We know that many kids love dinosaurs. Here in Pittsburgh, we have an incredible resource: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, where families can see the bones of actual dinosaurs and learn all about them.
This week’s Maker Monday activity blends art and science to let kids create their own “dinosaur fossils.” It can be extra-fun (and educational) if you begin by exploring the Carnegie Museum website or visiting the museum in person to see the real-life dinosaur bones. (It’s also a great way to get kids excited about learning at the start of the school year.)
As with all Maker Monday projects, kids can make their dinosaur fossils with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store. A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.
Maker Monday materials you’ll need:
construction paper
scissors
cotton swabs
school glue
STEP 1: Explore online or in books to see what dinosaurs really looked like. Once you’ve got some dinosaurs in mind, draw a silhouette of one of your favorite dinosaurs on a piece of construction paper. (To make things a little easier for smaller kids, we used scrap paper to make some dinosaur shapes that can be easily traced.)
STEP 2: Cut out the dinosaur shape that you drew.
STEP 3: Arrange the cotton swabs on the construction paper to build the dino skeleton, as though the cotton swabs were bones. You can trim the swabs to the right sizes, as needed. Then glue the swabs (or swab pieces) onto the dino silhouette. (Tip: Don’t worry about messy glue. It will dry clear!)
STEP 4: Let the glue dry, and then share your fossils with the rest of your family, telling them about the amazing dinosaurs that once roamed the earth (and can now be seen right here in Pittsburgh at the Carnegie!).
Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.
Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.