Who’s ready to bring prehistoric world to life? Start a lifelong fascination about dinosaurs when you make these salt dough fossils with preschool-aged kids. This fun, hands-on activity is bright and colorful and is the perfect educational activity to introduce preschool and kindergarten kids to dinosaur fossils and the wonders of paleontology. Through this activity, preschoolers can explore how dinosaur fossils formed millions of years ago and engage in imaginative play as they uncover their own dinosaur relics.
RELATED: Free Dinosaur Color By Number Printables
How to Teach Preschoolers about Fossils
Fossils form when an animal or plant dies and is buried under layers of sediment, such as mud or sand, over millions of years.
As time passes, the layers of sediment build up and exert pressure on the remains, gradually turning them into rock. This process, known as fossilization, preserves the shape and structure of the organism, creating a fossil that can be studied by scientists.
To help preschoolers grasp this concept, try making a simple rock layer model using layers of playdough or clay to represent the sedimentary layers and bury toy dinosaurs or plants within them. Apply pressure to simulate the process of fossilization. This interactive activity allows preschoolers to see firsthand how fossils are formed and understand the importance of time and pressure in the process.
You can also read age-appropriate books or stories about dinosaurs, fossils and paleontology to preschoolers, discussing the concepts of fossilization in simple terms. They can use illustrations or photographs of fossils to show children what they look like and explain how scientists use fossils to learn about ancient animals and plants.
Supplies Required to Make Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
Here is what you will need to make these salt dough dinosaur fossils!
- Toy dinosaurs
- Salt
- Flour
- Water
- Bowl and spoon
- Container
- Food coloring
Directions to Make Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
Follow along with these instructions to make fun examples of dinosaur fossils that you can dry and show to your preschoolers to teach them more about the great beasts that lived long ago.
Make the Dough
Combine 1/2 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour in a bowl. Add some food coloring to 1/2 cup of water and mix it into your dry ingredients.
You can use bright colors or rock-colored dye to make the fossils look more realistic.
Mix the ingredients together until they form a dough. Then, use your hands to knead the dough until everything is combined and evenly mixed.
Completing the Activity
Give each preschooler about 1/4 of a cup of salt dough. Have them roll it out on their work surface.
Instruct the kids to press toy dinosaurs into the salt dough to make footprints or “fossils.” Encourage the preschoolers to experiment with different dinosaur species and arrange the footprints in interesting patterns.
Teach kids all about the different types of dinosaurs with a fun dinosaur bingo printable game. It’s suitable for all ages and a great way to get everyone involved and excited to learn about these fascinating prehistoric creatures!
Cementing the Fossils
Place the dinosaur footprint dough on a cookie sheet or other flat, oven-safe container.
Place the container with the salt dough in the oven on its lowest setting and bake for about 3 hours. This slow baking process ensures that the fossils dry out completely without burning or cracking.
Taking the Lesson Further
Once your salt dough fossils have finished baking and cooled, invite the preschoolers to examine their creations, feeling the texture of the hardened dough and tracing the outlines of the dinosaur footprints with their fingers.
You can even fill in the dinosaur fossils with play dough or other clay to show preschoolers how dinosaur “bones” that we find are really just dinosaur-shaped rocks!
For younger kids, create a hands-on dinosaur-themed sensory bin to encourage exploration and foster curiosity.
You can also pair this activity with an adorable Printable Letter D Crafts D is for Dinosaur.
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Educational Benefits of Making Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
Inspire curiosity and excitement about dinosaurs and paleontology in preschool students when completing this fun hands-on dinosaur science activity. Young children can learn a lot about rocks, fossils, dinosaurs, and more! Additionally, this dinosaur fossil experiment also allows preschoolers to develop fine motor skills that they can use in years to come.
So, gather your dinosaurs and embark on a prehistoric adventure of discovery and exploration!
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