It’s party time! You’re planning the perfect jungle-themed extravaganza that all your guests will love, and you want to make sure everything is just right. From picking the right venue to crafting custom invitations to curating an unforgettable playlist, pulling off an unforgettable event can be a daunting task. However, with the right guidance, you can set up a wild and one-of-a-kind event that will make all your friends say, “WOW!” Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to throw the perfect jungle-themed party.
Picking the Right Venue
The venue is an integral component of creating the perfect jungle-themed ambiance for your event. You will want to choose a space that can fully accommodate all of the decorations, props, guests, entertainment, and more. It’s also important to select a venue that is weather appropriate, as most outdoor jungle-themed events take advantage of natural elements. For example, if you’re in an area with a lot of trees or a nearby tropical climate, pick a space to accommodate these features.
Selecting Decorations and Props
Once you’ve selected the perfect venue, the next step is to add the crucial decorations and props. You can go big with your decorations or go small — it’s up to you and your budget. To replicate a real jungle atmosphere, consider light and sound effects, hanging vines and tropical plants, life-sized animal cut-outs, fake animal footprints, and maybe even a stylized tribal hut. If you’re going for an epic jungle scene, think about having live animals or performers dressed in tribal garb!
Creating an Authentic Jungle Atmosphere
Now that your venue is set, it’s time to complete the decor with the finishing touches. To bring your jungle scene to life, try setting up potted plants and trees to enhance the natural feel of the space. Small details like tropical candles, faux-leaves and flowers, colorful tablecloths and linens, and various tribal masks and artifacts can also highlight your theme. Lastly, if you have extra room you can assemble tents or a hammock lounge area so guests can relax in between activities.
Choosing Music and Entertainment
What kind of event would it be without music? Depending on your preference, you may want to enlist a DJ or curate your own playlist. When selecting music, opt for upbeat jungle-themed tunes. Think reggae or steel drum songs or ones with a Latin beat. You could even hire local performers to create an even more immersive experience for your guests. Bongo drummers or fire dancers can really get everyone in the jungle spirit!
Planning Menu Ideas with a Jungle Theme
Next up, you’ll want to think about food and drinks. Of course, you have the option of keeping it simple with chips and dip or ordering takeout. Or you can take it to the next level by incorporating food options themed around your jungle. Think mango salsa in coconut-shell dishes, leaf-shaped finger sandwiches, jungle plants and lemongrass cocktails (non-alcoholic for the kids). For dessert, keep it fun with banana splits or jello lizards!
Crafting Jungle-Inspired Invitations
No event is complete without proper invites. Having a jungle-themed party calls for specially themed invites! Have some fun with it and make them as creative as possible. Consider designing invitations with hand-drawn cartoon animals, monkey silhouettes and lots of bright colors. Alternatively, you can opt for online invites with fun gifs and animated designs.
Preparing Games and Activities for Guests
Guests at any party need something to do beyond eating delicious snacks and talking. Setting up some activities is the perfect way to keep the energy alive all throughout the event. Consider hosting a scavenger hunt around the venue with clues that allude to the jungle theme — think puzzles involving pieces of paper shaped like leaves. For adults, limbo competitions or pinatas always add some extra fun and adventure.
Keeping the Kids Busy with Jungle-Themed Crafts
Keep the younger guests busy with some fun crafts such as making paper masks from animal cutouts or coloring book pages featuring tropical creatures. You could also give them snake-shaped balloons and have them blow up and make animals with them. The possibilities are endless!
Setting Up a Photo Booth for Fun Memories
One of the best parts of any gathering is capturing all the fun memories in photos. Create a space for a photo booth by decorating using jungle foliage; hanging vines from the walls, potted plants and trees make great backdrops for photos. Add some props like tribal masks, coconuts, and foliage and set up a camera (or even just your phone) so guests can snap photos while they’re enjoying themselves.
Making Sure Everyone Has a Wild Time
With all of these elements come together, you’re sure to have an unforgettable party and help everyone let loose and have some wild fun in the process. Make sure to set aside some time for your guests to relax and socialize — and most importantly, have fun! Allow yourself some room to be creative with these tips as a starting point and enjoy planning your epic jungle themed event!
