How to Throw a Circus Theme Birthday Party for Kids

There's nothing like the excitement of the big top and bringing it to your home for a circus theme birthday party is a sure fire hit. Kids love animals, games and balloons; so this theme is perfect if you want a party kids will enjoy and remember. Follow these steps to learn how to start planning one.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Face painter
• Snow cone or popcorn machine
• Helium filled balloons
• Sugar cookies
• Icing and sprinkles
• Popcorn boxes
• Party favors and candy

Instructions

1. Make invitations out of construction paper in the shape of a giant circus tent. Give the party details in circus terms such as "Step right up for Joey's Big Top Circus Party" or "The Performance Begins at Noon."

2. Erect a large canopy or tent in the backyard and set up a face painting station along with a popcorn or snow cone machine. This area can serve as the hub of the party with other activities going on around it. It gives parents a place to gather and socialize and allows kids a point to come to if they need to take a break for a minute in the shade.

3. Decorate with balloons, balloons and more balloons. Kids love them, and nothing adds fun and excitement like a colorful balloon display. Use them throughout the party area for decorations, and then give them to the kids to take home as a party favor as they are leaving.

4. Make sugar cookies using animal shaped cookie cutters like elephants, monkeys and tigers. Set them on a table with icing and sprinkles and let the kids decorate their own cookies instead of having a birthday cake.

5. Adapt traditional party games like "Musical Chairs" and "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" to the circus theme. Instead of chairs, make animal shapes cut from construction paper. Rather than a donkey, pin the trunk on an elephant.

6. Arrange chairs in a circle with two in the center. Have the birthday child sit in one, and as they open a present the gift giver joins them in the other chair. When they're done, give the guest a popcorn box full of small toys and candy and have them rejoin the circle.

7. Take lots of candid photographs of each guest either engaged in an activity or clowning around with the guest of honor. Then include one in their thank you card as a special memento.

Tips & Warnings

• Clown noses, jumbo glasses, stickers and magic tricks make great party favors or game prizes.

• Though peanuts play a big role in the circus theme, it's best to avoid them at parties involving young children due to the potential problems resulting from peanut allergies.