Infant Dino Dig!

An Activity Leader in a wide-brimmed hat holding a dinosaur puppet as a young child reaches out to touch it beside a sandpit dig at Camp Kindling

INFANT DINO DIG!

Tiny hands, big discoveries. Brush away the sand together and uncover hidden dinosaur bones on a gentle fossil hunt made for little ones.

What is an infant dino dig?

An infant dino dig is a gentle, playful fossil hunt made for the youngest dinosaur fans and their grown-ups. Little ones use brushes, scoops and small spades to dig through sand and uncover hidden dinosaur bones and treasures. It's hands-on, messy in the best way and packed with chances to talk, count, spot and wonder together.

What happens at an infant dino dig?

Your Activity Leader starts with a little dinosaur chat, then shows everyone how real fossil hunters dig slowly and carefully. Then it's time to get hands in the sand. Children brush and scoop until something appears, then hold it up, look closely and guess what it might be. There may even be a chance to meet some very lifelike baby dinosaurs (the puppet kind, of course). Everyone gets a moment to show off their best find, and every find gets a cheer.

Is a dino dig good for toddlers and young children?

Yes, it's a lovely first taste of science. Scooping, brushing and pouring are great practice for little hands, and digging for hidden finds builds curiosity and patience. There's no right or wrong way to dig, so even the smallest diggers can join in. Grown-ups dig alongside, which makes it a sweet, shared moment rather than something to watch from the side.

Which dinosaurs do little ones love learning about?

Triceratops had three horns on its face and a big bony frill. Tyrannosaurus rex had huge teeth and famously tiny arms. Stegosaurus had tall plates along its back and spikes on its tail, while Diplodocus had an extremely long neck and tail. A lovely fact to share is that birds are living relatives of dinosaurs, so the robin in your garden is part of the family tree.

How can we do a dino dig at home?

Bury a few toy dinosaurs or pretend bones in a tray of play sand, then hand over a paintbrush and a spoon. Talk about how palaeontologists, the scientists who dig up fossils, work slowly so nothing breaks. Big words like palaeontologist are half the fun to say. Add a magnifying glass and a notebook for drawing finds, and you've got a rainy-day adventure ready to go.

FAQ

DO WE NEED ANY EXPERIENCE?

Not at all. It's made for tiny beginners, and grown-ups join in too.

IS A DINO DIG SAFE FOR LITTLE ONES?

It's a low-risk activity, but keep a close eye on young children. Do not let little ones put sand, stones or small finds in their mouths, as small pieces can be a choking hazard. Do not throw sand, and wash hands after digging.