Twins Turning 1 | A Camping Themed Birthday Party

Planning a camping themed birthday party for your twins turning one? You’re in for a fun adventure! We debated throwing a big party for our twins because of how much work it would be, but everyone told us to just go for it and we’re so glad we did! We wanted to create a camp themed party to embrace the great outdoors and share our love for camping with all of our family and friends. Hopefully it is a foreshadowing of all our future family camping trips to come. : ) In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything you need to create a delightful camping atmosphere, from decorations to snacks and playful ideas tailored for toddlers. Get ready to make your twins’ first birthday an unforgettable celebration!

Since the boys have a September birthday, our reality is that every year it’s going to be pretty hot on their birthday. We really wanted to have the party at my parents’ house for ease of setup and cleanup, so we had to have it outside. We rented a large 20 foot by 20 foot tent to block shade for people eating. We also used inflatable serving trays that you can fill with ice to place your food dishes on top of to keep food cool! We had many large fans near the food and misting fans on hand in case it got too hot.

Camping Themed Decorations

We kept decorations pretty simple but there are SO many cute ideas on Etsy and Pinterest! We set up a green and brown balloon arch that scaled around the trunk of my parents’ avocado tree. My sister-in-law helped me string together the arch the night before. I blew up the balloons earlier in the week (4 days before the party) because I learned that if you blow up balloons and let them sit out for more than 3 days, they start having more of a matte finish.

We also made a little sign to hang from the tree in front of the balloon arch that said “CAMP EVERETT AND COLE.”  🙂 I bought 1 piece of fencing from Home Depot and my husband cut it up into 3 sections and screwed little hoop thingies to hang them on each other. I bought stencils from Amazon and painted the letters using white acrylic paint. 

For the party favor/snack table area, I made a canvas “Happy Birthday” banner and put mini table top pine trees (from our Christmas decorations) and flower vases on the table. The canvas banner was material from Joanne’s called Solid Duck Canvas. We scattered pictures around the various food tables using little wood photo holders, and put out mini lanterns bought from Amazon.  

Camping-Inspired Activities and Games

The biggest hit of the party was the play pen area that we rented from Little Bears Play! The setup was the perfect fit for my parents’ putting green and the kids LOVED it. The floor area was 16 feet by 16 feet and it included a ball pit, climbing blocks, and cute little play animals that the kids could bounce around on! 

The kids at our twins’ party were a little too young for games, but here are some simple, fun, and exciting activities that would fit a camping theme perfectly:

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: A scavenger hunt is a great way to help toddlers explore and connect with nature. Create a checklist with pictures of simple items they might find, like pinecones, rocks, leaves, and flowers. Give each child a small basket and let them collect their “nature treasures.” This game encourages curiosity and exploration and makes it easy and fun for toddlers to explore.
2. Bear Hunt Adventure: Hide small toy bears or bear paw prints around the yard or play area and let kids hunt for them. You can even use toy binoculars to make it feel like a real adventure. Toddlers love the excitement of searching, and they’ll feel like real explorers as they look for bears hiding behind trees or under tables.  
3. Campfire Ring Toss: For a camping twist on the classic ring toss, set up a fake “campfire” in the center (using plastic cones or logs). Use soft rings and let the kids try to toss them around the “fire.” This game is easy to set up and great for little hands to practice coordination and patience.
4. Tent Crawl Obstacle Course: Set up a short obstacle course with pop-up tents, tunnels, and small hurdles (like pool noodles). Toddlers will love crawling, climbing, and exploring their way through it.
5. Fishing Pond: Set up a small “fishing pond” with a kiddie pool filled with floating toy fish. Give each child a fishing pole with a magnet at the end to “catch” a fish. For added fun, you could write numbers or small prizes on the fish, letting each catch come with a surprise!
6. DIY Nature Art Station: Create a nature-themed art station where toddlers can use leaves, rocks, and twigs to create their own works of art. Provide paper, glue, and non-toxic markers, and let them make collages. This activity is calming, creative, and gives toddlers a special keepsake from the day.
7. Sleeping Bag Race: For a camping take on the classic sack race, use sleeping bags instead. Toddlers can either hop or crawl their way to the finish line. This activity brings out the giggles and lets kids get out some energy with safe, soft “sleeping bag” sacks.

Themed Food and Cute Snack Ideas

We didn’t stick to traditional ~camping~ themed food because we had been wanting to try this taco company that we had once for a baby shower (but hey tacos can be camping themed food!). If you really want to stick to the theme here are some great camping-inspired food ideas that are toddler-friendly:

1. S’mores-Inspired Treats: Skip the campfire, but keep the fun of s’mores by making a safe, toddler-friendly version. Try mini graham cracker sandwiches with marshmallow fluff and a piece of chocolate in between, or use chocolate spread to keep it mess-free. For even less stickiness, you could make a s’mores trail mix with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham cereal.
2. *Campfire* Fruit Cups: Create individual fruit cups that look like mini campfires! Fill small cups with cut-up orange slices, strawberries, and apple slices to resemble flames. You could even add a pretzel stick or two to look like “logs.” These are healthy, easy to eat, and fit the theme perfectly.
3. Trail Mix Bar: Set up a simple trail mix bar with safe, toddler-friendly ingredients. Options like Cheerios, goldfish crackers, mini pretzels, dried fruit (such as raisins or dried blueberries), and small chocolate pieces make it fun for kids to create their own mix. Just watch out for nuts or other choking hazards, and keep it easy to scoop!
4. Hot Dog *Campfire* Rolls: Serve bite-sized pigs in a blanket for a fun “campfire” food that’s easy for toddlers to eat. Wrap mini hot dogs in crescent rolls and bake them to golden brown. These make a warm, delicious treat that’s simple for little hands to hold and perfect for a camping-inspired menu.
5. Bug Juice: For a cute drink option, serve “bug juice” (which is just a fun name for a colorful juice or punch). Use clear cups with gummy “bugs” on top or attached to the straw for decoration. Choose juice in bright colors, like apple or mixed berry, and use diluted versions for younger toddlers to make it gentle on their tummies.
6. *Campfire* Pretzel Sticks: Dip pretzel rods halfway in melted chocolate and sprinkle orange, red, or yellow sprinkles on the chocolate part to resemble flames. These “campfire sticks” are easy to grab, mess-free, and a hit with little ones.
7. Veggie *Forest* Cups: For a healthy snack option, serve veggies like baby carrots, celery sticks, and sliced cucumbers in clear cups with a little ranch dip at the bottom. These individual cups look like little “forests” and are an easy way to serve veggies without needing extra plates.

Unique Camp Themed Party Favors and Keepsakes

For all the kids, we personalized enamel mugs that they could use for hot cocoa or camping trips. I used Cricut vinyl to write all the kids’ names, little tree logos, and a “happy camper” picture on each mug. For the adults, my mom made a Japanese style teriyaki chex mix to bag and snack on (a type of “trail mix”!).

Some other great camping themed party favor ideas:

1. Mini Flashlights: Small, portable flashlights are practical gifts for kids and fit perfectly with a camping theme. They can use them for outdoor adventures.
2. DIY S’mores Kits: Package ingredients for making s’mores in a cute bag or box. This delicious treat is a camping classic that everyone loves!
3. Compass Keychains: Fun and functional, these compasses can help kids learn about navigation while adding to their outdoor gear collection.
4. Nature-Themed Coloring Books: Coloring books featuring wildlife, plants, or campgrounds can entertain kids and inspire their love for nature.
5. Trekking Stickers: A set of stickers with camping designs, like tents, campfires, and wildlife, can be a fun and creative gift for kids to decorate their belongings.
6. Mini First Aid Kits: Small, simple first aid kits can be a thoughtful party favor that encourages safety during outdoor adventures.

Planning a camping-themed birthday for your little one’s first birthday is a fun way to celebrate their big milestone in the great outdoors! From adorable, camp-inspired snacks to simple, toddler-friendly games, every detail can bring the feel of camping to life without overcomplicating things. This theme lets everyone enjoy fresh air, explore nature, and make great memories. Just remember to keep activities simple, foods easy to eat, and decorations safe and playful. With a little prep, your camping-themed birthday will be a relaxed, enjoyable day for you, your one-year-old, and all your guests. Here’s to a happy first birthday celebration that’s memorable, easygoing, and perfectly suited for both the little explorer and the grown-ups!