Everything You Need for a Safari Themed Birthday Party
Lauren Miolene
Editor
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.
Park
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.
Backyard
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.
Zoo
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.
Binoculars
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!
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.
Face Painters
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!
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.
Food Carts
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.
Safari Theme Party Activities
Incorporate these safari theme party activities that will keep guests of all ages occupied and entertained.
Mini Jeeps
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.
Balloons
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.
Tableware
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.
Tents
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.
Trail Mix
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.
Mud Cups
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.
Smash Cake
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.
