Dinosaur Skeleton
Great for all ages

The Allosaurus is Utah’s very own state fossil. This large carnivorous dinosaur lived during the Late Jurassic Period. The Allosaurus, which means “different lizard,” was discovered in 1877, and scientists were surprised by its hollow vertebrae. The hollow bones would have been lighter, allowing this dino to move faster. Modern birds have similar bones.

This activity is great for all ages. Older kids can make more detailed skeletons, and even add some labels to the different bones. Younger kids can make a simpler skeleton and practice fine motor skills by carefully placing small pasta pieces within the design. When making today’s project, it is fun to look at the dinosaur skeletons and think about how different dinosaur skeletons worked will for different lifestyles. Ask kids why they think predators might have needed bones that let them move fast or why some herbivores were so big.

Materials:

  • Pasta optional: in different shapes and sizes
  • Glue
  • Paper for the background (we prefer black)

Directions:

  1. Look at Dinosaur Skeletons. Here are some good examples, https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/dinosaur-skeleton?mediatype=photography&phrase=dinosaur%20skeleton&sort=mostpopular
  2. For younger kids, it may be helpful to sketch in pencil the outline where you want to glue the pasta
  3. Glue the pasta down so that it makes a dinosaur bone skeleton.

More Fun:

  • Check out these 3D dinosaurs (especially fun to use with Google Cardboard or other VR headsets)
  • Check out this other video with David Attenborough talking about dinosaur skeletons.
  • Read this article to learn how scientists find dinosaur bones.
  • Using a large paper, build two or more dinosaur skeletons to scale. How do the sizes compare?

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