What's a bash without a few party animals? Select your child's favorite -- we monkeyed around.

Cull stuffed animals from kids' rooms for a simple centerpiece (and ask guests to bring theirs). Your child can draw a picture and cut paper bananas for Pin the Banana on the Monkey. A banana cake is decorated to look like a monkey; it's set out on the table with fresh bananas, candies, and banana-flavored milk.

Favor How-To
Yellow lunch sacks become favor bags filled with candy and toys. Fold bag top, and punch two holes; slip a monkey bead or keychain onto cord, pass ends through the holes, and tie closed.

Monkey Cup How-To
Serve drinks in cups animated with construction paper. Use hole and craft punches to punch construction-paper circles for eyes, ears, and mouth; attach with a glue stick. For the mouth, cut a circle in half and leave a gap; for the ears, fold back a tab. Cut a paper tail; curl around your finger. For a favor pail, punch holes in a cup and add a pipe-cleaner handle.

Mask Invite How-To
For memorable, fun invitations, send out construction-paper masks with details written on the back (the same oval shape can be turned into a pig, bear, or other animal). Use the template to cut the outer shape from both brown and yellow construction paper; glue together with a glue stick, and cut out eye holes. Then use the template to cut out yellow features, and glue on. Punch holes at sides; tie on ribbons.