Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

Turn everyday items you already have into prehistoric fossils! Making salt dough dinosaur fossils is a breeze – and your kids will get a thrill out of this project any time of the year!

My kids have loved dinosaurs ever since they knew what they were. For that matter, so have I!

Salt dough is super versatile. You can use it to make tons of different things like Christmas ornaments or everyday items. It dries hard and keeps its shape, so it’s perfect for making something like fossils!

These salt dough dinosaur fossils are super duper easy from start to finish.

They are going to love this activity so much…why not make an extra-large batch and invite the neighbor kids too?

Let them add their homemade fossils into a sensory sand bin or outside in the sandbox.

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I bet they could get really creative with other items found outside or around the house to make different fossils or imprints.

Your kiddos will love being a paleontologist for a day…..or two! 😉 Give them a couple of small paint brushes, a magnifying glass, some goggles, a small shovel, and a kid-safe chisel. Then let them have a ball.

If you want more kid-friendly craft ideas, try my Lion Fork Painting Activity, DIY Rainbow Bath Bombs, or Folded Paper Sunflower Craft ideas!

Ingredients Needed For Our Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils Recipe

• Flour – all-purpose works best
• Salt – regular iodized salt
• Cream of Tartar – helps make dough pliable
• Coconut Oil – makes the dough soft and moldable
• Hot Water – hot water helps dissolve the salt
• Food Coloring – if desired
• Toy Dinosaurs

How To Make Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

Just follow these step-by-step instructions to make this awesome kid’s craft!

Step 1

Mix together the flour, salt, cream of tartar, coconut oil, hot water, and food coloring.

Step 2

Knead ingredients together until well combined and the dough is smooth.

Step 3

Roll out several pieces of dough to desired thickness.

Step 4

Press the toy dinosaurs into the dough to make impressions that look like fossils.

Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils Recipe Notes And Tips

• Salt dough will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or storage bag for up to 7 days before you need to bake it.

• If your salt dough is too wet and sticky, add about 1 tbsp more flour and continue to knead. If the dough is too stiff, add about 1 tbsp of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

• Add a drop or two of essential oil or natural extract if you want to add a pleasant, nice smell to the dough.

Variations Of Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils To Try

• Make impressions of dinosaur feet instead of the whole dinosaur.

• Send your child on a hunting expedition outside and have them collect limbs, rocks, leaves, or bones and let them make impressions of their treasures.

• Roll out the salt dough and use a dinosaur-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

• Change the color of the salt dough by adding your desired color of food coloring.

• Add a dash or two of glitter to your salt dough if you so desire. 😉

FAQs

If you have questions about making Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils, check to see if I’ve already answered them below. Don’t see your questions? Leave them in the comments so I can answer them!

Is the salt dough edible?

No, it is not edible dough! All of the ingredients in this recipe would not be harmful if eaten but I definitely would not recommend eating the dough.

If you add in glitter or certain essential oils, this salt dough definitely becomes inedible.

What is the best way to dry the salt dough dinosaur fossils?

You can allow them to air dry if you would like. Just keep in mind that it will take much longer than baking, depending on the thickness of your dough.

Drying them in a conventional oven is another option. You can bake them at 200 degrees for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour or more depending on the size and thickness of the pieces.

Low and slow is the best option or prevent your salt dinosaur fossils from cracking and breaking.

Love crafts and easy DIY projects? Grab this mini activity book for more by clicking the image below – free! 👇

How sticky should my salt dough be?

The salt dough should NOT be sticky! You should knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes until the dough is an even consistency similar to playdough.

Why did my salt dough dinosaur fossils puff up when I baked it?

It is likely that your salt dough puffed up too much when baking because the oven temperature was too high. It is best to bake it at the lowest oven temperature possible so that it dries very slowly.

More DIY Kids Activities To Try

If you love these salt dough dinosaur fossils, you’ll love these other ideas too!

• How To Make A DIY Mushroom Fairy House
• Easy Pet Rock Craft Idea
• Fireworks Painting Craft Tutorial
• Easy Four Seasons Tree Craft
• Paper Plate Garden Craft For Kids

Love crafts and easy DIY projects? Grab this mini activity book for more by clicking the image below – free! 👇