In this quick and inexpensive tutorial, we are going to show you how to make a Triceratops Dig Kit. These excavations are super easy to make and are a great teaching resource to include in your next lesson or discussion about dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology, and more.
Materials:
Sand
Plaster of Paris
Water
Mixing Bowl
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
Popsicle sticks – Popsicle sticks are inexpensive, readily available, and make great excavation tools.
Safety goggles or glasses – You we need to provide or borrow a set for each student.
Optional – Brushes and magnifying glasses.
Plastic Triceratops toy - You can find these in dinosaur toy assortments or purchase them individually online.
Any small container that will fit your Triceratops toy and allow room for the plaster mixture will work. I love rummaging through recycle bins for fun and unique containers I can use for excavations. For this tutorial I will use a plastic sour cream container.
Check out hundreds of exciting and unique dig kits! Excavating Adventures has a kit for everyone. Explore dig kits filled with rocks, minerals, gemstones, seashells, real fossils and more!
Directions:
- Rinse out the sour cream container.
- Place the Triceratops toy in the container.
- Mix 1 cups sand with 1/3 cup Plaster of Paris.
- Add 1/3 cup of water and mix until you have a pancake batter consistency.
- Pour the mixture over the Triceratops toy. The toy may try to float. Simply wait about five minutes and push the toy back below the surface of the excavation.
- Place the Triceratops Dig Kit in front of a fan overnight until it is completely dry.
- Distribute the excavation, excavation tools, and safety goggles to your Excavating Adventurer and have fun watching them dig in and discover the fun Triceratops toy you have hidden inside.
Triceratops Tales: Horned Marvels and Prehistoric Wonders!
Fun Facts about Triceratops:
-
Triceratops was a herbivorous dinosaur that roamed the Earth about 68 to 66 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous Period.
-
One of the most distinctive features of Triceratops was its three large horns on its face. It had a shorter horn on its nose and two longer horns above its eyes.
-
The horns of Triceratops were not just for show—they could reach lengths of up to 3 feet (1 meter) and were likely used for defense against predators or for competing with other Triceratops during mating rituals.
-
Triceratops had a large frill at the back of its head, which could grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. This frill provided protection and may have also been used for display purposes.
-
Despite its size and formidable appearance, Triceratops was a peaceful plant-eater, feasting on low-lying vegetation such as ferns, shrubs, and other plants.
-
Triceratops had a strong and sturdy body, with a length of up to 30 feet (9 meters) and a weight of around 6 to 12 tons.
-
The name "Triceratops" means "three-horned face" in Greek, perfectly describing its unique facial features.
-
Triceratops had a beak-like mouth and hundreds of sharp teeth designed for slicing and chewing tough plant material.
-
Fossilized footprints of Triceratops have been found, revealing that these dinosaurs walked on four legs, similar to modern-day rhinoceroses.
-
Triceratops is one of the most well-known and studied dinosaur species, with numerous fossil discoveries contributing to our understanding of its behavior and anatomy.
-
It is believed that Triceratops lived in herds, allowing them to protect each other from predators and possibly share resources.
-
Triceratops went extinct along with the other dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period, around 66 million years ago.
Remember, these facts give you a glimpse into the fascinating world of Triceratops, but there's still so much more to learn and discover about these incredible creatures!
Take some time to explore the Excavating Adventures website. We have monthly excavations that get delivered right to your door, Build Your Own excavations, a blog filled with amazing excavation ideas, trivia, tons of free stuff, fossil dig kits, and much, much, more!
