If you’re looking to do something extra special to celebrate your little one’s birthday, a dinosaur party is sure to be a hit. Luckily, planning a party that looks like it took a lot more time and effort than it actually did can be easy when you use these tips to get started.
Choosing Decorations
Decorations set the tone for a party, and you can create a prehistoric atmosphere with a few simple accents. Hang some large dinosaur cut-outs from the ceiling or tape some colorful dinosaur shapes to the walls. Plain balloons can be made into dinos with some stuffing and markers or paint, and cardboard boxes can be turned into giant dinosaur heads, tails, or shapes. Metallic sprays can create shimmering accents, and paper beads can be added for texture and sparkle.
Inviting Guests
Making sure everyone knows about the party is the first step. Crafty? Try making your own invitations with construction paper, markers, and/or stickers, or you can use photo sites and services to create customized invites. Your guests will also appreciate being able to RSVP in a convenient way, so you could use an online platform such as Evite to coordinate.
Planning Fun Activities
A treasure hunt is an exciting idea; hide scoops of dino-themed playdough around the room (some with surprise treats inside) and have the kids dig for them with mini shovels. For a party favor, fill goody bags with dinosaur-related items such as mini dinosaurs, stamps, or books. Get creative with activities like creating a dino mural or a “who can make the biggest footprint” competition.
Crafting Dinosaur-Themed Treats
No party would be complete without treats! Decorate your cupcakes with cutouts of dinosaurs or plastic toys, or let the kids build their own edible dinos by using miniature marshmallows and cookies to make dinosaur heads and bodies. Serve lunch in paper dino cups or plastic eggshells, and customize dinner plates with your choice of colors, patterns, and of course, dinosaurs!
Creating the Perfect Playlist
It’s time to get the music going. Play some roaring music to get your guests in the prehistoric mood. Create a playlist with “The Land Before Time” soundtrack, some Michael Jackson classic beats, rock songs about dinosaurs, or just whatever is your kiddo’s favorite tunes at the moment. You can even blast some Jurassic Park movie soundtracks if you want.
Putting Together a Dinosaur-Themed Photo Booth
Capture your guests in silly dinosaur outfits by setting up a dinosaur photo booth! Hang a white sheet as a backdrop with other dino costumes and accessories scattered nearby. Then, provide disposable cameras or digital cameras that can be set up on a tripod so guests can take photos of each other. Get creative and customize your props by making dino hand puppets or masks that kids can wear while they snap pictures!
Selecting Games and Prizes
It’s always fun to have some competitive dinosaur games at the party. ‘Pin the Tail on the Brachiosaurus’ is always popular, or try ‘Triceratops Toss’ for something more active. You can also make a dino-inspired scavenger hunt by hiding things like paper bones and toy fossils throughout the party area. Use our themed prizes to award ‘winners’, like glow sticks that look like lightning bugs!
Choosing a Venue
Your party venue is important for a successful event. To keep things simple, consider having the party at your home. However, if you’d prefer to have the party outside, there are plenty of dinosaur-themed parks available that offer unique amenities like pools and playgrounds. For something more educational, why not take your little ones somewhere they can learn more about dinosaurs: like a museum or a natural history park.
Shopping for Supplies
Once you have your venue figured out, it’s time to start gathering supplies! Look for items at craft stores or big box stores like Target or Walmart–dinosaurs come in all shapes and sizes! Don’t forget to check online too; Etsy is great for personalized decorations that fit your color theme or budget. To save on time and money, you can also rent items like crafting supplies or decorations from local party planners and vendors.
Keeping Kids Entertained
To keep your guests entertained during the event, provide some dinosaur-related activities such as face painting or a dino egg hunt. This way, everyone will stay occupied while you handle the food and decorations. Don’t forget to provide some entertainment for adults too; you could organize dinosaur trivia or have guests join in on a dancing competition.
Cleaning up After the Party
The fun isn’t over when the cake is finished–it’s time to clean up! Start by gathering all of the paper plates, cups, and decorations that need to be disposed of. Place them in separate trash bags so they can easily be taken out to the curb. To make sure everything is sanitary, wipe down any surfaces that came into contact with food or make sure they got disposed of properly. Finally, collect any leftover decorations and put them away for future events.
Planning a dinosaur-themed party can be fun and rewarding. Keep your guests engaged by using these tips to plan the perfect celebration. With thoughtful decorations, activities, treats, and games in place, your little one’s birthday will be one for the ages.
