Planning a dinosaur summer camp for kids? This week of hands-on dinosaur activities is packed with easy science experiments, STEM challenges, art projects, and sensory play that preschoolers and elementary-aged kids will love.
Whether you’re planning summer camp at home, in the classroom, or for a group, these low-prep dinosaur activities make it easy to explore fossils, volcanoes, paleontology, and more using simple supplies.
Grab the free Dinosaur Camp Starter Guide below.
Dinosaur Camp Activities
Dinosaurs capture kids’ imaginations like few other topics! This dinosaur camp combines science, creativity, and hands-on discovery as kids investigate what life may have been like millions of years ago.
Throughout the week, children will:
- Discover fossils
- Become paleontologists
- Explore volcanoes
- Excavate dinosaur eggs
- Learn about the Ice Age
- Create dinosaur-inspired art
- Make dinosaur-themed slime
- Practice observation and scientific thinking
💡 Most activities take about 20 to 45 minutes and use inexpensive supplies you may already have at home or in the classroom.
Dinosaur Summer Camp Schedule
Here’s one easy way to organize your dinosaur camp.
Monday Dinosaur Discovery – Start camp by making Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs and talking about how scientists discover fossils.
Tuesday Fossil Day – Create Salt Dough Fossils and become a paleontologist like Mary Anning with a Dinosaur Dig.
Wednesday Volcano Science – Build a Dinosaur Volcano and learn how volcanoes shaped Earth’s history.
Thursday Ice Age Adventure – Cool off with a Frozen Dinosaur Dig and explore how ice preserved ancient animals.
Friday Dinosaur Fun – Finish camp with Dinosaur Footprint Art, Dinosaur Slime, and Dinosaur Dirt Cups.
🔎 Mix and match activities to fit your schedule. Find more dinosaur activities and printables here.
Dinosaur Science Activities
Hide miniature dinosaurs inside baking soda eggs, then use vinegar to dissolve the eggs and discover what’s hidden inside. Kids will love watching the fizzing chemical reaction while practicing careful observation.
Become a real paleontologist! Excavate buried dinosaurs and discuss how scientists carefully uncover fossils while protecting important discoveries.
Make your own fossils using homemade salt dough and plastic dinosaurs or shells. Once baked, these fossils become lasting keepsakes that kids can compare and investigate.
Freeze dinosaurs inside blocks of ice and challenge kids to excavate them using warm water, droppers, and simple tools. It’s a fun way to cool off while building fine motor skills.
Combine dinosaur play with one of the most popular science experiments for kids. Build a volcano and create an exciting baking soda and vinegar eruption while discussing volcanoes and Earth’s changing landscape.
🔎 Dinosaur Slime
Create clear “amber” slime by adding plastic dinosaurs to homemade slime. Kids will love pretending they’ve discovered dinosaurs trapped in prehistoric amber. Use our saline solution slime recipe.
Dinosaur Art Activities
Let toy dinosaurs become paintbrushes! Dip dinosaur feet into paint and create colorful tracks, patterns, and process art while comparing different dinosaur footprints.
Dinosaur Sensory Fun
End your dinosaur camp with an easy dinosaur-themed snack. Kids can help assemble the pudding cups while pretending to excavate edible fossils.
Think Like a Paleontologist
Paleontologists do much more than dig up dinosaur bones. They observe carefully, collect evidence, compare discoveries, and ask questions about the past.
Encourage kids to think like scientists by asking:
- What do you notice?
- What do you think happened?
- What evidence supports your idea?
- How are these fossils alike or different?
- What questions do you still have?
What Kids Will Learn
This dinosaur camp introduces children to several areas of Earth science through playful, hands-on investigations.
Kids will explore:
- Fossils and fossil formation
- Paleontology
- Volcanoes and Earth’s layers
- Chemical reactions
- Observation and recording data
- Ice excavation
- Scientific inquiry
- Fine motor skills
- Creative problem-solving
Free Dinosaur Camp Starter Guide
Ready to start your dinosaur adventure?
Download the FREE Dinosaur Camp Starter Guide for printable planning pages, supply lists, and activity ideas to help organize your week.
Want the Complete Dinosaur Activity Pack?
Our printable Dinosaur Activity Pack includes everything you need for an entire week of learning.
Inside you’ll find:
- Daily lesson plans
- Printable activity pages
- Supply lists
- Easy instructions
- Extension activities
- Bonus printables
Simply print and start exploring!
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is this dinosaur summer camp best for? These activities are designed for preschool through early elementary students, but many can easily be adapted for older children with additional discussion and investigation.
How long do the activities take? Most activities take between 20 and 45 minutes, making them perfect for summer camps, classrooms, homeschool, or afternoon learning.
Can I use these activities in a classroom? Yes! The activities use simple materials, require minimal prep, and work well for classrooms, homeschool groups, library programs, and summer camps.
What science topics do kids learn? Children explore fossils, paleontology, volcanoes, geology, chemical reactions, observation, and scientific investigation through hands-on learning while having fun.
Do I need plastic dinosaurs? Plastic dinosaurs make several activities more engaging, but many projects can also be completed with fossil impressions, printable images, or other dinosaur-themed materials.
More Fun Summer Themes
Plan a whole summer of fun science for kids! Check out each camp theme week and have a budget-friendly summer of science at home.
