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Step 1
Make invitations. Turn an envelope into a “cage” by cutting off the top flap and cutting “bars” out of the front of the envelope. Using a pattern from a picture book or clip art source, cut a lion out of yellow construction paper. Have kids help draw details like the eyes and mane. On the back of the lion, write the following: "You Are Invited to a Zoo Party," and include the date, time, place and phone number. Place inside a larger envelope.
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Step 2
Buy a gross of small plastic animals from a carnival supply store. Before the party, hide these throughout the party area. Tell kids the animals have “escaped” and they must track them down. Offer a prize for the most animals captured--and, of course, kids get to keep their finds.
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Step 3
Tape a nametag (something like Terri the Tiger or Gerald the Giraffe) to the kids' backs as guests arrive. Kids must ask yes or no questions of each other like “Am I a Mammal?” or “Do I live in Africa?” in order to determine what animal they have been assigned.
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Step 4
Play “The Zookeeper Says”--a variation of "Simon Says." Give each guest an opportunity to be the leader and try to trip up kids when they say, “Growl like a tiger” rather than “The zookeeper says growl like a tiger.”
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Step 5
Do a Monkey Relay. Divide kids into two teams with one banana for each team. Kids must pass the banana from the front to the back of their line without using their hands.
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Step 6
Serve refreshments. Using a cake mix, bake cupcakes and let cool. Frost the cupcakes with either canned or homemade frosting. Before frosting dries, place an animal cracker on top of each. If you’re brave, consider letting kids frost the cupcakes and add the animal crackers as another party activity.
