Zoo Animal Birthday Party - Party Ideas for Babies
Celebrate your baby's birthday with a trip to the Zoo!

Animal Jungle Party Supplies
Begin with the bright and cheerful Animal Jungle Party Box! 
Create a jungle with your little one's favorite animals.

ZOO ANIMAL PARTY INVITATIONS
Either purchase invitations matching your theme, or make your own 
with card stock paper. Your local scrap booking center will have die-cut machines available for your use. Cut monkeys, elephants, lions and other favorite animals. Use a bright gel pen to write your message and party information.. "We're going WILD for _____'s Birthday"
Variation: For an extra special invitation hand deliver a box 
of animal crackers with the note attached.

PLANNING YOUR ZOO BIRTHDAY OUTING
You can create a pretend Zoo with the decorations below,
or take a small group of family and friends to the Zoo. 
Be sure to plan the trip around nap time and have a back
up plan incase of poor weather.Make sure all parents of
children plan to attend...you'll need the chaperones.
On the invitations, give clear instructions 
to the Zoo and where/when you plan on meeting.

You will want to arrive early to set a table and prepare
the cake, table clothe, plates etc. 

If you intend to pay for your guests admissions, do so well before
their arrival. you or another adult can meet guests at the gate.
Begin the party with the cake, snack and juice. This prevents the cake from melting and will allow for sleepy children to leave early if necessary. 

Mom and Dad can wear a Safari Hat to welcome guests.
Upon arrival, give each guest (children) receives a cap 
decorated with their name and an animal. Painters caps 
can be purchased at a hardware or paint store for less 
than $1.00. Use fabric paints to write the names. 
Decorating is a breeze if you use pre cut stencils or
painting sponges from a craft store; Lions, Monkeys etc.

You do not need to provide a full meal if your trip is 1-2 hours and
not near meal time. Planning a meal for the outing would add extra
and unnecessary stress. If you really feel the need to serve a meal
you can provide a light meal at home after the trip. 

It's okay to open the presents at home and send thank you notes.

Enjoy the cake and social time. 
Make sure you asked another helper to clean up after, 
so you and your guests can go see the animals.
Don't try to see the entire Zoo in one day - select a few favorite spots.  Have fun !

If you are creating a Zoo at home....

BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS 
Create a jungle with green streamers draped around the room and hanging from the ceiling. Place animal stuffed animals where they can be seen and played with by the children. When entertaining little ones be alert to choking hazards. Balloons should be placed out of reach. Cover your table and set with fun animal jungle plates, napkins and cups. Utilize a stuffed monkey, elephant or giraffe to create a centerpiece by tying a bouquet of balloons to the stuffed animal.

ZOO ANIMAL BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES & ACTIVITIES
Remember this is a baby party and these games are really 
for the older kids or grown-ups to enjoy. If you do not 
have a fun loving group of guests they may be embarrassed. 
Click here for Grown-up baby's 1st birthday games.

Put On a Show
Ask some creative friends to coordinate a puppet 
show using fun animal puppets.

Pin the Tail on the Lion
Play this game just as you would "Pin The Tail on the Donkey".
make a simple lion and tails from poster board. Right before 
the party add double stick tape and the children's names to the tails.

Safari Dance
Give each baby at the party a stuffed animal. Provde a safe space and kid-friendly music. They can dance and wiggle to their little hearts content! Don't forget the video camera! 

Bubbles Bubbles and more Bubbles
Provide plenty of bubbles for adults and kids to blow.
The babies at the party will love it!

The Jungle Jump
Use a large bed sheet or purchase a GYMBOREE style playground parachute. Gather the children and some adults to form a circle 
around the parachute. Hold the edges and work together to move it 
up and down. Once the children get the hang of it, allow a few children 
at a time, to go under the "dome". Then put a stuffed dog, lion, monkey...in the center and make then hop and jump as well.

Art Time
If you have older children at your party....
add an art project to your party. Provide paint with 
water books, play dough with animal cookie cutters 
or animal shaped sponges and paint. 
Don't forget the art smocks or large T-shirts!

PARTY FAVORS
Give each adult guest a framed picture of baby. Keep with 
the theme by either decorating the frame, using a zoo background 
for the photo, or a fun zoo related outfit on the baby!  
Older children can receive a beanie zoo animal, animal crackers 
and a coloring book. Babies at the party can be given a stuffed animal.

ANIMAL BIRTHDAY CAKE AND TREATS
1. Make a simple sheet cake and frost it with green frosting.
   Top with Animal toys.
2. Use a Wilton brand animal shaped cake pan mold.
3. Get creative and make a lion, zebra or other animal shaped cake. 
The Family Fun's Birthday Cake Book can show you how step-by-step!

Animal Bites
Make favorite sandwiches or cheese slices and use cookie cutters 
to cut them into animal shapes. 

Jungle Jigglers
"Jell-O Jigglers" cut with the same cookie cutters as the sandwiches.

Juice from the Jungle
Adults, toddlers and older kids
Pour lemon-lime soda into a large punch bowl. Just before serving, add scoops of lime sherbet it turns into green jungle juice! 
Or, use soda water mixed with Kiwi Lime Italian syrup; serve in a clear plastic cup with a cherry or scoop of lime sherbet.

Now that you have your party plan, order your 
Animal Jungle  Birthday In A Box!

Related Links:
Baby's 1st Birthday Party Tips
Party Tips for Toddlers
Kids Birthday Party Ideas
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