My family and I celebrated TWO happy campers turning 2 this past weekend with a fun little photo shoot and a movie in the back yard under the stars. Although we decided not to throw a big party like we usually do, I still had my heart set on a happy face themed birthday and I couldn’t convince myself to keep the decorations low key. So here we are! In this post I will be sharing how I put together this happy face backdrop, inspired by the cutest oversized romper! Let’s get into it!
What You'll Need
3-5 Small Hula Hoops (Dollar Tree)
2-3 Large Hula Hoops
Plastic Table Covers (Various Colors)
Black Vinyl
Wicker Yoga Seats (Optional)
Step 1
Start by cutting your plastic table covers into 1-2” strands. For the larger hula hoops, I cut the strands the full length of the table cover and I needed at least 2, but could have easily added a third for a little more coverage. For the smaller hula hoops I cut the strands the shorter length of the table cover and needed just 1 table cover.
Step 2
Next you’ll grab one strand at a time and use the Lark’s Head knot to attach each strand to the hula hoop. Continue until you have covered about half of the hula hoop. A little less than half is fine too if you are running out of strands.
Step 3
Using one of the same loose strands, wrap the bottom half of the hula hoop to cover the design of the hula hoop and secure it with scotch tape.
Step 4
Cut the strands hanging past the bottom of the hula hoop so that they hang flush around the edge of the hula hoop, making a circle. I found it easier to do this with the hula hoop hanging up. Don’t worry about making it perfect as you will touch it up more in a later step.
Step 5
Now arrange the hula hoops on the wall you are using for your backdrop. I was setting up my backdrop outdoors on stucco so I used small nails to hang them. If you are setting up indoors you can most definitely use command hooks instead. Once you have the hula hoops placed where you want them, go through and trim any strands that are hanging outside of the hula hoop.
*I had a few wicker floor seats that I ended up using as well to add some different texture but this is definitely not necessary.
Step 6
Now that the backdrop is set, you can add on the smiley faces. I cut mine out on vinyl using my Cricut machine. I placed the vinyl right on top of the strands at different angles so that the smiley faces were all facing slightly different directions.
There you have it! The perfect backdrop for a happy face themed birthday party! And to put an even bigger smile on your face, this backdrop only cost $30 to put together, with the most expensive material being the vinyl for the circuit. Not expensive at all!
If you’re not digging the happy face theme, you could easily use the same concept for Mickey or Minnie, peace signs, or emojis, just to throw out a few different ideas!
More of the Happy Camper party details will be up later this week! If you use this backdrop idea for your next birthday party, I would love it if you tagged me on Instagram!
As always, thank you so much for reading,
Jaci Johnson
Super cute and very clever idea Lindsay! Even cuter in person!! Thanks for sharing.