Mom Advice Central- Zoo Animal Birthday Party Theme Ideas

Animal lovers for all ages will go wild over a Zoo Animal Birthday Party! These
themes can also be adjusted to fit a Baby Shower theme for Noah's Arc or an
African Safari!
You can create stations with different activities for the children such as

Flying Animals
Bugs
Underwater

You can also have them pick out their favorite animal to color and offer coloring
pages.
As prizes for activities, you can give out animal cookies and small animal toys,
which by the way can help with your budget! Get your zoo themed favors at your
local dollar store. Click here for more great zoo animal favors.

Cheesy Lion Melt
Get the attention you will deserve for making these unique grilled cheese sandwiches
that look like a lion! Great for your Zoo Themed Birthday Party! Sure to be a ROARING
success!

1 to 2 tablespoons of mayo
1 to 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 carrot slices (1/8 inch thick)
3 hamburger buns split
6 slices process Swiss cheese
12 ripe olive slices
12 pimiento slices
6 hot dog buns split
6 thin slices of cooked turkey or other deli meat
12 slices of American Cheese
1 cup(4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
18 potato sticks
Shredded Lettuce, optional

Combine mayo and mustard; set aside. Cut each carrot slices into three triangles; set
aside. For each lion, place hamburger bun, cut side up, on an un greased baking sheet
(three lions per sheet). Spread with a small amount of the mayonnaise mixture. Top with
a slice of swiss cheese. Add 2 olives for eyes, a carrot triangle for a nose, and pimiento
for the mouth. Position the top half of a hot dog bun, cut side up, below head for body.
Spread with mayo mixture. Top with turkey and American Cheese, cutting to fit the bun.
For the tail, slice 1/2 inch from one end of the hot dog bun bottom. Cut remaining
potions into 2 1/4 inch strips for legs and tail with cut side up; spread with mayo mixture.
Cut one slice of American Cheese to fit over legs and tail. Place over the mayo mixture,
tucking under cheese on the body. Broil 6" from the heat until cheese is slightly melted
and the lion holds its shape, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle shredded cheese on the end of
the tail and round the head. Broil 30 seconds longer or until cheese slightly melts.
Transfer to a serving plate and use potato sticks for whiskers. If desired use lettuce for
grass. Yields: 6 servings

Monkey Around Shake:

This is a great idea for your zoo animal birthday party! You won't monkey around with
ingredients for this beverage! It tastes great and with its banana and orange flavor is
healthy for children. If you can find some monkey straws this would be a great addition to
your zoo theme!

1 1/4 cups milk
2 medium ripe banana, sliced 1/4" thick and frozen
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate
1 to 3 tablespoons of sugar
2 to 3 drops yellow food coloring, optional

In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process for 45 seconds, or until smooth.
Stir if necessary and pour into glasses. Yields 4 servings

Zebra Sweets:

For these tasty treats you will need a horse shaped cookie cutter. You will definitely get
some compliments for this! Great for your Zoo Themed Birthday Party!

8 cups mini marshmallows
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
12 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup vanilla chips
1 teaspoon shortening, divided
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

In a dutch oven or large saucepan, heat marshmallows and butter until almost melted.
Remove from the heat; stir in cereal and mix well. Press firmly into a greased 15" x 10" x 1"
baking pan. Cut with a horse shaped cookie cutter. Remove cutouts to waxed paper; set
aside. In a microwave or double boiler, melt vanilla chips and a 1/2 teaspoon of
shortening. Spread over cutouts. Melt chocolate chips and remaining shortening; place in
a heavy duty plastic bag. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag; pipe mane, stripes,
hooves, etc, on zebras. Yield: about 1 dozen