DISNEY DUMBO CIRCUS PARTY

(with free printable food tags)

As I was preparing for my circus themed party, my husband remarked, “aren’t you overdoing it?” Because to my husband, throwing food on a plate is doing enough. My daughter laughed and said, “I can show you some bloggers Pinterest Boards that would put mom’s party to shame.” And she can, but that is because I have made a conscious decision to plan cute and fun parties without overspending and overdoing it. I am offering tips to plan your own Disney Dumbo Circus Party (or just a circus party without Dumbo). Make sure to read to the bottom for the free printables!

WHY SIMPLIFY? Disney Dumbo Circus Party

My family wants the experience, but we don’t want the added expense. I want to be able to have fun experiences without falling into the “My party is bigger and better than yours” trap that has happened in our generation. I am tired of looking at perfectly curated parties and thinking, “Whatever happened to just being in the moment without overdoing it?” You know what I mean: $$$$$ spent on parties that you don’t have, excessive party treats bags that for every child, enough food to feed a herd of elephants, and spending countless hours planning, shopping, prepping, and making food and decorations.

I have stepped off of that hamster wheel into a sane resemblance of life. And I am loving every minute of it. I want cute and nice without crazy. The only way to get it is to give up the picture perfect ideas of what a party should look like and opt for a relationship based party. 

When your family and friends arrive, you want them to feel welcome, comfortable, and at home. You don’t want them to feel that they can never invite you over because things are so over the top and they can never live up to that. 

DISNEY DUMBO CIRCUS PARTY

I do not personally own tons of Dumbo merchandise, but I do have some general circus stuff. Since I do have a Dumbo popcorn bucket, I have opted for that as a centerpiece with my main food which I kept simple. When you go to a circus, you expect certain foods, and those are included in my menu.

FOOD FOR THE CIRCUS THEMED PARTY

MAIN MENU FOR THE DISNEY DUMBO THEMED CIRCUS PARTY

Hot Dogs with condiments

Corn Dogs

Tossed Salad – Elephant Salad

Fresh fruit – I was going to make fruit kebabs and my daughter reminded me of what happens with the sticks – they become dangerous weapons in the hands of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.

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DESSERT BAR:

Popcorn

Peanuts

Animal Crackers

Frosted Animal Cookies

Cracker Jacks

Cotton Candy

Caramel Corn

(This caramel corn is like a drug, you will not be able to get enough of it.)

Cotton Candy Cupcakes which I flavored with Loran Oils

(I made gluten-free ones, but I also bought some vanilla gluten filled ones.)

Additional Food Suggestions for Disney Dumbo Circus Party

Lemon Shakes (or Lemon Shake Punch)

Funnel Cakes

Elephant Ears

Snow Cones

Candy Apples

Caramel Apples (slice and serve with caramel on the side for a quicker option)

Circus Peanuts

Hot Pretzels

Churros

I found this adorable idea for Chocolate Covered Dumbells using Marshmallows, Chocolate, and Paper Straws

CIRCUS THEMED DECOR FOR A SIMPLE, YET FUN PARTY

Decorations for a Simple Circus Themed Party

I kept these simple too. I tied a handful of balloons and hung them from the light fixtures. Red plastic tablecloths covered the food areas. 

Plastic animals that I already own were interspersed between the food. 

Additionally, the platters were ones that I owned. I used 2 cake plates and created a third one by turning a glass candle holder upside down and putting a glass platter on top.

ITEMS I PURCHASED FOR MY CIRCUS PARTY

I purchased a cotton candy machine, cotton candy sugar, and boxes for the treats, tablecloths, paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, knives and spoons, and balloons. You can also rent an industrial cotton candy machine if you want to have cotton candy for large groups of people. We made the cotton candy about 2 hours before the party, and then I displayed them in mason jars adding 2-3 sticks of cotton candy in each jar.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS YOU MAY WANT TO PURCHASE FOR A DUMBO PARTY

There are items that you may want to purchase such as a popcorn machine, snow cone maker, Dumbo decor, circus games, etc.

FOR FREE FOOD TENTS (AND ONES YOU CAN FILL IN YOURSELF), CLICK HERE!

Homeschooling with Movies: DUMBO