Make a Brontosaurus Excavation Kit

In this quick and inexpensive tutorial, we are going to show you how to make a Brontosaurus Excavation 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 Brontosaurus toy - You can find these in dinosaur toy assortments or purchase them individually online.

Any small container that will fit your Brontosaurus 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 Styrofoam takeout container. I removed the lid and will be using the bottom part of the container. This container does not have sections and is big enough to hold the long-necked toy.

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 take out container and remove the lid.
Place the Brontosaurus 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 Brontosaurus toy. The toy may try to float. Simply wait about five minutes and push the toy back below the surface of the excavation.
Make more mixture if needed until you are able to fill the container and cover the toy.
Place the Brontosaurus Excavation 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 Brontosaurus toy you have hidden inside.

Brontosaurus Wonders: Gigantic Facts and Gentle Giants!

Fun Facts about Brontosaurus:

Brontosaurus, also known as Apatosaurus, was one of the largest dinosaurs that ever lived, reaching lengths of up to 75 feet (23 meters)!
Despite their massive size, Brontosaurus dinosaurs were herbivores, meaning they only ate plants. They had long necks and used them to reach leaves on tall trees.
A fully grown Brontosaurus could weigh as much as 25 elephants combined!
Brontosaurus had a long, whip-like tail that could be used for defense or balance. It could also create loud sounds by whipping its tail through the air.
These gentle giants lived during the Late Jurassic Period, around 155-150 million years ago.
Brontosaurus had a small head compared to its massive body. Its brain was also relatively small, similar in size to that of a dog.
They were quadrupedal, meaning they walked on all four legs. Their front legs were slightly shorter than their hind legs.
Brontosaurus had a series of bones called dorsal vertebrae along its back, forming a long and distinctive ridge. This ridge helped support its massive body.
The name "Brontosaurus" means "thunder lizard" in Greek, even though they were not capable of making thunderous sounds.
Brontosaurus dinosaurs are known from fossils found in North America, particularly in states like Wyoming and Utah.
Brontosaurus was part of a group of dinosaurs called sauropods, which included other long-necked giants.
Scientists believe that Brontosaurus may have lived in herds, traveling together for safety and finding food.

Remember, these facts offer a glimpse into the amazing world of Brontosaurus dinosaurs, but there is much more to learn about these magnificent 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!