Do you have a little one who's obsessed with all things dinosaurs? In that case, why not throw them a dinosaur themed party for their birthday this year? Much like Stacey Solomon's dinosaur party that she organised for her three-year-old son, Rex, you may want to take some of these dinosaur party ideas as inspiration for your own.
So, if you're looking to throw a roarsome birthday bash that'll never be forgotten, you're in luck. At Mother&Baby, we've got you covered. We've put together a guide to throwing your own party with the best decorations, food, games and more...
Not only that, but we've also included some DIY tutorials just in case you're a crafty parent, as well as some popular dinosaur party ideas as seen on Pinterest for even more inspiration. Here's how to throw your very own dinosaur party that won't be forgotten any time soon.
The best dinosaur party ideas
Throwing a kids' birthday party can take some work, but it doesn't have to be stressful. As long as you prepare plenty of time in advance, the process can actually be part of the fun. Not to mention, it'll definitely be worth it when you see the look on your little one's face.
• Invitations and guest list
Obviously, be sure to account for how many guests there will be, along with how much food and drink to provide. Additionally, make sure there are enough seats for guests to rest or dine.
To set the theme off just right, dinosaur invitations are a must. On your invitation, you should include: the name of your child; the child that they're inviting; who will be attending with the child; whether they have any dietary requirements; the date, time and location of the party; the intention behind the party; and your contact information.
• Decorations and table settings
A great touch would be to add some decoration for a bit of atmosphere. Backdrops, inflatables, banners, balloons and foliage will help to decorate the space. Sometimes, these can come in bundles to save you money. When it comes to the table, you can often buy dinosaur party supplies in packs. Napkins, plates, tablecloths and even party hats are usually included. You may even want to add your own finishing touches with confetti or centrepieces.
• Food and drink
To really impress your little guests, on theme food will go down a treat. If you're short on ideas, take a look at the video tutorial in our FAQ section. There, you'll find plenty of easy-to-follow recipes to get you started. Why not include dinosaur eggs, dino shaped sandwiches or a volcanic erupting cake on the menu to make it special?
Just don't forget to account for any allergies, intolerances or diet choices.
• Games and activities
If the weather is warm enough for them to play in the garden, you may want to involve a sandpit for them to excavate fossils in the sand. If it's during the colder months, pin the tail on the dinosaur can easily be moved indoors, too. Keep the weather in mind and plan accordingly for your space.
After the party, you may want to give your little guests a goodie bag to take away with them as a 'thank you' for attending. But, what should go into a party bag? Think dinosaur stationery, dinosaur treats or even dinosaur toys.
SHOP: The best dinosaur party ideas
Best dinosaur party invitations
www.etsy.com
These adorable handmade invites are the perfect invitation for your guests. Featuring a smiling dinosaur border and a somewhat muted colour palette, you can add personalisation up to 250 characters. Each card comes with its very own recycled kraft envelope, ready to hand out to your guests.
Review: "These dinosaur invitations are even more beautiful than in the photos. They were so lovely, and many people commented on them."
www.etsy.com
This template is provided so you can easily edit the invitation and customise the information yourself. As they can be instantly downloaded, these give you the freedom to get them printed whenever you wish. This unique dino design is sure to go down well with kids and parents alike.
Review: "So cute! I absolutely love these for my son's first birthday invites. Very easy to edit, download and print at staples! Buy it!"
www.etsy.com
Another template that can be instantly downloaded, these ones can also be customised to your liking. When you're ready, print them off from home or take them to be professionally printed. This colourful dinosaur print is sure to be a roaring success. They also come with thank-you tags, if you're wanting to tie them around any party bags you might give out.
Review: "Super cute invitation for my son's birthday party. So easy to customize and change to fit our party info."
Best dinosaur party decorations
Get kitted out with this assortment of dino decorations. From balloon arches to banners, cake toppers and temporary tattoos, you'll have everything you need in this party pack. Imagine their faces lighting up when they see all of their favourite dinosaurs on display.
Review: "Really good value pack with lots of items in it that created a brilliant display. The balloon arch we made was nice and thick and the holding tape helped position the balloons so they held together really nicely and prevented gaps. The Dino balloons were much larger than I anticipated and my little boy absolutely loved them. The happy birthday balloons were amazing and lasted an entire week."
www.etsy.com
Truly a party in a box, this pack features tableware and decorations, so you're sure to have everything covered. Banners, balloons, plates, napkins, cups and party bags are included. Just select the number of guests you expect to arrive, and everything is put together for you. Talk about taking the stress out of party planning.
Review: "Absolutely amazing exactly the pictures and look so good."
www.etsy.com
There's plenty to select from with this list of party supplies on Etsy. Whether it's tableware or decorations for getting your house ready to celebrate, this seller has it all. Featuring beautiful watercolour prints of colourful dinosaurs, there's an array of plates, napkins, ballons and banners to fit the theme.
Review: "Super high quality, very quick delivery, and everyone at the birthday party loved these decorations. Can only highly recommend them!"
These super cute party supplies will go down a treat, especially with younger audiences thanks to their adorable design. Made from non-toxic material this pack includes plates, cups, cutlery and napkins for making their birthday party extra special.
Review: "Really cute to go with my son's dinosaur themed birthday."
www.etsy.com
Another complete set of supplies, this Etsy seller has everything you'll need on their dino day. In a colour scheme of green and blue, you can even select from party games and activities with this pack. Impressive balloons, party hats and cake toppers will truly get the kids in the mood to celebrate.
Review: "Just as described and a great design for my son’s dinosaur birthday theme! Delivery was really quick too!"
A great one for older kids who are dino fans, this set features ferocious dinosaurs and a vibrant colour scheme. There's even an option for a pink dinosaur decoration pack, too. Complete with balloons, banners, plates, cups, napkins - and, not to forget, a table cover to avoid all of the mess!
Review: "Lots of really good quality party stuff in here. Sturdy plates and love the watercolour pics the look great on a small scale or large. recommended for dino lovers."
Best dinosaur party food
www.lolascupcakes.co.uk
A delicious selection of decorated cupcakes, these feature a variety of dino designs like a nest of dinosaur eggs and fossilised dinosaur footprints amongst others. For a small gathering, there's a box of six or a choice of a box of twelve for larger parties if you're looking to buy in bulk. Choose from vanilla or chocolate bases topped with coloured buttercream.
www.lolascupcakes.co.uk
How amazing is this dinosaur cake from Lola's Cupcakes? There are a few dino designs to choose from, including a blue dinosaur, if preferred. Depending on the size, you can choose between round or square designs. You can also decide on the cake board colour, as well as the flavour of the sponge. Lola's Cupcakes have truly thought of everything.
www.waitrose.com
This fun dinosaur design from Waitrose can be personalised for free with your own heartfelt birthday message. It does require eight days' notice, so make sure to be prepared. This adorable cake can serve up to 28 guests, and according to reviews, is sure to make a lasting impression on all who've attended.
Review: "We absolutely loved the cake. Beautiful colours, fresh soft icing and delicious sponge cake. I cannot fault this cake. We ordered the cupcakes too. The cake was gone within minutes and plates were empty! Everyone enjoyed this delicious masterpiece of a cake. Fresh and reliable delivery. Thank you Waitrose and Fiona Cairns! My 3yr old is still talking about his dinosaur cake!"
www.lakeland.co.uk
Wanting to make your own cakes, jellies or chocolates for the day? This mould means you'll be able to make dino shaped desserts for the kids at the party. They'll love the attention to detail on their favourite dinosaurs, but we're sure they'll love the taste even more! Dinosaur cookie cutters can be used to make cookies or sandwiches, too.
Review: "After reading mixed reviews on this product, I decided it was worth the risk trying this since I have a dinosaur mad son, whose birthday is fast approaching. Reviews suggested sticking to the recipe on the back of packaging, and since I am not a keen baker, I was not going to deviate. I also used the Lakeland release agent as suggested. Following the instructions to the letter (with the exception of the agent), these cakes came out perfectly! I’m so, so pleased."
Best dinosaur party activities
www.theworks.co.uk
If you're brave enough, you could put together a dinosaur painting activity for your guests, allowing them to take home their own painted dinosaur to put in their room. Just make sure to account for the mess! Alternatively, they could be used as party bag fillers for the kids to paint in their spare time.
Review: "These were great, and for a great price. We used them for party bag fillers for a birthday party and they were well received."
www.wilko.com
Sure to be a hit at any party, why not involve a dinosaur pinata as a fun activity for the kids? When you order one of these pinatas, a design will be chosen for you from the three available. As is the way with pinatas, see who can knock it down first and they're in for a prize.
The classic game 'pin the tail on the donkey' has had a makeover, and instead, kids can pin the tail on the dinosaur. Complete with blindfolds and 24 tails, everyone can have their turn. Of course, whoever can pin the tail the closest is the winner!
Review: "We used this for my son's 4th birthday party. He loved it."
Best dinosaur party bags
www.etsy.com
A creative way to present your guests with a goody bag, these Tyrannosaurus Rex party bags are nothing short of terrific. If you're wanting to match your tableware, there are plenty of party supplies from this Etsy seller to tie in with the dinosaur theme.
Review: "Absolutely love these bags, great colour and design. Just the right size too, not too big or small. Will buy from this seller again!"
www.etsy.com
In a vibrant dinosaur print, these party bags will go down a treat with little guests. Made from twine handles and plastic-free packaging, it's so easy to recycle the bags as well as the packaging. Plus, there's more to choose from with this Etsy seller, thanks to their range of dinosaur party supplies on offer.
Review: "Great product and my young nephews loved them!"
These fossilised dinosaurs are ready to party, making these bags the perfect goody bag for kids to take away with them. Made of non-toxic, eco-friendly and reusable cardboard, your guests may get even more use out of them. As they're made from sturdy material, they could even use them as a gift bag for their next party.
Review: "Bought these bags for my son's birthday, was able fit party favours and cake. Kids were pleased with their bags."
FAQs:
How to make DIY dinosaur party decorations?
If you're particularly crafty, you may want to save money on decorations by making your own. You'd be amazed at what you can create with some green-coloured card and a bit of string. Here are some DIY dinosaur decoration ideas for you to replicate.
How to make DIY dinosaur party food?
While you can buy shop-bought or premade food for your party, you may want to have a go at doing it yourself. So, here are some perfect recipes to really impress the guests. These are perfectly on theme, and some are surprisingly easy to make provided you have the right equipment.
Best dinosaur party idea inspiration
If you're looking for inspiration, there's plenty to be found online on Instagram or Pinterest. Here are just a few pins we've found that we think any dino-mad tot would be thrilled to see at their party: