Dinosuar Crafts for Preschool Lesson Plans or Family Fun Activities

Children are fascinated by dinosaurs. Large, small, earth-shaking, quick-footed, flying, horned, spiked, nesting or nurturing, there's a dinosaur to bring big excite every little personality in your home or classroom. As a preschool teacher, I found that both boys are girls were interested in amazing extinct creatures. As an arts and crafts camp teacher for many years, I noticed that dinosaur themed camp filled up quickly every year.

Whether you're looking for dinosaur crafts for your preschool lesson plans or a family fun dinosaur crafts project for the weekend, the dinosaur diorama is a kid pleaser. Having a dinosaur themed birthday party? The dinosaur diorama gives you an activity and take home party favor in one.

Remember dioramas? When some of us were in school, back in the age of the dinosaurs before computer graphics, we used to create dioramas for book reports or to represent various areas of learning. The dinosaur diorama is a good old fashion craft that is easy and fun to make with recyclable materials, scraps and basic art supplies.

The dinosaur diorama is functional too. Kids can use their diorama as a dramatic play backdrop to play with their small toy dinosaurs. They can also set out the dinosaur diorama to display their favorite dinosaurs or put the lid on and store them inside in a handmade storage box that can travel from room to room or on trips.

Because dinosaur dioramas can and should be unique, there are lots of options for materials that can be used. This is a great example of "going green" and creating a toy from scraps and recyclable materials.

The Basic Supplies Needed to Create a Dinosaur Diorama:


A shoebox with a lid

Glue

Colored construction paper, magazine or fabric scraps

Scissors

At least 2 small plastic dinosaurs per child

Fun Things You Can Add to a Dinosaur Diorama:


Small rocks

Shredded crinkly paper (makes cool grass)

Aluminum foil (makes neat lakes)

Cotton balls (can be added for clouds)

Dinosaur stickers and letter stickers can be used decorate the outside the dinosaur diorama box.