Activity Guide: Paper Plate-o-Saurus

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Purpose: Design scientific models of different prehistoric creatures.

Museum Connection: We are curious, creative and playful!

Main Idea: While there are many different types of prehistoric reptiles, dinosaurs are set apart

because they had back legs that were straight under their bodies (like those of their cousins,

birds!).

Sources:

Dino Directory from NHM UK

http://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2013/07/paper-plate-dinosaur-craft-for-kids.html

Age: Grades K-3

Prep (time): 10-30 minutes

Activity Time: 60 minutes

Prep:

 Cut paper plates in half

 Print the limb sheets of the different dino templates

o You may want to cut the dino template limbs out if you are working with younger kiddos

 Gather supplies from the materials list below

Materials:

Item

Quantity

Paper plates

1 half plate per person

Various Dino limb sheets

1 per person

Scissors

1 per person

Glue/Stapler

1

Paint

X

Markers

X

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Various craft supplies

X

Hole punch/googley eyes

X

Background Info:

Dinosaurs dominated the earth for over 140 million years. They came in

many different shapes and sizes, and could live in a variety of land

ecosystems. While there are many different

types of prehistoric reptiles, dinosaurs are set

apart because they had back legs that were

straight under their bodies (like those of their

cousins, birds!). This type of leg placement that

differed from lizards and crocodiles allowed

them to use less energy when they moved.

Like other reptiles, dinosaurs laid eggs and had

a hole between their eye socket and nostril.

They also have two holes behind the eye socket on their skull where large, strong jaw muscles

would attach to the top of their skull, allowing them to open their jaw wide and bite down with

large amounts of force.

While a pterodactyl is one of our plates to make, they are NOT dinosaurs-they lived in the air

and are called pterosaurs!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

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1. Begin by talking about what kind of dinosaurs you can make, show them the template, and maybe

give some information on each dinosaur.

2. Allow guests to decorate their dinosaur body using paint, markers, or other craft supplies.

3. Once their dinosaur body/paper plate is decorated, set it aside to dry. Cut out the dino’s limbs from

the templates.

4. Attach dino limbs to the paper plate using glue or a stapler.

5. Optional: Draw a habitat for your creature!

Example Final Projects:

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Stegosaurus

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