A child’s first birthday is an important milestone that parents often celebrate with a party. When choosing a theme for the party, a jungle theme can be a fun and exciting option. We always knew we wanted this theme for our little guy as his dad loves going to the zoo. We’ve probably been to at least 5 of the top 10 zoos in the world.
Here are some ideas to help you plan a memorable first birthday jungle themed party.
Invitations
The invitations are the first thing your guests will see and can set the tone for the entire party. Consider creating invitations with jungle animals or tropical plants on them. You can even add some green or brown paper to resemble trees and plants. Canva has some great free templates.
Jungle Themed Decorations
When it comes to decorations, think of lush greenery, wild animals, and plenty of foliage. Consider adding balloons in shades of green, brown, and yellow. You can also add some vines and leaves around the party area to create a jungle-like atmosphere. Some other ideas include animal-print tablecloths, jungle-themed centerpieces, and life-size cutouts of various animals. We were fortunate to work with local business Big Little Parties and they did an amazing job. I would consider finding a decorator as it makes life so much easier.
Food
For a first birthday party, it’s important to keep the food simple and easy to eat. Consider serving animal-shaped sandwiches, fresh fruit, and vegetable trays. For a sweet treat, consider having a jungle-themed cake with edible animal decorations. You can also serve animal crackers and gummy worms for a fun and playful touch. We catered a full lunch as we thought that would be easier but pizza, bbq, etc also work really well.
Jungle Themed Cake
Cakes are a must in our home so when it comes to creating an animal-themed cake, there are many design options to choose from. You could have a cake shaped like a jungle animal, such as a lion, monkey, or elephant, or you could have a more subtle animal print design, such as zebra stripes or leopard spots. There is lots of inspiration on Pinterest as well.
Party Favors
As the party comes to a close, it’s a nice touch to give your guests a small party favor to take home. Consider giving out small animal toys, jungle-themed stickers or temporary tattoos, or even small plant seeds or saplings for a “grow your own jungle” theme. We didn’t have to many kids so we got them one big gift from Costco. I thought it worked well and was the same price point as sending home lots of small things.
A first birthday jungle themed party is sure to be a memorable event for both the birthday child and their guests. With some creative planning, you can create an immersive jungle atmosphere that will transport your guests to a wild and wonderful world. For more birthday inspiration, check out this post.
