Last year, we created a Curious George themed birthday party for our curious girl and her equally curious toddler friends. 365 days later, I finally had a chance to write about it! While this post is over a year in the making, it was such a fun theme I thought I’d still share some ideas for those looking for an easy children’s birthday theme. With a few details and simple touches, we turned our home and yard into a temporary jungle for some curious kiddos to celebrate a very special birthday!
Invitations
There were lots of great Curious George options on Etsy, but I decided to go with one of my favorite shops and get monkey invites as opposed to the Curious George movie version. The one below is similar to ours, but the one we used had a pink bow on the monkey):
Decorations
Since balloons feature prominently into the first book, I knew we wanted lots of them. As I happily tied each yellow balloon around the deck, I turned around to find the dozen red ones I’d “smartly” corralled under our deck umbrella. They were g-o-n-e. Huh, helium floats. I guess one errant balloon made a break for it and the other attached ones followed. So, yellow balloons it was. Drat.
Several monkeys around the house greeted guests:
A blow-up monkey and green tissue paper decorated our eating area. “George” is holding a straw hat I simply spray painted yellow.
And the dining room:
My favorite part wasn’t monkey related, but instead Noodle related. We taped up a few wide ribbons in our pass-thru between the kitchen and dining room and attached a few favorite photos. It was a sweet touch for this special, special girl!
Games
Since most of the kids will be aged 3 or under, the only formal activity I planned was a pull-string monkey pinata. As some parents noted, this was the most polite pinata pull they’ve ever seen– sweet little girls taking turns and sharing the ‘loot.’ So cute!
There was an arts and craft station set up with a wooden monkey masks ($1 each at craft stores) and lots to do like a sandbox, water table, bubble station and ride-on toys in the side driveway. That way, not one area got clogged up but there was still plenty to do.
Favors
I purchased a few different Curious George books {on sale, I believe it was buy two get one free} so the kids could choose which title they most wanted.
White paper bags were personalized with foam letters in each guests name to collect the all the loot. Noodle helped make them.
But perhaps my favorite thing were the straw hats and plastic binoculars ordered from Oriental Trading Company. They were an inexpensive way to add some flair to the festivities, and a side effect was the kids looked extra cute running around in their jungle attire!
Cupcakes and Treats
Need I say more? Okay, I will. 😉 I found this idea for monkey cupcakes on Pinterest, and had to try it myself. I’m a sloppy cupcake maker, but even I pulled this off! We started with jungle striped cupcake liners:
And used Nilla Wafers and gel icing to make the monkeys come to life.
My Man in the Yellow Hat cookies? Not as successful. They resemble fried eggs. Or… hmmmm. Let’s just leave it at eggs, shall we? 😉
No one seemed to mind, here’s Noodle chowing down.
What Curious party is complete without bananas and monkey plates?
It was a wonderful day, filled with many great friends and memories. These girls are ‘soul sisters’, connected by fate, vasa previa, and head cooling– can you believe it? Both are survivors of something that is classified as almost unsurvivable:
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What an awesome party! We love George here too. You have such great ideas. I love the ribbons with photos display. I really love that chalkboard sided basket too. Giving out a book is a great favor, instead of the junk that normally comes home from parties. Looks like turning three was fun!
What a fun party! My kids and I love Curious George–but they are getting big and oh so sophisticated! I am hoping for a Fancy Nancy party next year.You did a great job with the decorations, I love the cupcakes.
Ha! I am still cracking up over your “fried egg” cookies. Hehe!
Adorable party, you did an awesome job!!
What a cute party! Love the cupcakes – so, so fun! (Love that picture, too!) Well done party planner!
Even without the red balloon, the yellow balloon isn’t such a bad idea. It actually fits the Curious George-themed birthday party. The monkey look likes it’s holding a round yellow banana. And I also like what you did with the picture taped on the ribbon! Truly, even the simplest decorations can make the party more memorable.
What a sweet party! I love the way you displayed the photos – and all the treats were so cute!
You are one cool mama for throwing this party!! Such pretty decorations!! Those are the cutest dang cupcakes I have ever seen 🙂 Heather (pinning this) have a great week !!!
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great party! My son told me a few weeks ago that he wanted a george themed party for his 4th birthday – its in Oct so we will see if I can pull it off!!
We did a Curious George party last year too, for birthday #2! It was a lot of fun! Sorry I didn’t see those monkey cupcakes on pinterest earlier or I would have made those too.
Hey, I like the idea of displaying some of your child’s picture. I will be planning a first birthday party for one of my friend.l will suggest this to her.
Entertainment is the basic element of any birthday party and you have selected an awesome party theme which is full of fun things.
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Your theme is just super cute. All those party toys, sweet treats, and monkey-themed giveaways are perfectly done. Hats off to your little one’s birthday bash.
I love Curious George and this theme is incredible, I’m gonna mimic this for upcoming birthday party for my nephew. ♥
What a nice party! I like the manner you displayed the photos and every one the treats were thus cute! This theme is incredible.