How to organise a dinosaur party

Start by fixing the guest list, collecting dietary requirements and sending parents the practical details. Then plan the party around two or three structured dinosaur activities, with food and drinks prepared separately so the schedule stays manageable. A dinosaur scavenger hunt, dinosaur dig and craft activity work best when materials are ready before guests arrive. Leave enough time for setup, especially decorations, the photo area, coolers and the prize table.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Send invitations
2
Process registrations
3
Collect dietary requirements
4
Send parents practical information
5
Print the run sheet and guest list
6
Do the shopping
2 people
7
Check cake and snacks
8
Fill coolers
2 people
9
Set up activities
2 people
10
Set up dinosaur scavenger hunt
2 people
11
Set up the prize table
12
Set up tables
2 people
13
Set out chairs
2 people
14
Set up the buffet
2 people
15
Lay out crockery and cutlery
16
Chill drinks
2 people
17
Hang decorations
2 people
18
Test the music and speaker
19
Set up the photo area
20
Check the safety of the play area
2 people

Event

21
Welcome guests
2 people
22
Accept gifts and coats
23
Guide the dinosaur treasure hunt
2 people
24
Make dinosaurs
2 people
25
Guide the dinosaur dig
2 people
26
Run the dino quiz
27
Hand out game prizes
28
Serve snacks
2 people
29
Refill drinks
30
Cut the cake
2 people
31
Serve cake and ice cream
2 people
32
Guide the candlelight moment
33
Take group photo
34
Coordinate music and dancing
35
Hand out farewell gifts

Aftercare

36
Collect waste
2 people
37
Clear away food and drinks
2 people
38
Wash dishes
2 people
39
Clear tables and chairs
2 people
40
Remove decorations
2 people
41
Clean the play area
2 people
42
Clean the kitchen
2 people
43
Check and clean the toilet
44
Count and store materials
2 people
45
Return borrowed items

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

Tips

Send invitations at least three weeks before the party and ask for registrations and dietary requirements by a clear deadline. Send parents the practical information no later than one week before the event.
Build a 90-minute to two-hour run sheet with a welcome, one active hunt, food, a dinosaur-making activity and the dinosaur dig. Print the run sheet and guest list so you are not relying on your phone.
Set up the scavenger hunt, cones, hoops, soft balls and skipping ropes before guests arrive. Mark the activity area clearly and check for trip hazards, loose extension cords and unsafe play equipment.
Chill drinks for at least four hours and fill the coolers before the first guest arrives. Put reusable plates, cups and cutlery at the buffet, and keep the cake knife and server together rather than searching for them later.
Prepare the prize table and photo area before decorating the rest of the room. Test the Bluetooth speaker, batteries and extension cords during setup, and keep gift bags ready for the end of the party.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I send dinosaur party invitations?: Send them about three weeks before the party. Ask guests to register at least seven days before the event so you can confirm food, seating and activity quantities.
How long should a dinosaur party last?: Plan for 90 minutes to two hours for younger children. Allow at least 30 minutes before the start for setup and 20 to 30 minutes afterward for clearing food, gifts and decorations.
What dinosaur party activities should I plan?: Choose two or three activities, such as a dinosaur scavenger hunt, making dinosaurs and a dinosaur dig. Give each activity 15 to 25 minutes and keep one short backup activity ready in case children finish early.
When should I prepare food and drinks for a dinosaur party?: Do the main shopping one to two days beforehand, then check the cake and snacks on the morning of the party. Chill drinks for at least four hours and set up the buffet shortly before guests arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.