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Time Required :
Over an hour
Intermediate
Intermediate
You're somewhat experienced with the skills necessary to complete this project, but you haven't mastered all the elements, yet.

diy dino dig

Kids can be amateur paleontologists with this fun dino dig activity that teaches them about geology, paleontology and fossils.
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Print Project

Step 1

First, make some “fossils.” Measure 2 cups of flour and ¾ cup of water, then pour into the bowl. Mix with a spoon (or your hands) to make a sticky paste.

Step 2

Slowly add 1 cup of sand into the mixture, kneading it in until it's completely mixed.

Step 3

Add 2-3 large squirts of white school glue to the sand-flour-water dough. Knead the glue into the mixture. This will make your fossils harden.
TIP: You don’t have to use exact measurements, but your blob of glue should be about the size of a quarter!

Step 4

Repeat Steps 2-3, with another cup of sand and then more glue.
TIP: Your finished “fossil” dough should be wet and sticky enough to be mouldable but not so dry that the dough is falling apart. You can keep adding glue and sand to the mixture until it reaches the perfect consistency.

Step 5

Once you’re ready, form the dough into “fossils” about the size of an orange.

Step 6

Push dinosaur (or other animal figurines, small toys, seashells, rocks, or stones) into the balls. Fold the dough over the objects so they are covered.

Step 7

Let the fossils sit and dry for 48 hours.
TIP: The fossils harden faster if they’re kept uncovered and stored in a dry spot.

Step 8

Once the outside of the balls is hard and dry, then chip away with your paleontology tools and dig for fossils, just like real paleontologists!

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Supplies
Materials
Materials
 
  • img
    876270917
    You’ll Need: 1

    Wood Craft Sticks by Creatology™

    Item # 10529206 
    Save 30% off One Regular Price Item with code 20230202. Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $7.99
    • Color: Brown
    • Count: 100
    • Color: Brown
    • Count: 100
    +More Counts
    • Color: Brown
    • Count: 100
    +More Counts
    +More Options
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Safari Ltd® TOOBS® Dinos

    Item # 10319943 
    Save 30% off One Regular Price Item with code 20230202. Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $16.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Safari Ltd® TOOBS® Insects

    Item # 10174921 
    Save 30% off One Regular Price Item with code 20230202. Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $16.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Paint Brushes by Creatology®

    Item # 10419191 
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    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $11.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Parchment Paper Roll by Celebrate It®

    Item # 10076247 
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    $11.99
  • img
    834499287
    You’ll Need: 1

    Elmer's® Washable School Glue

    Item # 10554021 
    Save 30% off One Regular Price Item with code 20230202. Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $16.99
    • Color: White
    • Size: 1
    • Color: White
    • Size: 1
    +More Sizes
    • Color: White
    • Size: 1
    +More Sizes
    +More Options
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Safari Ltd® TOOBS® Coral Reef

    Item # 10402311 
    Save 30% off One Regular Price Item with code 20230202. Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $16.99
 
 
 
You’ll Also Need
  • Flour
  • Water
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Cotton Swabs
Instructions
Step 1

First, make some “fossils.” Measure 2 cups of flour and ¾ cup of water, then pour into the bowl. Mix with a spoon (or your hands) to make a sticky paste.

Step 2

Slowly add 1 cup of sand into the mixture, kneading it in until it's completely mixed.

Step 3

Add 2-3 large squirts of white school glue to the sand-flour-water dough. Knead the glue into the mixture. This will make your fossils harden.
TIP: You don’t have to use exact measurements, but your blob of glue should be about the size of a quarter!

Step 4

Repeat Steps 2-3, with another cup of sand and then more glue.
TIP: Your finished “fossil” dough should be wet and sticky enough to be mouldable but not so dry that the dough is falling apart. You can keep adding glue and sand to the mixture until it reaches the perfect consistency.

Step 5

Once you’re ready, form the dough into “fossils” about the size of an orange.

Step 6

Push dinosaur (or other animal figurines, small toys, seashells, rocks, or stones) into the balls. Fold the dough over the objects so they are covered.

Step 7

Let the fossils sit and dry for 48 hours.
TIP: The fossils harden faster if they’re kept uncovered and stored in a dry spot.

Step 8

Once the outside of the balls is hard and dry, then chip away with your paleontology tools and dig for fossils, just like real paleontologists!

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

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