Doesn't that look like FUN?! Let me assure you...it was! And, we learned a lot about the process of fossil formation too. Learning in preschool should be fun and hands-on :)
Part One: Make your "Mud"
This whole group project started off by reading a book that had some information about dinosaur fossil footprints. We decided that just like our Earth, we needed some dirt and sediments.
The kids took turns adding salt and flour to make the base of a Salt-Dough recipe. This was the dirt and sediments you might find outside around a river, lake, marsh, or ocean :)
Next we discussed that the footprints really only show up when the land is mushy or muddy. They decided that we should add water (for our rain, lakes, rivers, oceans). Now we had mud!
Part Two: Make Footprints
This was the fun part! I put out a bunch of our large dinosaurs. The kids got a chunk of our "mud" and they got to make pieces for their dinosaurs to walk in.
The footprints turned out pretty clear, which was great.
Part Three: Let Them "Fossilize"
Just like real fossils had to stay undisturbed for a very long time to turn into hard rock, our salt-dough needed to harden. I baked it for an hour or two so they were sturdy enough to make it home with the kids...but we discussed that they could find a safe place for them at home, and watch them as they dried and got hard!
*Another fun thing you can do is poke a hole at the top of the fossil and turn it into a necklace or chain later on. Some of my kids did this.
*Another fun thing you can do is poke a hole at the top of the fossil and turn it into a necklace or chain later on. Some of my kids did this.
As you can see, this simple activity has a TON of educational possibilities. If you take the time to discuss the process of this type of fossil it can become a fun, hands-on, way for the kids to see it happen!