Dinosaurs are one of those themes that seem to inspire children around the world, and my two are no different. So having a dinosaur-themed day at home, we set about making some Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils using a simple salt dough recipe, some toys and painting to make them look like rocks.
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Materials Needed to make these Fossils with Kids
- Salt dough using either the microwave method or our classic recipe Click on the blue links to be taken to the recipes to use to make these simple dinosaur fossils.
- Toy Dinosaurs from your collection
- Acrylic Paints or if you don’t have these normal ready-mixed paints and coat after they are dry with some White/School/PVA glue
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How to Make Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
- When you have made your salt dough split it into 8 similar sized clumps give out to the children.
2. Although we have children’s rolling pins J and T both prefer to use my heavier weight rolling pin. They found it easier to get a smooth, even finish. With the fossils, you want a fairly thick dough – approx. 2cm (almost a 3/4 of an inch) thick.
3. With a flat top, carefully press in the model dinosaurs (the miniature dinosaurs are great because of the details like spikes and plates on them), and after experimenting with our dinosaur box these produced the best effect in the dough.
4. To cure the dough before painting, follow the directions for either the microwave dough or classic oven-baked dough.
5. Once the dough has cooled down we set about painting – acrylic paints work best but don’t worry if you don’t have any: you can use normal ready-mixed paint mixed with some white glue (PVA/School Glue), and this will work too.
6. I set out a selection of colours that could be mixed into rock sort of colours, so browns, black, white and different greens, and then provided 1 paint brush. Mixing the colours gave the best rock-look to the fossils, especially once dried.
Fossil Resources to Extend this Activity Further
Encourage more reading and investigation into fossils, rocks and earth science with our favourite earth science books to read to and for kids of all ages.
I’ve found that following the lead with your child’s interest can lead to amazing discoveries for both of you. Throughout this activity I have added further activity suggestions you can find here on Rainy Day Mum however, we are limited as there are only so many hours in the day so these resources from supplies we use and recommend can be used to extend this even further.
Looking for book inspiration for your dino fans then check out our Dinosaur Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Pin this Fossil Craft to make later
hannah clementson says
February 19, 2014 at 2:07 amThese are brilliant!! Am going to pin now. Thank you for sharing xx
catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 12:53 pmSuch a great idea! Will def be trying this 🙂
Kelsi Hoover says
March 24, 2014 at 9:11 pmI am excited to use with my 23 first graders! I was wondering if you could tell me how many this recipe made. I plan on at least doubling — was just hoping to have a guideline so I won’t have an overabundance or not enough! Thank you so much for sharing! I am sure they will LOVE this!
Darcel says
September 29, 2014 at 2:54 amLove the fossils. Can you air dry these?
Colleen says
January 28, 2015 at 9:40 pmI have made these before with Preschool Summer Camps. You can air dry them but they take a long time to dry…………. especially the extra thick ones………..lol
Susen @ Dabbling Momma says
November 10, 2014 at 11:07 amSo fun and so easy to do! Found this particular post from Brain Power Boy’s recent Dig This Dinosaur Fossils post!
Wendy says
January 15, 2015 at 10:59 pmHas anyone tried these without cooling the dough first? I’m going to try these with our classroom, but don’t have an easy fridge nearby. Thanks!
laura says
March 5, 2015 at 11:47 pmI didn’t cool the dough first….they were fine for me with skipping that step.
Marisol Ponce says
March 4, 2015 at 4:39 amI tried this out with my students! They loved it! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
laura says
March 5, 2015 at 11:45 pmI tried adding cinnamon to the dry mixture for a slightly brown tint…..then another batch with paprika that gave them a beautiful sepia tone which looked natural. It was my favorite. …bbut the cinnamon ones smelled great!
Kids on Bikes says
January 10, 2018 at 1:25 pmNice idea! This is great for kids who love adventure and fascinated with amazing creatures like dinosaurs. 🙂
Harriet from Toby&Roo says
February 5, 2019 at 9:32 amToby would absolutely LOVE this! He would be beside himself – he’s a future palaeontologist! H 🙂
Cerys H Parker says
February 5, 2019 at 9:56 amOhhh please tag me if you do make them. My two LOVE making them now although thanks to a dig out your own fossil they now make them with skeletons and fossils to create the imprints instead.
Tom Armstrong says
February 18, 2019 at 2:16 pmThese are really cool. We went to a museum the other day and they were doing the exact same thing. Well, except I had to pay £1 for each one! They look awesome though.