Luke’s Second Bithday – Circus / Carnival Party
Luke turned two and to celebrate I threw him an at home carnival! This birthday was a true labor of love but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I’ve actually had this theme in my mind since his first birthday! (Probably why it was so over the top.. lots of time to dream it up!)
My original vision was to host the party in our backyard under string lights. This was the plan until we had a massive tropical storm run through Houston and literally flooded our streets a few days prior.
The party was then moved inside due to the wet swampy yard. With our open floor plan, we cleared out the living room furniture and this became the perfect solution! I even attempted to hang the string lights indoors, but it was too heavy for my heavy duty command hook. (The hubby wasn’t into the idea of putting a nail into the wall.) Even with the few bumps in the road this party ended up being so fun to have everyone in the same room. It also helped avoid the hot Houston weather- which I’m always in for.
DIY
This party consisted of dozens DIY projects. You can find most of the crafting process saved onto my instagram stories. (I saved it to the circus highlight bubbles).
I created the big top tent inspired curtains, photo booth spot, painted/decorated circus animals, cake and animals stands, a ringmaster hat, the gold “two” plaque, and so much more!
Glamfetti collaborated with me on the balloons and together we decorated them around the party. She had the brilliant idea to create this massive two piece garland for above my back living room wall. This garland became the focus point of the party because it was the first thing you saw when you walked in the front door. This design really made a huge statement and pulled the whole party together! I love that it gave the guests the impression of being under a big top tent.
Tiffany, Glamfetti, is now offering custom home installations for events. Check it out HERE if you’re interested in her setting up a balloon installment at your party! She is so talented and full of ideas and color choices. She takes pride in her work and it really shows!
Extra, Extra
After she finished hanging the balloon garland, I went back through and added some extra detail touches. The striped balloons pulled in the curtain stripe, and the white and red tickets were weaved through out to give the game area a little pop of whimsical charm.
The gold “two” plaque featured in the middle of the garlands was something I created at the last minute. I had the number two already crafted; (with blue paint and cardstock glitter paper- from Hobby Lobby) I just wasn’t sure where I was going to add it.
Find a look-a-like number 2 HERE.
We took a step back from hanging the garlands and felt like there needed something in the middle to give the design a focal point. So I grabbed a piece of Styrofoam trash (left over from Blake’s new grill) and spray painted it gold! I hot glued the number two and anchored it with some push pins just to make sure it stayed. Since the inside of the gold Styrofoam piece was hollow, we hung it on the wall using twine and a two command hooks. (one hook on the wall and the other on the back of the hollow gold piece)
Last, we added paper fans and a giant mustache balloon! It was the perfect fit for the vintage circus party I was going for!
Welcome Table
The entry table was filled with personal touches. I borrowed the large life size giraffe and jazzed him up with a party hat. He made such a statement and the kids adored him! The entry table displayed party favors (clown noses) themed circus books on top of ticket rolls. Find those books HERE AND HERE.
The marque light up sign was taken from my playroom and I purchased gold letters to spell out Luke’s Greatest Show. The mirror adorned a stripe awing that I used frequently through out the party! It’s inexpensive and gave the effect of being under a tent. I taped the awning to the mirror and the draped the two star garlands from Pearl and Jane. You can find them HERE and HERE.
“POPCORN, Who Wants Some Popcorn!?”
The Popcorn station was another favorite spot of mine. I thought about crafting my own 3-D popcorn box like the one I used, but time got away from me. I ended up ordering mine HERE and it was so worth it! In my opinion, this prop took the party to the next level! Tiffany, Glamfetti, created the overflowing popcorn balloon garland that made it’s way up the wall.
A Little Magic
To create this overflowing pop corn look we stuffed the popcorn box with couch pillows! This trick allowed us to use less balloons; helping the box to look full! (This also kept the cardboard popcorn box in place incase a child bumped into it.)
Glamfetti applied the single “popcorn” balloons to the wall using glue dots. She mentioned to me that it looks best to cut the excess lip of the balloon just after the knot to give it a cleaner look. GENIUS! For those wondering, the glue dots did not damage the wall. For lack of a better comparison, I would consider glue dots to be similar to the sticky stuff that holds a gift card to a card holder. You know that sticky stuff that you peel away? Its kind of like that texture.
“Popcorn, TWO TICKETS!”
My interactive popcorn station is from my DIY lemonade stand post. This project was designed by me but built by my husband and sweet neighbor at the start of my blogging days! This it’s my ultimate favorite creation! It’s so versatile and I’ve gotten so much use out of it! My kids love playing pretend with it so I thought it would be the perfect touch to the party! You can find how to build your own on my DIY blog post HERE.
To decorate the stand I added two more of the stripe awnings and attached them to the stand using push pins and a white felt ball garland.
I also rented a popcorn machine decorated with a tissue tassel garland and attached gold balloon letters that spelled out popcorn. I attached these letters using packaging tape but I wouldn’t recommend it. The letters kept falling and next time I’ll use glue dots!
The banner hung in the doorway was purchased at Hobby Lobby. (found mine in the party aisle) I put glittery, gold scarp book sticker letters on each pennant to spell popcorn.
In retrospect, the gold lettering was hard to read against the stripe pattern. I should have mounted the stickers on white paper and then applied. In fact, while decorating another party area, Tiffany had an excellent idea to skip the mounting step.
These same stickers were used to spell Luke’s name behind the food table. I watched Tiffany cut the stickers out instead of peeling them off; (leaving a small amount of white trim/mount attached) I was like why the heck didn’t I think of that?! LOL In result, there was need to purchase extra cardstock paper! So smart, Tiffany!!
To complete the wall above the food area I hung two more of the stripe awings and hung a collection of fans and honeycombs. I used multiple sized honey combs and red, yellow, and blue paper fans.
“Tickets, Get Your TICKETS!”
If you look closely in the photos, you might notice a plastic fish bowls at each booth/interactive corner. This jar served as each stations ticket collector.
Upon arrival I gave each child a stack of bottomless tickets. This concept was just for fun, but it definitely added to the atmosphere of feeling like a real carnival. The kids also really enjoyed this imagination play suggestion! I wish I had a picture of their faces when I handed them the tickets! It really made this tiny detail so worth it!!
The Games
There a dozens of carnival games to pick from when hosting this theme party. I decided on two games that wouldn’t need to be run by a “staff” member or monitored too closely by the parents. The stacked can bean bang toss game was a hit with all the kids no matter the age level. This game was inexpensive and came as a set. These cans are also made of plastic so they weren’t extremely loud when knocked over.
The ring toss game worked well for most age levels too! I ordered the rings online and stilly me didn’t read closely. I thought the milk bottles pictured also came with the rings. Turns out I was mistaken and right before the party we had to use Topo Chico bottles out of the fridge! This worked perfectly and the colors even matched the party! If you also decide to also use these bottles, please keep in mind the bottles are made of glass.
The third game was a basket ball station. We already owned the basketball hoop and kid size basketballs (comes as a set). For this station, I just put the balls in a basket and voila.
To decorate the game area, I used red tablecloths, extra wide ribbon as a runner, and taped festive balloons to the wall at a low table level. I blew these up with my trusty air pump. (I also use this pump to make all my garlands- a total time savor!)
We also hired a very talented face painter/balloon animal artist from local Houston business.
Kids Table
I created extra seating by renting kids tables and chairs. I rented the white tablecloths and red runners from Aztec Events & Rentals. This event rental company is local to the Houston area.
For the centerpiece I filled blue buckets with crinkled paper and topped it off with peanuts that I painted. (please do not do this if you have anyone with a peanut allergy at your party!) I stuck a number two sign that I painted yellow in the centerpiece and it was complete. So cheap and easy!
I will add that the peanuts took me longer than I wish to admit, but I love how they turned out!
The party favors were box animal crackers, big top circus tent cup, and red clown noses.
The circus plates at the kids table were my inspiration for the full party! This print also matched the invitations which you can find HERE. I love watercolor look of the design! I actually loved the print so much that I purchased the matching wrapping paper. I thought I would use it as a kitchen table runner layered over a tablecloth.
However, while we were decorating, Tiffany mentioned I should display the wrapping paper because it’s SO CUTE! Together we created a little photo booth spot using the paper as a backdrop. I later framed it with my DIY tablecloth curtains. (check out my instagram circus highlight bubble for that step by step)
Find the black tool and similar elephant HERE and HERE.
“TAKES THE CAKE”
The main attraction out of the whole party has to be the cake! This delicious master piece was a creation by Here For The Cake. Susan, the owner and baker is a true artist! This cake was a total show stopper a huge conversation topic! I even overheard people debating if it was real or not! Susan, you really out did yourself!
When I asked Susan, Here For the Cake, to collaborate with me on this party; I knew her work was going to be spectacular!! I tasted her mouth watering work at a previous event and I exclaimed to her that evening,
“You’re now my forever cake lady!”
Y’all, I really wish you could taste her cake through my images! Her work is beautiful, yet deliciously sweet! A hard combo to master in my opinion!
When I first sat with Susan to discus this cake, I gave her total creative freedom. Something any creative person LOVES! She had amazing ideas including the elephants you see separating the two layers! WOW! She really knocked my socks off!
Here For The Cake carefully hand delivered the cake and garnished the last few popcorn toppings upon arrival. Susan, was like the fairy Godmother waving her wand in the last hour to tie the party all together! Thank you Here For The Cake for creating such beautiful a tasty work of art!
If you would like to book Susan, from Here For The Cake, contact her HERE! You can also follow along with her on instagram HERE!
Cake and Animal Stand DIY
The decor featured around the cake are more DIY projects. The actual cake stand is another left over Styrofoam piece that I covered with scrapbook paper, glitter card stock, and hot glued ribbon. (you can find that tutorial on my instagram highlight bubble)
The harlequin buckets were found at Arne’s, a Houston party goods store. I flipped the buckets upside down and hot glued red, glitter cardstock to the “top”. To complete the look and give the stands a cleaner finish; I hot glued gold ribbon around it to hide any imperfections.
Circus Animals
Do you know a cheap and easy way to spice up the cake or food table decor?Framing your party invitation and also decorating with your kids’ toys!
To achieve this cheap and effective way of decorating, I painted my kids animals with acrylic craft paint. Next, I “dressed” them up by adding ribbon with adhesive sticker backing. I found these ribbon stickers in the scrapbook sticker aisle at Hobby Lobby. (For a more detailed tutorial on this process check out my instagram circus highlight bubble)
If you don’t have the time or feel as though this craft is not for you; Etsy sells decorated animals you can find HERE.
To complete the party animal attire I used custom mini party hats by Glamfetti.
Craft Paint Colors:
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or share what you loved about this theme party! I loved creating this party and hope you have enjoyed it as well!
Also, Remember that you can pin any of my images to Pinterest to save for the future! š Simply click the Pinterest logo that appears on the image when you hover over it with your mouse.