Cracked Egg: Fold a large sheet of heavy white construction paper in half. Draw a large egg shape on one half, with the top of the egg on the fold. Cut out the egg through both halves, leaving the fold intact, to make an egg-shaped card. Photocopy a picture of the birthday child and glue the photocopy inside the card. Write party details around the picture. Mail to guests, who will "crack" the egg open for a surprise invitation inside.
Create a Land of the Dinosaurs: Cut out large footprints from construction paper and place them on the front walk, leading to the house. Hang dinosaur posters on the walls at child's eye level. Set out toy dinosaurs as a table centerpiece. Buy dinosaur paper products at a party store.
Dinosaur Tail Limbo: Cut out a large dinosaur tail from poster board. (Or decorate the cardboard piping from an empty roll of wrapping paper.) Play music while you hold the tail horizontally in the air. Have the kids walk or crawl under the dinosaur tail, then lower it each time they pass by.
Color-Me Dinosaur Puzzle: Trace an outline of a dinosaur on white construction paper. Cut the dinosaur out and then cut him into puzzle parts, such as arms, legs, head and so on - one puzzle piece for each child. Distribute the pieces and have the guests color their pieces. When everyone is finished, try to put the dinosaur back together!
Dino Dig: Hide plastic dinosaurs in a sandbox, either inside plastic eggs or by themselves. Let the young ones dig for dinosaurs and keep what they find. Watch kids closely to be sure no sand gets near their mouths!
Follow the Footsteps: Cut out large dinosaur footprints and set them a few inches apart all around the house. Place one dinosaur item every few feet for the children to discover. Have them follow the footprints to the hidden prizes.
Surprise Dinosaur Eggs: Buy some medium-sized white plastic eggs. Fill the eggs with dinosaur fruit snacks or dinosaur cookies. Close the eggs and give them to the children to decorate with stickers. Them have them open the eggs for a surprise inside.
Find some coloring books with pictures of dinosaurs and give them some crayons to color away!
Serve Dinosaur Sandwiches: Cut out dinosaur-shaped cheese and bread slices with dinosaur cookie cutters. Assemble the slices into sandwiches and serve to hungry dinosaur eaters.
Dinosaur Egg Cake
- Bake a round cake; allow to cool.
- Cut the cake with a knife down the middle in a zigzag pattern, to look like a cracked egg. Pull the egg apart a little.
- Cover the cake with white frosting.
Send the kids home with anything dinosaur: dolls, books, pictures, posters, stickers, hats and so on.
Let guests keep the dinosaur toys they find during the games.
Watch a children's dinosaur video.
Be sure to have enough dinosaur toys for everyone.
Avoid small toys or toys with detachable parts, to prevent the kids choking on the toys.