This hands-on excavation activity invites kids to dig, scrape, and discover dinosaurs together—just like a real paleontology adventure!
✅ What You’ll Need
- Plaster of Paris
- Water
- Sand
- A few SCHLEICH® dinosaur figurines
- A mixing bowl and spoons
- A small, plastic food storage container
- Aluminum foil
🦴 A Simple Science Play Idea for Curious Kids
Step 1: Line the small kitchen container with aluminum foil
Step 2: Add your SCHLEICH® dinosaur figures to the mold. Our miniature dinosaurs are perfect for this.
Step 3: Add the sand, plaster, and water to a mixing bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Pour the mixture over your dinos. Allow to set for 24 hours.
Step 5: Remove the hardened plaster from the mold.
Step 6: Begin excavating! Use a plastic toy hammer, fork, or kebab skewer to break apart big chunks. Use a paint brush or toothbrush for fine detail work.
🎯 Adaptations to suit your child
Optional (ages 3–5): Let them dig freely with their hands and tools, focusing on the fun of uncovering surprise.
Optional (ages 6–8): Challenge them to uncover dinosaurs gently without moving the surrounding sand too much, like a careful explorer. See if they can name the dinosaurs before they're fully excavated.
🌱 What Your Child Is Learning
- How careful movements and patience can reveal hidden things.
- How observation helps us notice details like shape, size, and texture.
💡 Quick Parent Tip
Invite your child to notice shapes, textures, and clues as each dinosaur is uncovered. When a dinosaur is found, pause to admire it together, make up a quick story about where it was found, then keep digging or reset the dig site if interest continues.
❤️ Discover Toys for Learning About Science
Explore more ways play helps kids learn about scientific discovery...check out our science-play activities!
