Hobbies And Interests
Dinosaur Footprint Search
Cut out several dinosaur footprints from paper. Write a dinosaur fact on each paper footprint. Hide the footprints around the room. Choose the locations of the footprints based on the ages of the kids. Hide them behind and under items for older kids. Leave them in the open for younger kids. Have the children find as many of the dinosaur footprints as possible. Award a prize to the child who finds the most dinosaur footprints. Read the dinosaur facts as a group after all of the footprints have been found.
Dinosaur Puppets
Make dinosaur puppets. Provide pictures and dinosaur outlines so the kids can trace them to make the puppets. Cut the dinosaurs out of cardboard to create sturdy puppets. Paint the dinosaurs. Glue the puppets to craft sticks or wooden paint stirring sticks. Create a play using the dinosaur puppets as the characters.
Adapt Games
Change the names of classic kids' games to incorporate the dinosaur theme. Change Simon Says to T-Rex Says. Play Brontosaurus, Brontosaurus, Pterodactyl instead of Duck, Duck, Goose. Use plastic dinosaur toys as place markers for board games. Find ways to include dinosaurs in everyday play activities.
Dinosaur Bones
Use play dough or make homemade dough that will harden. Show the kids pictures of dinosaur bones. Give them a chance to make their own dinosaur bones from the play dough. Allow the bones to dry until they are hard. Bury the bones in a tub of sand. Have the kids dig through the sand to uncover the dinosaur bones.
Dinosaur Fossils
Use the extra play dough from the dinosaur bone activity to make dinosaur fossils. Roll out the play dough to make a smooth surface. Leave the play dough at least a half-inch thick. Place a plastic dinosaur toy on its side on top of the play dough. Press gently to create an impression of the dinosaur in the dough. Carefully remove the dinosaur. Allow the dinosaur fossils to dry until they harden. Encourage the kids to try different types of dinosaur toys to compare the outcome.