8 DIY Safari Birthday Party Decorations

Throwing a birthday party for your little one is basically like planning a military operation, but with more crying and less camouflage. You want it to be magical, but your wallet is screaming for mercy. I’ve been there. My nephew’s second birthday theme was “Wild One,” and I almost lost my mind pricing out pre-made jungle décor.

So, I did what any sane, slightly crafty auntie would do: I raided my closet, hit the dollar store, and went full MacGyver with a glue gun. And you know what? It turned out amazing. Better than amazing—it was personal, fun, and nobody missed the overpriced store-bought banners.

If you’re planning a safari or jungle bash, I’ve got your back. Here are eight DIY safari birthday party decorations that are so easy, you’ll actually have time to enjoy a cupcake at the party.

1. The “Wild One” Banner (That’s Actually Dirt Cheap)

Forget the fancy, pre-printed fabric banners. They cost a fortune and honestly, where do you even store them afterward? I’m all about making something that looks good and uses up the random craft supplies lurking in your closet.

What You’ll Need

• Brown kraft paper or a paper grocery bag.
• Scissors (the sharp kind, not the ones that have been used to cut play-doh).
• A black permanent marker.
• String or twine.

How to Assemble It

First, cut the brown paper into triangles. Don’t stress about making them perfectly even. A little wonkiness adds to the “rustic safari” vibe, right? :). Then, spell out “WILD ONE” or “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” with your marker. I personally love writing in a shaky, animal-print-inspired font. Finally, fold the top edge of each triangle over the string and tape or glue it down.

Pro Tip: If you really want to sell the theme, use the marker to draw little leopard spots or zebra stripes on the banner flags. It takes an extra five minutes but makes the whole thing look intentional and chic.

2. Cardboard Box Safari Jeeps (For the “Gram”)

Every safari needs a vehicle, right? Kids love climbing on things, so why not give them something to climb on that fits the theme? These jeeps are ridiculously easy to make, and the best part? You’re probably throwing one out this week anyway.

Let’s Build It

1. Find a large cardboard box. Seriously, check your recycling bin or ask a neighbor who just got a new fridge. The bigger, the better.
2. Cut out the front and back. Cut the box so it’s open on the top and bottom, but leave the sides intact. Then, cut a curved “door” shape on each side so kids can climb in.
3. Paint it. Grab some leftover beige, green, or khaki paint. I used matte latex paint I had from painting the living room. It covers way better than craft paint.
4. Add the details. Use a black marker to draw on headlights, a grill, and a spare tire on the back. You can even hot glue a paper plate to the front as a steering wheel.

I made two of these for my nephew’s party, and the kids spent the entire afternoon “driving” through the backyard. It kept them entertained and doubled as a photo booth. Win-win.

3. Easy Paper Plate Masks (For Tiny Adventurers)

You can’t have a safari without the animals. While you could buy plastic masks, I find they’re usually uncomfortable and end up on the floor. These paper plate masks are light, cheap, and the kids can help make them, which is a great activity to keep them busy while you finish setting up. Ever notice how kids always want to “help” right when you’re in the weeds? 🙂

Grab These Supplies

• Paper plates (the cheap ones are perfect).
• Paint (brown, orange, yellow, black).
• Craft sticks (like popsicle sticks).
• Glue.
• Scissors.

Let’s Get Crafty

First, cut the paper plate in half. For a lion, paint one half yellow. Let it dry (this is the hard part, I know). Then, glue on some brown yarn for a mane. For a zebra, paint the plate white and let your kid go to town painting black stripes. Once the paint is dry, glue a craft stick to the bottom so the kids can hold them up to their faces.

My Honest Opinion: These are way cuter than the plastic ones you find at the party store. Plus, they double as a party favor. Just make sure you have a designated “craft area” because paint + kids + party = potential chaos.

4. DIY Cardboard Tube Binoculars

This is the quintessential safari craft. It’s old-school, it’s simple, and honestly, it works every single time. I love these because they force the kids to actually look around and “spot” animals (aka the stuffed animals you’ve strategically hidden in the bushes).

Materials

• Two cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls cut in half).
• Glue gun (low temp if the kids are helping).
• Paint or markers.
• String or yarn.
• Hole punch.

The Process

1. Glue the two tubes together side-by-side. Hold them for a minute so they stick. Trust me, hold them long enough. I didn’t once, and they slid apart, creating some very awkward, off-center binoculars.
2. Let the kids decorate them with paint or markers. We used green and brown paint to make them look “army style.”
3. Once dry, punch a hole on the outer side of each tube.
4. Tie a piece of string through the holes so the binoculars can hang around the kid’s neck.

It’s that simple. FYI, these are not durable enough to survive a trip through the actual jungle, but for a backyard party, they’re perfect.

5. Safari Photo Booth Backdrop

You absolutely need a spot for photos. It’s 2024, people expect it. You can buy a fancy backdrop, or you can make one for like, ten bucks. I’m choosing the latter.

What I Used

• A plain white flat sheet (an old one you don’t care about).
• Green and brown streamers.
• A few fake plants (check the dollar store or your grandma’s dusty corner).
• Command hooks.
• Tape.

Setting the Scene

Hang the white sheet on a wall using the command hooks. It’s a clean, simple background that won’t distract from the people. Then, go wild with the streamers. Tape them to the top of the sheet so they hang down like jungle vines. Weave the fake plants into the streamers for a 3D effect.

To take it up a notch, I cut out some simple animal shapes (a lion, a giraffe, a monkey) from cardboard and hot glued them to wooden dowels. Now guests can hold them up in photos. IMO, this is the best way to get engagement without forcing people to wear silly hats.

6. Animal Track Floor Markers

This is one of those details that guests might not notice right away, but it makes the whole space feel cohesive and fun. It guides the kids (and tipsy adults) around the party area.

You Need

• Brown or green craft foam sheets.
• Scissors.
• A pencil.
• Reference images of animal tracks (Google is your friend here).

How To

Simply search for “animal tracks” on your phone. Find simple shapes for lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants. Draw them lightly on the craft foam with a pencil. Cut them out. That’s literally it.

Then, scatter them on the floor or tape them down leading from the food table to the activity area. It’s a subtle way to direct traffic without yelling, “Punch is over here!”

7. Mason Jar “Jungle Juice” Lights

You need lighting. If your party goes into the evening, or if you’re indoors, harsh overhead lights are the enemy of ambiance. These little guys soften everything up.

Grab These

• Mason jars (any size, but the wide mouth ones are easier).
• Fake moss (the stuff from the craft store that feels weirdly soft).
• Small battery-operated tea lights.
• Hot glue.

The “Recipe”

Put a little glue inside the bottom of the mason jar. Press some fake moss onto the glue. Just enough to cover the bottom. Pop the tea light on top of the moss. Screw the lid back on (or leave it off, it looks cool either way).

Line them up on the food table or hang them from trees/shepherd hooks. They cast a really warm, flickering glow that screams “nighttime safari.” Plus, they’re not sticky sweet; they look rustic and trendy.

8. The “Watch Out for Lions” Sign

This is my favorite purely because it makes me laugh. It’s a little sarcastic nod to the theme that the adults will appreciate.

Materials

• A piece of wood or thick cardboard.
• Black paint or a sharpie.
• Stakes (if putting it in the ground).

Making It

Take your piece of wood. If you’re using cardboard, cut it into a sign shape (rectangle with a point at the bottom). Paint it brown or leave it natural. Once dry, use your sharpie to write something funny like:

• “Beware of Roaring 4-Year-Olds”
• “Watch Out for Lions”
• “Trespassers Will Be Eaten”
• “Watering Hole –>”

Stick it in the ground near the entrance or by the food table. It’s a tiny detail that shows you put thought into the party beyond just buying plates and napkins.

Wrapping Up Your Safari Adventure

So there you have it. Eight ridiculously easy, budget-friendly decorations that will make your safari party feel legit. The best part about all of these? They’re made with stuff you probably already have, or can grab for a few bucks at the dollar store.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to throw a memorable party. You just need a little creativity, a glue gun, and maybe a glass of wine to get through the prep. 😀

Now go forth and make that cardboard box jeep. I promise you, the look on the birthday kid’s face when they see it will make every single hot glue burn worth it.

Happy crafting, you wild thing.