Backdrop

You’re only going to be able to host a “wild one” themed birthday for your baby once, so make a photo backdrop for plenty of pictures. Create your own using a safari background, plush animals, and a big metallic “1” balloon. This backdrop will also act as a focal point in the party space.

Find more kids’ party ideas and inspiration here on The Bash.

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Kids , Birthday

Go wild with these 15 safari theme party ideas

July 29, 2023

Does your little explorer spend all their time slashing through the dense jungle in the backyard with their pretend machete? Or maybe their room looks like a wildlife refuge with all their ferocious stuffed safari animals. If either of those descriptions sounds like your child, then we’ve got the perfect birthday party theme for you.

With a safari theme birthday party , your mini adventurer is guaranteed to have a ferociously good time while also showing off their love for nature. Keep reading for more safari theme party ideas than there are zebras on the savannah.

“ Giraffe Birthday ” by Rifle Paper Co. for Paperless Post; image via Pexels .

Table of Contents

Plan a journey to the wilderness… or to the backyard

You know that a safari theme birthday party would be perfect for your little animal lover—but what exactly does the party planning look like? There are a ton of exciting options to make this next birthday a special one, both at home or out in the wild. Here are some ideas to add a bit of adventure to your safari birthday party.

1. Visit a local zoo or wildlife center

Zookeepers actually make great party hosts, especially when they bring some of their furry (or scaled) friends for each guest to take a look at. Plus, they often have party rooms you can rent out where the explorers can enjoy safari snacks on-site.

2. Create a backyard safari

In many places, it’s possible to hire an exotic animal handler who will visit your home with their menagerie. Your little adventurer will never forget the birthday they hung out with a boa constrictor!

3. Plan a wild dress code

For your safari theme party idea, encourage guests to show up in animal masks, animal prints, or full-on costumes of their favorite beasts. 

Due to the *nature* of a safari theme birthday party, there’s a good chance that it includes some kind of outdoor element. But what if the weather isn’t cooperative? Hardy adventurers won’t let a little rain or snow stop them… but it might stop your birthday plans. Luckily, there are plenty of fun safari activities you can plan for indoors.

4. Put on a movie

There are so many fun animal movies to choose from. Might we suggest “Madagascar,” “The Lion King,” or “The Jungle Book”?

5. Play some games

Whether you’re playing Monkey in the Middle or Sleeping Lions , plan some fun kids’ birthday party games to have everyone feeling like a true party animal, indoors or out.

6. Create some safari crafts

With a few simple party supplies, you can set up a safari craft station where your young guests can make their own artistic safari animals.

Safari-themed party supplies are available at Paperless Post Party Shop .

Decorations for a wild safari party.

Whether you’re hosting at home or elsewhere, you’ll want the venue to give off serious jungle vibes for your safari-themed party. Seek out garlands and streamers that look like vines, and balloons in varying shades of greens and browns. Some other decoration options to consider include the following.

7. A fun garland to set the mood

Set the mood by inspiring guests to Party like an animal with this decorative garland , featuring an elephant wearing a party hat.

8. An animal-shaped pinata

Fill this cheeta party pinata from Paperless Post Party Shop with treats for the kids to enjoy.

9. Creature-shaped plates

From animal print plates to plates shaped like animals , themed plates help bring your safari theme to life.

10. Animal-inspired costumes

Get into the safari spirit with safari animal print party hats and lion masks .

11. Delightful safari-themed party favors

Thank your guests for a roarin’ good time by sending them home with safari print party bags filled with trinkets like temporary animal tattoos .

Feeding hungry safari explorers (aka partygoers)

Of course, a day spent exploring will leave your guests licking their chops and circling the birthday cake like it’s a water buffalo. So, what kind of food does one serve at a safari-themed birthday bash? Animals eat all kinds of things, but these explorers will probably have a taste for cakes and treats, above all else.

12. The birthday cake

Maybe it’s shaped like your child’s favorite jungle animal or decorated with a scene from the safari of their dreams. Also, some animal candles make the perfect topper. 

13. Cupcake decorating kit

For desserts that can double as an activity, have your guests decorate cupcakes with animal-themed toppers . 

14. Animal tail treats

We love this idea of decorating chocolate-covered pretzel rods to look like tiger tails!

15. Veggies… but shaped like a lion

For a healthy snack, you can make a safari-themed veggie tray by using a dip (like hummus or ranch) as a lion’s face and surrounding it with peppers and carrots to form a lion’s mane. 

Wording for an adventurous invite

Once you’ve picked out your favorite safari-themed invites , it’s time to invite your child’s fellow adventurers with the perfect birthday invitations . If you’re more of a Tarzan than a Jane and have trouble choosing the right words, consider the below examples for your kids’ birthday invitations to get those creative juices flowing. 

Welcome to the jungle!

Axl is turning FIVE

Saturday, April 2nd

The adventure begins at:

4 o’clock in the afternoon

Please RSVP

Or, if your safari theme party is taking place at a location other than your home, you might use the following wording on your safari invitation :

Calling all critters!

Join us at the John Hammond Zoo

Animal print attire is highly encouraged!

“ Wild One” Flyer by Paperless Post.

Have a roaring good time with paperless post.

If party planning has you feeling like you’re lost in the jungle, Paperless Post is here to make it a walk in the park. Not only is Paperless Post your one-stop destination for exotic invitations and party decorations , but our app—available on both iOS and Android—makes organizing your birthday safari even easier. You can send invitations and track RSVPs right from your phone, plus communicate directly with other parents about things like dietary restrictions for all those safari snacks. 

With Paperless Post, your adventurous safari theme party will have your guests howling for more. 

Looking for other kids’ birthday party themes? Try our articles detailing how to throw parties for mermaids , race car fans , and unicorn lovers .

Browse safari invitations

Hero image via Kara’s Party Ideas .

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Wild and Onederful: A Complete Guide to Safari-Themed Birthday Parties for Kids

The "Wild One" safari theme is the perfect way to celebrate your child's first birthday in style. With adorable animal prints, earthy colors, and jungle-inspired decorations, the party captures the essence of a wild adventure. Wild One onesie s or animal costumes for the little guests add an adorable touch, setting the stage for an unforgettable photo op.

Decorations: Create a jungle paradise with faux vines, animal-shaped balloons , and wooden crates. Use animal-printed tablecloths and add plush toy animals as centerpieces. Incorporate green foliage and tropical leaves to bring the wild outdoors inside.

Activities: Set up a sensory play area with textured materials for little ones to explore.  A soft play zone with animal-themed toys will keep the youngest guests entertained. Don't forget to have a designated coloring station with a personalized safari themed coloring sheet !

Food: Opt for finger foods and snacks that kids can enjoy easily. Animal-shaped cookies , fruit skewers, and jungle-themed cupcakes will surely delight their taste buds.

As your child turns two, the "Two Wild" theme lets them embrace their wild side while celebrating the milestones they've reached. This safari party trend combines elements of adventure and playfulness, making it perfect for energetic toddlers and their friends.

Decorations: Emphasize the number "two" with creative decorations like balloon displays or cake toppers. Incorporate wooden elements and animal cutouts for a rustic yet vibrant feel. Hang signs and banners that showcase the phrase "Two Wild" to tie the theme together.

Activities: Organize a scavenger hunt around the party area, where little explorers can find hidden treasures and small prizes. Set up a mini jungle gym with tunnels, slides, and climbing walls to keep the kids active and engaged. When your party animals need a creative outlet, have that special coloring station ready with a Party Animal-themed coloring tablecloth personalized with your kiddo's name!

Food: Serve a variety of snacks and treats with animal-themed labels. Offer a grazing table with fruits, veggies, cheese, and crackers, allowing the kids to nibble throughout the party.

YOUNG, WILD AND "THREE": 3rd Birthday Party

Turning three is a major milestone for any child, and the "Wild and Three" theme amplifies the excitement of this special day. This party theme combines the best of both worlds, with elements of the Wild One and Two Wild themes, while adding a few new twists.

Decorations: Use a mix of animal prints , jungle greenery, and metallic accents to add flair to the party space. Incorporate three-dimensional elements like faux tree stumps and animal standees for an immersive experience.

Activities: Organize a craft station where kids can make their own animal masks or safari hats. Set up a storytelling corner with animal-themed books, inviting the kids to embark on imaginary journeys to the jungle.

Food: Go for a mix of kid-friendly favorites and adventurous treats. A colorful fruit punch station and animal-shaped sandwiches are sure to be a hit. Don't forget the safari-themed birthday cake as the grand finale!

See more inspiration on Instagram

@creativecrayonsworkshop !

Happy Coloring!

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