Setting the Mood at a Dinosaur Birthday Bash

Make caveman costumes for guests (no sewing required). Purchase inexpensive animal skin print (summer) or fake fur (winter) remnants and thick rope or cording from your local fabric store. Use your child for a pattern. Cut a hole in the middle of the fabric so it drapes down the front and back, trim it to an appropriate length, and tie with a rope at the waist.

Use chalk to make dino prints and caveman drawings on the driveway or on the path to your door. Then, inside the party area, play music from the Flintstones. There is also a great children's singing duo called "Trout Fishing in America" (that's really their name) that has some very funny dinosaur songs. Their tapes can be found in upscale book and music stores, or at Amazon.com.

Additional decorations may include big rocks and ferns. You can use wide green crepe paper to cut out fern leaves if you don't have access to live ferns. For a final touch, make a volcano centerpiece (see our Erupting Volcano Activity) using Paper Mache and brown paint, and place dry ice in the center to create the effect of steam escaping.

Dinosaur Delights

Pterodactyl Chicken Wings: Wash and dry the chicken wings. Dip each wing in barbecue sauce, and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn the wings carefully, and then bake them for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Chocolate Volcano Cake: Bake three or four layers of round cakes. Stack the layers, frosting between each one as you go. Use a knife to cut the layers into an inverted cone shape. Frost the outside with chocolate frosting. Chill for one hour. Sprinkle the cake with crushed Oreos and broken red lollipop pieces. Pour strawberry ice cream shell topping, which will harden when it comes into contact with the cold icing, down the sides of the cake.

We also have a great recipe you may enjoy for a Dinosaur Birthday Cake. Whichever treats you choose, serve these delights on adorable dinosaur party plates.