Fun Birthday Party Ideas for an Adventurous Celebration
Tuesday January 28, 2025
Are you searching for exciting and unique birthday party ideas? Are you prepared to try something new and exciting? If so, consider hosting an outdoor-themed birthday party to add a breath of fresh air to the festivities! Whether you’re planning a party for a child, teenager, or adult, we have the ideas you need to turn it into a day full of fun. From creative DIY themes, interactive games and challenges, exciting locations, delicious food ideas, and memorable activities, we’ve got you covered.
Swing in to help you plan the ultimate birthday party that will leave your guests talking about it for years to come!
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Outdoor Adventure Birthday Parties
Hosting a birthday party in nature provides a refreshing change from typical indoor venues, allowing children and adults alike to connect with the great outdoors. Outdoor adventure parties encourage exploration, activity, and fun in a safe and supervised environment.
Go Ape offers flexible, customizable birthday party bundles that include incredible ziplines, tree-to-tree aerial obstacles, and massive Tarzan Swings – talk about a birthday that will have them talking long after the party ends! Go Ape’s birthday party packages create opportunities to bond and make lasting memories in a safe and enjoyable outdoor environment. With a variety of adventurous activities, from 50-foot-high treetop adventures to introductory zipline courses, people of all ages and skill levels can escape the ordinary, rediscover their courage, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The setting makes it truly unique though; the local parks that the adventure parks reside are full of flora and fauna. See the great-horned owl that overlooks the Tarzan Swing in Eagle Creek Park (Indianapolis, IN), zip over Alfred the Alligator on the 1000-foot zipline at Brazos River Park (Sugar Land / Houston, TX), hear the playful coyotes in the Bemis Woods Nature Preserve (Chicago, IL), or learn about our resident hawks at Go Ape Creve Coeur (St. Louis, MO), just to start! Friendships are forged, confidence is strengthened, and a deeper connection and appreciation for movement and the outdoors thrives. Go Ape isn’t just an activity—it’s a movement to reconnect with what truly matters: people, place, and purpose – celebrating another year of life!
Climbing and ziplining not for you? Don’t worry! Be the designated photographer and watch the adventures from our trails or enjoy our ground-based activities, like axe throwing or our outdoor escape room, Forest EscAPE. Spending time in nature has been proven to improve both your mental and physical health, so enjoy the experience from above or below!
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Creative DIY Birthday Party Themes
Whether your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, unicorns, or superheroes, there’s a DIY party theme that’s perfect for them. Handmade decorations and personalized party favors only add to the experience!
Our expert team has curated a collection of DIY birthday party ideas, themed for outdoor adventures, that are easy to execute and budget-friendly. Learn how to incorporate creative decorations that will transform any space into a outdoor wonderland. From homemade decorations and centerpieces to themed table settings, not to mention ideas for activities that will keep everyone entertained and DIY crafts and games – we’ve got you. Here’s a few outdoor-themed birthday parties to try for your next celebration:
Birdwatching
- Decorations: Hang up bird-themed or feather garlands and use natural elements like leaves and twigs as part of the decor. Include a playlist of local bird calls.
- Table Settings: Set the table with eco-friendly plates and cups and napkins with leaf patterns.
- Centerpieces: Create birdhouses from cardboard or small wooden boxes, decorated with paint and foliage, or for adults, place birdwatching books or field guides in the center of the table. To elevate the class, place a simple birdbath – or bowl – in the center of the table, filled with water and floating flower petals or feathers.
- Party Favors: Give guests small bags of birdseed, little bird stickers, or small binoculars.
Gardening
- Decoration: Use gardening tools like small spades, watering cans, and pots to decorate the area. Hang paper garlands made of cut-out leaves or dried flowers.
- Table Settings: Use terra cotta pots as cups, and place floral-patterned napkins and garden-themed plates on tables, or for something simpler, green plates with floral napkins and mason jar cups are classic. Use mini watering cans for drink dispensers.
- Centerpieces: Use potted plants as the focal point of the table or small vases with local wildflowers. For long tables, a big garden planter filled with soil, flowers, and small gardening tools.
- Party Favors: Potted plants, flower-shaped cookies, or seed packets.
Animals
- Decoration: Use earthy tones like green, brown, and orange, with leaves, acorns, and paper or plush forest animals, like squirrels and deer.
- Table Settings: Eco-friendly plates and cups featuring woodland animals (foxes, owls, rabbits).
- Centerpieces: Create forest scenes with toy animals, acorns, pinecones, and pine branches in the center of the table.
- Party Favors: Mini animal figurines or nature-inspired sticker sheets.
Camping
- Decorations: Use eco-friendly orange, red, and yellow streamers to create a “campfire” effect; or add plush woodland animal toys and camping-themed items like mini tents or sleeping bags.
- Table Settings: Use brown paper plates, checkered napkins, and mason jars for cups.
- Centerpieces: Create a faux campfire using orange tissue paper, red, yellow, and black construction paper, and LED tea lights; or create small outdoor scenes in mason jars using fake plants, rocks, and toy animals.
- Party Favors: Mini flashlights or compasses, camping stickers, or DIY nature explorer kits (mini magnifying glasses and notebooks).
Hiking
- Decoration: Use hiking trail signs and mountain-themed decorations. Create “trail markers” with arrows on the ground leading to various party stations.
- Table Settings: Use plates with trail map designs and cups with hiking boots, footprints, or backpacks printed on them.
- Centerpieces: Use trail-themed props (backpacks, walking sticks, sleeping bags) from a local thrift store.
- Party Favors: Mini hiking backpacks, fanny packs, or compass keychains.
Butterflies & Ladybugs
- Decoration: Hang paper butterflies, flowers, and vines. Add a few butterfly-shaped balloons or hanging mobiles to create a fluttering effect.
- Table Settings: Butterfly-shaped plates or red plates with black dots, cups with floral designs, and pastel napkins.
- Centerpieces: Use flowerpots filled with flowers and butterfly figurines, or a vase with butterfly stickers on it.
- Party Favors: Bug stickers, glitter wings, or stamps.
National Parks
- Decorations: Hang eco-friendly green and brown streamers to mimic trees and forest scenery. Use brown kraft paper to create mountains, rivers, and trees on the walls. Create fun signs using wooden planks or cardboard, labeling areas like “The Trail,” “Campground,” and “Picnic Area.” These signs can be placed throughout the space.
- Table Settings: Use brown plate and cups and napkins with leaf or wildlife prints. Fold the napkins into simple “tree” shapes for an extra touch.
- Centerpieces: Place small potted plants or succulents in the center of the table to represent trees. You can also make mini “tree” centerpieces by stacking toilet paper rolls, wrapping them in brown paper, and topping them with faux leaves or construction paper tree shapes.
- Party Favors: National park-themed notebooks and stickers.
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Interactive Games and Challenges
Organizing interactive challenges for your guests is a great way to keep everyone entertained and ensure they have an unforgettable time. Our games encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and friendly competition.
Birdwatching
- Crafts: Make their own bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and bird seed; or create binoculars out of toilet paper rolls and string for a fun birdwatching experience. For your older party guests, set up a painting station where guests can paint bird pictures on canvases or rocks. For all ages, create DIY feathered headbands or go on a nature scavenger hunt and create nature crowns with flowers and leaves that they find.
- Games: Organize a “Birdwatching Bingo” game using images of local birds; or have a bird scavenger hunt where kids can spot local birds in the park. “Catch the Bird” where kids throw soft bird toys into baskets.
Gardening
- Crafts: Let kids paint their own mini plant pots and plant a flower or herb inside. Provide flowers, ribbons, and elastics to make flower crowns.
- Games: Play “Garden Scavenger Hunt” where kids look for hidden garden-themed items around the party area. “Nature Bingo” where guests find different flowers, trees, and animals around the party area.
Animals
- Crafts: Have the kids make animal masks (foxes, owls, rabbits) from paper and craft supplies.
- Games: “Animal Tracks Hunt” where kids follow clues and match animal tracks to real animals. “Fishing Game” where kids use a fishing pole to “catch” fish with magnets attached. “Animal Charades” where kids act like different animals and others guess which animal they are.
Camping
- Crafts: Create your own campfire s’mores kits (chocolate chips, graham crackers, and mini marshmellows); or make binoculars from toilet paper rolls, decorate them with stickers, and add a string to wear around their necks.
- Games: “Campfire Charades” where guests act out camping-related activities (fishing, hiking, cooking). “Nature Scavenger Hunt” where guests look for items like leaves, rocks, or pinecones. “Campfire Stories” where each guest adds a sentence to create a funny story.
Hiking
- Crafts: Make Your Own Trail Map using paper and crayons or markers, then mark out a route to hidden “treasures” around the party; or make your own compass with paper plates and a brad fastener.
- Games: “Trail Relay” where kids race to complete challenges like hopping over “logs” or crawling under tables. “Backpacking Relay” where kids race to fill their backpacks with various supplies (like fake maps, snacks, etc.).
Butterflies & Ladybugs
- Crafts: Let kids make their own butterfly wings with construction paper, glitter, and markers to wear at the party; or create ladybug art by painting rocks with black and red paint; or use paper plates to create ladybug masks.
- Games: “Butterfly Tag” where the “butterflies” try to catch each other or “Capture the Ladybug” (a version of hide-and-seek).
National Parks
- Crafts: Set up a rock painting station where guests can paint small rocks with wildlife designs or create “campground” rocks (with tents, campfires, etc.).
- Games: Set up a scavenger hunt. Hide animal figurines, pinecones, and paper leaves around space, and give kids a checklist to find each item. Too much work? Reach out to our team about adding our Blind Tent Build game to your birthday party!
Looking for a hassle-free party with fun incorporated right in – without having to create it yourself? Contact our party planning Extraordinaires to learn more about our interactive activities and challenges that will make your celebration one to remember for many birthdays to come! We’re happy to add custom activities to make it perfect for your birthday boy or girl.
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Exciting Birthday Party Locations
When you’re planning a party for kids or adults, finding the right location can be challenging. From local parks with beautiful scenery to indoor trampoline parks and arcades, there are endless options to choose from, and booking the perfect location within your budget is essential. To start, set a budget and research venues that fit within your price range. Look for discounts or special offers, especially if you’re planning a larger gathering. Often, venues offer special birthday packages that include access to activities, goodie bags, and party spaces. This way, you can combine entertainment and relaxation while celebrating your special day.
Luckily, Go Ape has created new Birthday Parties for 2025 that include hefty discounts for parties of all sizes – no group minimum! – for activities, goodie bags, food, and more. Their Build Your Own Adventure customizable birthday party packages provide options to fit any sized budget.
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Delicious Birthday Party Food Ideas
When planning a birthday party, one of the most important aspects to consider is the food. Delicious and creative food options can elevate any celebration. Here are a few birthday party food ideas to fit your outdoor theme:
- Birdwatching Snacks: homemade “bird nest” treats with marshmallows, melted chocolate, candy eggs, and coconut shavings. Birdseed granola bars (make with sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and coconut flakes). Bird-beak carrot sticks and deviled eggs.
- Gardening-Themed Snacks: Flower-shaped cookies and veggie “garden” trays with dip. Dirt cupcakes (chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos) and veggie “flower” sandwiches.
- Animal-Themed Snacks: “Acorn” cookies (chocolate-covered pretzels with nuts), animal crackers, apple slices, and woodland-themed cupcakes or bear paw decorated cookies. “Squirrel’s nut stash” (cups of nuts and dried berries).
- Camping Snacks: S’mores (mini s’mores kits), make-your-own trail mix station, mini hot dogs, and campfire cupcakes.
- Hiking Snacks: “Forest berries” (blueberry or grape cups), animal crackers, trail mix, and “muddy trail” (chocolate pudding with crushed cookies).
- Ladybug & Butterfly-Themed Snacks: Butterfly-shaped sandwiches, strawberry “ladybugs” (halved strawberries with chocolate chips), fruit salad, and butterfly cupcakes with candy wings.
- National Park-Themed Snacks: Trail mix, forest “mushrooms” (cupcakes with a marshmallow top to resemble mushrooms in the forest, decorated with vanilla frosting and brown M&Ms), s’mores mini cups (chocolate pudding, graham cracker crumbs, and marshmellow fluff), tree-shaped veggie platter, and bear claw pastries.
Planning a menu that suits your theme and guests elevates your birthday party and makes it memorable. In addition to our outdoor-themed party food ideas, if you’re hosting a tropical-themed celebration, you could serve fruit skewers or tropical smoothies. For a sports-themed party, you could offer mini sliders and sports-themed cupcakes. Tailoring the menu to the theme not only adds to the experience but also creates a cohesive and memorable atmosphere.
Remember to consider the age group and preferences of your guests. For younger children, finger foods like mini sandwiches, snacks, and bite-sized desserts are always a hit. Teenagers and adults may appreciate more sophisticated options, like charcuterie boards and indulgent desserts.
With these birthday party food ideas, you can create a menu that satisfies everyone’s taste buds and enhances the celebration.
At Go Ape, we understand the importance of a memorable birthday party, and our team is here to help you plan an unforgettable event. Check out our website for more information on our party packages and how we can make your birthday celebration extra special.
Not sure what experience is right for you? Check out our different adventures to see what will fit your group best.
- Go Ape | Our Adventures | Learn About Our Treetop Adventures
- Go Ape | Our Adventures | Learn About Treetop Journeys
- Outdoor Axe Throwing | Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
- Forest EscAPE | Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
- Image Gallery | Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
Interested in special pricing and Go Ape discounts? For groups of 10+, give us a call or email and we’ll be happy to help.
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About Go Ape
Go Ape’s mission is to inspire everyone to live life adventurously while simultaneously advocating for social and environmental responsibility. Our partnerships with public park and forest preserve systems allow Go Ape to actively support this mission through revenue sharing and stewardship actions. Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Parks allow participants to explore their natural environment across a variety of outdoor activities. Visit goape.com.
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