Dinosaurs are powerful images for young children, and through this activity they can create and play with these "super big" creatures.

Materials:

• Modeling dough (*see recipe below)
• Paper
• Markers or crayons

Directions:

One way to begin this activity is to ask the children to tell you what they know about dinosaurs. You could ask: What did they look like? Do they live anywhere today? How do we know about dinosaurs?

You might explain that there were many different kinds of dinosaurs long ago on the earth. Then encourage the children to mold dinosaurs from the modeling dough. They could make realistic looking dinosaurs or dinosaurs from their imaginations. Dinosaurs may seem too scary for some children -- in which case they can use the modeling dough in other ways. Would any of the children prefer drawing a picture about dinosaurs? You might be able to find a book about dinosaurs at your local library to share with the children or even visit a museum as Mister Rogers did.

Modeling Dough Recipe

Materials:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup of water
• A few drops of food coloring (optional)
• 1 tablespoon oil

Directions:

• Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a small bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix the liquids. Use the food coloring to mix your own colors.
• Combine the two mixtures and cook on medium to low heat, stirring until the combination is the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• When the mixture is cool, knead it a little. Store in a covered container.

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