In this super, fun, easy and inexpensive tutorial, we are going to make an edible excavation that the young Excavating Adventurers in your life will love. This Dino Dig Dessert is a spin on good old fashioned Rice Krispies Treats, but we add a fun Excavating Adventures spin. We’ll take this tasty treat and turn it into a delicious section of a fossil bed to explore and discover the yummy gummy dinosaurs we have hidden inside.
Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Don’t have any dinosaur gummies? No problem! You can easily use gummy bears or gummy worms and let your young Excavating Adventurers imagination take over. They will enjoy this edible excavation no matter what you hide inside.
Materials:
6 Tbsp salted butter
6 cups mini marshmallows – Mini marshmallows melt easier than the larger ones.
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups Cocoa Rice Krispies cereal - We will use Cocoa Rice Krispies to give our Dino Dig Dessert a cool brown color to mimic a real fossil bed.
Gummy dinosaurs – You can often find these at candy shops, but they may be easier to find online.
13 x 9 x 2-inch pan
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula
Cooking spray
Plastic spoons, forks, and knives. These will be the excavation tools.
Want to find real dinosaur bones? Dig into our Dinosaur Discovery dig kit and find millions of years old shark teeth and petrified wood, creatures from ancient seas, amber from prehistoric forests, and even real fossilized dinosaur bones.
- In large saucepan melt butter over low heat.
- Add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
- Add the Cocoa Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
- Coat the 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Using a buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press a thin layer of mixture into the pan.
- Quickly scatter gummy dinosaurs in the pan and cover with another layer of Cocoa Rice Krispies mixture.
- Allow to cool.
- Cut into 2-inch squares. The Dino Dig Dessert is best if served the same day.
- Distribute the “excavation tools” and encourage the Excavating Adventurers to dig in and discover the dinosaurs as they become paleontologists for the day.
Explore our blog for dozens of awesome edible excavation snack ideas!
Dino Discoveries: Fun Facts About Paleontology and Digging Up Dinosaurs!
Fun Facts about Paleontology and Digging Up Dinosaurs:
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Paleontology is the scientific study of ancient life, including dinosaurs, through the examination of fossils and other traces of organisms that lived long ago.
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Fossils are the remains or impressions of plants, animals, and other organisms that have been preserved in rocks over millions of years.
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Paleontologists, also known as dinosaur hunters, use tools like brushes, picks, and shovels to carefully excavate dinosaur fossils from the ground.
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Fossils can be found in different types of rocks, such as sedimentary rocks like sandstone or shale, where layers of sediment have preserved the remains.
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Dinosaur fossils can provide valuable information about their anatomy, behavior, and even what they ate, helping scientists piece together the story of these ancient creatures.
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The first dinosaur fossil was discovered in the early 19th century, sparking a fascination with dinosaurs that continues to this day.
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Paleontologists often work in teams and carefully document and photograph each fossil's location and surroundings before removing it from the ground.
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Some dinosaur fossils, such as complete skeletons, footprints, or eggs, provide exceptional insights into the lives of dinosaurs and their environments.
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Dinosaur dig sites can be found all over the world, from North America and South America to Asia, Africa, and even Antarctica.
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Paleontologists analyze and study fossils in laboratories, using techniques like CT scanning, 3D modeling, and chemical analysis to learn more about dinosaurs.
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Paleontology is an interdisciplinary field, involving aspects of biology, geology, chemistry, and even computer science to unlock the secrets of prehistoric life.
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Discovering and studying dinosaur fossils can be an exciting adventure, and it helps us better understand Earth's history and the incredible diversity of life that existed millions of years ago.
Remember, paleontology lets us travel back in time and uncover the mysteries of dinosaurs, bringing these ancient creatures back to life in our imaginations!
Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Planning a dinosaur themed birthday party? These Dino Dig Desserts are always a huge hit. Your birthday party guests will love digging into these delicious treats and discovering the dinosaurs inside. You may also want to consider including our Fossil Birthday Digs in your celebration. Each no-prep kit is designed to excite and entertain birthday guest and is filled with real fossils for your guest to discover and collect! We also have tons of DIY dinosaur themed blog posts if you wanting to make your own dinosaur themed excavation activities. Check them out and Happy Excavating!
Become an Excavating Adventurer today with an Excavating Adventures monthly subscription. This action packed subscription for kids is loaded with unique rocks, minerals, gemstones, fossils, and seashells that are not available in any other dig kits on the market. We pride ourselves on finding the coolest, strangest, oddest, and sometimes weirdest specimens to include in our monthly excavations. With six plans to choose from, you are sure to find the right subscription to excite and entertain the Excavating Adventurer in your life!
Question 1: What is paleontology? A) The study of plants B) The study of ancient life C) The study of weather patterns D) The study of space
Correct answer: B) The study of ancient life
Question 2: Which type of rocks are commonly associated with the preservation of dinosaur fossils? A) Igneous rocks B) Metamorphic rocks C) Sedimentary rocks D) Volcanic rocks
Correct answer: C) Sedimentary rocks
Question 3: What tools do paleontologists use to excavate dinosaur fossils? A) Paintbrushes and markers B) Hammers and chisels C) Microscopes and test tubes D) Binoculars and cameras
Correct answer: B) Hammers and chisels