Bring your child’s inner paleontologist to life by making some kids fossils!
Even the tiniest tot has a thing for dinosaurs and all things existing in the long period of time. There are just some magical and interesting facts about finding extinct animals who lived millions of years before we were even a speck, and more so finding common fossils (Latin word, fossilis), that still exist on Earth’s surface today. That’s why the young paleontologists in your household are going to love these 25 fun kids fossil ideas. They’re twenty-five of the most brilliant ways you can think of to explore main types of fossils, the concept of fossils, and even eat cookies while learning about fossils on Earth today.
Your kids are going to be agog at all these different ideas, and you’ll love watching their brains expand. Enjoy!
Fun and Awesome Kids Fossils and Activities
Museum finds new dinosaur-era fossil bed. A new fossil bed has been found, which the museum says dates from the finds to the late Jurassic period 100 million years ago. Enjoy these fun and awesome rock-like fossil activities with kids!
1. Playdough Alphabet Fossils
Instead of just animals and plants, why not make alphabet trace fossils (unavailable) for your kids to find in the sand or mud? Get the idea from Playdough To Plato.
2. Amber Fossil Soap Project
Kids love to explore, so let them explore the tub with this amber fossil soap idea from Disney Imagicademy. It’s creepy and totally fossilicious. You may add different insects of your choice!
3. Slimy Amber Slime Fossil
Or if they want to experience amber in the early stages (pre-fossil), hardened form of tree sap, you should try this amber slime project from Totally The Bomb.
4. Cool Amber Fossil Craft for Kiddos
One last amber craft for the road? How about this mosquito in “amber” craft? It can be turned into a necklace, or kept in a safe place to show off to all their friends. What a cool idea from A Thrifty Mom!
5. Fun Clay-Pressed Fossils
Want to see how animals or parts of the animal are determined from fossils? This clay-pressed fossils craft will show your kids exactly that! Want to know the answer to the question of how small pieces of debris form fossils? We travel back in time as we explore this fossil activity for kids from Little Brick House Clayworks!
6. Amazing Coffee Ground Fossils
If you want some more realistic, sandy fossils and rock-like minerals sediment, make these coffee ground fossils from Crafts By Amanda.
7. Beautiful Colored Leaf Fossils
Littles might not enjoy exploring as much as they’ll enjoy these colored leaf fossils by Freebie Finding Mom!
8. Cool Fossil Excavation Activity for Kids
Have kiddo scavengers who want hands-on experience? Let them excavate their own dinosaur fossil with these tools and tips. Kids love to explore fossils and may find traces of their activities. This activity makes it easy for preschoolers to dig for dinosaurs’ remains. Kids will feel like paleontologists with this simple fossil project from Paper Vine!
9. Fun DIY Fossil Excavation
Or they can use toys out of their own toy chests to create a dyno fossil excavation using their own imaginations. Fun activity by Mom Inspired Life!
10. Amazing Dinosaur Fossil Tracks Matching Game
Your kids are going to love this dinosaur tracks matching craft. It’s like a craft and a game mixed together. You can even add this to your toddler’s sensory bin for a cool experience! Kudos to Coffee Cups And Crayons for this idea!
11. DIY Fossil Solid Rock Project
Create your own fossil rocks and let your kids break into them to discover what’s inside! These fossils look like real archaeological treasures, rock-like copy of the original object, that provide a glimpse into the past. Learn how to make this fossilized object with your children by clicking this link from By Stephanie Lynn.
12. Homemade Clay Fossils
These air dry clay fossils use materials you can find at any craft store and will let your kids make fossils using toys from their rooms. Kids can craft models of dinosaur fossils or their footprints. These prehistoric models are easy to make and fun to use. Learn how to make fossils for kids by clicking the link from Our Crafts N Things!
13. Fun Frozen Fossil Excavation Activity
There are many ways to excavate dinosaurs, and this frozen egg excavation activity from Little Bins for Litte Hands is a fun way for your kids to have a sensory experience and excavate at the same time.
14. Fizzling Fossil Revealing Activity
Another fun dig sites excavation activity is this fizzy fossil reveal. Apart from dinos, you may use other toys like reptiles, oysters and mussels. This activity from Growing a Jeweled Rose is physical science at its finest!
15. Yummy Fossil Cookies
Who says fossils have to all be dirty? These fossil cookies are fun fossils your kids can eat! Grab the recipe from Makezine!
16. Lovely Fossil Necklace Project
Create this fun fossil necklace from K-8 Art and your child can wear their fossil adventure wherever they go.
17. Dinosaur Fossils with Playdough
Make your own fossils using playdough, and dinosaur skeletons out of your child’s toy chest. What a cool way to teach physical science to your kids! Learn how to do this activity from Fun At Home With Kids!
18. Toilet Roll Dinosaur Bones Fossil
Sometimes excavating dinosaurs is about putting them back together. This toilet roll dinosaur activity from Your Modern Family lets your children use their imaginations to decide which fossil of a bone they’ve uncovered.
19. Crafty Glue Fossil
Here’s another great way to explore fossils: make a glue fossil. Kids will totally dig into this fossil activity from education.com!
20. Classy Fossil Soap Idea
Wash up from all that fossil hunting with this fabulous fossil soap project from Simplistically Living. A few friendly chemicals are needed for this fossil soap idea.
21. Beautiful Fossil Casts
These fossil casts are truly beautiful and will give your children an idea of what real fossils might look like. It seems so real like small pieces of rock with traces of prehistoric life. This idea from That Artist Woman is classic!
22. Fossils Made of Plaster of Paris
Here’s another realistic body fossils experience — perfect for your physical science homeschool subject. This one is made using plaster of paris and the casts come out so very detailed! Get the steps from Broogly!
23. Playdough Fossil Casts
For a less detailed, more fun approach, mold and make some playdough casts, like these ones from No Time for Flashcards. Your kids will have fun pressing their toys, squashing the fossil, and repeating.
24. Indoor Fossil Excavation Activity
This tabletop dig by DIY Ready would be a fun fossil hunting experience for a party, or on days where the kids can’t go outside. It’s a fun sensory idea too!
25. Amazing Dyno Bone Fossils
Check out these dyno bones fossils. You’ll be surprised to find out what ingredient is used to give them this texture, but how cool do they end up looking! Try this project with your kids from Preschool Crafts For Kids today!
More Scientific and Fun Learning Activities from Play Ideas
- Learn about metamorphosis and butterflies with these super cool activities!
- These fun science experiments for preschoolers will awaken the scientist in your little one.
- Your kids will have fun with snow-themed experiments this winter.
- Have a yummy experience with these edible science experiments for kids.
- Love math and spring with these super fun learning ideas!
- Pipe cleaners can make a lot of crafts, including these super fun projects for kids.
- Pop some fun with these cool balloon science experiments!
- Spark your kids’ interest in dinosaurs with these fun & educational activities.
Which fossil activity are you going to try with your kids today?