Dinolings: The Case of the Lost Fossil - Fossils and Earth History Adventure Pack

The Case of the Lost Fossil

Dinolings • Fossils and Earth History Gemlings Adventure Pack

A deep time system beneath Dinosaur National Monument has gone critically unstable.

Sensors are detecting fractures inside the Fossil Archive Vault, a protected underground system beneath the monument where the Dinolings guard Earth’s fossil history. Rock layers are shifting, timelines are scrambling, and ancient evidence is at risk of being lost forever. Ari Raider has traced the disturbance to a powerful specimen hidden inside a sealed Mystery Mine. The Professor accessed the archive through deep rock layers, disrupting fossil formation systems and locking critical records behind unstable stone barriers.

In The Case of the Lost Fossil, students journey beneath Dinosaur National Monument alongside the Dinolings on a high stakes escape room style mission through fossil chambers, excavation labs, and time tunnels. From understanding what fossils are and how they form to studying extinction, dating fossils, and evolution, explorers must use real Earth science knowledge to stabilize the archive, locate the hidden Mystery Mine, and recover the missing specimen.

This adventure transforms fossils and Earth history into a story driven mission focused on deep time, discovery, and scientific investigation.

About This Adventure Pack

The Case of the Lost Fossil is designed for elementary explorers and is part of the Gemlings adventure series.

Students can complete The Case of the Lost Fossil adventure online for free, including access to free printable trading cards that match this experience. The online adventure delivers the full story and learning without requiring a physical kit.

👉 Explore the free The Case of the Lost Fossil adventure here:
https://excavatingadventures.com/blogs/gemlings-adventures/the-case-of-the-lost-fossil-dinolings-fossils-and-earth-history-adventure

For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds a real mystery dig, collectible Dinolings cards, and a hidden specimen card that brings the fossil recovery mission into the physical world.

The learning experience is the same whether students use the physical pack or not. The pack simply adds a tactile and collectible layer to the adventure.

What This Adventure Covers

Each The Case of the Lost Fossil Adventure Pack explores key fossils and Earth history concepts through the Dinolings:

• What fossils are
• How fossils form
• Types of fossils
• Paleontologists at work
• Dating fossils
• Extinct species
• The fossil record
• Fossils and evolution
• Fossil locations around the world

Each concept appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing learning through exploration rather than memorization.

What’s Inside the Pack

• 9 Gemlings Adventure Trading Cards
Story driven Dinolings cards featuring fossils and Earth history concepts.

• 1 Mystery Mine Specimen Card
A hidden collectible card that matches the real specimen found inside the Mystery Mine dig. The card remains concealed until excavation to preserve the surprise.

• 1 Real Mystery Mine Dig
A hands on dig containing a real fossil or fossil replica encased in a clean, soft modeling compound that is non toxic and easy to clean. This material allows students to excavate the specimen without dust or mess while still enjoying the discovery process.

• Dig Stick Tool
Used to carefully excavate the Mystery Mine dig.

• Excavating Adventures Sticker
A collectible sticker to mark the completed adventure.

Why Kids Love It

Exploring fossil chambers beneath Dinosaur National Monument, stabilizing ancient timelines, uncovering a hidden specimen, and revealing the matching specimen card makes learning feel like a true prehistoric recovery mission.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

The Case of the Lost Fossil supports Earth science learning through curiosity driven exploration, clear vocabulary, and flexible classroom or at home use. The mess free excavation makes it ideal for classrooms, homeschool spaces, and kitchen tables. The adventure works with or without the physical kit and fits naturally into units on fossils, extinction, and Earth’s history.

Free Adventure Option

The Case of the Lost Fossil is also available online for free, including free printable trading cards that align directly with this adventure. No purchase is required to participate.

This reflects our mission at Excavating Adventures to make engaging, story driven educational adventures accessible to everyone.

👉 Explore the free The Case of the Lost Fossil adventure here:
https://excavatingadventures.com/blogs/gemlings-adventures/the-case-of-the-lost-fossil-dinolings-fossils-and-earth-history-adventure