How to Make a Dinosaur Foot Print

Children have a fascination with dinosaurs. They want to learn everything possible about the giant extinct creatures. They collect stuffed toy versions and fill coloring book pages of tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops. Help your children or class make their own dinosaur footprint using plaster of paris, shaped items found around the house and plenty of imagination.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aluminum tray 4 to 6 inches deep
• Dirt or sand
• Plaster of paris
• Round plastic container
• Wooden block shapes
• Cardboard rolls

1. Fill aluminum tray with the dirt from garden or a child's sandbox. Make sure there are no large stones or twigs in the dirt.

2. Display the containers, cardboard tubes, blocks and shaped items to let the child select the shapes he feels match the shapes of the pads and toes of a dinosaur print.

3. Help the child press the bottom of the round container in the center of the dirt or sand. Twist the container to set it deeply into the dirt.

4. Repeat the process by adding block shapes, marbles and cardboard tubes to make the toes and bones of the dinosaur foot by pressing them into the dirt.

5. Very carefully lift the shapes and container from the dirt. Try to keep the formed imprints intact in the dirt or sand.

6. Mix the plaster of paris according to the package directions. Pour the plaster into the indentations in the dirt or sand. Let dry at least two to four hours.

7. Remove the plaster of paris foot imprint from the dirt. Encourage the child to paint her dinosaur footprint.
   The wet paint can be imprinted on large piece of paper or a painted wall for a dinosaur footprint. The plaster footprint can be used for a decorative piece or a paperweight.

Tips & Warnings

• Dirt must be very dry for the plaster of paris to set and dry thoroughly.

Resources

• An overview of dinosaur tracking
• 107 Dinosaur printouts