Hi Savvys,

How I Threw a Low-Cost, Low-Waste Safari-Themed Birthday Party for My 2- and 4-Year-Olds

Planning a birthday party can be a big task, especially when you’re juggling the needs and interests of two little ones.  I knew a safari-themed birthday party would be perfect for them as they both love animals and are both “wild”! But I was determined to keep it low-cost, low-waste, and full of DIY charm. Here’s how I managed to pull off a birthday celebration in under two weeks!

1. Setting the Scene: DIY Decorations

I started with the decorations, aiming for a fun yet simple safari vibe. I made Happy Birthday banners and the boy’s names using Canva to design and then a colored printer to print. The banners featured abstract shapes and colors that fit the safari theme, and I used green yarn and wooden beads to string them together.  If I were to do it over, I would have printed 2 letters on 1 page instead of 1 letter per page as the banners ended up being really long!  I would have also laminated the paper to ensure they were waterproof.

Instead of buying disposable tablecloths, I sourced some disposable tablecloths through my local free mommy group.  I was even able to get napkins!  The result was a vibrant, safari-inspired setup without the waste.

2. Creative and Sustainable Loot Bags

For the loot bags, I wanted something that the kids would love but that wouldn’t end up as landfill. I made the loot bags out of simple lunch paper bags that I already had at home.  Inside, I wanted to ensure there were lots of snacks as well as activities that I knew all kids would love.  I included some sweet snacks, a DIY colouring book filled with animals along with a box of crayons.  For the infants, I swapped out the coloring book for a small book I found at the dollar store.  These were not only budget-friendly but also aligned with my low-waste goals. Plus, the kids can use the crayons and books over and over again!

Since this was a safari theme, I wanted to make sure there were safari elements.  I got these explorer vests and hats that the kids got to wore.  I also purchased a bunch of stuffed animals from the dollar store that the kids also got to take home as a pet – adding to the safari theme!

3. Fun Safari-Themed Activities

What’s a safari without an adventure?  Luckily for us, our venue was a public park with lots of space for the kids to run around as well as multiple play areas.  It even had a lake where the kids walked around looking at the birds and throwing rocks in the pond.  Luckily for us, we didn’t have to rent the park so this ended up being free!

4. Safari Cake and Food

When it came to food, I wanted to make it themed but it was hard to feed a crowd of both adults and kids (about 20 kids and 30 adults) while keeping on-theme.

For the appetizers, I had made pizza rolls, focaccia and served veggies and chips with dip.  For the main meal, I got it catered by Wok Café, which was my mom’s contribution, so this did not affect our budget! 

I served lots of cakes from Walmart and Costco and for the birthday cakes, I added safari animals that kept it simple for me but also kept to the theme.

Throwing a safari-themed birthday party in under two weeks might sound daunting, but with a bit of creativity and a focus on DIY, it can be both manageable and rewarding. My kids had a blast, the decorations and venue was a hit, and I was able to keep costs down while minimizing waste. If you’re looking to plan a party that’s fun, affordable, and gentle on the planet, I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative and have fun with it!

Now set forth and be savvy!