My little one’s birthday is at the end of May, so her party always falls around Memorial Day. For her big 5, I wanted to bring a fun theme to our guests who weren’t going away for the three day weekend. I immediately thought of a fun party we attended a few years ago- camping theme!
Camp Gia
For the party, I used items that I already had, and then purchased mostly things that could be used again. As usual, most of the items we did order were from Oriental Trading. I started with a new tent that we can use this summer on our family adventures, and a small green grass rug so that the kids could free play. I placed her toy grill we got last summer and an inflatable campfire on the grass and then threw some pillows and stuffed animals inside the tent. The Jumbo Camp Sign Cut Outs are also from Oriental Trading and were the perfect backdrop for each activity and station.
For the cake table, I skipped the usual cake stand and went with a slate cheese tray I had in our kitchen supplies. I ordered a fun cake topper set online, along with the a green plaid tablecloth. I filled a picnic basket I had recently purchased with Camp Adventure Canteens for each of the kids, and another wood box I had at home with bright binoculars also from Oriental Trading. I finished it off with a fun wood carving I borrowed, an old lantern that belonged to my grandfather, a small pine tree from my Christmas decor, and some rocks and pine cones sprinkled around.
For the food, I kept it simple with hot dogs and hamburgers, with mac and cheese and french fries that we fried in our outdoor deep fryer. I placed some old wood pot holders I had, along with trail mix ingredients in paper lunch bags, and other decor from home. I also placed a fun Picnic Table Condiment Set on the table for guests to use.
I also ordered plastic safari helmets for each child, along with wood nametag necklaces that each child decorated. For one of the activities, I printed out treasure maps and used some fun wood twig colored pencils I also ordered online.
For a fun activity, I filled a baby pool with water and had the kids fish with magnetic fishing rods. They loved this, but be sure to warn parents about bringing a change of clothes (oops!).
Party guests also each received a fun Camp Adventure Drawstring Bag and a Camp Memory Box Craft Kit for them to decorate. In the end, they were able to put their canteen, binoculars, memory box, hat, and map in their bags for the perfect camp themed goodie bag.
After they decorated their name tags and colored their treasure maps, the kids enjoyed playing in the tent, scavenger hunts, and a whole lot of chalk play in the driveway.
We ended the party with a small bonfire in our firepit and the kids enjoyed making gooey s’mores.
In the end, it was another fun birthday party for the books! Using items I already had mixed with some great party favors and decor from Oriental Trading, it all came together perfectly. For more fun camping themed party goods, head over to www.orientaltrading.com.
Photos: Pope Jackson & myself
We received product to facilitate this post. As always, opinions are our own.