6 Unusual DIY Dinosaur Projects for Kids

Is your little one fascinated by dinosaurs? Well, they're not alone! Most kids find these creatures awe-inspiring, and we can totally see why. Dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years before us, yet we never got to see them firsthand. All we know about their shape and size is from fossils and bones we dug out from the ground. 

So let’s join in on the dinosaur excitement with these 6 rawrsome DIY activities for your dino-loving kids to enjoy!

1. Dino Salt Fossil

How exciting is creating easy homemade dinosaur fossils? This activity combines science, art, and a touch of baking to develop your child’s gross and motor skills.

Materials:

• 1 cup salt
• 2 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Dinosaur toys
• Paint and paintbrushes

Steps:

1. Mix the flour, salt and water
2. Divide into several small balls
3. Line the baking tray with parchment paper and place the doughs on it
4. Flatten the balls with your hands
5. Press a dinosaur toy gently into each dough until you see an impression
6. Bake for 1-2 hours at 250℉
7. Let cool and paint them with your child

2. Handprint Dino

Create a dino masterpiece with this standing cardboard dinosaur craft! After finishing this fun and engaging activity with your child, you can help your kid write or draw something inside to turn it into a wholesome card!

Materials:

• White or colored construction paper
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Fold an A4 piece of coloured card in half. 
2. Place your kid’s wrist along the fold, spread the fingers slightly, and draw around the hand. Cut out the shape.
3. Cut out a dinosaur head from the same coloured card. 
4. Glue it to the side of the handprint, ensuring it’s on the opposite side of the thumb.
5. Have your kid glue two googly eyes and draw nostrils and a mouth on the dinosaur’s face.
6. Apply glue dots and let your child stick pom poms on them.

3. Cotton Swab Dino Skeleton

Help your child discover their inner paleontologist with this easy activity! Give them a closer look at how dinosaurs are built and at the variety of dinosaur species that existed millions of years ago.

Materials:

• Construction paper
• Cotton Swabs
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil or marker

Steps:

1. Outline several dinosaur species on paper.
2. Cut the cotton swabs to different lengths for bones.
3. Work together with your child to place swabs inside the outline for the dinosaur bones.
4. Glue the swabs in place.
5. Use a swab or draw the head.

Now, let's take a little break and watch a fun animated video about these wonderful and awe-inspiring prehistoric creatures, their appearance and behavior.

4. Dino Terrarium Craft

Who wouldn’t love building a tiny Jurassic world inside a jar? Discover how dinosaurs lived and how their habitat looked like with this dino terrarium craft.

Materials:

• Clear jar or container
• Small plastic dinosaurs
• Rocks, sand, or soil
• Moss or small plants
• Small sticks or pebbles

Steps:

1. Add rocks, sand, or soil to the bottom of the jar.
2. Place moss or small plants around the base.
3. Position plastic dinosaurs inside the terrarium.
4. Add small sticks or pebbles to create a natural scene.
5. Close the jar and place the terrarium somewhere special.

5. Dino Bath Bombs Craft

Uncover prehistoric surprises with this fun dino activity! These homemade bath bombs fizz and dissolve to reveal a hidden dinosaur toy inside, turning your child’s bath time into an exciting experience.

Materials:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 0.5 cup citric acid
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup epsom salt
• Essential oils (optional)
• Food coloring
• Water
• Small plastic dinosaurs

Steps:

1. Combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt.
2. Mix in food coloring and essential oils.
3. Slowly add water and stir until the mixture holds its shape.
4. Place a small plastic dinosaur inside the mixture and shape into a ball.
5. Let it dry for 24 hours.
6. Enjoy the dino surprise during bath time once dry!

6. Geometric Shapes Dinosaur

Create a colorful dinosaur using basic geometric shapes with this fun and educational craft! This activity will help your child recognize different shapes while assembling their very own dinosaur.

Materials:

• Coloured construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or crayons
• Pencil
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Draw circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and a big half circle on coloured construction paper. 
2. Cut out the shapes with scissors.
3. Help your child glue the shapes on a large piece of paper to form the shape of a dinosaur.
4. Glue googly eyes and allow to dry, then display the geometric dinosaur on a wall or in a frame.

These DIY activities are an amazing way to introduce your child to the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. But why stop there? Extend the fun and educational experience by visiting a nearby dinosaur museum where your child can see real fossils and learn more about these awesome creatures. You can also explore online resources such as this collection of dino-themed worksheets from Kids Academy that offers a variety of engaging activities to keep your child both entertained and educated.