About this kit
Sure, many kids love dinosaurs, but did you know that Colorado is one of the best places to find dinosaur fossils and tracks? Remnants have been found all over the state starting in 1876 and most recently in 2023. More than 60,000 fossil specimens have been discovered in the state. Colorado is one of 9 states to have a state dinosaur, the Stegosaurus and we even have a town called Dinosaur. The 2026 Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) theme is Unearth a Story- Dinosaurs/Archaeology/Paleontology, so get your patrons ready by exploring this kit together or use it during your summer programming.
Why are dinosaurs a great theme for kid’s play?
An updated 2018 policy brief from the American Association of Pediatrics notes that play is not frivolous; rather, it enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function. When play is focused around a theme or topic, especially one loved by children, like dinosaurs, we have the opportunity for longer focus and guided questioning.
When young kids learn about dinosaurs, they also learn about classification. They grasp the idea that within the category of dinosaurs, there are subcategories, like T-Rex. They can sort their dinosaur favorites into meat eaters and plant eaters—each with different types of teeth, those with two legs or four and even big and small. Sorting is a precursor to math skills.
Many children love to know the names of dinosaurs, and luckily books often break down the Latin or Greek names into syllables. This practice supports young learners in their mastery of phonetics.
Dinosaurs are big, powerful and maybe a little scary, but they are not something kids see in their day to day life, so it’s a great way to explore big feelings from afar. It allows children to explore something that might otherwise be overwhelming.
Who is this kit for?
This kit will allow library staff to present play-based, interactive programs on dinosaurs for young children, ages 2 to 7. However, consideration should also be given to adult caregivers bringing the children to your programs. As you use this kit, be mindful of the ways in which you’re being a role model to FFN as you engage young children in concepts by asking open-ended questions and encouraging experimentation.
Contents
- Flannel board with dinosaur and landscape pieces
- IPOURUP Dinosaur Stacking Game
- 7 Dinosaur Puzzles
- Coogam Alphabet Matching Dinosaurs
- 12 copies of Touch and Feel Dinosaur board book by DK
- One copy of each of the following books:
- If I Had a Dinosaur, by Gabby Dawnay
- How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?, by Jane Yolen
- Como comen los dinosaurios?, by Jane Yolen
Resources
- Dino Pokey
- Mighty Mighty Dinosaur
- https://www.uncovercolorado.com/dinosaurs-in-colorado/
- https://www.uchealth.org/today/discover-dinosaurs-in-colorado/
- https://www.colorado.com/articles/where-see-dinosaurs-colorado
- https://parents.highlights.com/why-preschoolers-love-dinosaurs#:~:text=When%20young%20kids%20learn%20about,traveling%20speed%20and%20so%20on.
- https://www.sdn.org.au/media/2741/curious-minds-dinosaur-small-world-fun.pdf
