How to Make DIY Dinosaurs

This DIY dinosaurs post is sponsored by RoseArt.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

It’s the year of the dinosaur, isn’t it?  With dinosaurs hitting the theaters in more than one movie, dinosaur toys are becoming increasingly popular once again.  My little guy loves dinosaurs and if you have children that love them too, let me tell you how to make DIY dinosaurs that the kids will love making and love playing with!

The Roto Motion Mixer Dino Lab is such a fun kit and would make a really great gift idea for any dinosaur-loving kiddo!  The best part about this kit?  It combines science and crafts all in one and it’s incredibly kid-friendly … if your child can follow simple directions, they can make these dinosaurs all by themselves, casting a dinosaur from start to finish in just fifteen minutes.

The machine takes less than a minute to set up …

… and the kids can choose from three different dino molds.

They also get to choose the color that their dino will be.  The main kit has three different color choices {enough to make six dinosaurs} but the refill packs {sold separately} contain even more color choices.  The colors are really true to the color you see in the powder.

Making a dinosaur is simple.  Before getting started, cover the work surface {a garbage bag works perfectly}.  The products may cause staining so make sure the kids aren’t wearing their best clothes or working on your dining room table {wink}.  Add the proper amount of water in the measuring cup, pour in a packet of fast cast powder …

… and stir until the powder is dissolved and begins to thicken to a liquid soap consistency {about 30-90 seconds}.

Pour the mixture into the dino mold until it reaches the fill line and tap lightly to remove air bubbles.  Wait about a minute and a half …

… then add a small square of paper towel over the mold opening before snapping it closed.  This will help prevent leaking.

Start turning the crank handle and turn for two minutes.  A small amount of leaking is normal.

Remove the mold from the machine and let it sit for fifteen minutes.  Pop the dinosaur out of the mold, snap the post off the dino, and use the scraper tool to smooth the edges and seams.

I love the way the dinosaurs look without any paint or embellishment …

… but my kids couldn’t wait to paint their creatures.

Once painted, we let them dry for thirty minutes …

… then used a dampened sponge to add an aging wash …

… that made the dinosaurs look like they’ve been alive since the jurassic period.

Once the dinosaurs were completely dry, they were ready for hours of imaginative play.

Let the kids take them to the garden and lose themselves in a prehistoric world.

You can find the Roto Motion Mixer for $24.99 in the craft and stationery aisles at Target and Kmart or on Amazon.  Add this gift idea to your Christmas shopping list!  Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Want some other science activities for your kiddos?  Check out these awesome science projects for kids!