How to Throw the Ultimate "Three Rex" Birthday Party in Santa Fe
Three Rex Birthday Party!
How to Throw the Ultimate "Three Rex" Birthday Party in Santa Fe
Planning a third birthday for a dino-loving toddler? Our recent "Three Rex" party was a roaring success, filled with fun, creativity, and kid-friendly thrills right here in Santa Fe! Featuring amazing local vendors who went above and beyond, this event came to life with softplay rentals, a custom dessert table, a “dino dig” station, and more. Here’s how we made it all happen, along with some tips for planning your own unforgettable Santa Fe celebration.
Jumping Beans Party Company: Bringing Our Dino Dreams to Life
The planning process kicked off with Jumping Beans Party Company. Based in Rio Rancho, this mama-owned business specializes in softplay rentals, balloon displays, and custom party setups, making them a go-to choice for local families. Celina, the owner, is not just a party planner but a visionary. Working with her was like chatting with a longtime friend. She’s incredibly kind, hilarious, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating memorable moments for each family she works with.
I approached Celina with the basics: I knew I wanted a bouncy house and a treat wall, but I had a “dino dig” idea brewing too. Celina took my idea and ran with it, organizing an adorable sensory station complete with sand, mini dinos, tools, and a volcano experiment using baking soda and vinegar. She didn’t just stop at meeting expectations—she exceeded them. The kids were thrilled to dig, play, and explore the sensory elements, and I loved that the setup was both engaging and educational. Plus, the treat wall was a crowd-pleaser, elevating the event with its eye-catching display featuring mini excavation kits from Curious Charlie and Co. She shared my love for getting the details right - from the color of the vinyl to using the exact font and image to match our invitations.
Celina’s thoughtful, creative approach makes Jumping Beans a must-have for any Santa Fe kid’s birthday party (or big kids, grown-ups… any celebration!). And if you’re working within a specific budget or have unique ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out. She’ll work her magic to make your vision come to life!
Dino-Mite Favors from Curious Charlie and Co
Our party favors were another highlight. Made with love by Curious Charlie and Co., these mini excavation kits featured homemade, taste-safe playdough, mini dinosaurs, logs, jewels, leaves, and more. They were both adorable and practical, displayed perfectly on the treat wall. Instead of the usual candy-filled goodie bags, these sensory play kits were a huge hit, giving each child a mini dino dig to take home.
Dino-Themed Dessert Table
No birthday party is complete without dessert, and we went all out with goodies from some fantastic local vendors. Crumb Girl Sweets provided adorable dinosaur-themed cupcakes, while Cristina’s Whisk contributed chocolate-dipped marshmallows and Oreos that delighted everyone. Mzanzi Mana created a gorgeous birthday cake that became the party’s centerpiece. The kids (and parents!) were happily sugar-rushed, but thanks to the bouncy house, they were able to get their wiggles out!
This dessert lineup was not only tasty but visually stunning. Each vendor brought their unique style, adding charm and sweetness to the “Three Rex” experience. Santa Fams, if you want unforgettable treats for your next event, these local artists know how to deliver!
Personalized Party Details: Hand-Painted Sign from Natali's Doodle Stoodio
A final touch that made the event extra special was a hand-painted birthday sign from Natali's Doodle Stoodio. The custom banner was so beautiful, we received endless compliments from our guests. And because it was such a meaningful piece, I saved it and now use it as room decor for my little one—a reminder of this special day that we’ll cherish for years to come.
Simple & Tasty Food Options
For food, we kept things easy by ordering pizzas from Dion’s and grabbing snacks from Sam’s Club. This quick setup worked perfectly and let us focus more on the dino-themed fun and décor. Dion’s Catering was super easy to work with, and while I wished their delivery fee was a little less, picking up all the food was easy enough! We had pizzas, salads, sandwiches - and included some vegetarian options for our herbivores!
DIY Dino Décor
To add some personal flair, I dove into dino-themed décor using my Cricut to create dino footprint confetti and mini party hats for the plastic dinosaurs. My husband helped by cutting slices from a recently felled piñon tree, making cute platforms for our dino displays. The dinosaurs? All toys we already had on hand, which made decorating budget-friendly and personalized!
Of course, we had a few extra party supplies from Amazon—brown craft paper for table runners and some faux leaves to create a “jungle” feel. We hosted the party at our family’s property — it’s not open to the public.
Hilarious Dino Costumes
One unforgettable moment? My brother and a friend dressing up in inflatable raptor costumes! Half the kids loved it, and half… not so much! If you try this, I recommend the costumes where you “ride” the dino, so kids can still see the wearer’s face. The full T-Rex costumes can be a bit much for toddlers and might be a little too scary.
Grateful for Our Santa Fe Party Dream Team
Each of these local vendors helped make my baby’s birthday a huge success. From Jumping Beans Party Company’s creative play setups to Curious Charlie’s sweet excavation kits and our fantastic dessert team, we couldn’t have asked for a better group to bring this party to life.
If you’re in the Santa Fe area, be sure to follow these talented women on Instagram and book them for your next event. They’re not just great vendors—they’re passionate, kind, and talented professionals who genuinely want to make every event magical.
Stay in the Loop!
IG: Website: Crumb Girl Sweets
IG: @cristinaswhisk
IG: @mzanzi_mana
IG: @curious.charlie.and.co Etsy: Curious Charlie and Co.
IG: @jumpingbeanspartycompany Website: Jumping Beans Party Company
