We’re learning how to make salt dough bug fossils and learning a fossil definition kids. Also, you’ll love my Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study.
Sometimes it’s easier to explain a definition like what is a fossil when kids do a hands-on craft.
Learning about bugs in the spring too when bugs seem to be plentiful makes a fun study.

When people think of fossils, we think of huge dinosaurs but smaller fossils like bugs can be fascinating.
For example, amber traps bugs like glue. And bugs don’t have bones but their hard shells can still fossilize.
Bug fossils can show tiny details like eyes, wings, and even hair.
BOOKS ABOUT FOSSILS
Next, look at these books about fossils and of course dinosaurs which go hand in hand with learning about fossils
15 Books for Kids Crazy About Fossils and Dinosaurs
Your dinosaur loving kids will love some of these books and resources for a fun dinosaur unit study.
What is a fossil? Sometimes it's the imprint of an ancient leaf in a rock. Or it could be the skeleton of a dinosaur that has turned to stone. With clear prose and beautifully detailed illustrations, award-winning author and illustrator Aliki describes the different ways fossils are formed and what they tell us about life on Earth long ago.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It includes a find out more section with a glossary and activity guide so kids can create their own fossils for someone to find a million years from now.
Gail Gibbons presents the most recent and up-to-date theories about the history of dinosaurs and dinosaur discoveries. She discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each time. Each dinosaur is explored in just the right amount of detail for young paleontologists, as this book brings these magnificent creatures to life again
How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Beloved author-illustrator Aliki’s simple, engaging text and colorful artwork bring the long-extinct creatures to life for young dinosaur enthusiasts.
Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils—bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone
A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime!How do dinosaurs say good night?Brimming with humor and familiar good-night antics, here is a playful peek into the homes of dinosaur children and their parents at bedtime. Perfect for sharing and reading aloud, this is one nighttime book your own little dinosaur will want to read again and again.
A celebratory edition of this much loved classic picture book, now twenty-five years old. This rollicking rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and the charming and colourful pictures will appeal to the very youngest dinosaur fans. Originally published in 1994, Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland is now seen as a modern classic, a book that every preschool child should have.In the back of the book is a wonderful pull-out poster showing the dinosaur characters.The book carries the endorsement of the Earth Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum.
With a lively rhyming text and vibrant paper collage illustrations, author-artist Bob Barner shakes the dust off the dinosaur bones found in museums and reminds us that they once belonged to
living, breathing creatures. Filled with fun dinosaur facts (a T. Rex skull can weigh up to 750 pounds!) and an informational "Dinometer," Dinosaur Bones is sure to make young dinosaur enthusiasts roar with delight.
A long time ago there were dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails. Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Bryon Barton brings to life a unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once upon a time.
A long time ago there was dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails.Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Byron Barton brings to life unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once up ona time.
This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behind paleontology.
If you could be a dinosaur, which would you be? Would you roar like the ferocious T-Rex? Or soar overhead like the pterodactyl? In this playful early-learning book, Stella Blackstone s lyrical, rhyming text takes readers on an unforgettable Jurassic journey, while fabric artist Clare Beaton recreates the prehistoric world of dinosaurs using a colorful array of felt, sequins, beads and buttons.
I am Tyrannosaurus Rex.
I am a dinosaur,
otherwise known as
a terrible lizard.
Tyrannosaurus rex is a terrible dinosaur; of this, everyone is certain. But is this dinosaur really so terrible? He IS very big and very hungry. True, he might even eat his neighbors for lunch. But from his point of view, he can't help it. After all, he's not a vegetarian . . .
Meet George. He's strong, as a giant dinosaur should be, strong enough to wreck a plane! (Of course he thinks it's his old enemy, the flying Pteranodon.) He's loyal. He'll do anything to help Joan and Joey save their mother's ranch at Cricket Creek, even chase a bank robber. He's shy. He's so shy he gets Joan and Joey into hilarious, dinosaur sized trouble!
The classroom is decorated as Dinosaur Land, but Ms. Frizzle-inspired by an archeological dig-craves a more authentic experience. The Magic School Bus turns into a time machine and transports the class back millions of years to an adventure where they learn about dinosaurs, their habitats and diets, and even a Maiasaura nesting ground.
Fossils are one of the most important tools we have for learning about long-extinct wildlife.
A True Book: Earth Science series presents fascinating facts and fun activities that will engage the budding earth scientist, while exploring the fields of geology, meteorology, ecology, and more. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study. In the 4.6 billion years since Earth was formed, many plant and animal species have come and gone. Readers will discover how fossils are formed, how paleontologists search for them, and what kinds of information they can provide.
A box of ten fossils: A box of this paleontological fossil sample contains ten of fossils, including sea clam fossils, trilobites, ichthyodonts, porphyrites, copal amber, graptolites, nematodes, phylloceras, corals, and spirals. Fossil specimen of algae.
Step into Prehistory: This Toob contains 10 expertly hand-painted mini figurines of ancient fossils, including a Dinosaur Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, Fossilized Frog, Trilobite, T-Rex Tooth, Fossilized Fish, Dinosaur Skin, and a Sea Scorpion.
Next, look at more activities to include with this one.
MORE FOSSIL ACTIVITIES FOR FOSSIL DEFINITIONS KIDS
- Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids
- Make Fun Edible Fossils and Free Magic School Bus Fossils Worksheet
- Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)
ACTIVITIES ABOUT BUGS AND INSECTS
- Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets
- Free Ant Study
- Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
- 4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids | How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
- Free Kids Insect Unit Study
- How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
- Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
- Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
- 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft

FOSSIL DEFINITION KIDS
In addition, learn what is fossil definition. A simple definition of what is a bug fossil can be easy to explain.
A bug fossil is the preserved remains or impression of an ancient insect or arthropod. For example, think about spiders and centipedes.
And there are two main ways bugs can become fossils like sedimentary rock fossils and amber fossils
Finally, look at how to make salt dough bug fossils.
HOW TO MAKE SALT DOUGH BUG FOSSILS
First, look at this list of supplies.
- 1 Cup flour
- ½ Cup salt
- ½ Cup water
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Round biscuit cutter (or a cup)
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Small cooking sheet
- Plastic bugs
- Paint (optional)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Add flour and salt to the bowl, and stir to combine.

Pour the water into the flour and salt mixture.

Stir until a dough ball forms.
Knead the dough with your hands until the salt dough is completely incorporated.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a flat surface. Use the rolling pin to roll the dough out.

Use the round biscuit cutter or a cup to make round cutouts.

Remove the extra dough.
Leaving just the cutouts on the parchment paper.

Carefully press a plastic bug into the salt dough, then gently remove the bug.

Repeat the step above until all the salt dough cutouts have a fossil imprinted.
Carefully place the parchment paper onto the cooking sheet.
Bake for 1 hour. Carefully flip the salt dough cutouts over and continue to bake for an additional hour.
Let the salt dough fossil cool completely before handling. Paint salt dough fossils (if you choose to).
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