I love that my Pinterest feed lately has been filled with fun Mexican fiesta birthday party ideas, featuring llamas and cute little cactus, as we head into Cinco de Mayo. But, who says that it has to be May 5th in order for us to enjoy a fun fiesta? If you are wanting to plan the perfect party for your little one (or for yourself), I can’t wait for you to keep scrolling.
I’ve gathered some of the most amazing llama and cactus birthday ideas for you here, in one place, with links on where to purchase various items as well. Below you’ll see my fool-proof way to throw a Pinterest-worthy bash for your baby in simple easy-to-follow steps.
Plus, we’ll talk menu ideas, decor themes, balloon mosaics (wait till you see these), favors, and activities. And, I’ve featured some of my favorite llama and cactus themed parties from Pinterest for you to get your creative juices flowing (I can’t wait for you to see the “paint a llama with your mama” idea). So, sit back, relax, maybe grab a taco (or a margarita…no judgement), and let’s plan your first birthday party together. Let’s get started…
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Llama Birthday Decor
Picking a theme for your child’s birthday bash is half the fun. What’s the other half? Choosing a color scheme and decor elements that are simple enough to pull off (without wanting to pull your hair out) and yet bold enough to look amazing to all those who come to celebrate. Let’s start with some design elements and color schemes to get your creative juices flowing.
Here are some of my favorite fiesta party decor ideas that feature llamas and cacti galore…
Choosing a Color Scheme for Party Decor…
First, you’ll want to choose a color scheme and overall “feel” for your party. Are you wanting to go super girly using soft pastels, aquas, and fuchsia, or are you wanting to go more gender-neutral and fun featuring bold textiles and primary colors like in a true Mexican fiesta. Base these choices on what the birthday girl or boy would like, and also the time of year and location where to plan to host your party.
Once you have an overall feel and color scheme chosen for your party, you’ll be able to move onto design elements which I’ll walk you through next. If you’re stumped on color schemes and general ideas for your party, don’t worry. Just keep scrolling for a ton of inspiration. Check out the llama and cactus birthday cakes and cookies below for some ideas, and take a gander at the already planned parties at the end of this post for the ultimate inspiration.
Balloon Arches & Decor
Is a birthday party even complete without balloons? I say, no. The more the merrier, in my opinion. I have absolutely fallen in love with the balloon arch craze, have you? Don’t know what a balloon arch is. Well, you’re about to become quite aquainted, but before your brain starts to tell you these are too hard for you to make, stop and take a breath. I’ve included some Etsy links below where you can shop for simple DIY balloon arches to match for party. It is a lot simpler than you may think to create such a statement at your child’s birthday. Check these out…
Welcome Decor: AKA Front Yard/Door Birthday Decorating Ideas…
Now, let’s split your decor up into easy sections so you can plan better. First let’s start with the Front Door or the entrance to your party. I love the idea below of creating a hexagon frame and attaching balloon arches of various sizes to the frame. This blogger/mama even added tropical flowers to her balloon arrangements to add an extra punch of color. And, I love the “party” balloon wording in the center of this structure. This could rest in your front yard welcoming all of your guests to your party, and certainly display your theme and color scheme right from the get go. For more Welcome Decor ideas, check out my Pinterest page here.
Think about other ways you could dress up your front door or entrance. Maybe a wreath, a name sign, a balloon arch draped around the top of your door frame. The ideas of endless. You’ll see more great ideas below to give your more inspiration.
Tablescape #1: Sweet & Cake Table
The next decor area of a Dessert or Sweet table where you can proudly display your cake as well as many other treats. I love offering some grab ‘n go sweet option as any party, cause sugar just makes a party sweeter (& wilder). I also love to display and offer decorative cookies to match the theme (there’s a ton of cookie inspiration below).
This Sweet/Cake table once again sets the mood for the party. This is another color scheme that might resonate with you and your little one. This is a very “out west, desert” theme, in my opinion. It’s simply perfect with the draped pom pom and tassel garland and cactus background. And, I love the soft hues of peach and mint. See how you can easily create a Pinterst-worty party by DIY’ing a sweet table to that designer effect?
Tablescape #2: Gift &/or Favor Table
If you have the space, think about decorating a gift table where you can also feature favor bags for your guests. You can follow the same color scheme and overall feel of your party, but make this table a little bit different. I love that this family used their dining room table to display the gifts and favors, and that they dressed up their bay window with llama and cactus garland. And, covering the floor with balloons is always such a fun, festive, and simple way to decorate and add pops of color.
Tablescape #3: Food & Beverage Table
Next let’s talk about a food and beverage station. If you happen to have a lot of space (and a lot of tables) this could be yet another tablescape to decorate, or this could simply be the countertops in your kitchen. Add pops of color using streamers or garland and maybe a balloon or two to your kitchen to create a festive vibe in there as well. We’ll talk menu items and beverages shortly, so stay tuned.
Tablescape #4: Kids Table
Of course, there has to be a kids table at any birthday party for youngsters, right? I love how this mama set up folding tables in the yard and covered them with festive striped tablecloths. She bought plates and flatware that matched their color scheme and theme, and decorated the tables with simple bright and fun floral arrangements.
You don’t have to be this fancy, though. You could spread blankets all over your lawn for the kids to have a picnic or let them eat on the go. Go with whatever matches your party’s theme and overall vibe.
Photo Wall & Props
Another fun option and decor area is a photo wall. I love having a place for guests to take a picture so that they can be added to the memory album later. You could even have a friend or family member stationed at the photo wall to take pictures of the other guests to send to you afterwards. I love this simple photo wall. More about this monochromatic cactus party below.
Llama & Cactus-Themed Balloon Mosaics
Ok, now that you’ve got your main decor areas to think about…your entrance, sweet/cake table, gift/favor table, food/beverage station, kids table, and photo wall…let’s take a gander at these magnificent balloon mosaic options to add a punch of wow to your decor!
Have you ever heard of balloon mosaics? I hadn’t either until recently, and obviously fell head over heels in love. I’ve left links below where you can purchase the frame and DIY instructions on how to create these adorable llama and cactus designs. They are like putting together a balloon puzzle. Will you bite the bullet and give it a try?
Llama Birthday Party DIY Projects
While we’re on the topic of DIY projects, let’s look at these simpler project that would be perfect for a llama or cactus themed fiesta. I’ve included directions on how to make pom pom party hats below, as well as simple pom pom balloons. Drive home your color shame and theme with these simple DIY’s that your guests and guest of honor will surely love!
Pom Pom Party Hat
Pom Pom Balloons
Llama-Themed Birthday Party Games, Favors, & Activities
To me, games, favors, and activities are just as important as your overall party theme and color scheme. This is where the magic happens and where you can leave your guests filled with memories and fun-times to reminisce about for years to come. These ideas are truly what take your party to the next level.
Here are some fun ideas for your llama and/or cactus-themed fiesta….
Llama Pinata
What fiesta is complete without a pinata? The kids (and adults) will go crazy over these super cute pinatas from Etsy that you can filled with trinkets and treats.
Cactus Pinata
Paint a Llama
Below you’ll see a party where the guests were invited to paint llama in their pajamas with their mamas all within a traveling art bus that visited this lucky birthday girls house. Oh my goodness…too cute! Check your local area for traveling activity buses similar to the one featured in this party. Scroll below to see more details of this llama pajama party…I think it might be my favorite party so far.
Adopt a Llama
Another cute idea for an activity and a favor is to “adopt a llama”. You can purchase small stuffed llamas for your guests to adopt at the party. I love this adorable party theme that you’ll see more of below, and that they even included tiny birth certificates for the llamas. Each little guest got to choose a name and birthdate for their adopted llama. So cute.
Visit from a Real Llama
And, if you really want to knock the socks off of your guests, why not invite a real-life llama to join you at your party. Check with your local farmers to see if they have an alpaca or a llama that they take to events so people can learn more about them. What a fun idea.
Party Menu & Beverage Ideas
The next thing to discuss in the menu and beverage options at your party. Once again, this is based on your theme and overall feeling for your party. You may want to include a lot of Mexican dishes if you’re going for a fiesta vibe, and maybe offer some adult and child sangrias or margaritas.
You may have even fallen in love with the llama pajama party I’ve shared below and plan to serve pancakes with little bottles of syrup, fruit salad, and display a coffee bar. Your menu and beverage options should reflect the party you’re having. And, you could certainly keep it simple and have it catered by ordering Mexican fare from your favorite local Mexican restaurant or have a taco truck come for a visit to your home.
Plan to have one or two main dish options, with several appetizer/side dish options, as well as a few dessert choices (on that sweet table) besides cake. Or you could plan to have your birthday party in the afternoon and only offer sweet and cake. It completely up to you based on your budget and theme.
Llama Birthday Cake Designs
The main menu item for any birthday party is the cake, am I right? I’ve included several llama-themed cakes below to give you some inspiration. Some you could easily make yourself at home by adding some llama decorations from Etsy or some decorative cookies to. And, some of the other designs would be great options to take to your baker to have them create a masterpiece that matches your theme and colors. Let’s get inspired, shall we….
Cactus Birthday Cake Designs
Now let’s check out some of these amazing cactus birthday cake designs….
Llama, Cactus, & Fiesta Decorative Cookie Ideas
Like I mentioned before, I love displaying decorative cookies (on the sweet table) and giving them as favors at parties. They are a super simple, and typically affordable, way to add an extra punch of color to your party and really drive home your theme. Check out these cute llama, cactus, and fiesta-themed decorative cookie ideas…
Llama Birthday Party Outfits
It wouldn’t be a fun birthday, without some matching outfits. Always search Etsy for customizable birthday outfits, tutus, hats, crowns, etc to take your party to the next level of cuteness. Below I’ve shared the link to shop llama birthday outfits & matching Mommy & Me t-shirts on Etsy, as well as a small shop where you can find Mexican pom dresses.
My Favorite Llama & Cactus Birthday Parties on Pinterest…
Now that you’ve got a good handle on the steps to take to plan the perfect party, let me show you some of my inspiration for this post. These are my absolute favorite llama and cactus themed parties on Pinterest. Just trust me, you’ll love them too and gain so much inspiration. Enjoy…
“Adopt a Llama” Birthday Party
This birthday party is so cheerful. I love all of the confetti, polka dots, the 2 cakes, and of course the adopt a llama station. This is one for the record books. Click the link above or below each picture for more details on this adorably cute llama birthday party and ideas on where to purchase similar items for your party.
“Cute As A Cactus” 1st Birthday Party
This 1st birthday party is perfect for your little mister. I love the monochromatic, western vibe. I’m not sure cactuses have ever looked so cute as they do here as macaroons and topping cupcakes. This party is simple yet impactful. I love it…
An Elegant Cactus Fiesta
I just had to include this beautiful fiesta. This is a more grown up party, hence the wording “Mamacitas Y Margaritas”. I love the color scheme, the favors, and the overall chill feeling of this gorgeous party. It would be the perfect theme for a baby shower as well, don’t you think?
“Llama Llama Paint Pajama”
Now you’ve reached my favorite party idea! I love, love, LOVE this party concept for boys or girls. It features bright colors, llamas (even a real one), a traveling art bus for painting, and stacks upon stacks of pancakes. I love this party! Click here to read more!
Cactus Themed Cinco De Mayo Party
This may just be the prettiest cactus party I’ve ever seen. This party features a cactus made entirely out of balloons, the most beautiful soft hues of pink and lime green, and a DIY cactus cupcake topper tutorial. Check it out…
“You Party Animal” Colorful Llama Birthday Party
If you are looking for a party that packs a punch of color, then you’ve found it! And, what’s cooler than a llama in sunglasses? These are my favorite llama decorative cookies too! So stinking cute!
Cactus-Themed 1st Birthday Fiesta- Featuring Blush Hues, Metallics, & Succulents
This 1st birthday fiesta is simply gorgeous. It features hues of blush with bold metallics. They used succulents to really drive home the cactus feeling, and I love the fringy pinata and cactus photo wall. You have to see the cute party favors and that naked cake topped with succulents and gold streamers. This party you can’t miss…
“Whole Llama Fun” 1st Birthday Party
This party is filled to the brim with llama cuteness. You just have to see it to believe it. There are so many elements that are outstanding….
I hope you enjoyed these simply amazing party planning ideas and inspiration. If you’d like to make some Mexican fare for your fiesta party, click here for some of the best Mexican recipes on the planet. And, if you’re looking for even more birthday party planning inspiration, click here for a ton of Unicorn birthday ideas. What other birthday ideas are you interested in, cause I can’t wait to share more. Until then, follow me on Pinterest where I share a boat-load of inspiration every day!
