DIY Dinosaur Fossils

Do you have a little one who absolutely loves dinosaurs? Then this activity is for you.
 

This recipe makes enough dough for around 8 dino fossils.

Materials needed:
dinosaur skeletons
1.25 cups salt
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups of water

1kg kinetic sand
1 brush
other sensory tools (optional)

Add water, salt and flour to the bowl, mix and knead the dough thoroughly. Start by using a spoon, then switch to your hands to make sure there are no lumps. 

When the dough is ready it will resemble bread dough in your bowl. If your salt dough recipe is too sticky, try adding a bit more flour. If your dough is too crumbly, try adding a bit more water.

Roll out the balls of dough and invite your kids to press the dinosaur toys into the dough

Finally, remove the plastic dinosaur toys and place your fossils on a cookie sheet. Bake the fossils in the oven at 120 degrees for 60-90 minutes. 

Put the fossils into a sensory bin (any box will do) and cover the fossils with sand. We have used kinetic sand, which is a super fun sensory material. Get the brushes ready and discover the different dinosaur fossils.

Kinetic sand provides the perfect sensory experience. Kinetic sand can easily be molded but is also free flowing, it hardens once squeezed and melts once released. It has the properties of wet sand, however it is not wet. The sand sticks to itself but is not sticky. 
Kinetic sand helps with fine motor skills such as finger strength and hand-eye coordination. This sand does not dry out and provides many hours of open end play. You can purchase it for 19aed here.

The possibilities for using salt dough are endless: some ideas are thumbprint necklaces for Mother’s Day, keepsake handprint plaques, and Christmas tree ornaments.