What do you need for a dinosaur party?

A dinosaur party needs more than dinosaur decorations. Plan for food and drinks, reusable tableware, activity supplies and a safe setup for the treasure hunt and dinosaur dig. Use the guest count to work out quantities, then buy shelf-stable items first and fresh food closer to the day. This list also covers easy-to-miss items such as batteries, extension cords, serving tools, prize bags and somewhere to store coats and gifts.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Cake knife
Cake server

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Batteriesqty 12

Decorations

Dinosaur garlandsqty 4
Green balloonsqty 30
Brown balloonsqty 20
Dinosaur platesqty 8
Dinosaur tableclothsqty 6
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tapeqty 4
Gift bagsqty 30

Sports equipment

Conesqty 12
Hoopsqty 6
Soft ballsqty 8
Skipping ropesqty 6

Gifts

Dinosaur stickersqty 40
Dinosaur puzzlesqty 30

Crafting

Craft table runnersqty 3
Colored pencilsqty 30
Markersqty 24
Craft paperqty 100
Cardboard cupsqty 40
Children's apronsqty 10
Children's scissorsqty 10
Glue sticksqty 12
Paintqty 8
Paintbrushesqty 20
Wax crayonsqty 24
Dinosaur stampsqty 6
Play sandqty 10
Plastic digging brushesqty 10
Plastic dinosaur figuresqty 30

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
Night lightsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Mini pistolets - 40 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Croissants - 30 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 750 grams
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Mini cookies - 4 packs
- Cupcakes - 36 pieces
- Dinosaur cake - 1 piece
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Cake candles - 1 pack
- Matches - 1 box
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 1 pack
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then one drink per child for each additional hour. Chill them in the coolers before guests arrive and keep extra water available.
Buy one reusable plate, cup and set of cutlery per guest, plus at least five extra place settings. Add serving platters, serving spoons, a cake knife and a cake server so food is not left to be handled.
For the dinosaur hunt, prepare one clue or activity point per group and have a few spare prizes ready. Gift bags should be filled before the party, not while children are waiting at the prize table.
Allow one table for food and another for crafts or the dinosaur dig if space permits. Bring tape, a balloon pump and enough balloons to decorate without relying on children or guests to inflate them.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, batteries and extension cords the day before. Check that cones, hoops, soft balls and skipping ropes are suitable for the play area, and remove trip hazards before setup.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a dinosaur party?: Allow two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then one per hour after that. Plan one main snack portion and one sweet portion per guest, plus 10% extra for unexpected guests or seconds. Check dietary requirements before shopping.
How many plates, cups and cutlery do I need for a dinosaur party?: Use one plate, cup and cutlery set per guest, with five to ten spare settings depending on the group size. For 20 children, prepare at least 22 of each item so replacements are available during the party.
What do I need for a dinosaur treasure hunt?: Prepare one clear clue or station per group, cones to mark boundaries and a small prize for each child. Have the prize table and gift bags ready at least 30 minutes before guests arrive, so the hunt does not run late.
When should I buy supplies for a dinosaur party?: Buy decorations, tableware, activity equipment and non-perishable snacks 3 to 7 days beforehand. Buy cake, fresh fruit and chilled drinks 1 to 2 days before, then chill the drinks and check all equipment the day before.

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