Nature Cat and Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas from PBS KIDS
Check out this backyard birthday party plan — complete with timeline, activities and party games, snack recipes, and decorations featuring Nature Cat. Tally Ho!
Author: Party Plan
It's birthday time! Make this year's birthday party an outdoor adventure with our backyard party planner. Featuring the nature-loving Nature Cat, our comprehensive party guide includes activity ideas, recipes and free printable resources to help you fulfill the wishes of your young outdoor enthusiast. Make it a birthday to remember with the Nature Cat photo booth and custom props, snack on delicious chocolate acorns or go on a nature-themed scavenger hunt. Are you ready to start your outdoor party adventure with our step-by-step party day plan? Onward and Yonward!
Party Planning Timeline
2-4 weeks before the party: Send out your Nature Cat themed invitations. Ask people to RSVP at least one week before the party to help you plan for food and supplies.
2 weeks before the party: Make a list of everything you need to buy or make for the party.
1 week before the party: Shop for, print and prepare any non-perishable items. Make it a group effort by encouraging your child to help with the decorations if the party isn't a surprise.
A few days before the party: Finish making any decorations and party games or favors. Confirm RSVPs.
The day before the party: Bake and decorate (or pick up) the cake and cookies. Make any other snacks that will hold overnight.
The day of the party: Since this is an outdoor party, plan some extra time the morning of the party to set up decorations and activity stations. Wait to set out food until just before the guests arrive. We suggest the following order of activities to help the day go smoothly.
*Important note: Have a backup plan in case of bad weather. Think ahead about how you can modify or move the party inside or under cover so that you don't end up with a soggy celebration.
Invite Your Guests
30 minutes
Send out invitations 2 to 4 weeks in advance, and ask for RSVPs at least a week before the party so that you know how many guests to expect.
Start the Party with Photo Poses and Props
15 minutes
Start the day by gathering together for pictures. This allows you to get pictures while hair is still combed and clothes are icing free. If you have a printer available, you could even print pictures for guests to take home at the end of the party.
Get Crafty Part 1: Make Nature Cat's Hat
15 minutes
Guide your guests to the craft table where they can fold their own Nature Cat inspired hat.
Get Crafty Part 2: Make a Feather Necklace
15 minutes
Continue the creative crafting with a feather necklace that guests can wear during the festivities and then take home for a party keepsake.
Take a Snack Break
15 minutes
Take a snack break to enjoy your fruit and veggie caterpillars, chocolate acorns, or jello pond treats.
Make a Bug Jar
15 minutes
After snack and few minutes of chill time (a.k.a. bathroom break), have party guests gather items and create one or more bug jars. You can then either find a non-poisonous critter for observation now or collect one as part of the scavenger hunt activity.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
15 minutes
Distribute a scavenger hunt paper to each child or group of children, provide some basic scavenger hunt boundaries and rules, and then send the searchers on their way to hunt for the listed items.
Bring on the Cake!
15 minutes
Take a few minutes for everyone to wash their hands and then gather the party together one more time to sing the birthday song and enjoy the delicious cake.
Wrap Up
5 minutes
Bid farewell to your guests with this fun goodie bag that lets them continue being a backyard explorer extraordinaire even after the party ends.
Printables
Add rustic charm to your party printables with woodland-themed invitations, stickers, food labels and thank you cards.
Outdoor Party Decorations
Spruce up your party setting with backdrops and table decorations featuring Nature Cat and his friends.
Backyard Party Snacks
Make some fun and tasty treats for your guests with our nature inspired recipes.
Activities
Explore the outdoor world with a nature-inspired scavenger hunt and bug jar or craft accessories for your party guests to wear.
Favors
Make the day memorable with favors for your guests to take home and enjoy.
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