Make a Velociraptor Dig Kit

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

Any small container that will fit your Velociraptor 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 coffee can.

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:

Place the Velociraptor toy in the coffee can.
Mix 3 cups sand with 1 cup Plaster of Paris.
Add 1 cup of water and mix until you have a pancake batter consistency.
Pour the mixture over the Velociraptor 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 Velociraptor 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 Velociraptor toy you have hidden inside.

Velociraptor Revealed: Fierce Facts and Dino Delights!

Fun Facts about Velociraptors:

Despite what you may have seen in movies, Velociraptors were not as big as they are often portrayed. They were about the size of a turkey!
Velociraptors were lightning-fast runners. They could sprint at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour)!
Velociraptors had sharp, curved claws on their hind feet. These claws were used for slashing and capturing prey.
They had a unique killing technique. Velociraptors would use their claws to slash at their prey, causing injuries that could be fatal.
Velociraptors were highly intelligent dinosaurs. They had large brains compared to their body size and were thought to be crafty hunters.
Did you know that Velociraptors had feathers? Fossil evidence suggests that these dinosaurs had feathers, which could have helped them stay warm or attract mates.
Velociraptors had a sickle-shaped claw on each foot, which is one of their most distinguishing features. This claw could grow up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) long!
They lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, around 75-71 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia and China.
Velociraptors were part of a larger group of dinosaurs called dromaeosaurs, which included other swift and agile predators.
Velociraptors were not solitary hunters. They are believed to have lived in packs, working together to take down larger prey.
Scientists believe that Velociraptors may have been covered in feathers, similar to modern birds. These feathers could have been used for insulation, display, or even communication.
The name "Velociraptor" means "swift thief" or "speedy plunderer" in Latin. It reflects their reputation as fast and cunning hunters.

Remember, these facts give you a glimpse into the fascinating world of Velociraptors, but there's still much more to learn about these remarkable creatures!

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