Throw a wild first birthday party with these fantastic zoo-themed decor ideas. We’ve rounded up 11 fierce DIYs for you to sink your teeth into. Whether you’re after an epic table display fit for your little king or queen of the jungle, or just want to create some subtle jungle vibes, we’ve got you covered.
Looking for more zoo-themed first birthday party ideas? You’re in the right place! Check out our full guide here.
1. A warm welcome.
As your guests arrive, you will want to greet them in style with a vibrant welcome sign. Let them know that the party has started by making a bold plaque with your favourite creatures.
Instead of using the example below, you could personalise your board with your baby’s name, age and birthday. It will make for a brilliant memento of the day. Meanwhile, why not get your guests to sign it upon entering?
2. Balloons with a twist.
We all know that balloons are integral to any birthday bash, but with this simplistic DIY, you can add a cool jungle twist. Fix some artificial foliage to large inflatables to form the perfect backdrop to your zoo-themed party. You can get as adventurous as you like, by using different coloured balloons or even spray painting the leaves.
3. Wild table decor.
Again, these gorgeous table spreads make good use out of the humble balloon. Why not mix it up and spell out ‘ONE’ or even your kid’s name? You could even combine the previous DIY with this one and fix leaves or animal spots to the lettering.
In the meantime, make sure to place the cake as the centre point of the table. If you need some ideas, check out our round-up post of wonderful zoo-themed first birthday bakes.
Want to fill your table with an abundance of delicious bites? We have a whole post dedicated to zoo-themed party food and drink.
4. Something for everyone.
Get everyone at the gathering involved in the theme by handing out some funky animal masks. This party organiser has incorporated one of their favours into the decor by attaching a costume to each chair.
Make sure that you thank your guests for coming with an epic goodie bag. If you’re stuck for unique ideas, read our post all about zoo-themed birthday party favours.
5. High chair banner.
And, of course, we must not forget about the best seat in the house! We love this high chair bunting from My Little Boobug on Etsy. If you’re crafty, cut up an array of animal-printed fabrics and tie them to the front of your baby’s throne.
6. Create an indoor jungle.
Forget attaching leaves to your balloons when the balloons can become the leaves. For this jungle backdrop, all you need is an array of green shades and a large piece of cardboard for the trunk. Throw in an inflatable monkey for good measure.
7. Giant number.
This easy DIY can be made with a few sheets of tissue paper and some cardboard or foam. Sketch and cut out a number ‘1’ and then glue scrunched up pieces of paper to mimic foliage.
8. The little touches.
If you have some toy animals already in the house, why not let them join in the fun? This adorable party hat idea can work well for stuffed toys too.
Aside from getting the toy box out, have you considered how you’re going to entertain your tiny guests? Don’t fret, we have an article that focuses purely on zoo-themed party games.
9. DIY wall hanging.
Inspire your guests with some beautiful images of nature. If you have been to the zoo recently, maybe you could print out the snaps to create this intriguing wall hanging.
10. Use real leaves.
If you have some leaves left over from the balloon DIY (see idea number two above), you could also attach them to your walls to form this effective zoo backdrop.
11. Make your own vines.
Otherwise, use coloured paper, card and brown string to imitate a leafy canopy on your ceiling and around your windows. Add bananas and coconuts for a real tropical feel.
Did you know that we’ve written a whole guide on how to organise the best zoo-themed first birthday party? We’ve covered everything, from cakes to party games and even costumes.
Zoo Themed First Birthday Party Food Ideas