Explore Fun Fossil Activities: Bringing Prehistoric Discoveries to Life

Fossils offer an exciting way to engage young learners in the wonders of prehistoric life. Whether it’s uncovering "dinosaur bones" or a skeleton in a hands-on fossil dig or creating their own fossil imprints, children can develop a deeper understanding of Earth’s history through play-based learning. These activities align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) by fostering curiosity, investigation, and scientific thinking.

Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient life and living thing, offering valuable clues about prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs. They form over millions of years when organic material is gradually replaced by minerals, creating rock-like imprints of bones, shells, or even footprints. This natural process provides an exciting opportunity for children to learn about Earth’s past and the conditions that shaped our planet.

Encouraging children to explore fossils through hands-on activities enhances their problem-solving skills, fine motor development, and scientific enquiry. Here are some engaging ways to introduce fossil learning in the classroom or at home:

• Set up a simulated excavation using the ABC School Supplies Fossil Dig Kit, which includes a collection of excavation tools and replica fossils.
• Bury small items like shells or toy dinosaur bones in a sensory bin filled with sand sediment or in mud.
• Provide brushes to rub off the dirt and magnifying glasses so children can carefully uncover their discoveries, just like real palaeontologists.

• Use modelling clay or dough to press objects such as leaves, shells, or toy dinosaur footprints, creating realistic fossil imprints to study the specimen and trace fossils.
• The ABC School Supplies Sensory Dough Set is perfect for this activity, offering a soft, pliable texture ideal for imprinting.
• Once dried, children can paint their fossils, further enhancing creativity and fine motor skills.

• Discuss how tree resin trapped insects and hardened into amber over time.
• Use the Transparent Gel Science Set from ABC School Supplies to replicate this process by suspending tiny objects in clear gel or resin.

• Create a prehistoric trackway by making footprint stamps using playdough and toy dinosaurs.
• Ask children to predict which dinosaur made each track, encouraging observation and inference skills.

• Use picture cards or real fossil replicas from the ABC School Supplies Fossil Learning Set to match different fossils to their corresponding prehistoric creatures.
• This activity supports early classification and scientific reasoning skills.

Fossils help scientists uncover details about ancient ecosystems, climate change, and the evolution of life. By studying fossils, children develop a sense of wonder for the past and gain insights into how life on Earth has changed over millions of years. Visiting the Museum of Natural History and interactive learning spaces also provides opportunities for young learners to see real fossils up close. It is a great way of deepening their appreciation for natural history.

Incorporating fossil activities into early learning settings supports EYLF principles, particularly Learning Outcome 4: "Children are confident and involved learners." These activities encourage exploration, investigation, and scientific thinking in a fun, hands-on way. Make a way for them to learn palaeontology and to seek professions such as palaeontologist.

For educators looking to enhance their fossil-themed lessons, ABC School Supplies offers a range of engaging products designed to support inquiry-based learning. Explore our selection of fossil dig kits, sensory dough, and educational resources to create an interactive and enriching prehistoric adventure for young learners!