Reptile Birthday

This post is a treasured throwback to one of our earliest parties — proof that creativity, colour, and a touch of imagination never go out of style. 

Back in 2010, Little Dance was a very different world — but one thing that hasn’t changed is our love for bringing joy to every party! Looking back on this reptile-themed birthday still makes me smile. From shopping for supplies to testing recipes, every step was filled with excitement and imagination.

Our inspiration came from the Reptile Invitations we sent to guests. The colour palette – bold orange, black, yellow, and a splash of green – set the perfect tone for our jungle adventure.

Decorations

Guests arrived to find dinosaur footprints leading up to the front door, where a matching banner greeted them. The excitement was real – the moment those little feet reached the door, you could feel the anticipation building!

To weatherproof our décor, we printed the footprints on lightweight polypropylene and used heavy-duty tape to secure them in place – just in case of rain.

For the table backdrop, a simple bamboo screen from Bunnings (under $30!) transformed the space and made our banner pop beautifully. A pair of leafy ferns wrapped in black fabric completed the look — practical, reusable, and perfect for a reptile vibe that could live on in the garden later.

Parents

Parents were invited to stay, though by the age of six, most were happy to drop their little adventurers off and return later. For peace of mind, we created a simple contact list with each child’s name, their parent’s details, and a phone number — just in case of any mid-party tears.

Explore our personalised invitations, decorations, and party supplies here!

Food

No party is complete without themed treats! We had so much fun naming our dishes to match the reptile theme. Here’s what was on our menu:

• Snake Rolls – Sausage rolls
• Croc Pies – Party pies
• Turtle Eggs – Red Tulip Bird Eggs (found around Easter!)
• Frog Swamp Jelly – Layered jelly filled with gummy snakes and frogs
• Dino Bread – Dinosaur-shaped fairy bread with coloured sprinkles
• Lizard Legs – Marinated chicken wings

We sourced our jelly beans in orange, yellow, and black from Goody Goody Gum Drops and stocked up on plenty of jelly snakes, too!

Take-Home Lollipops

The kids’ faces lit up when they spotted our oversized lollipops — it was pure magic! Rather than filling traditional lolly bags, we opted for these bright, themed lollipops as take-home gifts. They matched our party colours perfectly and were a massive hit.

To create the centrepiece, we used a stylish plant pot from Bunnings (under $15!) and added florist foam from Spotlight. The lollipops were arranged by pressing the sticks gently into the foam, then topped with faux moss from Riot Art and Craft Stores to hide the base. Simple, affordable, and wonderfully effective — plus, I got a new pot for my garden afterwards!

Entertainment

Animal Tracks brought the adventure to life with a fascinating reptile show. For two whole hours, the children were captivated by Andrew and Stephanie, our amazing hosts. The birthday child even got to introduce each reptile to the group — a moment they’ll never forget!

Choosing the right entertainer makes all the difference. With the kids fully engaged, we could relax and enjoy every smile and giggle, knowing the party was in great hands.

The Cake

Our incredible cake came from The Cupcake Kitchen in Melbourne — and it was every bit as delicious as it looked. Anna’s creativity and flavour combinations were simply divine.

Planning your own themed event? Take a peek at our personalised cake toppers for a finishing touch that ties your party together beautifully.