Have a Dinosaur Party!

Dinosaurs are a perennial favorite child party theme. And creating a dinosaur party is easy and fun.

Use the ideas below as a springboard for your imagination. They are intended as suggestions only.

Most supplies can be made at home or purchased nearby inexpensively. I've also added links to reputable online suppliers if you'd rather your keyboard 'do the walking'.

So feel free to use as few or as many as you want and modify them as you wish.

Invitations
There's lots of options here.

You can cut out the shape of a bone on white or beige construction paper, glue it onto a colored card or rectangle of construction paper and write the invitation details on the back.

A variation is to cut out the shape of a brontasaurus or other kind of dinosaur.

You can take a blank card, write the invitation details in the center, then take a dinoasur stamp and stamp around the border.

Or just buy some ready-made.

Decor
Create "dinosaur tracks." You can do this with sidewalk chalk or tempura paint. If you want something less messy, Shindigz offers static cling dino footprints separately or as part of a party package.

You may want to create some signs... "Do Not Feed the Dinosaurs," "Jurassic Park" are two that come to mind.

Green streamers and hanging ferns suggest the prehistoric setting.

Pictures and posters of dinosaurs do a lot ot set the tone. If you don't already have some, your local Museum of Natural History or bookstore may have some. Or just, click here.

Activities and Games
Cave Painting
In the rec room, basement or garage, set up an area to do cave painting.

Take a wide roll of kraft paper or brown wrapping paper and cover the area to be painted. Cover the floor with drop cloths or newspaper. Provide cans of tempura paint and lots of brushes. Or substitute large crayons for the paint if you want to cut down on the mess.

When the painting is done (and dry-so do it at the beginning of the party), it can serve as a backdrop to the festivities.

Treasure Hunt
Works like a classical Easter egg hunt. Just use dinosaur eggs (color eggs with green food coloring), chocolate eggs, or small dinosaur toys.

The Last Dinosaur
Drape a large sheet over a card table to make a 'cave.' Choose one player to be "Tyrannosaurus Rex." The other 'dinosaurs' crawl around on the floor on their hands and knees. When T-Rex roars, all of the dinosaurs run to the cave. The last player becomes the next 'T-Rex.'

Watch a movie such as Jurassic Park.

Food
Cold chicken and turkey legs. Chocolate 'dinosaur' eggs.

Resources

These companies provide all-in-one packages that generally include coordinated plates, cups, utensils, invitations, balloons, streamers, etc.

You can usually find related games and other items, too.

• Birthday in a Box

• ShindigZ

• Pinatas.com

Search here to find interesting books to help you plan themes and activities for your child's party. You can also buy toys, games, and just about everything under the sun here, too.

Other children's party themes

• Astrology party

• Astronomy party

• Batman kids party party

• Dinosaur party

• Hawaiian party

• Pirate party

• Star Wars party

• Tea party

• Under the Sea party

• Children's Party Themes Intro

From Dinosaur Party to Home.