This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Dinosaurs.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to dinosaurs can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Dinosaurs pinboard.

Consider these awesome activities –

• Paper plate dinosaurs
• Jump & wash sensory play
• Dinosaur gross motor movement game
• Make dinosaur fossils
• Create dinosaurs out of playdough.
• Have fun coloring dinosaurs with these coloring pages!
• Create fizzy dinosaur eggs.
• Try making dinosaur skeletons out of clay and pasta shapes.
• Hungry? Make a snack or meal out of these great dinosaur themed food ideas!
• A dinosaur themed word search is a fun activity!

Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Here are a few places to go, that fit this theme. Remember to discuss any outings as a family unit to determine what activities your family is comfortable with given COVID19.

•  Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  The museum remains closed, but there are some great virtual options.  VIRTUAL TOUR
• Maryland Science Center in Baltimore. Admission.
• Smithsonian National Zoo has Dino Summer going on through Sept. 2.
• Calvert Cliffs State Park & Flag Ponds Nature Park both offer a chance for kids to search for fossils and shark teeth. Open only to Calvert County residents at last check. Admission.
• Calvert Marine Museum has a Paleontology Exhibit where you can learn about fossils and watch a paleontologist at work. Must make a reservation. Admission.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about dinosaurs. Dinosaurs for Kids is a great video that explains dinosaur history and what paleontologists do.

The Good Dinosaur, Land Before Time and Ice Age are all great family movies that fit with this theme. For older kids, consider movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth and Jurassic Park (which is rated PG-13).

Books –

• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs.
• The Dinosaur Book (Smithsonian).
• Smithsonian Kids: Digging for Dinosaurs
• National Geographic Kids Dinos Sticker Activity Book

Photo: aaron parecki {flickr}; David Kryzaniak {flickr}