If you ask a preschooler what they would like to be when they grow up, some may say zookeeper or basketball player, while others are dead set on being a chef. It’s also not surprising to hear toddlers proclaim that they want to be paleontologists! It’s a big word for a tiny tot, but no doubt they know precisely what paleontologists do – research dinosaurs. Allow your dreamers to experience life as a paleontologist with these dinosaur dramatic play ideas!
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Dinosaur Lesson Plans
Dinosaur Dramatic Play
Ideas for Setting Up
On my visit to the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio, I was filled with awe and appreciation for the intrinsic details that go into creating a set. I felt like I finally got my letter to Hogwarts (decades late), and Ron and Hermione were waiting for me around the corner.
The same thing applies to dramatic play: detailed backgrounds make you feel like you are actually there.
But let’s be real. Teachers don’t have the time or money to meticulously create every prop for our dramatic play centers. Hence, the backdrop from Amazon!
Your students will feel like paleontologists deep in the jungle, about to uncover the next big discovery—extra points for some safari hats and vests.
Add in the larger-than-life volcano, Dino Dig bunting, and some paleontologist-in-training name tags, and your dinosaur dramatic play area is just about ready for your future paleontologists.
Materials:
Dinosaur Dig Dramatic Play
Digging for Dinosaurs
It’s no secret that any activity is automatically upgraded with the addition of sand.
Love it or hate it (how in the world did sand get over HERE?!) – it increases engagement every time.
It’s also essential for a dinosaur dig site.
Add sand, dinosaur bone puzzle pieces, and printable directions before inviting your toddlers to uncover *ancient* laminated dinosaur bones.
Materials:
- Dinosaur Dramatic Play
- sensory bin filled with sand
- small shovels
- paintbrushes
- mini popsicle sticks
Paleontologist Dramatic Play
Dinosaur Observations
An official report from a toddler paleontologist? Yes, please!
It never fails that tiny dinosaur enthusiasts use surprising vocabulary as they make incredible observations about their discoveries.
Guide their thinking as they make discoveries at the dig site with a paleontologist recording sheet fit for excited preschoolers.
Which dinosaur did this bone come from? What is its wingspan? And does this bone match the other bones?
I have no doubt your tots will find answers to all of their burning questions as they research, make, and record their observations!
Materials:
Dinosaur Fossil Puzzles
Dinosaur Dramatic Play
Puzzles claw into my attention so fiercely that all responsibilities are shredded until my mission is complete. And yes, I feel like it is a mission. Can’t stop. Won’t stop.
Add in a dig site where I have to uncover the pieces?! I’m all in!
Create a twofold challenge for your eager paleontologists: first, they must find all of the matching dinosaur puzzle pieces, then assemble them!
A puzzle lover’s dream, with some paleontologist fun added into the mix.
Materials:
Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Dinosaur Small World Play
Tiny army men are no longer the only toys suitable for small-world play—you can find almost anything to fill your sensory bins with!
After filling this dinosaur sensory bin with sand, I added plastic dinosaurs, blue gems, trees, and bones.
All scaled down in size, perfect for sustained play that excited even the most reluctant dinosaur friends!
Materials:
- sensory bin filled with sand or Kinetic Sand
- plastic dinosaurs
- plastic trees
- blue gems (Dollar Tree)
- small plastic bones
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Buckle up! It is sure to be an adventure as your paleontologists research, discover, and uncover the mysteries of these incredible creatures. Dinosaur lovers will be captivated by the hands-on activities in the dinosaur dramatic play dig site, a win-win for both teachers and students alike.
