Dinosaur Birthday Party Theme Activities: Ages 4-12

One great thing about a dinosaur birthday party is that the theme is enjoyed by a large age range. Kids from 4 to 12 are fascinated with dinosaurs, making this a great option where you have a mix of ages. Apart from the dinosaur party trimmings like decorations, plates and dinosaur balloons, we like to offer dinosaur-related activities that will get kids engaged while thrilling them with surprises. A dinosaur theme party offers lots of ways to get kids involved in the fossil action.

Consider taking kids on a fictitious dinosaur hunt or expedition. Arm them with temporary dinosaur tattoos and binoculars and go on the hunt for dinosaurs. The hike ends in a sandbox or other area where you’ve hidden dinosaur “eggs” or “fossils,” that kids can keep as prizes. You may bury things like large dinosaur “eggs” with a dinosaur figurine inside. Award the junior paleontologists for their awesome discoveries and hard work!

Most kids have a favorite type of dinosaur. Cookie decorating is a great indoor party activity so with a Dinosaur Cookie Cutter, you can create a variety of dinosaur shapes, letting kids pick their favorites to decorate and eat. You may also reserve some dinosaur cookies for goodie bags.

Kids also love watching dinosaurs grow with magically expanding dinosaur figures. Called Grow Your Own Dinosaurs, all you need is a tub of water. Have kids place the small dinosaurs in water and see them grow larger before their very eyes.

Older dinosaur enthusiasts will love this Dinosaur Skeleton Assembly Kit as a party activity or favor.

We have always loved pinatas and a dinosaur pinata like this
“Little Dino 21″” Pinata”is a really fun way to celebrate a dinosaur birthday. Fill the pinata with gummy dinosaur candies.

Dim Sum Birthday Party Theme Around Chinese New Year

A dim sum birthday party is a great way to celebrate a birthday that falls around Chinese New Year (typically January/February).  Though a dim sum theme can be a blast any time of the year.  At a dim sum birthday party, you can enjoy a dizzying array of dishes, served tapas style.  Selections range from steamed dumplings and bbq pork buns, to fried shrimp balls, chicken wings, noodles and custard.    Dishes can be passed at the table or presented as a casual buffet.  If the number of dim sum dishes is daunting for you to prepare, you can easily cater a fabulous dim sum meal and spend more time enjoying yourself.  Remember to order personalized fortune cookies for dessert and offer party favors in fun, colorful Chinese takeout containers.

Flower decor is perfect for a dim sum birthday party as each type of flower has different symbolism in Chinese cultures.  For example, plum blossoms represent courage and hope, indicating rebirth and the beginning of a new spring.  Be sure to have stacks of tangerines, oranges and kumquats as they represent good luck.

Dim sum is most commonly served midday with tea, but an evening dim sum birthday party with the addition of cocktails or a nice lager would be delicious as well.

We tend to think of a dim sum birthday party as an event for adults, but the finger foods would be enjoyed by kids as well.

Birthday Party Favors For Adults

Birthday party favors aren’t just for kids.  Adults love leaving a birthday party with a remembrance of the occasion, particularly if they’re useful, special, personalized or delicious. (or a combination of each).

Useful party favors for adults could be a selection of nice bath products like soaps or lotions.  Spa-type gifts such as bath salts or scented candles are also welcome (particularly for ladies) and are something people don’t often buy for themselves.

One of our favorite special party favors for adults is a framed photo.   Choose a photograph that has some significance to the birthday party attendees.  Make duplicates and place copies in purchased picture frames.

We also enjoy giving personalized party favors to adults.   Some lovely stationery with their initials, or a book with a written inscription can be a personal and treasured memento.

Finally,  the party favor we like the best is the edible kind.   One thing we like to do is make cupcakes from the same recipe as the birthday cake.  We then send guests home with one or two beautiful cupcakes set in an attractive box.   Sometimes guests aren’t always feeling like birthday cake at a party, but you give them a taste for later when they’re ready.

Make Birthday Candy Sushi – Birthday Party Activity and Favor

What do you get when you combine rice krispie treats, fruit rollups, gummy worms and twizzlers?  (Besides sick).   You get candy sushi, a super fun, inexpensive birthday party activity for a family or group of friends.

Here’s a great demo of how to prep and roll candy sushi.   Instead of traditional sushi rolls that are made with steamed white rice, these use thin layers of rice krispie treats.  Inside each roll is a colorful combination of fruity, chewy treats.  You simply roll the ingredients together and slice into pieces to resemble sushi.

The writer remarked:

“The sushi was inexpensive and easy, more importantly the kids had fun. One child told me it was the best party she’d ever been to. I’m not quite sure if she’s been party deprived or an ass-kisser, but she certainly scored points with this mommy.”

Find great details and photos here:

Candy Sushi – how to make | mommyknows – a mommy blog.

Twilight Fan’s 30th Birthday Party at Home: Fab TV Theme

From place settings to signage and cupcakes, this Twilight-themed birthday party was destined to be a hit.  She even gave personalized wine glasses as party favors.  This birthday party goes to show that you can host fabulous events in your own home.  It looks like a lot of work, but she clearly had fun doing it.  Birthday party planning is a great chance to exercise your creativity, and finding inventive budget-friendly solutions is part of the fun.  It helps when you are truly passionate about the birthday party theme, in this case, Twilight.

Here’s an excerpt:

“The wine glasses I made were each persons favor. I printed their name in the Twilight font and taped it to the inside of the $1 wine glasses I picked up at the local dollar store, to trace.

On the other side was either a paw print, an umbrella or the words “Be Safe” in Edwards handwriting. Also printed off and taped inside to trace. I used paint markers for this, as glass paint was too difficult to be exact with and this was much faster.”

Plenty of photos after the jump.

The Sweeneys: The Epic Twilight Birthday Party (Part One).