Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

I haven’t written a post about a children’s craft or activity for what feels like ages, which is a shame actually as when I started this blog it was all about things to do with little ones (and you can see loads of these in the crafts and activities for kids tab on my blog). However, Freddie and I got creative today for his homework with these salt dough dinosaur fossils, and I suddenly felt the urge to snap what we were doing and got a bit more of the creative flair back that I enjoyed so much a few years ago. 

Anyway, I digress, our creative activity/homework was something right up the street of a dinosaur-crazy 8 year old. These salt dough fossils turned out much better than I expected, and we actually had a really fun half hour or so making them before they went in the oven. If you’re a mum from my school you’ll no doubt have been getting stuck in to these too, although hopefully not leaving them right until the last day of the holidays like us! 

These Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils are designed to get the kids thinking about geology, and Freddie really got into this, doing the majority of it himself. 

A perfect activity for any dinosaur-mad child!

You will need for the salt dough dinosaur fossils:

• 2 Cups plain flour
• 1 Cup salt
• 1 Tablespoon of oil
• Approx 3/4 of hot water (but I added a little extra towards the end of making the dough)
• Black food colouring
• Plastic dinosaurs, shells, leaves etc

Step-by-step guide to creating dinosaur bones and dinosaur fossils with salt dough:

1. Mix the flour and salt in a bowl and then add the oil.
2. Add a 3 teaspoons of black food colouring to the hot water & slowly pour it into the mixture, stirring as you go. If the dough becomes too wet add more flour, if too dry a little more water. 
3. Knead until the dough is nice and smooth. 
4. Divide the dough into according to what size and shape dinosaur you want to press into it, and roll each piece so about 1cm thick.
5. Press the dinosaurs into the dough.
6. Either grease and baking tray with oil or cover it with baking parchment like we did.
7. Bake the fossils on the tray in the oven at 120 degrees c for 1-2 hours. Turn the fossils every half hour until they feel hollow and are thoroughly dried out. 

FAQs for making Salt Dough Fossils

• What is the best recipe for making salt dough dinosaur fossils?
  The best recipe for salt dough typically involves 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix these ingredients together until they form a smooth, firm dough. If you’re looking for a more durable texture, you can add a tablespoon of cream of tartar to the mixture. For added colour, you can use food colouring or acrylic paints in the dough.

• How long does it take to make salt dough fossils?
  Making salt dough fossils can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the fossils you’re creating and the size of your dough shapes. Shaping the fossils takes about 30 minutes, while the drying or baking time can take anywhere between 2 hours (air-drying) and 3 hours (baking at 200°F for about 2-3 hours). Make sure the fossils are completely dry and hardened before handling.

• Can I add food colouring to salt dough?
  Yes, you can definitely add food colouring to salt dough to give your fossils a more realistic or fun appearance. Add a few drops of food colouring to the water before mixing it with the dry ingredients. Alternatively, you can knead the coloring into the dough after it’s made. This is a great way to create fossils with different shades, like earth tones for more natural fossil-like hues.

• How do I make dinosaur bones with salt dough?
  To make dinosaur bones with salt dough, roll out the dough on a flat surface. Use a rolling pin or your hands to flatten the dough to your desired thickness. Then, use small plastic dinosaur toys to press impressions of the bones into the dough, or mold the dough by hand into shapes resembling bones. After shaping, carefully press a small toy dinosaur into the dough to leave footprints or impressions as well.

• What can I use to press dinosaur bone shapes into salt dough?
  To press dinosaur bone shapes into salt dough, you can use small toy dinosaurs, bone-shaped cookie cutters, or even everyday objects like small rocks or sticks. For a more detailed and textured effect, you could use a small fossil model or a fossil stamps. If you’re trying to make larger bones, you can form and shape the dough by hand into the desired bone shapes.

• Can salt dough fossils be saved and displayed?
  Yes, salt dough fossils can be saved and displayed! Once the fossils are completely dry and hardened, they can be painted with acrylic paints for an added realistic touch. You can display them in a shadow box, a small display case, or even on a shelf in your home. To protect the fossils, consider coating them with a layer of clear acrylic sealer to preserve them from dust and damage.

• Can I use salt dough dinosaur fossils for educational purposes?
  Absolutely! Salt dough fossils are an excellent tool for teaching children about palaeontology, dinosaur history, and the fossilisation process. You can create an educational activity by showing kids how fossils are formed and why they’re important in understanding the history of life on Earth. You can also integrate this activity with books or documentaries about dinosaurs.

• How do I store salt dough fossils?
  To store salt dough fossils, keep them in a dry and cool place. If you want to preserve them long-term, it’s best to store them in an airtight container or wrap them in tissue paper to prevent cracking. If the fossils were painted, ensure they are fully dry before storing to avoid smudging the paint.

• What can I do if my salt dough is too sticky?
  If your salt dough becomes too sticky while working with it, simply add a little more flour to the dough, a tablespoon at a time, until the texture is firm and not overly sticky. You can also dust your working surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking while rolling it out.

• Can salt dough fossils break easily?
  While salt dough fossils can be durable if baked properly, they can break if they’re too thin or handled roughly. To reduce the risk of breakage, make sure to allow your fossils to bake or air-dry thoroughly before handling them. If your fossils are delicate, consider adding a protective layer of paint or sealer to help preserve their integrity.

You might like this dinosaur peg craft and you can see some of my other crafts and activities for children!

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.