Travel back in time with us to investigate and explore dinosaurs! Below you’ll find activities that will let you dig deeper into paleontology, fossils, and more. Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your Way Back in Time activity kit with a dinosaur tattoo, dinosaur egg, and additional activities, and follow along with our scientific StoryWalk in the Reading Garden! (Kits available while supplies last.) These activities are intended for children ages 4-14.
What is Paleontology?
Paleontology the study of the history of life on Earth from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants, mammals, fish, insects, fungi, and even microbes. Fossils are the remains of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and single-celled organisms that have been preserved in rock. Studying fossil evidence reveals how organisms changed over time and what our planet was like long ago.
Are you interested in finding out more information about dinosaurs? For facts, games, crafts, and videos, check out this website, PaleontOLogy: THE BIG Dig, from The American Museum Of Natural History!
What Do You Know About Paleontology?
Can you identify this object? Click on the picture to take the quiz and test your knowledge!
How to Make Dinosaur Eggs
Learn how to make dinosaur eggs or treasure stones that you smash open to reveal a surprise toy. The best part is that you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen. (From the Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions by John E. Thomas and Danita Pagel.)
1 C. Flour
1 C. Used coffee grounds
1/2 C. Salt
1/4 C. Sand
3/4 C. Water
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Slowly add water and knead mixture until it holds together. Take a handful of dough and flatten it out, place a toy dinosaur or treasure in the middle. Add more mixture and form an egg/stone shape. Let the eggs/stones air dry for 2-4 days or until hard or bake in the oven on a cookie sheet at your oven’s lowest setting (150˚F-170˚F) for 15-20 minutes. Makes 4-5 stones.
Dinosaur Hall Virtual Tour – Natural History Museum Of Los Angeles County (NHM)
Missing visits to museums? Virtually step inside NHM’s award-winning dinosaur hall and discover the age of dinosaurs from the comfort of your home. Learn how museum scientists study our ancient past through a variety of fossils and get an up-close look at a one-of-a-kind T. Rex growth series.
DINO DIG Game from tvokids
Hey, dinosaur hunter! Travel the world to dig up cool dinosaur fossils!
DIY DIG From Dig School.org.uk
Dig school is about learning new ways to see, think, and do – inspired by archaeology anywhere and everywhere. In DIY dig students learn how to carry out their own new mini ‘test pit’ excavation in your own yard, using the same methods, tools, and safety measures as real archaeologists. Students will also practice the recording and drawing skills needed, because paleontology and archaeology aren’t just about digging!
Discover Dinosaur Books in the FDL Collection
Practice searching for dinosaur and paleontology books (fiction and non fiction), videos, and graphic novels available at the library and in our online collection from hoopla, Axis 360, ADML OverDrive, and Tumblebooks. (You’ll need your library card number and pin to check out some of these on your phone, tablet, or computer.)
What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night
Crafts for Kids Who Are Learning About Dinosaurs
Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Explorers Series (Graphic Novels)
StoryWalk in the Reading Garden 
Paleontologists and archaeologists are scientists who study the history of the earth through fossils and human artifacts. We think all scientists are pretty cool, so please enjoy our Ada Twist, Scientist StoryWalk through the Reading Garden! And don’t forget to pick up your activity kits from the Youth Services Department!
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Illustrated by David Roberts
Published by Abrams
Or enjoy the Read Along version on hoopla!
The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
– Kris and Sharon, Youth Service Specialists