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Decorations and Favors
Hosting an animal-themed party gives you a great opportunity to be creative and get the kids involved! The decorating possibilities for a party with a zoo animal theme are endless! - In addition to the wild animal balloons and zoo themed table covers you can hang a banner or sign at the entrance to the party area that reads "Welcome to (guest of honor's name)'s Zoo!"
- Give your house a "welcome to the jungle" feel by placing large potted palms or other plants in the party area.
- Hang animal prints or mosquito netting from the ceiling.
- Cluster a few coconuts, a bunch or two of bananas, a safari hat, and binoculars in the middle of the food table to create a centerpiece.
- Make signs that say things like "Madagascar: 21 Miles", "Giraffe Crossing", "Go Wild", and "Monkey See, Monkey Do" and post them to the walls around the party area.
- Cut out construction paper paw prints and tape them going up a wall or to the front door.
- Decorate with stuffed jungle animals or other types of wild animal figures. Or, set up a stuffed animal petting zoo.
- Use chalk to draw big gray elephant footprints on your driveway and the sidewalk leading up to your front door.
- Make a cardboard jungle using wrapping paper tubes to form palm tree trunks and green construction paper to make large palm leaves. Use a brown marker to draw ridges on the trunks.
- Play animal sounds for background music or show an animal-based movie (such as episodes of Animal Planet) on mute on the TV.
- Drape green streamers from the walls and ceiling to resemble vines.
Jungle Party Food Ideas
Serving party treats that complement your theme is fun for both the host and the guests! Serve up some wild jungle fare that will have everyone roaring with delight! Here are some suggestions:
- Serve animal crackers or animal-shaped cookies in safari hats lined with paper towels.
- Hippo Muddy Puddles can be made from brownies cut into circles topped with hot fudge. For a special touch, add a marzipan animal to each (found at specialty and gourmet stores).
- Make an easy trail mix that includes raisins, nuts and M&Ms.
- Make your own banana chips! Arrange slices of banana in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Brush with a thin layer of honey. Bake at 150 degrees for two hours with the oven door open 1 inch. Flip the banana slices over and bake for another two hours. Let cool and serve!
- Use jungle animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut fun shapes from cheese and lunchmeat and serve them with crackers.
Activities
- Stage an "Elephant Race." Divide the children into teams. Instruct one child on each team to extend one arm forward to represent an elephant's trunk and put the other hand behind her back to represent the elephant's tail. The next child on the team connects to the first child by extending his arm in front like an elephant's trunk and taking hold of the hand that is extended behind the first child's back. Once all of the children on the team are connected in this manner, the teams can race toward the finish line.
- Puppet shows make great additions to a zoo-animal themed party. Ask some creative friends to coordinate a puppet show using fun animal puppets or have the kids create a finger puppet show.
- Use animal puppets or stuffed animals for a mock petting zoo.
- 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 child at the party a stuffed animal. Provide a safe space and kid-friendly music. They can dance and wiggle to their little hearts content! Don't forget the video camera!
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