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How to make Dinosaur Fossils?

how to make dinosaur fossils with salt dough by learning 4 kids 2

How to make Dinosaur Fossils? Dinosaur Fossils are so much fun to make and are a great addition for any dinosaur theme learning experience. They are made using salt and can be used in games, sensory activities, role play opportunities and so much more.

Today I am sharing with you how we made our dinosaur fossils and will later share further activities on how we utilised them in learning experiences.

What you will need?

How to make dinosaur fossils - what you will need

You will need salt, plain flour, water, brown coloured food dye and dinosaur figurines. If you do not have brown food colouring, you could alternatively use watered down brown paint.

Click here for SALT DOUGH RECIPE

Step 1:

how to make dinosaur fossils with salt dough by learning 4 kids
  • Add coloured water to dry ingredients and mix until mostly combined.
  • Turn dough mixture out onto the bench and knead until all ingredients have blended and formed a ball of dough.

Step 2:

how to make dinosaur fossils - roll small salt dough balls and press gently with your palm
  • Divide the salt dough into smaller balls. We made 20 but you can make them as big or small as you like.

Step 3:

how to make dinosaur fossils - press dinosaur figurine gently into salt dough
  • Gently press the dinosaur figurines into the dough.

Step 4:

How to make dinosaur fossils - place on baking tray to dry out
  • Place the dinosaur fossils onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.
  • Place the tray into a sunny dry space for several hours (or days) to allow the salt dough to completely dry out.
  • These fossils can be air dried or placed in the oven on a low heat.

Step: 5

painting salt dough dinosaur fossils
  • Once the dinosaur fossils have dried out and harden, the colour appears faded and a lighter colour brown.
  • Paint the dinosaur imprints with watered down brown paint to bring out the dinosaur details in the prints.

What now?

how to make dinosaur fossils, salt dough recipe by learning 4 kids

Now that we have made the dinosaur fossils, how could we use them in learning and play opportunities? Please stay tuned as I will be sharing a fun and fabulous dinosaur and alphabet activity using these dinosaur fossils soon.

Click here for SALT DOUGH RECIPE

11 thoughts on “How to make Dinosaur Fossils?”

    1. Hi Mae, The dinosaur fossils did not crack and but they are made on a much smaller scale than you would make for a baby imprint. I personally don’t think they would crack but not completely sure. Let us know how you go. Thanks 🙂

  1. Hi,

    Thanks for the recipe! I was wondering: how much of each ingredient would I need for 20 fossils?

    Thanks again!

    Rhonda

  2. I only have all purpose flour. I made ornaments and they puffed up in the oven like biscuits. If i air dried instead of using the oven do you think they would stay flat?

  3. Cute idea. I wanted to let you know that I am featuring this on a dinosaur birthday party roundup on my site with a photo and link if you don’t mind.

  4. Hi there! I want to use this with my students, but I would love it if they could paint first and after I could put them in the oven. Would I be able to do this without the fossils breaking or any damage happening to them? Or should I just play it safe and have them paint it after?

  5. Palmira Labrador García

    Hi. Id like to do this activity in a 5 year old classroom…is It possible to dry fosiles without oven or baking them?

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Hi and welcome to Learning 4 Kids!

Hi and welcome to Learning 4 Kids!

My name is Janice and I am an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia.

I have a strong passion and love for teaching and creating meaningful learning experiences for my students. What I love most is watching children discover in those amazing light bulb moments. I hope Learning4kids brings you some useful ideas.

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