print view

Kids love to receive gifts even at someone else’s birthday party. Make sure that you offer plenty of favors and prizes for the games and activities. Purchase small items for the games with multiple winners from a dollar store.

How to Play

Safari hats
Plastic binoculars
Markers
Party bag
Various prizes for game winners

1. When each child enters dinosaur country, give them a straw or plastic safari hat. They are in search of wild beasts and need to look the part.

2. Also give them a pair of plastic binoculars so that they can explore their surroundings. Use a permanent marker to write each child’s name on their hat and binoculars in case they get misplaced. Now they are ready to play all of the games you’ve set up.

3. A dinosaur bag should be given out for prize collection. The children must take their bag from game to game to hold their prizes if they win. Once you know who will be attending the party, personalize each bag with their name. In case a few guests forgot to R.S.V.P., keep extra bags on hand for unexpected guests.

4. When the kids go on the dinosaur egg hunt, the eggs they find contain their prizes. Small dinosaur figures can be bought in bulk from a dollar store. They are small enough to fit in the eggs.

*If the kids are young, don’t choose rubber balls or anything that is small enough for them to swallow and choke on. Use something edible like dinosaur crackers for them.

5. Purchase plush dinosaur toys for the fossil dig game. There should only be one winner so it’s okay to give a larger prize. If it is a game where the child can trade up for a better prize, offer the smaller prizes first.

*Remember: all of the prizes do not have to coordinate with the theme. Toy walkie-talkie’s or small puzzle games make great game prizes, too.

6. Place a small box next to each game area. Choose the toys that you will offer for that game or activity and keep them in that box. Kids will want their prizes right away. Make sure that each game host knows how to give out the prizes so that the system is fair.

7. Don’t forget to create gift bags for the party guests to take home after the party. You can include candy, small coloring books and crayon packs with a dinosaur theme, a small game or puzzle, and a toy if you wish. Once the kids go to eat, gather any extra prizes that weren’t given out. Divide them up among the gift bags for the kids to take home an extra treat.

Traditional party favors should be given out before the birthday song is sung. The children can blow their horns and whistles in celebration when your birthday boy or girl blows out the candles. Plastic whistles, horns, harmonicas, and other noisemakers are okay for children of all ages.

For younger kids, stay away from paper noisemakers. They like to chew on things and you will just end up with a lot of wet, sticky paper all over the place.