Confession, I am really into birthdays. For me it’s a month-long event that kicks off with me saying to myself in the mirror, “Treat yourself!” That being said, birthdays don’t need to be elaborate or over the top (my daughter’s first was a low-key affair at our local nature center) in order to be memorable or fun. I tend towards natural parties with simpler activities that encourage everyone to really get their hands dirty, but every child and situation is different.
The kids birthday ideas, themes and recipes below are not intended to be done en-masse. Big kudos to those parents who have put these together, but let’s face it most of us are lucky enough to spell our child’s name correctly on the cake (just kidding, well sort of, I am eight months pregnant at the time of this post so mistakes have been made!). This list is intended to be more of a buffet – just pick and choose, tweak and change as you like to make the celebration your own. Because the warmer weather is coming, most of these parties include an outdoor element. I hope you find some inspiration for the big day!
Animals Themed Parties
Alligator in the Bayou Bash via Magnolia Creative
Farm Party via And Everything Sweet
14 Fin-Tastic Shark Party Ideas via The Chickabug Blog
Wild Kratts Birthday & Printables via Yellow Mums
Zoo Birthday Party via Dirt and Boogers
Bonus Birthday Cake Ideas
Jungle Cake via Sweet via Dreams Cake App
Woodland Animal Cakes via Wilton
Bugs & Insect Themed Parties
Creepy Crawlies via Bird’s Party
Bubbles & Butterfly via Me Oh My Mama
Save the Bees via Apartment Therapy
Worm Party via Young House Love
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Ant Cake via Sweetest Endeavors
Dinosaurs & Dirt Themed Parties
Dinosaur Egg Hunt via Spaceships and Laser Beams
Great Experiments Science Party via
Jurassic Park Party via Mini Mocha
RAWR Third Birthday Party via Turtle Crafty Girl
Throw a Mud Party via Growing a Jeweled Rose
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Edible Dirt Cake via Kids Activities Blog
Getting Creative Themed Parties
Outdoor Art Party via Invite and Delight
Little Picassos Party via The Stori Book
Rainbow Art Party via Learn With Play at Home
Terrarium Themed Party via Pink and Green Mama
Watercolor Horse Celebration via Hostess with the Mostess
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Rainbow Doodle Birthday Cake via SweetaPolita
Growing & Gardens Themed Parties
Farmer’s Market Birthday Bash via Project Nursery
Flower Birthday via The Imagination Tree
Garden Themed Birthday via You Inspire Me
Plant a Seed Eco-Friendly Party via Frog Prince Paperie
Vegetable Patch Birthday via Hostess with the Mostess
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Vegetable Patch Cake via The Lemonista
Magic & Fairies Themed Parties
A Fairy Tea Party via Stephanie Burt
Magical Garden Party via Catch My Party
Woodland Fairy Party via Hostess With the Mostess
Under the Sea Mermaid via Living Well Spending Less
Woodland Wonder via Aria Photography
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Naturally Colored Rainbow Cake via Twigg Studios
Outdoor Fun Themed Parties
Carnival Themed via Catch My Party
Glow in the Dark Party via B Lovely Events
Hiking/Camping Party via Meaningful Spaces
Outdoor Movie Party Ideas via Moms and Munchkins
Water Themed Party via Our Little House in the Country
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Glowing Birthday Cake via Craftsy
To Infinity & Beyond Themed Parties
Blast Off Birthday via The Celebration Shoppe
Solar System Birthday via Good Life Eats
Outer Space Party Ideas via One Charming Party
Stars & Space Party via The Swell Life
Astronaut & Planet Party via Smarty Parties Blog
Bonus Birthday Cake Ideas
Planetary Cakes via Handmade Charlotte
Wild Adventure Themed Parties
Camping Birthday Adventure! via Cardstore
Fishing Party via Celebrations at Home
Indiana Jones via Kara’s Party Ideas
Little Rascals Party via Scheme Events
Sasquatch Explorer Party via Apartment Therapy
Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn via SpaceShips and Laser Beams
Bonus Birthday Cake Idea
Campfire Cake via Shower of Roses
Some of My Favorite Finds!
Get Back to Nature Party via Mary Tree
Little Mountain Explorers via 100 Layer Cakelet
Nature Center Party via Apartment Therapy
10 Low-Key Birthday Party Ideas for Kids via Hands on as We Grow
Nature Explorer Bag via Chez Beeper Bebe
Nature Quiz Party Game via Rain or Shine Mama (good for any time of year)
40 Ideas for Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts (free printables) via Living Montessori Now
Tree Birthday Cake via Milk and Cereal Blog
DIY Organic Frosting via Tread Mill Runway
Alright that’s all for now – party on Wayne and party on Garth!
Your Woman Gone Wild,
PS. I would love to hear what nature-inspired ideas and celebrations you’ve done in your family!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
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Nell says
These are all fantastic ideas — thanks! I will be pinning these for later 🙂
Lee says
Thanks for sharing these fantastic resources for birthdays! And Happy Earth Day 2015 to you and your little wild one!
~Lee
Lauren says
Love all these ideas for kids’ birthday parties! Thanks for sharing.
Linda says
Love this list – pinning and sharing! I did this nature quiz walk for my daughter’s birthday in February. It can be done any time of the year: http://rainorshinemamma.com/nature-quiz-with-free-printable-outdoor-play-party/
Nicolette says
Thanks so much – I love the nature quiz and added the link in the post (meant to do that earlier!).
Jacquie says
What an awesome round-up! We love doing nature birthdays — last year was an archery party at a local challenge course and the kids loved it! We tried a few indoor parties while the kids were growing up but being outside is so much more fun. And some of these cake ideas – wow!!
16thbirthdayideas says
Love these ideas!! The adventure party will especially be fun when my little guy gets older! And I just bought flower and star molds that I plan to remold our broken crayons. (And make fun-shaped ice cubes, etc : )
Klara says
Thank you for sharing:) love these ideas!
wilderchild says
You’re welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Marcella says
Great Ideas here! Another is Wild Kratts – the PBS show featuring the Kratt brothers. Did this for my son’s 6th. Used ideas from MomEndeavors.com and PBS.org, and brought in a presenter with live animals for the kids to interact with! (snakes, tarantula, hedgehog, etc.) …Very memorable!