Dino's Hidden Past

Kids adore dinosaurs. Add some science inquiry to this favorite topic and imagine what life looked like millions of years ago.

1. Scientists have reconstructed dinosaurs' sizes and shapes from found bones, but they have no idea what they really looked like grazing in a field. What do you think their skin looked like? Were they colorful creatures?

2. In what ways does an animal's skin help it to survive? Why is an elephant's skin so tough? Why do leopards have spots? Why is snake skin so smooth?

3. Some dinosaurs needed to hide to escape their predators. Look at pictures of what scientists think the Earth looked like about 100 million years ago. What colors and textures would a dinosaur's skin need to blend into that landscape? To protect itself from harm?

4. When you have enough information to make a scientific guess, draw your ideas using Crayola® Washable Markers and Crayola Crayons.

5. Compare your dinosaur skin ideas to those of your friends.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Crayons
• Markers
• Construction Paper

"We pretended we were paleontologists, matching dinosaur food supplies to body colors."
Maximillian L., home school dad of kids ages 6 and 9 years.

"My son wanted to make realistic Crayola Model Magic dinosaurs after drawing his pictures."
Meena B., mom of 7 year old.

Taking clues from animals today, some scientists think that large dinosaurs may have been gray, like elephants and hippos. Paleontologists also wonder if skin colors and textures helped dinosaurs stay cool in the sun by reflecting light. Or could they have been brightly colored, like many birds, to attract their mates? What do you think?