Dino Dig Science Experiment

Create a cool ice cube excavation your kids will dig!

Submitted by
Sonam Adinolf

Reenact the Ice Age in your kitchen! Freeze little plastic dinosaur toys in ice cubes and have your kid chip away at the ice to reveal the surprise creature inside. He'll have a prehistorically good time.

Archaeologists:
You and your kids.
Miniature dinosaur toys:
Pick them up at your local toy or dollar store, or buy 'em cheap in bulk online at Toy Connection. Your kid will assure you that you can never have too many mini dinos on hand!
Ice cube trays and cups:
Use cups, bowls, pots or traditional ice cube trays to make ice cubes of all shapes and sizes.
Freezer:
You can use the one in your kitchen, or if the weather is frigid, set the trays outside to freeze overnight.
Balloons:
Don't blow 'em up.
Water
Excavation Tools:
Nothing fancy, a rock will work. Plus it has that prehistoric je ne c'est quoi!
Plastic tablecloth:
Something waterproof

Gather up all the cups, bowls and trays to freeze the dinosaurs in. Grab a handful of balloons as well.
Then have your kid fill the cups, bowls, balloons and trays up with water.
Next, have him drop the mini dinosaurs into the cups, bowls, balloons and trays. (Balloons will take a day or two to freeze, depending on the size.)
Place them in the freezer or outside during freezing weather. It'll take at least two hours for them to freeze solid in the freezer, depending on the size of the container.
When they're frozen, pull them out, lay a plastic tablecloth on the kitchen floor and have your kid get to work excavating his prize. To remove the ice from the balloons, simply hold them under water and peel off the balloon.
Hand your kid a rock and tell him to chip away at the ice to find out what's inside. This could be so time-consuming you may actually get several blissfully quiet moments as your kid concentrates on (or bashes) his task.
When he reveals the dinosaur inside, have him tell you what kind it is. A T. rex? A brontosaurus? Guaranteed, your little one will know a lot more about the dinos than you do.