Planning a How to Train Your Dragon bash is easier than Hiccup learning to fly without a tail (well, almost!). To help you get started, we’ve got some fantastic tips and tricks to make it a truly unforgettable celebration. Plus, we have a fiery surprise waiting for you at the end – FREE editable How to Train Your Dragon birthday invitations that you can personalize with Canva in just a few clicks!
Introduction
How to Train Your Dragon’s enduring popularity is no mystery. It offers a captivating mix of action, humor, and heartwarming themes. Kids adore the spunky Hiccup, who defies expectations to forge a bond with the powerful Night Fury, Toothless. The film celebrates the power of friendship, courage, and embracing what makes you unique – all messages that resonate deeply with young minds.
This translates perfectly into a party setting. Dragons inspire awe and excitement, while the movie’s Viking setting adds a touch of adventure. Imagine the smiles on your little guests’ faces as they arrive, ready to embark on a dragon-filled birthday quest!
Invitation Inspirations
Calling All Dragon Riders!
Ditch the generic invitations and embrace the theme! Canva offers amazing free, downloadable, and editable templates featuring your favorite characters like Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Stormfly [Canva].
Design with Dragons in Mind
Let your imagination soar when designing your invitations. Use bold colors, like Hiccup’s green tunic and Toothless’ sleek black scales. Incorporate iconic elements from the film, such as Viking symbols or Hiccup’s prosthetic tail.
Personalize for Perfection
Don’t forget to personalize the invitations! Add details like your child’s name, age, and of course, the all-important party information: date, time, and location. You can even include a fun line like “Prepare for Dragon Training!” or “Dress as your favorite Viking or Dragon!”
FREE Editable How to Train Your Dragon Birthday Invitation
Now, let’s talk invitations! Remember that magical surprise we mentioned earlier? We’ve created awesome and FREE editable How to Train Your Dragon birthday invitations that you can personalize with your child’s name, party details, and even add a special message from Hiccup himself!
How to Get Your Free Invitations:
- Simply click this link to open your Canva app.
- You’ll find a variety of cool templates to choose from. Pick the one that best suits your party vision.
- Click on the template and you’ll be whisked away to the editing interface. Here, you can customize the text, fonts, colors, and even add your own photos to make the invitation truly unique.
- Once you’re happy with your design, save the invitation and download it as a PDF or JPG file.
- Then you can send it electronically or print it out and mail it to your guests.
Decorations Fit for a Dragon Master
Set the scene for an epic adventure with some fiery decorations! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Dragons Take Over! Craft or purchase banners featuring Hiccup, Toothless, and other beloved characters. Don’t forget to include fearsome (but friendly) dragons to complete the scene.
- Dine Like a Viking! Immerse your guests in the Viking culture with a themed table spread. Look for dragon-printed tablecloths, plates, and cups. Bonus points for using wooden utensils!
- Let the Colors Fly! Decorate your space with balloons and streamers in shades of black, green, and blue, reflecting the night fury’s magnificent colors and the Viking aesthetic.
DIY Decorations for the Extra Spark
Take your decorations to the next level with some fun DIY projects:
- Hatching a Plan? Create adorable dragon eggs using balloons, papier mache, or even surprise toys hidden inside!
- Channel Your Inner Viking! Craft sturdy Viking helmets from cardboard or paper mache. Don’t forget the horns!
- Spread Your Wings! Make simple yet impressive dragon wings for your guests using fabric scraps, felt, or cardboard.
Let’s Suit Up for Adventure!
The best part of any themed party is getting dressed up! Encourage your little Viking and their friends to transform into their favorite characters.
- Dragons Soar! Have them come dressed as their favorite dragon, whether it’s the sleek Night Fury, the playful Gronckle, or any other fire-breathing friend.
- DIY Dragon Dreams! Can’t find a pre-made costume? No worries! We’ll share some easy tips on creating your own dragon wings and Viking outfits at home in the next section.
Let the Dragon Games Begin!
Get ready to unleash your inner Viking with these exciting party activities:
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Dragon Training Academy: Prepare your guests for epic dragon adventures with a “train your dragon” obstacle course. Designate a space with tunnels, hurdles, and balance beams, and let the little Vikings race through with their trusty (stuffed) dragon companions.
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Hatchling Hijinks: Hide plastic dragon eggs around the party area and have the kids embark on a thrilling dragon egg hunt. The one who finds the most eggs wins a prize!
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Crafting Corner: Set up a designated crafting area where little Vikings can unleash their creativity. Provide materials for making fierce dragon masks using paper plates, colorful paints, and pipe cleaners. Don’t forget to include craft supplies for crafting sturdy Viking shields out of cardboard and aluminum foil.
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Story Time with Hiccup: Gather everyone around for a cozy story time session. Curl up with the birthday kid and read aloud from the How To Train Your Dragon series. This is a heartwarming way to take a break from the high-energy activities and bond over the beloved characters.
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Coloring the Day with Fun: Keep the little ones entertained with printable How To Train Your Dragon coloring pages. These can be downloaded online or found in activity books. This is a great option for quieter moments or party favors.
Food Fit for a Feast!
No Viking celebration is complete without a hearty feast! Here are some delightful food and drink ideas to fuel your dragon trainers:
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Dragonish Delights: Whip up a batch of delicious dragon-shaped cookies using cookie cutters. For a healthy twist, prepare fruit bowls shaped like Viking helmets. Don’t forget the popcorn! Make a big batch of “dragon fire popcorn” by adding a touch of red food coloring and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a fiery kick (adult supervision recommended for adding spice).
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The Main Course: Opt for crowd-pleasing dishes like chicken wings – perfect as “dragon wings!” Alternatively, prepare a Viking feast platter with an assortment of finger foods like mini sausages, cheese cubes, and pretzel sticks.
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Drinks fit for Valhalla: Quench your Viking thirst with a refreshing batch of “dragon blood” punch made with red fruit juice and a hint of grenadine. For the little ones, serve “Viking ale” which can be simply sparkling apple juice or lemonade.
Birthday Cake Ideas
No birthday is complete without a magnificent cake! Here are some ideas to create a show-stopping centerpiece:
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Toothless Takes Flight: Design a cake featuring the iconic Night Fury, Toothless. Use black frosting for the base and white frosting for details like eyes and teeth. Fondant cutouts can add further dimension to the design.
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Cupcake Crews: Cupcakes are another delightful option. Decorate them with colorful frosting, dragon scale sprinkles, and miniature dragon toys as toppers.
Party Favor Ideas
Send your little guests home with a reminder of their thrilling dragon training adventure. Here are some ideas for party favors:
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Dragon Toys: Every Viking needs a loyal dragon companion. Fill goodie bags with small dragon figurines or plush toys.
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Personalized Items: Add a special touch with dragon-themed stickers, temporary tattoos, and personalized thank-you notes featuring Hiccup and Toothless.
Conclusion
This is just a starting point to ignite your imagination! Don’t be afraid to add your own creative touches to make the party truly unique. Personalize decorations with your child’s favorite dragon characters, invent new games based on the movie, or even create a dragon training obstacle course!
With a little planning and a whole lot of fun, you’re sure to throw a How to Train Your Dragon birthday party that will leave your little Viking guests roaring with joy!
