Fossil Impression Art

Some fossils aren't bones at all. They're prints left behind in mud that turned to stone. Today your little one makes their own "fossils" by pressing toy dinosaur feet, shells and leaves into salt dough, then letting them dry.

What you need

• 1 cup flour

• 1/2 cup salt

• About 1/2 cup water

• A bowl and spoon

• Toy dinosaurs, shells, leaves or pine cones to press in

• Optional: paint for when it's dry

How to do it

1. Make the dough. Mix the flour and salt, then add water a little at a time until it feels like play dough.

2. Make discs. Roll balls about the size of a small orange and flatten them into thick circles.

3. Press in the prints. Walk a toy dinosaur across the dough, or press in a shell or leaf. Lift it off carefully.

4. Guess the print. Take turns guessing which toy or object made each print.

5. Let them dry. Leave them to air-dry for a day or two, or bake at a low temperature (about 200°F) for 2 to 3 hours with a grown-up.

Why we love it

Kids see right away how a footprint shows the shape of a foot, even after the foot is gone. That's exactly how scientists learn from fossil footprints. It's also great squishing, rolling and pressing work for little hands.

Tips from our table

• Salt dough isn't food. It's very salty, so keep it away from mouths and pets.

• Poke a hole near the top before drying to hang it up.

• Paint the dried fossils brown or gray to make them look like real stone.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Jumbo toy dinosaurs

• Shop everything for Week 5: Dinosaurs

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Dinosaur activities, Letter E activities and Number 5 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.