Dino Dig Ice Excavation – Science & Sensory Activity for Kids
Oh winter!!
I have a love/hate relationship with this season! I love when it’s snowing outside and I’m tucked indoors, cozy on the couch with hot cocoa. I love how beautiful everything looks covered in freshly fallen snow. Like the world is covered in frosting! I love sledding, and watching Avery ski. But I also hate my hands being cold, and shoveling (thank goodness for a husband who handles that on his own!) I hate slipping on ice and landing on my butt (it happens at least once every year) and I hate that we’re often “trapped” inside.
I’m always trying to think of fun ways to keep Avery entertained. We have coloring books, puzzles, games, and lot’s of toys and books, but she needs things that hold her attention longer.
While visiting the Audubon Environmental Education Center a few weeks ago, we participated in a fun activity that taught about how salt melts ice. This gave me an idea for another activity at home, using the same lesson but bringing it up a notch!
I froze a dinosaur and some fake rocks in ice and let Avery go at it! Her mission: To rescue the Stegosaurus from the ice!
As you can see, she was very excited to get started! I had told her about this fun activity the night before, and the moment she got out of bed in the morning she was asking to work on her “dinosaur project” 
The activity is simple to put together, and uses items that you already have on hand!
You will need:
- a bowl (plastic is best for removing the ice)
- water
- plastic dinosaurs or other small toys
- salt
- excavation tools (Examples: spoon, paintbrush, toothbrush, water dropper, popsicle stick)
- baking sheet/bin/other container with sides.
Instructions:
Put your plastic dino in the bowl and add water. Do not fill the bowl! You’ll add water in layers so the toys don’t all float up to the top or sink to the bottom! Let the first layer of water freeze, then add another toy, and another layer of water, and freeze. Continue this until your bowl is full.
Once frozen, remove the ice block from the bowl (run a little warm water over the bowl, or let sit for a bit if you’re having trouble getting the ice out)
Place the ice in your container. (I used the lid from an aluminum baking pan, and put a paper towel down on the bottom so the ice wouldn’t slide around while Avery worked)
Then let your kiddos go to work! They will learn how the salt melts the ice, and will work on their motor skills digging in the ice!
About halfway through, I gave Avery a cup of warm water so she could use that to melt the ice a little faster. It was fun to watch her reaction as she learned about the effect the salt and warm water had on the ice!
She’d get excited each time she was able to break off a chunk of ice! “He’s almost free!”
This activity kept her busy for over an hour (with a snack break in the middle) She was really dedicated to the cause, and was determined to rescue the dino!
HOORAY!! We rescued the dinosaur!!
I loved this activity for so many reasons:
- It was easy to set up, using items we had on hand.
- It is easy enough for a two year old, while still offering a challenge to older children.
- Virtually mess free. (Avery did a great job keeping the water and salt in the container)
- Teaches lessons in science.
- It’s a sensory activity: Touch, sight, sound.
- Develops fine motor skills: Using tools and digging, and chipping at the ice, sprinkling salt on the ice.
- Teaches cause and effect, problem solving and persistence!!
- It is open ended, there is no right or wrong way to do it.
- It takes TIME! And keeps the child busy!
- It’s a great indoor activity in the winter, but would also be great outdoors in the summer!
- It’s FUN!
You can do this activity with whatever you have on hand! It doesn’t have to be dinosaurs. You can use other toys, and found objects, too! The possibilities are endless! HAVE FUN!
I’ve shared this fun sensory activity with you, now share yous! What is your favorite indoor activity?
Sensory Activity Sensory Activity
Baking soda and vinegar! I use beet juice and blueberry juice for colors!
chelley @ aisforadelaide recently posted…Hawaii #52WeeksA4A Week 4
What a cool idea. My youngest son would get the biggest kick out of it.
How adorable, my mother and I did similar activities when I was growing up. I loved learning about the different techniques for ‘excavation’ and all about what made the dinosaurs extinct!
What a fun activity for the kids!!! I bet this would be alot of fun on a hot summer day as well.
tammileetips recently posted…14 Photos from Disney McFarland, USA Movie
I love this idea! I wish I had heard of it when my daughter was younger but I think she’d have fun with it even now at 10.
Tamara @ We3Travel recently posted…Seeking Sweet Dreams at the Hershey Lodge
What a fun idea nd her face is so cute! Looks like she is having a ton of fun!
Kelsey Apley recently posted…Amazon: Kid Jacket And Coats As Low As $12.99
What a simple, creative and brilliant idea! My 5 and 7 yo kids would love this – I’m keeping it in mind for our next snow day!
Kimberly @ Red Shutters recently posted…8 Tips to Get Through Another Snow Day
I tried to focus on the dino dig. I really did. But all I could do was look at Avery and her various action shots. That kid stole the whole show!
Jennifer recently posted…#RedVelvetLove $1000 Sweepstakes
Oh my goodness, what an amazing idea! I would love to freeze some of my kids toys in ice too!
This looks like a great sensory activity. My friends daughter is Autistic and we are always looking for new activities for her to do.
That is such a fun sensory activity for kids. I can see them having a lot of fun digging out that little dinosaur.
This is really cool! We have some mini dinosaurs that are perfect for this!
Elizabeth @ Being MVP recently posted…Whole Grain is Essential for a Balanced Diet | Honey Bunches of Oats #ad
Oh my goodness, what a cute idea! My little guy loves dinos and ice – I’ll have to try this with him!
Meagan recently posted…15 Ways to Show Love Without Saying “I Love You” #PutYourHeartToPaper
This is such a clever activity! I wish I had done this with my kids!!
Liz Mays recently posted…Life Hacks for Parents (Because A Stitch In Time Saves Nine)
My kids would attempt to eat their way through, they love ice. This is such a fun idea.
Christine recently posted…15 Ways to Show Love Without Saying “I Love You” #PutYourHeartToPaper
My kids would be all over that, how fun! I’ll have to do something like this with them. Great photos too!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Month In Photos: January 2015
I have done this with my kids when they were younger. It was a hit and kept them busy for awhile!
How fun! I’ll have to try this with my kids – I think they’d love it!
Christi recently posted…Safelite Windshield Replacement is the Ultimate Convenience
What a fun lesson! We’ve taught about freezing point depression, too, but we’ve never “buried” a toy!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? recently posted…TEN YEARS OF BLOGGING!
This is such a great idea! My kids would love to do this!
lisa recently posted…TOMORROWLAND – Exclusive Look
This is such a fabulous idea for the kids with all these snow days! I think I’m going to set this up for the boys right now! Thanks for sharing! Looks like your daughter had a blast!
I love this super easy science experiment for kids that I know mine (even at ages 11 and 8) would love! Thanks for the photos showing the ice with your daughter to give me an idea of how big of a bowl you used!
Leticia Barr recently posted…4 Smart Safety Tips for Seniors and Empty Nesters #LSSS
What a fantastic lesson-turned-activity! I used to do things like this when my son was younger, but sadly, didn’t do the same with my daughter. Poor second child 😉 Still, I think we’ll have to revive this for our next Snow Day. Thanks so much for reminding me how much fun there is to be had with household items!
Pilar recently posted…Legit good Yodaisms-turned-life lessons for kids.
I love this. I know that even my older kids would have fun rescuing the dinosaur.
Debi recently posted…No More Embarrassing White Marks
How fun! Avery looks like she’s having a great time being a little scientist! You’re an awesome Mom!
doing this tomorrow. The boys will get a huge kick out of it.
Gabriel Bregg recently posted…Valentine’s Day Love Sign
What an awesome idea! She looked like she was having a blast!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…Sloppy Joe Egg Rolls Recipe
I love a double whammy that can get a child interested in a couple of sciences at the same time. This is a great idea.
Racquel recently posted…Valentine’s Day Love Sign
Our 3yr old granddaughter loves dinos too !! When she came to visit she wanted to go to the dino museum. She got to go and they were there for 4hrs because she didn’t want to leave ! She kept saying I want to go back and see this. Please can we go through 1 more time. The adults were so worn out they couldn’t do it anymore !! I have to do this for her the next time she’s here. Thank you !!
Thanks for stopping by! Your granddaughter sounds like a pretty cool kid! I hope she has fun with this activity!!
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