by Emma Louise Oldham September 18, 2019

These rock-like relics are sure to bring out your inner palaeontologist. Not only are they fun and tactile to make, but the outcome is really impressive! You can create whatever you like: a fossilised dinosaur, shell or plant!


What you need:

  • Modelling clay
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Toy dinosaur or chosen animal/plant
  • Cup (one you don’t mind getting dirty)
  • Stirrer
  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Paintbrush

What to do:

Step 1: Make a circle out of your clay, saving around a third of it.

Step 2: Gently press the area of your dinosaur that you want to focus on. Usually, the head looks best. Remove the toy.

Step 3: Use your remaining clay to create a circular wall around your dinosaur print. It should look like a little bowl.

Step 4: Prepare the plaster of Paris in your cup, following its instructions. Typically, you mix three parts of powder to every two parts of water. Give it a good stir.

Step 5: Pour the plaster of Paris mixture into the centre of the fossil. Don’t fill it any higher than your wall. Wait at least two hours for it to dry.

Step 6: Gently peel away the clay from the sides and front of the fossil. Leave to dry for another 12 hours. Don’t worry if you still have some clay stuck to the fossil – it will easily come off when dry.

Step 7: Once dry, use the end of a paintbrush to gently scrape away any clay.

Step 8: With the help of an adult, make a small amount of coffee. Use this to paint your fossil. This will make it look ancient and made from real rock. Ta-da! Your fossil is complete!


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


In other Eco Kids Planet News

Monthly Competition: Glowing Art
Monthly competition: glowing art

by Anya Dimelow December 01, 2023

In our October 'Ready, Steady, Glow!' issue, we asked you to create glowing art and, wow, were the entries glorious! Thank you to everyone who sent us their bioluminescent works-of-art. Congratulations to our four winners:  Vijay, age 10, Northampton Fireflies Noah, age 10, Portugal Glowing mushro...

Monthly Competition: Moon Myth
Monthly competition: moon myth

by Eco Kids Planet October 30, 2023

In our September ‘Mysterious Moon’ issue, we challenged you to create your own moon myth. Thank you to everyone who sent us their entries. Congratulations to our four winners!
Monthly Competition: Music-Loving Dolphin
Monthly competition: music-loving dolphin

by Anya Dimelow October 02, 2023

In our ‘Nature’s Music’ summer issue, we asked you to write a song or short story about a music-loving dolphin. Thank you to everyone who sent us their entries. We loved reading your stories, poems and songs.