Costumes & Accessories (30) / Party Supplies (24)

Zoo Party

Table of contents

Introduction

So what's the hottest themed party doing the rounds? It's a zoo party of course! This party brings out the animal in all who attend and, if it's your choice for themed party, then it is sure to be one people will talk about for ages and ages. So here with a bit of information to help you organize your party, we've put together some of the best ideas in terms of invitations, party activities and much, much more. But first, let's get a little background info on that place we all know... the zoo.

 

Did you know that the word "zoo" is the shortened form of the word "zoological garden"? Well, many people don't. In addition, zoos are not a modern phenomenon. Ancient civilizations including the Chinese and Mesoptamians were among those who kept zoos in their cities. It was, however, the Egyptians who were exceedingly adept at the keeping of these zoological gardens as remains from their ancient zoos date back to 2500BC - more than 4000 years ago! Of course, in those times zoos were kept by the wealthy as a symbol of their status. While these formed evidence of some of the first zoos, the practice of keeping wild animals confined for pleasure or as a symbol of status continued throughout the ages and were more commonly known as "menageries".

 

The first version of the zoo we know today - one that was created for scientific and educational purposes - was the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes which was part of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris. This zoo was created in 1793. After this zoo, many others followed including the London Zoo as well as the Berlin zoo, the latter said to house the most extensive range of animal species on the planet.

 

And that naturally brings us to our party, where you’ll be able to use your imagination in creating the ultimate wildlife party for you and your friends.

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Zoo Party Invitations

  • Party Name: Give your party a roarin’ name so that you’ll guests will know that they’re in for the best party of the year! Here’s an example: “Jake’s Baboon Bash” or “ Sarah’s Buffalo Stampede Feast”.
  • Salutation: “Dear Andy & Mary”
  • Date & Time
  • Venue/Location
  • Dress Code
  • Contact Details
  • Additional information…

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The Classic Zoo Design

This is an easy zoo party invitation you’ll be able to make yourself using no more than a computer loaded with the appropriate software as well as a printer. Should you not have a printer, just give your local printing firm a call when you’re ready to print.

 

Now, the first thing you’ll want to do is to get your hand on a couple of images of wild animals. Think lions, hippos, zebras, baboons, snakes, etc. Once you have your images, simply replace the face of an animal with those of your potential guests. Modern image editing software should allow for the easy blending of the two images.

 

These should be fun to make and be a cause for a couple of smirks and giggles among your friends.

 

Should you wish to put in a little bit more effort, get your hands on something that will represent the wild, such as small elongated plastic leaves or fake golden hair to represent a lion’s mane and glue them around the edge of your invitation.

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The Skin Thing

If there’s one thing that people will associate with zoos or the wild animals of Africa, it’s an invitation in the form of a wild animal’s hide, even if it’s fake. These can either be bought off the internet and can also be found some furniture stores and those that sell African-themed products.

 

Once you’ve got the appropriate piece of fake hide, cut it up into smaller shapes. Typically these shapes should be square-like, but if you prefer any other shape then it’s up to you. These will typically serve as your invitations upon which you can either have your invitations printed or, if you have neat and creative handwriting, written. To make it a bit more interesting, use a couple of jungle colors for added aesthetic appeal.

 

When you’ve finished your invitations, simply roll them up into a scroll and tie them together with some twine or the appropriate taffeta.

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King of The Jungle

The King of the Jungle invitation is one that your friends will both appreciate and be able to use as ornaments. It must be said that this invitation may require a slightly higher budget that any of the others, but will definitely be worth it.

 

This invitation basically involves two steps:

  1. Buying or making a small paper-based invitation of your choice and filling it with the appropriate details.
  2. Purchasing small statuettes of lions. To keep with the theme of this invitation, we’d recommend using the lion statuettes but you may substitute it with any other animal of your choice.

 

Once you’ve got both of these products, simply attach each invitation to a corresponding statuette before delivering them to your potential guests.

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Zoo Party Dress Code

This is where you and your friends can get immensely creative! While some may want to dress as lions, others will prefer the spots of the cheetah or the bulk of the rhino. And should any of your guests not feel like dressing as animals, then make sure they come as the zoo keepers!

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Zoo Party Decorations

Decorating your venue to resemble a zoo is one of the most important aspects of organizing your party. Think in terms of the natural habitat of some of those wild animals – mostly grass and greenery. As such, get your hands on as many fitting plants, vines and shrubs and bamboo as you can and hang or place them around the venue.

 

Aside from the greenery, you’ll also want to ensure that all the animals have somewhere to drink from. In the wild this would typically be a waterhole, but for the purposes of your party, it can simply be a tub filled with punch.

 

And as a final tip to add to that zoo atmosphere, buy yourself a CD filled with the sounds of wild animals. When all’s said and done, this is a party bound to bring out your guests’ wild sides.

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Zoo Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

Although there are no set zoo party guests announcements, it will be a good idea to get a little creative. Here is an example of a zoo party announcement:

 

“Ladies and Gentleman, members of the animal kingdom… please welcome Max, king of the jungle and his lovely Giselle, Angelina!”

Zoo Party Favors

Zoo party favors are those items that will act as a reminder for your guests of the wildest, craziest zoo party they have ever been to. As such, just pop down to your local African curios shop or have a look on the internet for suitable small gifts. Here are a couple of ideas:

  • Safari hats
  • Crocodile teeth necklaces – for men as well as women
  • Delicately crafted animal statuettes
  • African statues vases and mugs depicting animals.

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Zoo Party Activities

Animal Poker

Ever played poker with a tiger before? Well, now’s your chance! Get out the cards and set up the table because animal poker will reveal the true king of the jungle.

Animal Charades

Animal charades is an activity that will keep your guests entertained and tied in knots with laughter. Though make it a bit more interesting and instruct them only to enact scenes of the wild or that you would typically find in the zoo.

 

This should provide for hours of fun and, as they are doing it whilst in animal uniform, it might be a good idea to keep a camera at the ready for those inexplicable depictions.

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Zoo Limbo

Even though the limbo is of Caribbean origin and a human activity, who’s to say that animals aren’t allowed to have their fun?

 

All you’ll need for this activity are three poles of equal length – about five to six feet – with two of them fitted with hooks/pegs every five inches (the hooks or pegs have to be at exactly the same places on each pole). When that’s done, simply drive the two poles firmly into the ground and place the other pole on the top most hooks/pegs so that it is horizontally suspended in the air.

 

The object of this game is to get some funky jungle music playing while your guests dance underneath the horizontal pole. As they pass underneath it in single file, they’ll have to avoid touching it by bending over backwards – those who touch it or fall over on their backs are out. When everyone that’s not out had their turn, lower the horizontal pole onto the next hook/peg.

 

This is an activity everyone will enjoy and is bound to supply your guests with ample laughter and fun.

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Wild Basketball

Wild basketball is where the real fun starts! If you have a basketball hoop, decorate it with leaves and twigs so that it resembles a large bird’s nest, but with a hole in the middle.

 

On the day of your party, simply divide your guests into two teams and be sure to appoint a referee too. And to make this activity more interesting, simply instruct your guests that they are only allowed to move like baboons! Again, this will be a cause of great laughter and a definite Kodak moment.

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Food & Drink

Can you think of any typical zoo foods? While some may have certain dishes served in their restaurants, there aren’t really any traditional dishes. As such, it is up to you to serve anything you want as a zoo dish by giving it an animalistic name. Here are a couple of examples:

  • The Ostrich’s Egg – A large, peeled baked potato served with a filling of your choice and topped with loads of cheese.
  • The Baboon’s Behind – A burger with any fillings of your choice.
  • The Leopard’s Hide – A pizza with spots of cheese or any other topping.

 

As for drinks, be sure to stock up on a lot of punch as well as beers, wines and other types of alcohol that your guests usually enjoy having.

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