Throw a roaring good birthday party this year. Credit: Corbis
Invitations: This should be the first step in developing the theme. Depending on your time and budget you can find several types of invitations that will fit the bill.There are inexpensive store-bought invites that have all kinds of jungle animals on them, from lions and giraffes to monkeys and hippos.
There are online personalized invitations that allow you to design your own and include a picture of your child. Be sure to encourage dressing for the theme on the invite, whether this is through safari expedition clothes, such as khaki shorts and hiking boots, or coming in costume as a favorite wild animal.
Decorations: Anything remotely related to the jungle will work. Zebra striped balloons, tiger print tableware, or tree frog shaped lights will all help set the mood. A happy birthday banner decorated with animal pictures such as elephants and tigers, can welcome everyone and make the birthday child feel special by seeing his name hung up high.
Food: Serve easy, every day food in an unique way and give each dish a clever animal name. Kabobs with banana and melon can be called Monkey Bites, while green or blue punch can be Lizard's Blood or Rain Forest Mist. The old ants-on-a-log -celery with peanut butter or cheese and raisins -- is also a good snack for this type of party.
Activities: A safari is a perfect setting for a scavenger hunt. It could be for natural things around your yard, or you can pre-hide little animals that the guests can keep. Another fun activity might be to decorate your own African mask. This will give the guest a chance to cut, paint, color and use their imagination. Don't worry too much about accuracy -- let your guests use their imaginations. That's what a good safari -- and a great party -- is really all about.
