Do you have a kid who loves dinosaurs? I have a preschool dinosaur unit study today and we’re making salt dough dinosaur bones. Also, look at my How to Homeschool Preschool page and Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas.
I don’t think many preschoolers, boys or girls don’t love to learn about the ferocious T-Rex or the gentle giant Stegosaurus.
Young kids love to learn about what dinosaurs ate, and what they looked like, and easily memorize all those names.
Once you become an adult no one asks what your favorite dinosaur is anymore so take advantage of all the fun hands-on dino fun with your littles while you get a second chance!
From footprints to bones, we are going to cover the entire spectrum with fun engaging hands-on activities.
They will have your preschooler through kindergarteners begging for more prehistoric mayhem.
I have fun ways to learn math, science, language arts, and art, and enjoy some dramatic play as well while they learn.
Finally, I will show you how to create fun dinosaur bones for your child to explore, investigate, and put on display.
They are wonderful for dramatic play as your child pretends to be a paleontologist discovering evidence of these giant creatures from long ago.
You can either make it with your child or make it ahead of time and surprise your preschooler with a lovely pile of bones to investigate.
Books to Read With a Dinosaur Unit Study
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.
Math Ideas for Preschool Math
- This Numbered Eggs Dinosaur Math Activity is a unique twist on dinosaur math activities.
- Measuring Dinosaurs- Provide your child with a handful of dinosaurs and some LEGO bricks. Demonstrate how to measure them using the bricks. Which one is the longest? Shortest? Tallest?
Science/Sensory Dinosaur Ideas
- This Erupting Dinosaur Extinction Slime will be a big hit for preschoolers as they learn about the characteristics of their favorite dinosaurs.
- Baking soda and vinegar are a favorite science duo for the fun bubbling reaction, fizzy make a great science experiment.
- Teach your child all about dinosaurs Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids to keep their hands as busy as their minds.
- Watch this video to dig and explore more on Fossils For Kids.
Art Ideas for Learning About Dinosaurs
- Grab their favorite plastic dinosaurs and make Dinosaur Footprint Art (FREE Printable).
- Create 1 of or all 12 Paper Plate Dinosaurs with this tutorial and printable add-ons to make a unique project.
- Make a Dinosaur SunCatcher to add a little rainbow to your dino studies and build fine motor skills too.
- Craft a dinosaur night light together that will give your preschooler the sweetest of dino dreams.
Language Arts Ideas for a Dinosaur Unit Study
- Dinosaur Letter Hunt is a wonderful interactive way to help your child recognize letters while they get out and explore the backyard.
- These D is For Dinosaur activities create a repetitive activity that will have your child recognizing and repeating the sound D makes in no time.
- Father some inexpensive plastic dinosaurs from a dollar tree and recreate the Dinosaur Alphabet Matching Game for letter practice.
Dramatic Play About Dinosaurs
- Make a Paper Dinosaur Hat to add to dramatic play and it doubles as an art project.
- These Easy Cardboard Dinosaur Feet are stomping good fun for your child’s imagination and will keep them busy all day.
- Geronimo Stilton’s The Journey Through Time Fun Easy No Sew Dinosaur Mat is such a fun and portable way to encourage their imagination.
- This Dinosaur Poop Craft will have kids and adults alike grossed out and tickled at the same time, “petrified” poop will make a great keepsake for the top of a dresser or on a bookshelf.
Finally, look how to make diy salt dough dinosaur bones.
DIY Salt Dough Dinosaur Bones
To make a large batch of bones you should double the recipe. You can hide them around the yard to be discovered or put them on the science shelf.
You will need:
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 1 cup of water
- Brown paint
- Craft stick
First, preheat oven to 210℉.
Combine salt and flour, stirring until well mixed.
Add water ¼ cup at a time and stir until the mixture is wet enough to squeeze together but is not sticky. You may not need the entire cup of water.
Knead by hand for 2-3 minutes, adding in just a little bit of brown paint to give your bones a little bit more of a creamy tint rather than a stark white.
Shape the dough into large pieces of dinosaur bones- femurs, rib bones, skulls, teeth, whatever you like.
Use the craft stick to carve some detail into the bones. Try not to make them too thick so that they dry well throughout.
To create a skull with an open mouth stuff it with aluminum foil and pull out after its cooled.
If you want to you can create an entire mini dinosaur skeleton for your child to piece together.
Create a simple spine by making a snake shape and cutting off small segments.
Spread shapes out on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours or until hardened and dried throughout.
Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
Add sand to cover them up with, a magnifying glass, tweezers, clean paint brushes, and lots of fun reference books so that your child can play paleontologist.
