What do you do for a child who is fascinated with dinosaurs? Throw them a dinosaur birthday party, of course! Critter turned three last week, making it the perfect time to celebrate being a “3-Rex.” The party was on a gorgeous sunny day, so we were able to have it in the backyard, but it can easily be adapted to host indoors. Are you ready to step back in time for a prehistoric dinosaur birthday party?
Dinosaur Decor:
I wanted simple, cute decorations that would be easy to clean after the party was over. On the arbor leading into our patio, I attached two lime green balloons. I made a banner that said”Dinos Welcome!” by attaching sparkly letters to a brown paper banner. I also cut the banner apart to use part of it at the treat table.
On the patio tables, I added adorable 3-D dinosaur decorations. I sat them on wooden cutting boards and pedestals to carry out the prehistoric theme. I used my potting table as a treat box table and attached an adorable dinosaur balloon to the top. I used another dinosaur balloon on the coffee table to continue the team.
The backdrop for the treat table was super easy to make. I hung a plastic dinosaur tablecloth on the wall. Then, I added reusable dinosaur wall stickers to make a background scene. The good thing about this was that after the party Critter can use the stickers on her bedroom wall. I also used half of the paper banner to make a sign saying “Jenna’s 3-Rex.”
On the treat table, I used a matching plastic dinosaur table cloth and two table runners. Continuing my theme of easy to make decor, I made dinosaur terrariums. I used three glass apothecary jars and added floral moss to each one. Finally, I added tiny plastic dinosaurs inside the jars. I wanted the table to have a taller decoration, so I used a small wooden crate in the center of the table. I painted it green and made a prehistoric scene with several small plastic dinosaurs and plastic greenery.
For the dino-pops holder, I used a small wooden tray. I added floral foam, arranged the lollipops, and covered the foam with floral moss. I surrounded the floral foam with burlap ribbon and added a couple of plastic green trees to complete the look.
I found some free dinosaur labels online and used them to label the food. To make the cute label holders, I placed plastic dinosaurs on wooden coasters and taped the labels to the bottom of the coasters. Just be sure you don’t tape fruit or veggie tags to the carnivores. Your guests will be sure to point this out.
I rounded out our look by adding blue plates and forks, orange dinosaur paw print napkins, and blue and orange dinosaur cups.
Dino-mite Treats:
This was an afternoon party so we made an easy lunch buffet. We started with the main dish; pizza. We make individual servings of veggies in cupcake liners. We used a mixture of celery, carrots, tomatoes, and broccoli. The dip was served on the side so guests could add it if they chose.
We added a mixed fruit tray of pineapple, grapes, apples, mango, and cantaloupe. Dessert was an adorable dinosaur cake. We finished off the meal by making a “watering hole.” Beverages included bottles of water, “Swamp Punch” (pink lemonade), and soft drinks.
Dinosaur Party Favors:
Instead of providing a prefilled treat bag, I got each child a dinosaur treat box. I added two dinosaur stamps to each box and placed a dinosaur name tag on the side of each box. Then, I allowed the kids to fill the boxes with goodies from our games. The kids found dinosaur eggs and added candy and treats from the pinata. They also had “dino pops” (lollipops) and boulders (gumballs) from the food table.
Dinosaur Party Games
Because most of the kids at the party were preschoolers, I wanted simple games that wouldn’t overstimulate them I used our turtle sandbox to bury “dinosaur eggs” filled with plastic dinosaur toys. The kids had a blast “digging” for eggs and kept playing in the sandbox with their eggs even after we had found them all.
Our next game was “Pin the head on the dinosaur.” This version of Pin the tail on the donkey allowed the kids to use dinosaur head stickers instead of pins. I thought this was much safer! Some of the kids were a little confused by the blindfold at first, but they quickly got the hang of it and wanted to play again.
We also tried our hand at a pinata. We tried to use a cute dinosaur pinata, but this idea was vetoed when Critter decided she loved it. After spending days carrying it around and saying, “I love you, baby dinosaur,” we used it as decor. We improvised at the last minute by tying a clean trash bag filled with candy to the branch instead. The kids spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the dinosaur pinata. And by playing, I mean pushing it around in a toy car or putting it in the sandbox with them.
I knew our games succeeded when one parent told me, “These games were great. It’s like you found the perfect balance.”
The party was a hit with all the guests, adults and children alike. What are your favorite simple party ideas?
Where to find the Decor:
Wholesale Party Supplies.com: dinosaur and green balloons, 3-D dinosaur centerpieces, treat boxes, pinata, pinata sticks, Pin the Head on the Dinosaur Game, banner, cups, plates, napkins, and forks, balloon weight, gumballs, lollipops, tablecloths, reusable dinosaur wall stickers, dinosaur eggs. dinosaur stamps, and cake topper.
Dollar Store: plastic dinosaurs, plastic greenery, sparkly letters for banner, floral foam, floral moss, cupcake liners, plastic tins for “boulders”
Online: Free Dinosaur printable labels
I had all of the items below on hand, but here’s where you could find them.
Craft Store: apothecary jars, small wooden crate, wooden tray, wooden coasters,
Pedestals, Round Wooden Cutting Boards, and the white dishes for fruit were from World Market. Their selection changes regularly so these items may no longer be in stock.
