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    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Holidays > Party Food Recipes

    Circus-Themed Birthday Party

    Published: Jul 26, 2012 · Modified: May 6, 2020 by Melissa · 5 Comments

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    Here's a random story for you:

    Once upon a time I had a friend help me buy a used camera on the internet (about 7 years ago). This spring, when I was in search of a new-to-me DSLR camera, I contacted this same friend. That friend talked to a friend of hers, Nanette, who was selling her Nikon to upgrade and so the original friend put Nanette and I in contact with each other. I had no idea that this connection, to buy a camera, would result in such fun in my life. I did buy Nanette's Nikon, but I had no idea that it would come with "tech support." Nanette is a camera wiz and an excellent teacher. I have spent hours on the phone chatting with her and I even got to meet her at her house where we stayed up until 3:30am talking! Not only is Nanette wonderful, but so is her sister Kate. I now have new friends, a new camera, and something else - party pictures! These women throw amazing parties and they have allowed me to share their hard work and talent here with you.

    Did you follow me through that mess of a story?

    This party was planned and done by my friend Kate, who was kind enough to let me use her pictures. I fell in love with the party as soon as I saw it and thought you'd like a little inspiration too.

    Welcome to the Circus!

    Elephant balancing a ball... cake! So fun and really set the stage for the party, made by Kate's sister-in-law.

    An elephant birthday cake surrounded by a table of circus-themed decorations

    An elephant birthday cake on a table with circus-themed decorations, party hats, cupcakes in front of a brick wall with circus-themed signs

    Decorations:

    One of the things that I love about this party is how everything plays on the theme perfectly. The font and patterns for her signs and decorations were spot-on circus. Kate used a projector to blow up circus pictures and then copy them onto poster board which she colored.

    A collage of three circus-themed party decorations and signs

    Party hats with cartoon circus animals on a yellow table

    Circus-themed happy birthday flag banner in front of a red backdrop

    Things To Do:

    Photo booth with props (hand painted!)
    A circus-themed outdoor photo booth with polka-dot background, bench and props

    Three people in a circus-themed photo booth with props and a polka dotted wall backdrop

    Uncle turned clown:
    A person in a colorful clown costume making balloon animals

    Face painting (with giant mirror to look into) and balloon everything (pretty handy uncle!):
    Two girls with clown face paint and red balloon swords

    Guess how many:
    A clear glass vase filled with layers of different colored candies

    Kate truly brought the circus to her backyard with all of the games she hand-crafted!

    Balloon darts, bounce house, box of curiosities (had creepy things in colored jars) look if you dare!, pin the tail on the monkey:
    A collage of four different circus-themed party games, including a bounce house and balloon pop game

    Ball Toss:
    Clear glass bottles on a table with yellow tablecloth for Bottle Toss game

    World's Strongest Man (Styrofoam on PVC pipe):
    A little boy holding up a pretend 500-lb weight barbell

    Prize Dive (shredded paper in a pool with Dollar Store prizes):
    A little girl with a blindfold in an inflatable pool filled with shredded paper

    Food:

    And, if you thought that was all she had to offer, no no, there's food! Kate went all out with the food. She had corn dogs, nachos, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, peanuts, cotton candy, and just about any other delicious treat that you can think of.
    A buffet table filled with circus-themed foods and snacks, including Cracker Jack, peanuts and candy

    Bright cupcakes with adorable toppers that matched the party hats:
    A cupcake tower with colorful circus-themed cupcakes

    And of course, we can't forget the Birthday Girl! Kate designed her shirt in Photoshop and then printed it out on iron-on fabric. A cute tu-tu and a feathery birthday hat in just the right colors completed the outfit (of course the little lady didn't want to wear the hand-crafted birthday hat!)

    A baby wearing a blue tutu and circus-themed shirt and party hat sitting on the ground eating birthday cake

    Amazing, right? I had hundreds of photos to choose from and these were just the tip of the iceberg. Serious planning and love went into this first birthday party and the outcome was fabulous.

    Don't worry friends, these photos are old and I have this little girl's second birthday party to show you too! Be excited; it is the cutest party ever. My goal is to be invited to this year's shindig to witness it for myself *wink* *wink*. Thanks for all your hard work and for letting me share it, Kate.

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    1. Jenjo Games

      December 03, 2020 at 3:53 am

      These are some really interesting ideas. I never thought of having a circus themed birthday party for my kids. Thanks for sharing!
      One can even hire games at https://www.jenjoes.com/hire-jenjo-games/

      Reply
    2. Tierra

      June 22, 2014 at 11:28 pm

      Hi Melissa,
      I love your ideas but I can't seem to find the Minnie Mouse door hanger saying "Welcome To Ryelle's Clubhouse" I saw the image on Google and the link led me to your site. I so wanna know how you made it or where you bought it from. My daughters turning 2 this July and I would love to have that for her Minnie Mouse themed party. Thanks 😉

      Reply
    3. Amber

      February 06, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      I am throwing a Circus themed 1st birthday party for my son. These are some great ideas! Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Ann H

      July 26, 2012 at 8:58 pm

      Hi Melissa! I'm so glad that worked out so well - totally what we call a win/win. Nanette and Kate are so great, they totally rock.

      Kate, can I be adopted? Amazing. Best. Party. EVER!

      Reply
    5. Kate

      July 26, 2012 at 8:24 pm

      Thank you SO MUCH for featuring my party and saying such nice things! I'm happy to share it. Hope people can look at it and get their own creativity going.

      Reply

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