Homemade Dino Dig For Toddlers and Preschoolers

If you've ever been inside of a Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom, you've more than likely noticed a large, plastic bin with excited children hovering around it somewhere in the room.  That bin could contain water and water toys, sand with digging and molding toys, or something a bit more special...A digging site!

A digging site where the children can find all sorts of treasures, that will make their little hearts rejoice.

I know this because this is the activity that I couldn't pry my little Sunshyne away from when she was 4,5, and 6 years of age, when ever she had to go to drop-off care.  There were plenty of other mother's that shared my struggle with their own little angels, so I've concluded that it must be FUN!

Today we are going to make our own!

Here's what you'll need:

~A Deep Bin- mine is about 5in. deep and is 11 1/2 x 9 in.

(preferably with a lid)

~About 5lb. bag of rice (maybe a little more)

~Hot Glue gun

~Hot glue sticks

~Dinosaurs or other little treasures

~A pastry brush (shown later)

*Note: This project cost me about $6.00 to make (most items purchased at the dollar store)

Do you see these cute little dino feet??? Just add a little hot glue to those and the portion of the tail that will be touching the bottom of the plastic bin.

Like so...

Next, just randomly place the little dinos around in the plastic bin.

I decided to throw this little guy in for a bit of fun...we got him at Chucky Cheese's or Mr. Gattis or maybe it was Peter Piper Pizza's...one of those kid frenzy places.

Your bin should look a little like this so that no matter where your toddler/preschooler is digging, they'll find something.

(Just throwing this in to see from another angle)

Let your glue dry completely...I waited about 10 minutes just to make sure, I don't want any rice to stick to the glue...yuck!

Next, we pour in the rice

I don't know about you, but this was super fun for me...I should probably look into some therapy after admitting that though.

Make sure all of your little dinos are completely covered...we want them to be a surprise.

Add your pastry brush or any other digging tools and...

Your ready to let them find the prize inside!

This can be made with soooo many different variations.  You can use different types of toys or digging tools or even the rice, using beans or sand.

Lentils, black beans, split peas....or even pasta noodles would be fun to try.

Have fun with it and I know your toddler or preschooler will too!

~Blessings~

Claudea B.