Soft Play, Balloons and a Giraffe or Two
Ava’s first birthday was nothing short of a wild adventure — and we were thrilled to be part of it. Held in a stunning Huntington Beach backyard overlooking the wetlands, this celebration had the perfect setting, perfect weather, and a family that went all in on the details.
From life-size animals to zebra print balloons, this “Wild One” safari theme had style, heart, and a few surprises along the way.
A Backyard with a View
The party took place in a Huntington Beach home with a backyard that backs up to open Bolsa Chica wetlands — meaning the vibe was peaceful, green, and totally unique. The weather couldn’t have been better: not too hot, not too cold — just a calm breeze and sunshine.
Mom, dad, and both sets of grandparents were there setting up and making sure everything was perfect for Ava’s big day. It felt like a true family affair, and that energy translated into every part of the celebration.
The Setup: Bold, Safari, and Beautiful
The theme was wild safari, but with a more realistic twist — no cartoon animals here. Instead, the family chose decor that featured lifelike giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and more, styled in a way that felt playful without being too whimsical.
We installed a double panel balloon backdrop, using a color palette of:
- Bright orange
- Whisper pink
- Light beige
- Lime green
- Accents of zebra print balloons to tie in the wild safari vibe
Alongside the panel, life-size giraffe props completed the look — making the setup feel immersive and just over-the-top enough.
For the kids, we added our white soft play set, complete with slide and ball pit, which looked amazing against the greenery and natural surroundings. And yes — the ball pit was definitely a favorite.
Balloon Emergency? We Made It Work
We always plan for a few challenges — but this time, we ran into a balloon problem we couldn’t predict. The zebra-print foil balloons (a major visual piece of the install) started to slowly deflate just before setup. And no, they weren’t underinflated. This was one of those rare occasions where the seams were just too loose.
We tried sealing and re-blowing, but they wouldn’t hold shape. So our team improvised by inserting smaller latex balloons inside the foil shells to give them structure — not something we do often, but it worked. The install held its shape, the look stayed cohesive, and no one could tell the difference.
Wild, Colorful, and Full of Love
It’s events like this that remind us what really makes a party special. Yes, the giraffes and zebra balloons were fun, but it was the energy of the family, the carefully chosen details, and the effort behind the scenes that made this Wild One birthday stand out.
We’re proud of how everything turned out — and even prouder of how we handled the unexpected.
See Ava’s Safari Celebration on Instagram
Want to see more of Ava’s Wild One setup — including the life-size animals and the soft play area in action? Check out the highlights from this day on our Instagram post here. Bright colors, balloon fixes, and giraffes await.
