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Adorably Unique Farm Birthday Party Ideas

April 16, 2020 by Leslie

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Take a look and get inspired by these adorable DIY farm birthday party ideas. Which is your favorite: the rustic banner or the kid-friendly cake topper?

collage of party decorations with the text unique ideas for a farm themed birthday party

Have you ever had to travel with all your birthday party decorations? It’s…well…it’s interesting.

I actually pulled together this farm birthday party about ten years ago for my niece – who lived 150 miles away from us.

Yep, we brought the party all the way from Maryland to Petersburg Virginia. It was quite the trek.

But it was fun because their family’s style is almost completely different from my own. While I like bright bold and modern colors, they lived in a historic home and preferred a more vintage style.

So, when they requested a barnyard theme for my niece’s second birthday, I knew it needed to be full of vintage touches as well.

birthday party food buffet with vegetables a happy birthday banner and a rustic farm animal photo

About the Party:

  • What Was the Occasion? a little girls’ 2nd birthday
  • How Many Guests Did You Have? About 20, mostly adults
  • Where Was the Party Held? The family’s historic townhome

Farm Birthday Party Decorations

While the party theme was ‘vintage barnyard’, the parents didn’t want it to be girly. So we focused on using red gingham, vintage graphics, and lots of burlap to add color and texture everywhere possible.

close up of a picture of pigs on burlap and a red gingham happy birthday banner

The party buffet was anchored with a handmade “Happy Birthday” banner that used layers of tea-stained cardstock, red gingham fabric, and letters cut on my cutting machine.

rustic water bottle label with burlap and a drink buffet with mason jars

We also brought in a ton of vintage finds from thrift stores – and even a few discarded items from a different historic home (don’t worry, we had permission.), like:

  • Vintage frames,
  • Custom stamped bottle labels,
  • Old mason and jelly jars,
  • Weathered wood boxes,
  • Old wood shutters,
  • Painted tin can flower vases, and
  • Fabric that looks like it’s straight out of granny’s quilting stash
vintage decorations around a birthday cake with a farm animal topper

A little note:

This party was 10 years ago – back when I still tried to transform the entire home for a single event. And, well, I don’t recommend doing that. Instead, I should have followed principles 4 and 5 when it comes to plannning a birthday party)

Oh well, live and learn.

Farm Birthday Party Food

While I consulted with the parents on what to serve, they actually made most of the food for the party…which made things much easier.

  • farm animal cake pops and party cones filled with snack mix
  • mason and jelly jars filled with vegetables with a rustic buffet label in front that says Vegetable patch
  • Wood berry baskets filled with fruit with a rustic buffet label that says The Orchard

All I had to make were the cake pops, the whoopie pies, and the labels for the buffet.

And in the vein of keeping things simple, we served easy-to-make foods, all renamed in ‘farm’ terms:

  • The Orchard: Wood baskets filled with fresh fruit
  • Vegetable Patch: Mason jars filled with sliced vegetable strips
  • Animal Feed: Chex mix and Annie’s bunny crackers in paper cones
  • Pig Pen: Pigs in a blanket
  • Haystacks: Macaroni and cheese muffins
  • Hatchlings: Deviled Eggs
  • Livestock: Farm animal ‘cake pops’

The Party Cake

The birthday girl’s mom made a coconut cake from scratch, which was completely delicious.

To top it off, I made this cute felt farm animal cake bunting. (aren’t those faces just adorable?)

coconut cake with a felt farm animal topper

Barnyard Party Favors

We were lucky enough to find these felt barnyard boxes in the Target One Spot. They were the perfect size for party favors.

felt barn favor boxes for a farm party with a red gingham mini bunting above

Obviously Target doesn’t still have them ten years later, but these ready-made boxes, and these printable boxes are great alternatives that are just as cute.

Inside the felt barn boxes, guests each received a half egg carton filled with red velvet whoopie pies and farm animal ‘cake pops’.

What is the one part of the party setup that you loved the most, and why?

a drink buffet with a backdrop that looks like a red barn, mason jars with red paper straws and red gingham tied around the openings

Well, I love the cake topper, but a close runner up is the felt barn backdrop on the drink buffet.

It took some time to pull together, even though it was just a 16×20 foam core board with felt shapes glued on top.

More Party Ideas You’ll Love:

  • Popcorn Corn on the Cob Favor Bags – These little DIY bags of popcorn are wrapped up to look just like an ear of corn! They’re a perfect choice when you’re on a budget.
  • Barnyard Donut Pops (A cake pop alternative!) – When you don’t have time to bake a cake, then roll it up into cake pops, donut holes are the perfect substitute. And with this post, you’ll get all the tips you need to make them look fantastic.
  • Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Swiss Meringue Buttercream – One word: yum.
  • 25 Easy First Birthday Party Foods to Serve – Make sure you keep your littlest ones safe at their party with these foods that everyone can enjoy.
  • Party games for Toddlers – You’ve invited a bunch of little ones to your home for a celebration. Now what are you going to do to keep them entertained? Here are 20 fun ideas for you all in a simple 3-step framework.

Where can I find the same supplies you used?

Many of the original vendors are no longer in business, but here are either the original vendors, or similar:

  • Buffet, Drink & Favor tags (text added after purchase) – Lazy Day Cottage
  • Brown Tulip Baking Cups – The Birthday House (similar)
  • Paper Straws – Thinkgarnish.com (similar)
  • Wood Berry Baskets – Thinkgarnish.com (similar)
  • Pig & Rooster Images – The Graphics Fairy

Now It’s Your Turn

There are so many different ways to decorate for a farm birthday party. I love that this party took me out of my typical style and comfort zone and into a world of vintage-inspired rustic goodness.

Which is your favorite part of this barnyard party?
Would you like to see a tutorial or printable version of one of my DIY projects? Let me know in the comments below
.

Note: This post was originally published February 16, 2011


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Filed Under: Kids Parties, Parties Tagged With: barnyard, first birthday, our parties, Vintage

About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she was determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  1. Lili says

    February 16, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I love the favor bags!!! Great job!!!

  2. A.Vang says

    February 16, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    What a darling party! You are very creative! I love how you used the mason jars!

  3. PunkRizz says

    February 16, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    This was one of the best parties we've ever had thanks to you! You're an awesome planner with amazingly creative ideas. (Geez, I could gush for a long time.) Plus you're a lovely sis-in-law. Thanks for everything!

  4. [email protected] Sort Of Fairytale says

    February 16, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    are you kidding me!? this is amazing!! i love, love, it ALL. i am bookmarking this for my kiddo's b-day parties to come…she's 7 months now. great job, so fun!

  5. PressedDownShakenTogether says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    REALLY cute! Love the red & white and all the little touches that made this party adorable!!

    Keri

  6. Megan says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    insanely cute! You did a great job! Love it all!

  7. Brittany @GreyGreyDesigns says

    February 16, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    Absolutely ADORABLE!!!!

  8. Margo says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    sooooo cute! love the burlap and gingham and the mason jars. It's nice to see a kid-friendly party that's stylish too.

  9. Kelsey says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:54 am

    Such a fun party! I've been thinking of doing a barn themed party for my son's 2nd birthday. I'd love to feature this on my new blog – https://www.everyday-is-a-celebration.blogspot.com/

    Please email me if your interested! [email protected]

    -Kelsey 🙂

  10. JC's Loft says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Oh my goodenss you did such a good job! I love the rag garland and all the touches of burlap. The "orchard" is such an adorable touch. Love that cake to!

    So glad I caught this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Paula

  11. Christina @ It's a Keeper says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    Hi! I host a weekly blog hop — It's a Keeper Thursdays. I'd love for you to stop by and link up!

    Thanks!
    Christina @ It's a Keeper
    https://www.everydaytastes.com/
    https://twitter.com/itsakeeperblog
    https://www.facebook.com/ItsAKeeper

  12. Setting the Mood says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    Beautiful job! I know packing and lugging your party items hours away has its own challenges. You did an amazing job! I love the egg crates full of goodies.

  13. Karen says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    I am seriously amazed. Seriously. Wowza.

  14. Leslie says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Thanks everyone for all your kind words. It was a lot of fun to pull together a party that's very different from my own style. I will miss them and am glad I got to be there for a big sendoff!

  15. ~The Bargain Babe says

    February 17, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    love love love. all of it. 🙂

  16. Kim @ Party Frosting! says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:32 am

    just GENIUS! I don't know what my fav part is! Buffet tags, favor bags, individual lunches – ugh! Just beautiful! great detail!

    hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!

  17. muddywaters12strg says

    September 2, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    That looks like it was fun. My niece just celebrated her 1st birthday. We got one of those dry erase game wheels for the adults. In the end everyone had fun.

  18. Bonnie Ferrell says

    March 28, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    glad i stumbled upon your blog on SITS. I'm planning a double barnyard party for my kids turning 1 and 3 within weeks of each other. Totally going to use some of your ideas.

    bonnbonnboutique.blogspot.com

  19. jamie says

    April 21, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Awww… this is so lovely!

  20. jamie says

    April 21, 2012 at 11:33 am

    Awww… this is so lovely!

I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. Here you'll find crafts, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too! Read More
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Looking for a little more creativity in your life? From Play Dates to Parties is the place for you!

Hi there! I’m Leslie! I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. At Playdates to Parties, you'll find crafts, ready-to-use cut files, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too!  {Read More}

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