How to Train Your Dragon to Party
If you’ve seen the movies or series (or even read the books), you know that training a dragon is no easy task…
On the other hand, training a dragon to party is a much simpler process!
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Decorations & Activities
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Click on the links below for a list of supplies needed to create the decorations, activities, and party favors/bags I describe in this post.
Check Out These Party Decorations!
How to Train Your Dragon Party Decorations
Simple DIY Dragon Party Decorations
A friend of mine had to do some major convincing this year when it came to her son’s party theme. He’s a big fan of Batman and wanted to repeat that theme again (yep, that was his theme for last year’s party). He finally agreed to go with a “How to Train Your Dragon” party theme. Whew! Many of the decorations below are from his birthday party. You can access my collection of free dragon party templates by clicking on the “Download Templates” button on the right.
Dragon and Viking Birthday Banner
There are several options for HTTYD birthday banners, but this one was hand-crafted by yours truly! It works for a dragon OR Viking-themed party. You can find it in my party shop (or by clicking on the image above).
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
A Viking Ship in Your Living Room
A little cardboard, a cool design, and a Sharpie marker is all you need for this table decoration. I’ve seen some that were painted as well, but the plain cardboard works too. Add 3 or 4 shields (I suggest having your kids help you make them), and you’ll have plenty of color. The flag can be customized with a birthday banner as well.
Image credit: elo7.com.br
The First Touch
This is one of our favorite scenes in the first movie and looks great as a wall decoration. A life-size, or nearly so, Toothless (on black paper) would be an awesome wall decoration or backdrop as well. You can use a projector to trace your images onto butcher paper and then cut them out (and piece together in the case of the image above).
Image credit: Pinterest
Warning: Dragons Ahead!
Our front door sign was drawn by hand on scrapbook paper, but in hindsight, I wish we had included the warning sign as well. Something similar can probably be put together using KeyNote or PowerPoint (my go-to for banner and sign designs) and then converted into a PDF, printed, and laminated.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Image credit: DeviantArt.com
Custom Viking Shields
These can be created using cardboard or plastic platters from your local party supply store. Rather than painting them, I would suggest using felt to add a slight 3-D effect. The shields can be customized with a “family crest” for each party-goer.
Image credit: FrogPrincePaperie.com
Heart of a Chief - Soul of a Dragon
We found these posters on DeviantArt.com…one for each character from the movie. Very inspirational for young dragon trainers! I’ve included them in the templates (click on the “Download Templates” button above).
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Baa, Baa...Black Sheep
What would a good “How to Train Your Dragon” party be without some life-size (almost) sheep for the Vikings to tend (and chase during their dragon races)? Poly-fil and a piece of black posterboard with wiggly eyes is all you need for this cute decoration.
Image credit: CatchMyParty.com
The Dragons
The “How to Train Your Dragon” party decoration package we bought included hanging decorations for all 5 dragons. Unfortunately, this party package is no longer available on Amazon, but a quick Google search should help you find similar images of the dragons. Print them on larger paper (11X14 is good) and cut out. If you choose to hang your dragons, I highly suggest laminating them as their wings are quite large and tend to bend downward considerably.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Dragon Training Arena
You can see a couple of different versions of the dragon training arena gate above and below. The basic difference is shiny vs. normal duct tape. Here’s a helpful tip: if you plan a lot of parties, invest in a good tension rod (with ample adjustment). You can use it to hang decorations like this one in just about any doorway..
Image credit: Pinterest
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Cool Party Game Supplies!
How to Train Your Dragon Party Games and Activities
Fun and Easy Dragon Party Games and Activities
These “How to Train Your Dragon” party games and activities are fun for kids of all ages. We put together all of the components ourselves with a few simple supplies (see the supply list above) and some good ole’ fashioned elbow grease. Enjoy!
The First Thing Every Viking Needs? A Shield!
The most important piece of equipment for every Viking is a shield. Party guests enjoyed designing their own shields as part of their dragon training experience.
The shields were made from cardboard bases used for cakes (12 inches) which we purchased at a local party shop. One side was white for coloring and stickers and other such decorations. The other side was covered with wood print scrapbook paper, and a duct tape handle was added.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Dragon Racing
If you recall from the second movie, dragon racing is pretty popular on Berk. Part of the race includes catching and collecting sheep. Our sheep were made using ping pong balls, fluffy white yarn, and black paper with wiggly eyes for the face (or you can use the sheep face template).
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
The Dragon Hunters are Attacking!
After our dragon training activities, our young Vikings were prepared to have some cake and ice cream. But alas, their plans were thwarted by some nasty dragon hunters! They used craft (popsicle) stick catapults to fight off the hunters. It was tons of fun! After their training was complete, each Viking took home a dragon egg as a reward for their valiant effort.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Must-Have's for the Snack Table!
How to Train Your Dragon Party Food
How to Train Your Dragon to Party - Don't Forget the Snacks!
Dragons love snacks, and so do dragon trainers! Why not go all out on your party food? That’s what we do at my house! The food follows our party theme, just like everything else. Here are a few snack ideas for your “How to Train Your Dragon” party.
Dragon Snacks
If you’re planning to go all-out on your dragon party, you should definitely include some tasty (and even a few healthy) snacks to match your theme. We served “Veggies from the Gardens of Berk,” “Dragon Poop” (black olives), and “Fireballs” (cheese puffs).
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Guess How Many Dragon Eggs?
Our dragon eggs were peanut M&M’s, but you could use any egg-shaped candy (especially if you have guests with allergies). My daughter was extremely excited to win this game, and since she’s mildly allergic to peanuts, I was excited to eat the eggs for her!
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Fish Food for Your Dragon - and You!
Whatever you do, don’t forget the fish food for all the dragons (and dragon trainers) at your party! Red Swedish fish candies work well for this treat. Don’t be surprised if your dragon trainers eat more than their dragons!
Image credit: SpaceshipsandLaserBeams.com
Popcorn Sheep
This tasty treat is a party favorite! Simply form a ball of popcorn for the sheep’s body using plastic wrap and then add a face with tape. Super simple to make and serves as a great party snack or favor for later.
Image credit: CatchMyParty.com
Dragon Deviled Eggs
I love deviled eggs, so I tend to offer them as a tasty treat at (most of) my parties. Sometimes it’s hard to make them fit the theme, but they certainly do for this party. I might suggest dressing them up a bit and perhaps coloring the egg yolks or adding some seasoning (paprika is good).
Image credit: TheGraciousWife.com
Toothless Cake Topper
I made this adorable Toothless cake topper from polymer clay (one of my other hobbies). The idea came from the Deviant Art website. Because this is polymer clay, I suggest placing a small piece of wax paper under Toothless to protect him and the icing. If you’re not into clay, he could also be crafted from fondant. You can see how great our HTTYD cake turned out (photo below)!
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Sailing Right Into Their Mouths
Here are a couple (surprisingly) easy ideas if you were planning to serve a full meal at your “How to Train Your Dragon” party. Hot dogs and party sandwiches are always popular party food, and the sails and oars would be easy to add.
Image credit: BirthdayExpress.com
Image credit: BirthdayExpress.com
Party Favor Bags & Goodies!
How to Train Your Dragon Party Invitations and Favors
One-of-a-Kind Dragon Invitations and DIY Dragon Party Favor Bags!
No dragon party begins properly without a one-of-a-kind, themed invitation. And no dragon party ends on the proper note without an awesome goodie bag filled with “How to Train Your Dragon” party favors! Whether you make your own or go the digital route, invitations can really set the stage for a themed party…and those handmade favor bags are a great way to say “thanks for sharing my special day with me.”
Dragon Party Invitations
If you're looking for an original, yet simple, design, the invitation pictured above can be found in my party shop. The invitation idea below would also be fun. You can find Viking fonts on dafont.com, and the Toothless graphic is easy to find online as well. To add authenticity, consider burning the edges of your paper before rolling it up and tying with a piece of twine.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Image credit: Pinterest
Image credit: Fun365.OrientalTrading.com
Dragon Egg Invitations
These two ideas are my personal favorites, but they would require a bit more work (and expense) than a more traditional paper invitation. Instructions for the design above can be found at Fun365.com. The dragon egg invitation below can be purchased from Crack Me Creations’ shop on Etsy. What cool ideas!
Image credit: Crack Me Creations on Etsy
Toothless Favor Bags
Hopefully you can see the tail on the back of the bag on the left. These bags are adorable and easy to put together! My friend added a handmade “Book of Dragons” notebook, a dragon egg with a baby dragon inside, and a “catapult” made from craft sticks, a spoon and rubber bands.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
Book of Dragons
These simple books can be offered as party favors at the beginning of your party and used throughout the day for various activities and games. This design is unique in that it also includes the “dragon tooth” charm which can be worn as a necklace.
Image credit: LifeisaParty.ca
Adopt a Dragon!
If you can find these “How to Train Your Dragon” stuffies, they make great party favor gifts at the end of a long day of dragon training. If not, you can go with plastic dragons instead, which you can find on Amazon.
Image credit: Pinterest
Take Home Your Own Baby Dragon
All you need to DIY your own dragon eggs are some large Easter eggs, a permanent black marker, a “baby” dragon (plastic toy dragons work well, but make sure they’ll fit inside the eggs), and any other goodies you’d like to add.
Image credit: DetailsPartyDesigns
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