Inside: Create these easy salt dough fossils for your kids to excavate in this cool dinosaur fossil sensory bin. Check out all our awesome dinosaur activities for kids here.
This activity marks the fifth dinosaur activity in our dinosaur themed unit.
So far we’ve colored these cool dinosaur coloring page worksheets, played in an awesome dinosaur world sensory bin, experimented with fizzy dinosaur eggs in this dinosaur STEM activity, and created these cute dinosaur handprint keepsakes.
Today, I’m going to show you how to create these cool DIY dinosaur bones with a simple salt dough recipe.
Read on below to see just how simple this is to make at your home!
DIY Dinosaur Fossils
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There are a couple different ways you can go about using these dinosaur bones with your kids.
You can make the dinosaur fossils yourself, then add them to an excavation sensory bin like we did or you can have your child help you make the dino fossils and have two activities in one!
If you want to add more of an educational spin on this dinosaur activity, read your child a book like this one on archeology for kids or this one all about fossils and discuss what you learned.
Dinosaur Skeleton Salt Dough Supplies
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Sand
- Paint Brush
- Activity Trays
Create Your Own Dinosaur Fossil Directions
1. Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water together in a bowl.
2. Knead the dough for 2 minutes or until it’s firm.
3. Create your own dinosaur bones with the dough. Use your imagination to create your own fossil shapes or use the guide below to create a few T Rex fossils.
4. Bake the dinosaur bones at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes per inch of thickness.
5. Allow bones to cool completely.
6. Add the dinosaur bones to an activity tray and cover with sand.
That’s all there is to it.
Just give your kids a paint brush and let them excavate the buried dinosaur bones!
More Fun Sensory Bins
Want More Fun Dinosaur Activities?
Download Fossil Shape Guide Below
Stephanie
Monday 22nd of May 2023
Hi! When I baked mine they puffed up. Does that mean they were in too long?
Sam
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
My guess is that they got too hot. Maybe your oven runs warm? You could try again at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time to try to keep it from getting puffy. I would try it much lower, like 200-250, just to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Kat Carpio
Friday 19th of March 2021
hello theres, i loved this idea... but i have a question can the bones that are made be painted and stored or is like a one time thing? Thank you for sharing this lovely activity , your blog is the best! Have a lovely day and stay safe!
Sam T
Saturday 20th of March 2021
Hmmm, I'm not quite sure. It's meant to be a one time thing, but it's possible since it's made with so much salt that it would last for quite a while. I know we had it for about a month and it was still good as new.