Make Salt Dough “Fossils”

From tracks and teeth to molds and amber, there are many ways evidence of ancient life can become fossilized. Many people think of fossils as just bones, but did you know that plants, animal tracks, burrows, algae, eggs, and even poop can fossilize? Try making your own fossils out of things you have at home!

♦ Kids, ask an adult to help you gather your materials and manage the oven.

You will need:

Large bowl
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
⅔ cup water
Dinosaur/animal/plant figurines
Fork and/or spoon
Acrylic paints (optional)
Paint brush (optional)

Directions

• In a large bowl, mix your salt, flour, and water into a consistent dough (like cookie dough).
• Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
• Break the dough into 6 equal pieces, then form the pieces into puck shapes.
• Use your dinosaur figures, other animal figures, or a fork or spoon to make fossils. Create track ways, mold fossils, or even teeth, claws, or skulls!
• Use a baking sheet to bake your fossils at 200 degrees until the fossils are dry. This could take between 1 and 4 hours, depending on how thick your fossils are.
• Let the fossils cool.
• You can stop at this step, or you can paint your fossils for more detail!