by Sarah Torribio

Created on: August 02, 2007

If monkeys make your child smile, a monkey-themed gathering might be just the ticket for his or her next birthday party.

Of course, bananas should be incorporated into your snack menu. Try slicing peeled bananas in half lengthwise. Spread peanut butter on the bottom halves of your slices to make a peanut butter and banana sandwiches (make sure first than none of your young guests are allergic to peanuts). Banana splits are another decadent dessert incorporating this fruity treat.

Use your art skills to make a pin-the-tail-on-the-monkey game. Another fun game for active youngsters involves dancing to jungle-themed tunes. Spin tunes like the Tokens' rendition of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." When you stop the music mid-"weemoweh," players' should quickly get into their best monkey poses (scratching under their arms, walking on all fours, etc.) Each time the music stops, the last kid to go ape is out. The final child left standing gets a prize.

You can have plenty of fun decorating your party area like a jungle, including twisting large grocery bags until their texture resembles gnarled trees. Use the twisted bags, green construction-paper leaves and some tape to place a large "Poet-Tree" against the wall (This idea I nabbed from my 4th-grade teacher; Thanks, Mrs. Montgomery). Then, have the kids try their hands creating rhyming poems about monkeys and other jungle critters. These can be stapled to your poetry, with a copy later sent home with your party guests. A slew of green-filled helium balloons can add to the jungle ambiance.

Another game little hams might enjoy is a contest in which prizes are offered for the best monkey imitation, with physical and sonic silliness encouraged.

Don't forget to decorate your guests, too. With a little face paint, which you can find at most party or craft stores, and a little practice, you can make a monkey out of each kid. Or, get elaborate and let them choose from a variety of nature-themed patterns, from butterflies to ladybugs to lions. Don't forget to snap plenty of pictures. If you have a printer, pictures of these painted ladies and gentlemen will make wonderful party favors that their parents will appreciate.

And then there's quiet time. Depending on your guests' age and interests, you might want to read aloud some curious George books or pop a monkey or ape-themed movie in your DVD player. Try a completely ape-centric movie like "Dunston Checks In" or try a classic offering like one of the Pippi Longstocking films (remember her pet monkey, Mr. Nelson?).

With enough planning, your party might be such a success that you'll see a slew of monkey-themed shindigs pop up among your kid's playmates. Remember, monkey-see-monkey-do.

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