Is your kiddo obsessed with all things dinosaur? Hosting a dinosaur-themed party can lead to hours of prehistoric fun that will delight young adventurers. From decorations to activities, we've got you covered. This guide will walk you through how to throw a roaringly good dinosaur party.
Party Decorations & DIY Ideas
Transforming your space into a dinosaur paradise doesn't have to be expensive. With a little creativity, you can craft an unforgettable setting!
1. Dinosaur Footprint Pathway: Cut large dinosaur footprints from green or brown construction paper and tape them on the floor to create a dino trail leading to the party area.
2. Jungle Vibes: Add green streamers, indoor plants, or inflatable palm trees to mimic a jungle setting. Hanging faux vines or green balloons can add extra flair.
3. Backdrop for Photos: Create a DIY backdrop with craft paper. Use browns and greens to resemble a dinosaur landscape, and add cutouts of volcanoes, dinosaurs, and trees. If you're feeling extra ambitious, create a volcano from a frame of chicken wire and brown craft paper.
To create a volcano model using chicken wire, follow these steps:
- Gather the following materials: chicken wire, brown craft paper for the outside of the volcano (alternatively, a tablecloth or sheet can be used), red craft paper for lava (alternatively, tulle, fabric, or a plastic tablecloth can be used).
- Shape the chicken wire into a cone to form the volcano structure. You can attach the edges together.
- Secure the chicken wire using zip ties or wire. Consider placing duct tape over any sharp edges.
- Tape or hot glue craft paper to the chicken wire frame. Add details like lava flow coming out of the top and down the sides using red craft paper, tulle, fabric, or a plastic tablecloth.
4. DIY Dino Eggs: Make oversized dinosaur eggs from papier-mâché. Paint them in earthy tones and scatter them as part of the décor or stuff them with dinosaur toys for a piñata surprise.
Budget-Friendly Pro Tip:
Look around in your backyard or borrow items like plants and faux greenery from friends to cut costs.
Party Games & Activities
Keep the young guests entertained with dinosaur-themed games and hands-on activities. Here are some ideas to bring the prehistoric party to life.
1. Paleontologist Dig Game
What it is: Create a sand or kinetic sand bin filled with mini dinosaurs, minerals, toy fossils, and tools to excavate (paintbrushes, spoons, scoopers, and tweezers).
How to elevate it: Give each child a “Paleontologist Passport” they stamp when they find a fossil.
Alternate option or party favor idea: Provide dino skeleton dig kits, like GEOWorld, and/or give each guest their own mini dig kit to work on or take home.
2. Escape the Dinosaurs!
What it is: This is a fun twist on the Sharks and Minnows tag game. A player(s) volunteers to start out as a Dino (or you can randomly pick someone).
The other players must avoid becoming prey to the “dinosaurs” while racing around to different established safe bases (set a timer or count to signal when to move from base to base). If a player gets tagged by one of the dinos, they then become one of the dinos and join in the chase. The last person to get tagged wins. Kids will want to play multiple rounds. The person who wins is usually the one who starts the next round as the Dino.
How to elevate it: Give the “Dino(s)” a hat or arm band to differentiate themselves from their “prey”.
3. Hot Lava
What it is: Set up a backyard obstacle course where kids have to escape the erupting volcano by hopping across “lava rocks” (pillows, mats, flat rocks, or baseball bases), balancing across “logs” (balance beam or 2x4 wood beams), and climbing over “boulders” (chairs or big cushions), etc.
How to elevate it: Use red/orange fabric or a plastic tablecloth to simulate lava, and play rumbling sounds in the background for effect. Create a large model volcano from chicken wire and craft paper (see party decor section for instructions).
4. Dino Hats
Set up a crafting table with plain party hats, scissors, stickers, colorful paper, glue, and markers. Kids can create their own "dino horns" or "triceratops frills" to wear throughout the party.
5. Build a Dino
What it is: Create dinosaurs with recycled items and tape or ODDY invention kits. Kids can also use blocks, such as Plus Plus.
How to elevate: Provide art supplies and stickers to decorate the dinosaurs.
6. Pin the Tail on the Dinosaur
This classic party game gets a dinosaur twist! Print out or draw a picture of a dinosaur. Cut out different colored paper dino tails. Blindfold each child and see who can place the tail closest to the right spot.
7. Dinosaur Egg Relay
In this classic spoon race, use plastic ”Dino” (Easter) eggs with mini dino toy figures tucked inside. Have kids balance them on a spoon and race to a designated finish line without dropping their egg. When they reach the finish, they get to keep the egg and dino toy as a memento.
Party Food & Menu Ideas
No party is complete without delicious snacks! These dino-themed menu ideas will keep the kids fueled and excited.
1. Dino Cupcakes
Make cupcakes and top them off with colors to match your party. Add Dinosaur Toob figurines as toppers (bonus party favor). You can also add some crushed graham crackers on top.
2. Dino Egg Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients:
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Marshmallows
- Butter
- Food coloring
How-to:
- Make Rice Krispie treats per box directions, tinting the melted marshmallow mix with food coloring (Mix in sprinkles or candies for added fun!).
- Shape them into egg shapes with your hands (lightly buttered to prevent sticking).
3. Fossil Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- Sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Small plastic dinosaur toys (cleaned & sanitized)
- Optional: cinnamon sugar for a dusty fossil look
How-to:
- Roll out sugar cookie dough and cut into circles or ovals.
- Press dinosaur toys’ feet or bodies into the dough to leave fossil imprints. Toys are only for making an imprint - do not leave toys on the cookies.
- Bake as directed. Dust lightly with cinnamon sugar for effect.
4. Herbivore Veggie Cups (“Dino Food”)
Ingredients:
- Baby carrots, celery sticks, snap peas, and broccoli florets
- Ranch or hummus in small cups
- Green cupcake liners or mini cups for serving
How To:
- Fill cups with dip at the bottom.
- Stick veggies in upright like “prehistoric plants.”
- Add Dinosaur Toob figurines peeking out of the cup for decoration.
5. Roaring Dino Nuggets
Ingredients:
- Dino Chicken tenders
- Lava Dip (BBQ Sauce or Ketchup)
6. Dino Track Brownies
Bake a tray of brownies. After brownies are removed from the oven and cooled, press dino toy feet lightly into the top of the brownies to make dino tracks.
7. Lava Juice (Dino Punch)
Ingredients:
- Raspberry Sorbet and Sprite or Ginger Ale
- Optional: plastic dinosaurs around the punch bowl for decoration
How-to:
- Add Soda to a large bowl with a ladle for dipping out portions.
- Scoop sherbet on top before serving—it will melt and foam like lava.
Party Favors
Send each little guest home with a fun, dino-mite memory of the day! Here are some simple and creative ideas for party favors.
- Mini dinosaur figurines
- Mini dig kits
- Eugy Dinosaur 3D Puzzles
- Coloring Pages
- Stickers
- plush dino toys to Adopt a Dinosaur - Set up a small table with Safari Ltd. dinosaur toys or plush in a box or basket labeled "Adopt a Dinosaur."
Budget-Friendly Tips for Parents
Throwing an unforgettable dinosaur-themed party doesn't have to mean overspending. Here's how to keep costs manageable:
- DIY When Possible: From decorations to party favors, homemade items can look fantastic and cost much less.
- Repurpose Household Items: Use old sheets, string lights, and toys you already have on hand.
- Shop Early: Planning ahead allows you to take advantage of sales and reach out to friends to borrow items.
- Partner Up: Consider co-hosting the party with another parent if your child's birthday is close to that of another friend. Sharing resources and splitting costs benefits everyone.
- Recycle decor from Safari-themed or jungle parties.
With these dinosaur party ideas, you're well on your way to creating a prehistoric adventure that your child and their friends will reminisce about for ages! By focusing on DIY approaches, dinosaur-themed snacks, and engaging activities, your party will roar with excitement.
Happy party planning!
