Homemade Zoo Animal Themed Birthday Party

Originally published November 22, 2014

Large window with a bunting of silhouetted animal cutouts glued to colorful flags. The silhouettes are more detailed and life like than cartoonish.

Grant has been obsessed with farm animals since he was 2 years old. For his 3rd birthday, we went all out with a farm theme which he absolutely loved. The day after his 3-year-old party he told me he wanted a zoo animal theme party for his 4-year-old birthday. I thought it would pass. It didn’t. So this year we had a zoo animal themed party and he loved it. The birthday boy’s favorites are cheetahs, zebras and elephants.

It was a pretty simple party with just family. Brent’s parents and brother were able to come up for the weekend which made it extra special. Also, the forecast was predicting snow so we were concerned the roads would be too dangerous for travel. Thankfully it didn’t snow until Sunday so everyone was able to make it!

Three, Four, Shut the Door

Four year old boy holding the letters Z-O-O. The letters are covered in animal images from magazine pages.
He is saying “Zoo”! 
I made the base out of cardboard and covered it with photos from a safari book.

What a fun age to celebrate! Grant is super into riding his bike. He’s pretty much self-sufficient at this age. He can shower, get himself dressed, groom himself, and even make his own peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He loves chocolate, pirate stuff, Octonauts, and “reading” his dictionary. He is very social and would take a play date with friends almost any day. He is brave and caring. I can’t believe he’s 4!

Tiny figurines of a lion, tiger and bear near a bush.
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Large window with another bunting of silhouetted animal cutouts glued to colorful flags. The silhouettes are more detailed and life like than cartoonish.
I found these animal drawings at a sweet older lady’s garage sale in California. I just made a bunting and glued them on. They were perfect for a 4-year-old party. I didn’t want the animals to look too babyish.  
Young parents, husband with long curly hair and wife with blonde hair, both smiling.
Trevor and Elizabeth
Red headed baby girl with blue eyes looking at the camera and sucking a pacifier.
My niece!
Cake dome with cupcakes inside sitting on table next to tiny animal figurines. Red and White zig zag cupcake paper, chocolate frosting and pink and white frosted animal cookie on top.
Edible cake toppers!
Two young grandmothers sitting at a table under the tissue ball decor.
The grandmothers enjoying the party!
Beautiful gray haired woman with gorgeous skin and glasses.
Aunt Reta
Adult brothers, one with down syndrome.
Brothers!

Animal Noses: Egg Carton Craft

In lieu of birthday hats, we made our own animal noses out of egg cartons. Party activity, birthday hat substitute and party favor all in one! I described the project, laid out a paper pulp egg carton, scissors, construction paper, pencils, markers, hole punch, glue and yarn then the creations began.

Blonde mom wearing an animal nose egg carton craft of a owl beak.
The Owl
Animal nose egg carton craft of an alligator
The Alligator
Animal nose egg carton craft of a colorful elephant.
The Colorful Elephant
Animal nose egg carton craft of a hippo.
The walrus, wait I mean…the hippo.
Animal nose egg carton craft of a gray elephant.
The Gray Elephant
Read headed baby wearing a crafted mouse nose.
The Mouse
Animal nose egg carton craft of an orange elephant with a teal trunk.
The Original Elephant

Animals Have to Eat!

Someones hand grabbing a Pizza Hut cheese pizza slice.
Salad, veggie tray and salad dressing.
Father and daughter at zoo animal themed birthday party.
My Dad and I
Four year old boy looking admiringly at his birthday cupcake with candles burning.
Look at that face!

Zoo Animal Party Tips

  • I usually send Evites instead of paper invitations. There are lots of free options to send invitations virtually which also saves on the cost of stamps.
  • I used brown craft paper instead of a table cloth. The paper provides a neutral tabletop and serves as a canvas for doodling.
  • My In-Laws helped me make the tissue paper balls.
  • Using already owned toys to decorate saves time, money, and creates less waste.
  • My go-to store for solid colored paper goods such as plates and napkins is Dollar Tree.
  • For the craft, I used supplies I already had rather than going out and buying all new stuff.
  • Working a few days ahead on things like cleaning, shopping and decor help me enjoy the day of the party so much more.
Tissue paper balls of lime green, orange and blue.
DIY Tissue Paper Balls
Tiny figurines of zoo animals lined up on a table covered in brown craft paper.
Grant and Uncle Ryan made sure all the zoo animals were present at the party.

What would you add to a zoo themed party?

You may also like LEGO® themed birthday or Frosted Sugar Cookie Gender Reveal Party.

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3 thoughts on “Homemade Zoo Animal Themed Birthday Party”

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