Paleontology for Kids - Raah!
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Encourage a Paleontologist in Training!
Lots of kids are fascinated by dinosaurs. Tap into this interest and you may have a paleontologist in training!
We'll find out what a paleontologist does, look at some fun paleontology-themed activities and gifts and highlight some excellent paleontology resources for learning more. Oh and don't miss the song about paleontology!
The Magic School Bus: Back in Time with the Dinosaurs
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BUY NOWBest Paleontology for Kids Resources
- The Paleontology Portal
- Educational paleontology resources. Great for kids who are serious about becoming a paleontologist. Includes interviews with real paleontologists and career guidance.
- National Park Service Junior Paleontologist Program
- Lots of paleontology activities from the National Park Service. Complete age appropriate activities to become a Junior Paleontologist. There's a free booklet available online.
- Virtual Dino Dig
- An interactive online dinosaur dig that shows you what paleontologists do on a field trip and when they get back to the lab. From the Smithsonian Department of Paleobiology.
What is a Paleontologist?
And what is paleontology?
“When I'm big I want to be a paleontologist - a scientist who finds out what dinosaurs looked like.”
What is a Paleontologist?
Paleontologist Definition
The above definition came from my son aged just 4. It's pretty much right. Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life including dinosaurs through fossil evidence and science. A Paleontologist studies paleontology.
Most paleontology is lab and academic work, but there's also field work which can offer adventures to far flung locations.
My son was playing with his Playmobil Triceratops set when he decided he wanted to become a paleontologist. It's a very cool set. You can hide the dinosaur skeleton bones then excavate them and assemble them into a skeleton. The volcano erupts impressively. And you can pretend to go back in time to see a Triceratops and baby.
Playmobil Triceratops with Baby
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Note: In British English it's palaeontologist and palaeontology.
Fun Paleontology Facts for Kids
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Stone Girl Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning
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BUY NOWOne of the first paleontologists was a young girl called Mary Anning in Dorset, UK in the 1800s.
Mary hunted for fossils and sold them for money as part of the family business. As she grew older she became an expert on the prehistoric creatures that she found near Lyme Regis in an area now known as the Jurassic coast.
The book Stone Girl, Bone Girl:: The Story of Mary Anning tells the story of Mary Anning for children age 6 and up.
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The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
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BUY NOWPaleontologists carry out research to learn more about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. An important part of this is creating models of dinosaurs.
A gentleman named Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins was one of the first to create models of dinosaurs. He created life size models of dinosaurs in the 1850s based on the best scientific knowledge of the time. The Crystal Palace dinosaurs are still there today, and we're lucky enough to have visited them just outside London.
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer is a beautifully illustrated and written book that tells the story of Hawkins and his dinosaurs. You can find out what happened when he went to America.
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We know about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures because of fossils.
A dinosaur fossil is actually rock in the shape of a dinosaur bone. Fossils are formed when minerals fill the tiny holes in bones and the bones dissolve in groundwater over time. If you've ever picked up a fossil you probably noticed that they are much heavier than bone.
No paleontologist has ever seen a real dinosaur. Instead they rely on fossil evidence and the scientific method. Knowledge of modern-day animals is very useful in understanding what dinosaurs were like.
They Might be Giants: I am a Paleontologist
Fun song and video about paleontology
Here Comes Science [CD+DVD]
@ Amazon.co.uk BUY NOWHow do you become a Paleontologist?
Paleontologist Phillip Currie
All About Dinosaurs
by Roy Chapman
All About DinosaursThis is the book that Philip Currie mentions in the video above - it inspired him to become a palentologist. It's out of print but second hand copies are often available.
It's very interesting to see how much we have learned about dinosaurs since this book was written. My son has a dinosaur book from the 70s which we picked up at a school fair - he likes the idea that this was what was known about dinosaurs when his dad was a little boy. It helps him understand how paleontologists are always learning new things about dinosaurs.
See below for modern paleontology books for kids
Dino Dan T-Shirts
Dinosaur Paleontology Activities for Kids
Dinosaur Paleontology Activity: What Color were Dinosaurs?
Ask your kids to think about what color dinosaurs were. Get them to draw or paint a dinosaur picture, or color in a dinosaur coloring page if they're little.Why did they choose those colors? How might paleontologists find out what color dinosaurs were?
This is a current area of inquiry for dinosaur paleontologists. Continue the What Color were Dinosaurs? Activity
Dinosaur Paleontology Activity: Dino Dig
A dino dig is a fun and educational activity for a classroom, homeschool, or just for fun for a child who loves dinosaurs.
The idea is to set up a dinosaur dig site and have the kids excavate dinosaur fossils and then assemble a skeleton, with lots of learning opportunities built in.
See: Planning a Classroom Dinosaur Dig for detailed guidance.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Classroom Dinosaur Dig
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Online Dino Dig Games
There are lots of dino dig games online. The National Museum of Natural History - Virtual Dinosaur Dig is one of our favorites.The interactive game takes you an a dinosaur paleontology field trip where you learn lots of dinosaur facts and get to excavate dinosaur bones.
Junior Paleontologist Program
National Park Service
Download: Junior Paleontologist Activity Booklet
The booklet is very well put together. It features activities for Trilobytes (Age 5+), Sauropods (Age 8+) and Sabre Tooth Cats (Age 10+).
Highlights include:
- A printable board game that teaches kids the process of fossilization. Example square: "Organism stays at the surface and does not get buried quickly - LOSE A TURN"
- Graphical timeline where kids have to match plant and animal life to the right time period using the provided information.
- An activity that shows how the layers in rock correspond to the ages of the fossils found in them.
- Compare yourself to dinosaurs to get a feel for the size of different dinosaur species.
- Guess the modern relatives of prehistoric creatures.
This is a brilliant booklet that educates junior paleontologists while being lots of fun. Kids will learn science and biology, how paleontologists know so much about prehistoric life, observation skills and more.
The Magic School Bus: Back in Time with the Dinosaurs
Age 5 to 10
The Magic School Bus: Back in Time with the Dinosaurs
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BUY NOWThis is a fun kids palentontology set for children aged around 5 to 10. It includes lots of materials for hands-on learning activities and the educational resources to help you get the most from the experience.
Kids get to create a timeline, design a dinosaur diorama, build a wooden dinosaur replica (he looks like a T-Rex to me), make cast and mold fossils, mold clay dinosaur teeth and more.
There's a lot packed into this set making it good value for money. For kids at the younger end of the age range they will require help and supervision to get the most from the set. But if you have a dinosaur mad child like my older son (nearly 5) then it's amazing what they can learn when they're motivated.
Paleontology Activity: Paleontology in the News
Latest Dinosaur Discoveries
For example, it was recently discovered that Eoraptor is a plant-eater and had been incorrectly classified as a meat-eater. Paleontologists are regularly making new scientific discoveries. And there's still plenty left to learn.
Try here as a starting point for paleontology news stories:
Paleontology Learning Resources for Kids
Paleontology Books for Kids
Learn about fossils and dinosaurs
Bones Rock!: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Paleontologist
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Dinosaur Days: Interactive Educational Resource
The resource includes lots of videos about different species of dinosaur, plus videos on relevant topics including one on paleontology. You also get activity worksheets and some games too. You can either use it directly on the website, or from the CD.
My son, nearly 5, really enjoyed this because he could drive the interface himself and choose what he wanted to learn about next. He can't read get (well he recognizes dinosaur!) so he'll get more from a lot of the activities as he gets older. I expect us to keep returning to Dinosaur Days.
(I have no relationship with Dinosaur Days, it's just a product we have enjoyed.)
Learning about the Dinosaur Timeline
If you want to know whether T-Rex and Triceratops really lives at the same time, and whether the Jurassic came before or after the Triassic, then this is the resource for you.
Paleontology Resources for Kids
Free online paleontology activities
If you know of a valuable paleontology resouce for kids then please add a link. Note that all links are moderated and will not appear immediately. If accepted your resource will appear in the list.
Paleo Explorer Kids
Paleo Explorer Kids is a great online paleontology resource for kids from Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. Learn about fossils, go on a dino discovery and ask a paleontologist a question.0 points
DinoMight at Sheppard Software
A great set of interactive fun and education activities including Dinosaur Timeline, How Fossils are made and our favorite DinoMight Appetitite where you learn the characteristics of Carnivores and Herbivores and have to identify the meat-eaters and plant-eaters.0 points
BBC: Prehistoric Life
A great resource on prehistoric life from the BBC with videos, facts and games. Lots of material on dinosaurs and extinction.0 points
Dinosaurs Anatomy, Anatomy of Dinosaurs, Teeth, Skin, Horn, Brain, Food, Claws, Tails, Sounds
Learn more about Dinosaurs Anatomy, Anatomy of Dinosaurs, Dinosaur Skeleton, Book, Dinosaurs Teeth, Skin, Horn, Brain, Food, Claws, Tails, Sounds from rareresource.com.0 points
Top 10 Sites for Children Learning About Dinosaurs | Education Resources
Does your child have a love for dinosaurs? Are they currently studying dinosaurs in the classroom? Find sites to foster your child's dinosaur interests!0 points
Biology and Art in Paleontology
"In paleontology, I saw an irresistible combination of travel, adventure, art, biology and geology." - Dr Paul Sereno, Paleontologist
Dinosaur Paleontology: Anatomy
4D Vision Tyrannosaurus Rex Anatomy Model
4D Vision Tyrannosaurus Rex Anatomy Model
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BUY NOW Dinosaur Paleontology: Art
Gregory S Paul
Gregory S Paul is a famous paleoartist and researcher who produces beautiful drawings of dinosaurs.
This Steosaurus photo sculpture is an example of his detailed work. (Available to buy.)
Dinosaur Photo Sculpture Stegosaurus Gregory Paul
The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs (Princeton Field Guides)
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BUY NOW In Sept 2010 Gregory S Paul published this amazingly detailed guide to dinosaurs, it's a valuable scientific resource and a work of art.See Learn to Draw Dinosaurs for resources to help your child learn to draw dinosaurs.
Movie and TV Kid Paleontologists
Kid Paleontologists from TV Shows
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1Alicia, Diego's sister is a Dinosaur Expert. This is a great option for the littlest kids and features a girl paleontologist.
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2Buddy the T-Rex from Dinosaur Train likes to learn all about different kinds of dinosaur and he collects fossils. Great for preschool kids. Has a featured slot with Dr Scott the paleontogist.
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3Dino Dan sees dinosaurs everywhere he goes and loves to try and understand them. Dan Henderson is a paleontologist in training. This is a great show for kids age 4+ to learn about dinosaurs.
Dino Dan: Dino Trackers!
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Famous Paleontologists
Dr Scott from Dinosaur Train
Dr Paul Sereno
Paleontologist Toys and Role Play
Paleontologist Costume and Role Play
Dress up as a paleontologist and go on a field trip
Tan and Brown Junior Explorer Suit with Embroidered Cap
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BUY NOWMore Paleontologist Costume and Role Play ideas.
We've got a whole page dedicated to paleontologist costumes and role play accessories for kids.
Paleontology Playmobil
Dinosaur Fossil Field Trip Toy
Do you know a kid who likes paleontology?
Comments
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alibilal
May 8, 2012 @ 10:15 am | delete
- Great information. Thank you for sharing.
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Buchamar
Mar 3, 2012 @ 12:30 pm | delete
- All kids love Dinos! I do reviews on kids apps for iPad that are educational - come visit Apps Kids! I have done several great dino apps as well.
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PBJasen
Jan 27, 2012 @ 9:46 am | delete
- Your lens brings out the kid in me :)
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TrentAdamsCA
Dec 16, 2011 @ 2:43 pm | delete
- This is wonderful. I'm still as drawn to everything about dinosaurs as I was as a kid. I spent some time with a friend's boys during their dinosaur phase and it was a blast. I enjoyed how you wove so much background and educational material through this, and the quote from your son is excellent.
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23squidoo
Nov 24, 2011 @ 4:41 pm | delete
- Wonderfully informational and beautifully presented lens. Angel Blessed!
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Lifeboost
Nov 21, 2011 @ 10:56 am | delete
- Fabulous lens! I didn't know there were so many paleontology activities for kids! Blessed. :)
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squidoopets
Nov 10, 2011 @ 2:28 pm | delete
- RAR - this kid loves this paleontology lens :) Very cool.
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blackspanielgallery
Nov 7, 2011 @ 8:38 pm | delete
- Gret idea
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kinworm
Oct 30, 2011 @ 8:02 pm | delete
- No but my daughter, 4, is just getting interested in Dinosaurs and loves the Harry the Dinosaur books - I'm having a hard time knowing how to pronounce the dinosaur names when I read the books though - it's a what-o-saurus!
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DinosaurEgg
Oct 31, 2011 @ 2:01 am | delete
- I remember a hilarious visit when my Mum tried to read a Harry and the Dinosaurs book to my son and tripped over all the names! We did have to look some of them up online to get them right.
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gottaloveit
Oct 27, 2011 @ 6:13 am | delete
- I don't know any kids who like paleontology but I sure do. Fun lens. Hope it climbs in ranking.
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aesta1
Oct 26, 2011 @ 8:34 pm | delete
- No but an adult who went through training, yes. A friend took training when her husband was sent as a diplomat in Israel and really enjoyed it.
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AnthonyAltorenna
Oct 26, 2011 @ 6:06 pm | delete
- Great lens for introducing kids to paleontology. I was interested in dinosaurs as a child, and I still enjoy learning about fossils.
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AlleyCatLane
Oct 25, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
- Nice to see toys that encourage kids to develop a love for science. Great lens.
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Kai Williams
Aug 1, 2011 @ 6:22 pm | delete
- That kid would be me!!!!! I am ten years old and paleontology is my life!
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dinosaursA2Z
Sep 4, 2011 @ 1:56 pm | delete
- Kai you should check out the book DINOSAURS A 2 Z at www.dinosaursa2z.com to get a sneak preview. You can order it on that site or thru amazon and other sites like it.
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dinosaurs a 2 z
Oct 26, 2011 @ 11:56 pm | delete
- what is your top 3 favorite dinosaurs?
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by DinosaurEgg
DinosaurEgg is Mom to two boys who love dinosaurs and likes to encourage their interest in paleontology and science.
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