Planning a Circus Theme Birthday Party

Bright colors, a strong aroma of buttered popcorn, a joyful clown, and amazing animal acts are just a few of the things to be enjoyed by all when the circus comes to town. The great thing is that it is not necessary to wait for the circus to come to town, you can create a circus in your own backyard. In fact, a circus themed birthday party is very popular and can be enjoyed by a variety of age levels. Here are some tips for organizing your circus themed birthday party.

Circus Themed Entertainment

The circus themed entertainment and activities should be considered before setting the party date. You may choose to hire some entertainment and will need to check on their availability a month or two prior to the actual party. Hiring a clown would be essential for a circus themed birthday party, whether it's a professional clown or a family friend. If you do not know someone who wants to clown around for you check on www.craigslist.com, the yellow pages of your phone book, or ask for references at a party goods store. You should hire a clown who is able to make balloon animals. It would also be great if he could perform some type of entertainment such as juggling or a couple of magic tricks.

Another idea for hired entertainment is a gymnast. They may not be apple to set up a flying trapeze in your back yard, but could do some tumbling routines. They may even be willing to teach the guests some routines. Check with your local gymnastics facility to see if they know anyone who would perform at a child's birthday party.

A circus themed party would be incomplete without face painting. Face painting kits can be purchased at many craft stores and party supply shops. There are also more and more face painters advertising their services for parties, so you may also consider hiring someone.

Be sure to reserve a brightly colored bounce house. Even if you do not have a gymnast, the partygoers will love performing some of their own stunts in the bounce house.

You will want to have a few games lined up for the party goers to play. It is easier to keep the children entertained if you have some teenage or adult helpers who can assist while the activities go on simultaneously and children rotate through. Some ideas include:

Pin the Nose on the Clown-Clown face can be purchased or drawn by hand. Blind fold one child at a time and have them turn around in a circle. Hand them a paper nose to place on the clown's face. See how close they get to the actual location of the nose. Reward by giving the child their own foam clown's nose.

Ring of Fire - Create flames from poster board and tape to a hula hoop. Hand child a stuffed lion or tiger and have them try to toss it through the ring of fire. Award them with a box of animal crackers.

Feed the Elephant- Purchase some flexible plastic tubing from a home supply store. This is the elephant's trunk. One person holds the trunk(tubing) another tosses peanuts(Check ahead of time to ensure none of the party goers are allergic to peanuts) into the trunk. Switch roles. Award child with a circus themed party favor. Oriental Trading Company has a variety to choose from www.orientaltrading.com.

Dress Up Like a Clown or Ringmaster- Have a clown wig, nose, hat, sunglasses, brightly colored bow tie or wide tie, adult sized blazer available. For a ringmaster a tuxedo jacket, top hat, and bow tie should be fine. Have a mirror available for partygoers to see themselves and take their picture. Later, you can send the picture along with the thank you note.

Circus Themed Invitations

Just like with birthdays, balloons are a big part of the circus, so it is fairly easy to find pre printed fill in the blank party invitations that would fit the bill. If you would like to get a little more creative, using a permanent maker write the party details on an inflated balloon, place that in a colorfully decorated envelope, and mail. The invited guests then need to blow up the balloon to read the party details. Another option is to create a circus flyer on the computer using clipart and an actual circus flyer as a reference.

The invitation could read:

Please come to the greatest show on Earth! It's Tommy's Circus Party

Appearing One Day Only: Date

Showtime: Time

Location: Under the big top at ....(your address)

Don't Clown around! RSVP to the ringmaster by calling .......

Admission: Free with enclosed ticket

A Smith Family Production

Then create a circus ticket on cardstock. Personalized tickets can be created online at www.says-it.com to look like authentic tickets. Alternately, you can design your own. Enclose with the flyer in an envelope and mail.

Circus Themed Decorations

Balloon, balloons, balloon!!!! Additionally, drape the walls with crepe paper and outside tie crepe paper to a clothes line. This will add color and young children will love running through it. You may also consider hanging circus posters, many can be found on EBay. Finally, cut clown shoe prints out of foam sheets, paper, or poster board, and place on the ground to create a path to the activities and food. Also, all kids love bubbles so have some bubble machines running during the party along with calliope or circus music.

Circus Themed Food

Popcorn, peanuts (again, check on allergies), and cotton candy are circus food favorites. Okay, so you want to give the kiddos something a little more substantial......hot dogs or corn dogs will be a hit. Another idea is sandwiches cut out with elephant or some other kind of circus themed cookie cutter.

Circus Themed Cake

Most young children prefer cupcakes than having to use a fork to eat a piece of cake. Here is a simple idea. Prepare cupcakes and use red, green, yellow, and blue frosting on them. Arrange on a piece of tin foil covered cardboard and add curling ribbon under each one so it looks like a bouquet of balloons. Tie the curling ribbons at the end. Another cupcake idea which is a little more involved is the clown cupcake. After baking and frosting the cupcakes, use candy to create a clown face on each one. Then lightly frost a sugar ice cream cone and roll in multi colored sprinkles. Place a gumdrop on the end of the cone then insert the cone into the top of the cupcake. Add a little bit of cotton candy to each side of the cupcake as hair.

Circus Themed Party Favors

Give each child an empty popcorn box or bag in which the goodies they received while participating in the activities can be placed in.

Plan ahead and your circus themed birthday party will be the greatest show on earth!!