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Wild One Safari Birthday Party (with Recipes)

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Our happy, sweet baby boy turned one year old a few weeks ago. I have no idea how this happened. How are we already at the one year mark?! They tell you that time goes by fast, but I was not prepared for this. To celebrate his first year of life, we threw a spectacular "Wild One" safari themed birthday party for our family and friends. We also celebrated his actual birthday with a healthy banana smash cake photoshoot.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Wild One Safari Birthday Party

A safari/jungle theme is probably one of the most popular trends right now for birthdays (and also baby showers). Just a basic google image search will yield hundred of images that you can sort through and gain inspiration from. Well, since I have already spent countess hours researching and planning every detail to bring this party together, you don't have to! I am sharing some amazing wild one ideas, recipes, and party details with you.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Wild One Dessert Table with Decor

>> Wild One Safari Decor

Let's talk about the decor, aka the items that basically brings the theme of your party to life. I have linked everything I used for Kai's wild one safari party below (in affiliate links).

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

>> Wild One Safari Desserts

The desserts are also something that needs to be carefully planned. These items are basically extra decorations on your dessert table.

  1. Cake - we purchased Kai's birthday cake from a local baker. We topped it off with a gold birthday candle. For a more economical option, you can make your own cake. Just adapt the following recipes to make a layered cake: vanilla cake, double chocolate cake, or lemon cake. Then, decorate with fondant. To decorate your cake in line with the safari theme, try using  animal fondant cutters and/or palm leaf fondant cutter. You could also top the cake with plastic animal figurines.
  2. Cupcakes - we also purchased the safari animal cupcakes from the same local baker, but for a more economical option you can make your own vanilla cupcakes with fondant.
  3. Cake pops - I made the safari animal print cake pops (clink the link to see full recipe). I used gel food colouring to dye the white chocolate coating and to hand paint the animal print on top with cake decorating brushes. I also needed cake pop sticks and displayed the finished cake pops on a wooden cake pop stand.
  4. Sugar cookies - we purchased wild one sugar cookies from a local baker, but for a more economical option you can make your own sugar cookies with royal icing.
  5. Mousse cups - we also served mini nutella ferrero rocher mousse cups which can be made in 5 minutes.

Bite Sized Desserts

The following bite-sized desserts are some of my favourites to serve.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Wild One Photographs

I highly recommend taking lots of pictures to capture this big milestone. A good idea is to designate someone to take photos, as you will be so busy to get all the photographs that you want. We were so grateful to have my sister Leili, of the incredible Heidema Photography, to make the trip down to Vancouver to celebrate Kai's birthday with us and to take all of these gorgeous photographs shared on the blog.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Recipes for a Safari Themed Birthday Party

When it comes to birthday parties, it's all about the finger foods and dips. Swipe through my favourite party food recipes below and find the perfect one to serve at your party (and don't forget some squeeze pouches for the little ones).

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Some of my favourite recipes are:

  • Charcuterie Board: Take your party to another level with this easy to follow guide on how to make a charcuterie board, with a variety of cheese, cured meats, crackers, olives and dips. Get the recipe here.
  • Baked Mozzarella Sticks: Crunchy, cheesy, and paired with an awesome dipping sauce, these baked mozzarella sticks are just as amazing as what you would find in a restaurant! Get the recipe here.
  • Easy Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze: This bruschetta consists of the perfect blend of tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil immersed in olive oil (to bring out their intense flavours), and then placed on top of toasted garlic bread with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Get the recipe here.
  • Baba Ganoush Eggplant Dip: Baba ganoush is a creamy eggplant dip mixed with garlic and tahini for an explosion of flavor! Get the recipe here.
  • Baked Turkey Meatballs: Juicy, flavourful turkey meatballs are baked in the oven and take only 20 minutes to make from prep to table! Get the recipe here.
  • Classic Deviled Eggs: You can't go wrong with classic deviled eggs. They are a simple and easy to whip up, go-to appetizer for all your holiday parties.  Get the recipe here.

To "jungleize" your items (yes, I may have totally just made up a word), label little tent cards and write the word "wild" in front of any item or describe your food in a creative way like this:

  • hungry hippo dip
  • cheetos for cheetahs
  • jungle juice
  • swamp spread
  • monkey bites
  • safari salsa
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Birthday Party Drinks

You can't have a birthday party without some juice. Serve some refreshing lemonade or iced tea, or even some bubble tea!

Safari Party Favors

We had the party favors set up as a cute "adopt an animal" display. I filled favor boxes with little stuffed animals and popped their heads out of the window. I also added a miniature book and sugar cookies inside. To complete the look, you can add a thank you tag tied onto the handle with burlap string. For the display, I created the "adopt an animal" sign on photoshop using safari-style font, and placed it into a wooden picture frame.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Wild One Safari Birthday Video

Our little Kai's first birthday was such a success. He is the sweetest, happiest, most curious and energetic little guy. We are so proud to be his parents and are so excited to watch him grow. Although we would prefer if he did that a little more slowly!

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
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Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com

Wild One Safari Birthday Party Menu

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 10-12 people
Print Recipe

Description

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes.

Ingredients

  • 3-4 finger foods
  • 1-2 dips
  • 3-4 desserts
  • 1 drink

Instructions

Make-Ahead Items

  1. Almost all dessert can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator according to recipe directions.
  2. The following can be made in advance, frozen, and reheated from frozen: baked mozzarella sticks, baked mashed potato spring rolls, baked chicken quesadillas, butternut squash quesadillas with kale and chicken, baked turkey meatballs.
  3. The following can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator: turkey pinwheels, classic deviled eggs, easy basic guacamole, classic hummus, baked tuna crab cakes, quinoa cauliflower and chickpea vegetarian meatballs with tahini sauce, caramelized onion dip.
  4. Charcuterie board items can be prepared in advance (ie. washing fruit, slicing cheese), but is best assembled before serving.
  5. All drinks can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Day of Items

  1. The following is best served fresh from the oven: baked crispy chicken strips, baked spinach dip, apple and arugula flatbread, crispy baked asian chicken wings, baked zucchini with marinara and cheese, baked sweet potato wedges, tomato and mozzarella tart, vegetarian stuffed mushrooms, individual apple crisp.
  2. The following is best prepared fresh: tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze, curried white bean crostini with toasted pepitas, greek salad hummus flatbread, four quick and easy ritz cracker recipes, smoked salmon and cream cheese cracker bites, easy 5-ingredient salsa, easy fish tacos with lime crema, baba ganoush eggplant dip, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and cantaloupe bundles.
  3. Charcuterie board items can be prepared in advance (ie. washing fruit, slicing cheese), but is best assembled before serving.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Assorted
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

Throw the best wild one safari birthday party with ideas on every detail for an epic jungle party from decor and party favors, to desserts and recipes. | aheadofthyme.com
Wild One Safari Birthday Party (with Recipes)
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  1. Rida says

    Hi, love this set up! Where are the cupcake log stands from? They're too cute!

    Reply

    • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

      Thank you! I got them from Homesense Canada.

      Reply

  2. Danielle says

    Congratulations on such a great occasion! The time flies by so quickly. But hey, the party you have organized is amazing! So much attention to details!

    Reply

    • Sam | Ahead of Thyme says

      Thank you so much Danielle! Time sure flies, I wish I could just freeze it. I spent countless hours on all those details! So exhausting but worth it 🙂

      Reply