Dinosaur Dig Activity

 

Do your kids love dinosaurs? My children were recently reminiscing of a time they were junior Paleontologists.

If you are studying dinosaurs or just looking for an activity for a rainy day, this is a fun project!!

• Fill a large plastic tub with sand.
  

I know the thought of an indoor sandbox sound like insanity, but it’s really not. We put our tub on our classroom table, but a throw carpet on the floor would also work. Although some sand will get out of the tub, it’s easy to sweep off a table, or shake off a throw carpet. The small amount that made it to my floor vacuumed easily. I had less mess with our indoor sandbox then with a rice filled sensory tub.

• Bury 3D dinosaur puzzle pieces in the sand.

I found puzzles at Harbor Freight for only a few dollars. I had my boys “dig” together. With colored markers I put a dot on the pieces to identify each of their sets. Be sure to know how many pieces are buried so you can verify all the small pieces have been found. (ahem!)

• Using sand shovels and paintbrushes, have your junior Paleontologists uncover the dino bones.

Of course this is delicate work, so stress to your scientist how sand must be brushed aside carefully to preserve the integrity of the bones.

• Once all bones are collected, the pieces should be sorted and cataloged (placed on paper plate) to begin assembly.

Our puzzles came with a small piece of sandpaper and picture assembly.

• If there is an anxious younger sibling at your house, restock the sandbox for a second “dig site.”

The interests of my kids have increased so much as they have grown. Dinosaurs may not hold the same fascination they once did, but the fun lessons we had sparked a deep interest for learning and science that still has them talking. Make learning fun!!