This month we are learning more about dinosaurs with Mother Goose Time and have completed some really fun dinosaur themed creative art projects.
We have modeled an excavation dig site, created fossil stamps, assembled bone puzzles, and fashioned T-Rex teeth necklaces.
The first two activities are “Invitations to Create” which are process oriented and call for the kids to explore the materials while they make their own unique creations.
The second two are “Make and Play” activities focused on enabling to kids to make something that they can then play with or use in a game.
Excavation Dig
Along with an inspiration photograph of a dinosaur skull, the kids were provided with a dinosaur skeleton sheet, sand, background paper, and a paintbrush. I also provided crayons, markers, scissors, and glue.
Depending on skill level, the kids either cut out or ripped out the dinosaur bones from their dinosaur skeleton sheets. The kids really enjoyed sprinkling the sand over the dinosaur bones and moving it around with their paintbrushes. The kids had dramatically different approaches to extended the activity, which lasted close to thirty minutes.
I love how process art allows the kids to express themselves freely and enjoy the materials without the pressure of a predetermined product. They always seem to enjoy their artwork more and for longer periods of time.
Fossil Stamp
By placing foam stickers onto the bottom of a cardboard lid the kids created fossil stamps. The lids were then dipped into paint and pressed onto paper. In an effort to real in the crazy we used only one color of paint; red.
The kids really enjoyed being able to arrange the stickers in anyway they wished and creating their prints. They wished for more paper and so we ended up spreading a large piece of butcher paper on the floor so that they could continue stamping and creating.
Bone Puzzles
For this activity the kids were given a collection of bone puzzle pieces and a sheet that showed several different arrangements for the how the bones could be used to build different types of dinosaurs.
The kids enjoyed using the sheet as a pattern at first, but were quick to break out and create their own designs. They also enjoyed working together and adding all the pieces into one big sculpture on the floor to create an bigger dinosaur, two headed dinosaur.
The kids were fascinated to realize that dinosaurs had bones underneath their skin/scales just like we have bones making up our skeletons today.
This project was also nice because it allowed for a far amount of independent play and could be left out for them to repeat without worry about excessive mess from paint or other materials.
T-Rex Teeth Necklace
The kids were given white foam triangle cut outs with punched holes, straws, and yarn. They used scissors to cut the straws into beads and assembled their very own necklaces. Each had a very different design idea for their necklace. One child alternated beads and teeth, another placed all the teeth in the middle and used beads on the outside, and the eldest created a varying symmetrical pattern of foam teeth and straw beads.
The kids loved wearing their necklaces and were more than happy to dance to our dinosaur themed music CD and perform their very best roars for the camera!
I hope some of these dinosaur themed creative art projects have inspired you to create some artwork with your own kids.
If you’re looking for a great themed based preschool curriculum with plenty of opened-ended process art and lots of play based learning, Mother Goose Time is a fabulous option. To see more of our activities with Mother Goose Time visit our Mother Goose Time Curriculum Page!
Happy Creating!
