© Jon Whittle
Decorate: Buy animal-theme paper goods. Make centerpieces out of dowels inserted into clay bases, each topped with an animal finger puppet (these become the favors).
Eat: Serve animal-shaped chicken nuggets and animal crackers. Decorate cake/cupcakes with candy eyes, licorice whiskers, etc.
Make: Create animal ears and tails with headbands, felt, faux fur.
Play: Have an animal-sounds contest ("Who can roar like a lion?"), with mini-plush animals as prizes.
Insider tips: Hire a teenager to do animal face painting. Play the George of the Jungle sound track.
