Throwing a Dinosaur Birthday Party will be a piece of cake with these dino-mite party ideas including food, decor, games, and more!
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It’s official, today is my 30th birthday. It’s got me thinking a lot more than I expected. I know I’m only a year older than last year, but something about the big 3-0 makes you contemplate. I can’t believe how fast the last 30 years has gone and it’s made me want to make sure the next thirty are even better, so I’ve decided to embrace it and make 30 the best year yet. In honor of my big day I thought I’d share a fun dinosaur birthday party we put on for my son’s 4th birthday this past year.
(Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. The cost is the same to you. We simply try to make your party prep simpler by providing some options for you. Feel free to shop around!)
Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas
Invitation:
Use dinosaur themed wording on your invitation: “Roar! Please join us for some prehistoric fun and a dino-mite time!”
Dinosaur Party Decorations:
Dinosaur Balloons
A dinosaur balloon and arrow welcomes guests and show them where to go for the party.
Dinosaur Garland
Cute dinosaur garland sets the mood and adds a festive touch wherever you need it. I made this using my Silhouette, but you can find a similar garland here.
Plastic Dinosaurs
Invite some dinosaurs to the party, too! And don’t forget the party hats.
Dinosaur Party Food:
Dinosaur Eggs
Kids might not get excited about place cards normally, but they will love finding a dinosaur egg on their plate!
Grapes are dinosaur eggs everyone will love to eat!
Dinosaur Bones
And how about some dinosaur bones? Pick up some pretzel rods for a simple side dish!
Other Dinosaur Themed Food Ideas
We also had dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for the carnivores, carrot sticks for the herbivores, and “dinosaur toenails”(bugle chips) for everyone to eat, with “swamp water” to drink.
Party Games/Activities:
Paleontologist Passport
Each kid got a “Paleontologist Passport” with a page for every activity we had planned. They got a stamp when they completed each one, and by the end they officially become “Junior Paleontologists.”
Pin-the-hat-on-the-T-Rex
Dinosaur Bingo
Fossil Dig
These dinosaur fossils were a HUGE hit. We buried them in a sandbox along with some plastic fossils and let the kids go to town searching for them. For the recipe go here.
T-Rex Relay
Use some fun dinosaur props for a relay game. Similar dinosaur stilts found here.
Create a Dinosaur
Dinosaur Cupcake Decorating (and of course eating too!)
Take Home Party Favors:
The favors were inflatable dinosaurs from Dollar Tree. They worked great for a decoration and then the kids were thrilled they got to take one home!
Party Supply Shopping Guide
We’ve sourced some party supplies so you don’t have to!
Tip for Saving Money
Sometimes a themed party can be a lot of work, but I decided what kind of party I was going to do months in advance so I could keep my eye out for things when I was out and about. You’d be amazed at how many clearance or thrift store scores you can find if you just plan ahead a bit. I found the dinosaur bingo at our local thrift store. I got the dinosaur cupcake kit on clearance as well as the dinosaur notebooks for their favor bags. My son’s birthday was just after Easter so I scored clearance crackle plastic eggs that worked perfect as dinosaur eggs. Save yourself money and work by watching for things year round!
Get the Celebrate Simpler! Birthdays: Your Guide to Simpler Birthdays
You can get a cute Birthday Interview printable to keep track of all the favorites year after year.
Don’t Forget These Other Fun Birthday Tradition Ideas!
The Birthday Bundt Breakfast Cake
You can simplify the birthday breakfast with this tasty overnight birthday breakfast bundt. Add some candles for some extra festiveness! Get the recipe here.
The Birthday Shoe: A Magical Birthday Tradition
This magical birthday tradition is a favorite for all ages… it actually pays to get older. Read about this fun tradition here.
Click below for more Festive Ideas for Kids!
*So Festive for Kids is a series contributed by Andrea, a creative mom to 3 boys who always has a fun idea for the little ones. All photos and ideas are original to her.
Such cute ideas! What did you use to make the dinosaur garland?
Used a silhoutte cutting machine to cut out the shapes and then sewed them together!
Great ideas! I am wondering if u have printables for the dinosaur shaped banner? Tnx!
Used a silhoutte cutting machine to cut out the shapes and then sewed them together!
Hi, i was wondering where you made your dinosaur invitation. Loved it!
Such a cute party! may I ask where you got your printables (dino banner, food labels, passport) ? I am throwing a dinosaur party for my little one and these would be perfect! Thank you!