Come One, Come All… it’s a Circus Party! Step right up for a colorful birthday party under the Big Top + a Giveaway too!
Planning a party for boy/girl twins can be a challenge. My twins definitely have different interest, but I’m not ready to throw two different parties for them just yet. I’m always looking for creative and fun ideas that appeal to both of their interest and a circus themed party covers lots of their favorites (he loves animals, she loves dress up) I loved this vintage circus printable package from Lauren Haddox Designs and think it’s great for kids birthday parties or even a carnival fundraiser! The colorful details combined with a little effort, a touch of creativity, and inexpensive ideas guarantee kids of all ages will have a blast!
Let kids nibble on circus- worth treats like caramel popcorn, cotton candy, circus cookies, candy apples, circus peanuts and cupcakes. There is no need for a Big Top Tent, take the party outdoors to a local park with lots of room for the kids to play. Include carnival games like Ring Toss, Knock Em’ Down Tin Can Toss, Duck Pond, Bean Bag Toss and Dart Throw. And to make it feel just like a real carnival give each kid tickets to play the games. I purchased several rolls of tickets from Oriental Trading and set aside 50 tickets per kid. I decided to use the leftover rolls as decorations on the dessert table, an inexpensive way to add creative details to your party.
You can’t have a circus party without lots of prizes! Make a prize table and display “grab-n-go” bags of trinkets. Oriental Trading has the best variety of carnival toys and games. They have a whole section dedicated to Carnival parties including candy, toys and games. I ordered the medium toy assortment with over 100 pieces for our prize table. Not only was the price right there was definitely something for everyone. One of the things I love about Oriental Trading is they are committed to offering the best value for your dollar with the lowest prices — guaranteed! If you are planning a circus or carnival themed party make sure you check out their prizes and games for your big event.
A circus just isn’t a circus without a little clowning around…don’t forget to create a photo booth to capture all the silly circus fun! I used red and white polka dot fabric to create a photo booth back drop and put out lots of silly dress up options including circus animal ears from Michael’s, party hats, and clown noses from Oriental Trading. The clown noses were a big hit and also included in each take home party favor box. Green and white polka dot gable boxes held plastic circus animals, birthday bubbles, clown noses, circus kisses, and custom wrapped chocolate candy bars.
Thanks for letting me share lots of inspiration and creative details for The Greatest Show on Earth, a Circus Party everyone will love!
Vendors:
Party Styling & Photography – Giggles Galore
Vintage Circus Printable Party Package – Lauren Haddox Designs
Candy Apples – BBLU
Circus Tickets, Toys and Clown Noses – Oriental Trading
Circus Animal Headbands – Michael’s
Rolling Bar Cart – A Blissful Nest
My friends at Oriental Trading want to help you plan your next celebration in style with a $25 gift card! Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win.
Bethany McIntyre says
I love this party! What a cute idea!
Marina Reyes says
Love your site. Nice giveaway!
Mariah says
Thanks for stopping by Marina!
Carli Eklund says
Cute, love your use of the tickets! I loved my daughters art party & elf party!
Mariah says
Thanks Carli! Your art party was so creative and fun, just like a party should be.
doreen says
That party is 2.cute! I loved throwing theme parties for my girls when they were younger. Then they grew up and threw their own parties. “No party favors, Mom” — harumph!
Mariah says
I’m definitely not ready for that day yet, I guess that’s why we make such a big deal out of celebrations now…I know eventually they will be “too cool” for it. 🙂
Valerie Preston says
Thanks for the great giveaway! I love your circus party theme:) We get the Oriental Trading catalog in the mail, and my daughter LOVES going through it whenever it arrives!!
Mariah says
My kids loving when the catalog comes in the mail too.
Amy C. says
Lego!!!
Mariah says
Such a fun theme Amy! My son just starting showing an interest in Lego’s so maybe that will be a party theme for us in the future.
Bianca Andrea says
my new favorite theme is “paw-ty” time, dog parties 🙂
Mariah says
I love that Bianca, we don’t have pets but I’ve noticed that this theme is growing in popularity. 🙂
Debra @ A Frugal Friend says
Love this….we did a circus themed party for my daughters 4th! It was so fun!
Mariah says
Thank you. I don’t think you can go wrong with a circus theme for birthday parties, there are so many options!
Shannon Schmid says
Oh how darling! My very favorite detail is the idea of using a large roll of tickets as a pedestal for the cake. SO SMART!
Mariah says
Thank you Shannon, it’s fun finding creative ways to incorporate the “extras”
Donna O'Neil says
I love safari parties.
Digital Mom says
This is TOO cute! Love this theme and so could be used for boys or girls
Mariah says
Yes, a circus or carnival theme definitely is appropriate for boys and girls of all ages!
Tracey says
Love the circus party Mariah
Mariah says
Thank you, it was a fun one to style!
Jennifer says
I love the tickets under the cake and the table cloth! My favorite party themes are unique and creative with an unusual twist. My boys generally like more popular things and I struggle to make them unique. I’m currently debating over farm, train, duck, or duck/farm for my son’s two year party and my other son will have a pool party for his five year party.
Mariah says
I can totally relate, I love creative parties and fortunately my kids have come up with some pretty fun ideas for themes. A duck/farm sounds like fun, looking forward to seeing what you do!
Danese says
I love the Luau theme. You can use it for so many events.
Stacey Turner says
We did a Transportation party for our son’s 1st bday and it was great! I am so glad to have found your blog though because we are having a circus party for his 2nd bday so this is currently my favorite theme! It changes each year. 🙂
Mariah says
Glad you found us too Stacey. The Transportation party sounds fun and good luck with your circus party planning!
Lesley says
Love the pic with the big red nose and the glasses! Your twins get cuter every year.
Mariah says
Thank you Lesley! It is hard to believe they are 5, it makes this momma a little sad they are growing up so fast. 🙁
Brandy Ketler says
I love carnivals!
Jen Carver says
I LOVE this party. I’ve done one carnival party for a friend, and it’s still one of my favorite themes.
Mariah says
Thanks Jen! Carnival themed parties are great aren’t they? The theme works well for all different age groups and they are ideal for a big crowd.
Jocelyn H says
I would have to say the Princess theme.
Tiffany Mays says
My favorite theme so far has been Dr. Seuss! We did it for my 2nd sons’ 1st birthday!
Loved your circus/carnival party! Very creative!!
Mariah says
I love that theme too, we did a Dr. Seuss theme for my twins 1st birthday.
Jen Marrs says
Fun Giveaway- I am going with Beach Theme!!
Sarah @ Craft Quickies says
My mom always did “backwards parties” with us, where all the guests had to come with backward clothing, we ran relay races backward, the cake was upside down, etc. Too fun!
Mariah says
So fun Sarah, that sounds like a great party…hmmm maybe we’ll have to do one of those soon! 😉
Denisse Romero says
I really love this party.
Brandi Bryant says
My favorite party would have to be this circus one. I think I am going to incorporate some these great ideas into a carnival party for my two older kids. Thanks for the giveaway.
Andrea Albright says
I still love the peacock party you did for Aubrey!
Mariah says
Andrea, that is one of my all time favorites too!
Teia Collier says
We did a sparkle and shine for my Z and for Sol Nascar was a winner.
Sherry says
Where did you find the green polka dot gable boxes?
Mariah says
I bought them from a vendor at our local flea market, but you might check with Polka Dot Market online to see if they carry them.
Danae says
We absolutely LOVE this party. The role of tickets that the cake is sitting on is such a clever touch, and the colors are perfect. So cute!
http://www.stylishlysweetevents.blogspot.com
Danae says
*ROLL, not role 😉
Amy at Living Locurto says
This is amazing!! Thanks for sharing on Living Creative Thursday. I featured you today:-)
http://www.livinglocurto.com/2014/02/birthday-cakes/
tina says
love love all your ideas..the metal frame used to pin the prizes on…guessing a bed frame…any other ideas what i could use ?
so cute!
Mariah says
Yes Tina, it is a vintage metal frame from a baby bed and it worked great for displaying our prizes. If you don’t have a metal frame you could attach twine or string to a large picture frame and clip the prizes on that. Have fun planning your party!