Zoo Party For my daughter 5th birthday we finally decided to have it at the zoo. Our zoo has a wonderful grassy picnic area that was perfect for games. I took many traditional games and changed them to wild animals, for instance instead of duck, duck goose, we did lion, lion, hyena.  The cake was a polar bear-my daughter's favorite.  I just took one layer of a round cake and two cupcakes for the  ears, white frosting, then made a face with candy. We also made a cupcake for each kid with a different animal's face. The elephant was the hardest-you just have to use your imagination. I had animal masks for each kid and we played a game where they had to respond with their animals sound when called on. For favor boxes, I bought plain little brown "treasure" shaped boxes and my daughter and I decorated them with paint pens and "jewels" writing on each box "child's name" treasures. The day ended with the best part-the Safari treasure hunt.  The children were divided into three groups each with an adult. I had pith helmets and cheap little binoculars for them each. Each group was given 3 different clues (very easy little poems) to lead them to an animal in the zoo. Each animal was in a different part of the zoo, and this wasn't a race, so they got to see the zoo while hunting. As they found each animal, they got a little prize to do with that animal, and the clue for the next animal. The 4th clue was the same for everyone, and led them back to our party spot to receive their treasure box. The kids loved it and I think the adults had a ball, too. Also, another tip depending on your zoo, I brought lunchables and a sandwich tray instead of buying the expensive and not very good zoo food!