I have discussed before about why we celebrate my daughter’s half birthday. Mostly it’s because her birthday falls a couple days after Christmas and I feel bad that she is mixed up with the hoopla of Christmas.
S has been very focused on camping this year. She was begging us for a camper so that we can go camping. She was so excited when we purchased one and now wants to go camping ALL THE TIME! She literately started crying when it was time to leave the campground and go home a couple weeks ago. So when thinking about what theme to use for her half birthday, camping was the perfect option!
For the Cake
You can use any cake mix and frosting that you would like. I took the easy way out and used store bought. I do recommend chocolate frosting so that the cake looks like dirt. Once the cakes have cooled and been frosted, I used brown sprinkles along the edges of the cake to emphasize the dirt look. Other options would be to use smashed up chocolate cookies or graham crackers or leave it off altogether.
Next is the fun part! I gathered a bunch of S’s toys to create a camping scene on her cake. Some of the pieces were Barbies and some were PlayMobil. Make sure to wash toys before placing on the cake. I did not have a tent that would work, so I went online and printed a cartoon picture of a tent on cardstock. Then I cut the tent out. I waited until right before serving the cake to place the pieces on for a couple reasons: my cake cover wasn’t high enough to accommodate the pieces and I wasn’t sure how the cardstock would hold up on frosting.
The Decorations
I kept the decorations minimal, but still being camping themed. I used items that I had around the house and did not purchase any decorations. Of course the party had to be outside; it is camping themed after all! I covered the cake table in a purple and red plaid blanket and the table in a red and white tablecloth. I placed thermoses on the cake table to add to the camping feel.
I asked my dad to cut two thick slices of wood for a stand for the cake. I love how these wood slices look and cannot wait to use them again!
S loved the camping themed party!
Want more birthday party ideas? How about Big Hero 6 or Doc McStuffins or Lego Friends or Frozen?
What is your favorite theme for a birthday party?
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This cake is adorable! A couple of years ago, I started including toys on my boys birthday cakes – and they love that more than anything else. I get a new toy – and no matter what it is, that’s their favorite toy for the year!
Thank you Karen! I love placing toys on top of the birthday cakes too! Make my life easier and S gets an additional “present”. 🙂
What an adorable cake! I love those decorations too! When my oldest was young (she’s 30 something now) we would celebate her half birthday also. Her birthday is Dec. 26. Those half bday parties are so fun! Please stop by and share at the Summer Family Fun party if you have time.
Thank you Shirley! Birthdays near Christmas are so hard!
So cute. I think your thoughts are in my brain! I am in the process of making camping themed cupcakes! I love how your firepit turned out. I’d never have thought of that.
Sounds awesome Aimee! I can’t wait to see what you create!
I never thought of using this as a theme, but it is perfect for my son! Pinning this to use as inspiration for the next birthday!!
Thank you Brittany!
I can’t wait to make a chocolate cake to try your camping decor…I know my son will love it!!
Ursula aka Blueridge Beauty
Thank you Ursula! The theme is so much fun!
Such a cute idea for a little camper’s b-day! I love the slices of wood you used for the cake stand!
My favorite part! I love those slices of wood!
This cake looks fun. I not good at decorating or artistic stuff. You are so talented. 🙂
Thank you Mary! That’s what is so nice about using toys on top of the cake! I don’t have to try and pipe frosting 🙂
Gosh, this looks so tempting!
Thanks Lux!
What a cute theme! I love that cake!
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Thank you Brandyn!
I like the idea of a camping themed birthday party. We’ve had a lot of birthdays in this house, but never a camping party.
Also, my brother used to do half-birthdays when he was a kid for the same reason. It was right before Christmas.
#mondayformoms
Thank you Jenny! Yay for half-birthday! 🙂
Love that cake what a fun party theme!
Thank you Valerie!
We did a camping party for our daughter this year, too! Visiting & pinning from LouLou Girls.
Thank you Lisa! I love the camping theme idea…so fun!
So creative! This is an awesome theme. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday:-)
Thank you Sherry!