Sensory + Science Activity
Dinosaur Fossil Salt Dough Activity
This hands-on dinosaur fossil activity lets preschoolers explore texture, shape, and pretend paleontology. Children press a toy dinosaur, shell, fork, or other classroom-safe object into homemade salt dough to create a fossil impression.
Salt Dough Recipe: Use 2 parts flour and 1 part salt, then add water slowly until a soft dough forms.
Learning Goals
- Fine motor skills
- Sensory exploration
- Science vocabulary: dinosaur, fossil, imprint, paleontologist
- Observation skills
- Creativity and curiosity
Materials
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Small toy dinosaurs or classroom-safe tools
- Wax paper or trays
- Optional: forks, shells, leaves, or textured objects
How to Do the Activity
- Prepare the salt dough before the activity or make it together as a group.
- Give each child a small piece of dough on wax paper or a tray.
- Invite children to flatten the dough with their hands.
- Let children press a toy dinosaur, fork, shell, or textured object into the dough.
- Carefully lift the object to reveal the fossil imprint.
- Let the fossils dry and display them.
Questions to Ask Children
- What do you see in your fossil?
- What made this shape?
- How does the dough feel?
- What do paleontologists look for?
- Can you make another imprint?
Teacher Tip: Prepare small dough portions ahead of time for younger preschoolers. If the dough is sticky, add a little flour. If it is too dry, add water slowly, a few drops at a time.