15 Dinosaur Crafts for Kids That’ll Make You Roar With Crafty Joy
Okay, team, who else has a dino-obsessed kid at home? We get it—dinosaur art is cool, and what’s even cooler is getting our hands messy with some fun dinosaur craft.
There’s just something about making a T-Rex out of a paper plate that brings out those giggles and creativity, making it a great source for craft ideas .
Crafting together is one of the best ways to turn ordinary afternoons into unforgettable family memories while also developing fine motor skills . With craft supplies like glue sticks, googly eyes, and way too much glitter, we can all relax and just be a little silly together.
Let’s unlock that prehistoric magic and make some roar-some creations!
1) Paper Plate Stegosaurus with colorful cutouts
Who’s ready to break out the paper plates and get a little messy? This dinosaur themed paper plate stegosaurus is all about bold colors and wild creativity.
Grab paint, scissors, and your favorite scraps for spikes. Let the kids pick any color combo—rainbow, neon, or total chaos. There’s no wrong way to do it!
If you need extra inspo or resources , check out this super cute version of a paper plate stegosaurus craft.
2) DIY Balloon and Glue T-Rex model
Balloons and glue are basically party essentials at our house. So why not mix things up and watch some videos to make our very own T-Rex?
Just grab a few balloons, shape them, and stick them together with glue. Want to get even fancier? Check out this YouTube tutorial on making a balloon dinosaur.
This is messy, creative fun—no perfection needed!
3) Clay Handprint Dino Sculpture
Let’s get our hands a little messy with this one—literally! Grab some air-dry clay, flatten it out, and press those cute little hands right in to help with hand eye coordination . There’s your dino body.
Shape a tail and spikes with extra clay. Add googly eyes for that silly, wild look.
No right or wrong here—it’s their dino masterpiece! If you want more inspiration, there are some fun handprint dino ideas on Pinterest, including ideas for dinosaur fossils .
4) Toilet Paper Roll Pterodactyl
Who knew something as boring as a toilet paper roll could turn into a super cute pterodactyl? Let’s be honest, this is way more exciting than just tossing those tubes in the recycling bin.
All we need is some paint, paper, and a sprinkle of imagination. The wings are the best part! If your kids love dinos as much as ours do, this easy toilet roll pterodactyl craft will totally save a rainy afternoon and make for a great picture .
5) Egg Carton Triceratops
There are never too many uses for an empty egg carton. We can snip, cut, and paint our way into making the cutest triceratops ever for our collection .
Just grab a carton, chop out a cup, add a cupcake liner for the frill, and glue on some fuzzy sticks for horns. Paint it any wild colors our dino-loving hearts desire!
Every triceratops ends up just as one-of-a-kind as our kids. Check out this fun triceratops craft idea for some inspo!
6) Dinosaur Footprint Paint Stamping
Let’s grab those plastic dinos and make them work for us, yeah? All we need is some washable paint, a big sheet of paper, and a handful of toy dinosaurs.
We dip those dino feet right into the paint and let them stomp all over the paper. The kids can make silly trails, patterns, or colorful dino dances.
It’s a cute way to create art and maybe learn about different sized tracks too. We even found inspiration for more ideas over at this fun dinosaur footprint painting activity.
7) Sock Puppet Dino friends
Grab those lonely socks from the laundry pile, because we’re about to turn them into roarin’ dino buddies! With some googly eyes, a hot glue gun (or craft glue if adults don’t want to risk a burn), and colorful felt for spikes, our dinosaurs totally come to life.
We can make them silly, scary, or extra sparkly—it’s our call! For step-by-step inspo for kids of all ages , check out this easy dinosaur sock puppet craft.
8) Paper Cup Dinosaur Planters
Let’s put those empty paper cups to work and make some adorable dino planters, perfect for toddlers ! We just need paper cups, paint, googly eyes, and a sprinkle of imagination.
Cut out dino legs, tails, and spikes, and glue them on our colorful cups. Pop a little plant inside for instant prehistoric flair.
Want some easy inspiration? Peek at this fun dinosaur paper cup craft. Seriously, how cute are these for window sills or desks?
9) Salt Dough Fossils
Salt dough fossils are a go-to for us when we want something hands-on but low mess. Just mix up a simple dough, grab our favorite dino toys, and press them into the dough for that cool fossil look.
You only need salt, flour, and water. Once they dry, we love painting them any wild colors we want.
If you need a step-by-step, check out this salt dough fossil guide for more tips.
10) Tinfoil and Pipe Cleaner Velociraptor
Let’s get scrappy with some tinfoil and pipe cleaners—because why not make a Velociraptor that shines? Grab a bit of tinfoil for the body, then wrap and twist some bright pipe cleaners for the legs, arms, and tail.
If you need inspo, you can check out this engaging simple pipe cleaner Velociraptor craft for ideas. No perfection needed. We say wonky raptors rule!
11) Paper Bag Dino Mask
Who doesn’t have a stray paper bag in the kitchen? We can totally turn that into a dino mask with some paint or crayons, googly eyes, and maybe even a few wild stickers if we’re feeling extra.
Cut out a spot for our eyes, tape on a snazzy tail or some spiky dino plates, and boom—Jurassic fun unlocked! If we need a little inspo, there are cute paper bag dinosaur craft ideas out there to help us out.
12) Popsicle Stick Dinosaur Bones Puzzle
We love a craft that’s both fun and sneaky-smart, and that’s exactly what this popsicle stick dinosaur bones puzzle is! All you need are popsicle sticks, glue, and a bit of imagination to build your own dino skeleton.
Line up the sticks, glue them side by side, and draw or glue on “bones.” Kids can scramble the sticks and try to put their puzzle back together—it’s like a dino jigsaw!
Check out this dino skeleton craft idea if you want inspiration for your next playdate.
13) Make Your Own Dino Tail Costume
Okay, real talk—who hasn’t wanted to stomp around like a dinosaur at least once? We totally get it.
Grab some felt or any fun fabric, cut a strip, and add some triangles for spikes. If sewing isn’t your jam, there are awesome no-sew dino tail ideas out there too.
Attach the tail with elastic or a ribbon. Boom, instant dino upgrade!
14) Fingerprint Dino Art
Let’s grab those little fingers and get stamping! Fingerprint dino art is messy in the best way—no perfection required, just lots of fun.
Press your thumbs or fingers in paint, then dot out dinosaur shapes right on paper. Every dino turns out a bit different, and that’s what makes it awesome.
Need ideas for different dino shapes to incorporate in play ? Check out cool inspiration on dinosaur fingerprint art.
15) Shaving Cream and Paint Dino Eggs
These shaving cream and paint dino eggs are a total blast and super messy—which, honestly, is kind of our vibe. Just spray shaving cream, drip on some paint, and swirl everything together until it’s a bubbly, colorful mess.
The kids love squishing the “eggs” (little paper mache creations or real eggshells if you’re feeling brave) through the foam. It’s all about letting tiny hands get creative and a little wild.
Want more ideas? Check out this dinosaur shaving cream craft that had us giggling for hours!
Why Dinosaur Crafts Are Perfect for Kids
Dinosaur crafts aren’t just about paint and glue; they can also include fun dinosaur templates . They give our little ones real ways to grow and shine.
These fun projects help kids feel proud, get creative, and even make memories with us along the way.
Building Confidence Through Creativity
When our kiddos dive into a dino craft, they’re not just making a paper T-Rex or a sparkly stegosaurus. They’re practicing making choices—what color spikes, buttons for eyes, or paper plates for bodies.
Every decision lets them take ownership of their artwork. Sometimes a brontosaurus ends up with three heads and six tails. That’s cool!
Letting our kids be the designer boosts their confidence, especially when they see their creation on display. If you want more ideas, these dinosaur crafts for older kids show just how creative kids can get.
Letting go of “doing it right” and saying “You did it YOUR way!” is a total mood-boost. Plus, there’s nothing like getting paint on your hands and just rolling with it.
Learning and Bonding Benefits
Dino crafts sneak in so much learning, you guys. Kids count spikes, work those tiny hand muscles with scissors and glue, and even chat about the difference between a triceratops and a T-Rex, learning about animals in the process .
It’s hands-on, screen-free fun that doesn’t really feel like a lesson. Making crafts together gives us a no-pressure way to connect.
Passing glue sticks, sharing colors, and laughing about googly eyeball mishaps just feels good. Our kids open up in those little moments, and it’s honestly the best heart-to-heart time.
Some crafts even use recycled stuff, so hello, bonus lesson about the planet! Sites like Mommy Maestra have tons of ideas for using things you already have at home.
It keeps things simple and budget friendly—no fancy supplies needed, just lots of giggles.
Tips to Make Dino Craft Time a Total Win
Let’s be real—crafting with kids is an adventure all its own. With a few simple tweaks, we can turn dino craft time from chaos to cozy, and actually have fun in the process.
Prepping Your Craft Space Like a Pro
We don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup, but a little planning goes a long way. Start by clearing off a table or the floor.
We throw down a plastic tablecloth or even old newspapers to protect our materials . It keeps glue and glitter where they belong (mostly).
Here’s an easy supply checklist we love:
- Washable glue sticks
- Blunt kid scissors
- Bright paper
- Pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Paper plates
- Markers and crayons
Bringing a wet washcloth or baby wipes to the table is a serious game-changer. No more panicked runs to the sink after somebody paints their own foot green.
We keep extras nearby so we’re never scrambling. Putting everything in little bins or baskets helps everyone grab what they need.
It makes clean-up way easier at the end, too.
Embracing the Mess and Magic
Let’s be real—glitter is confetti for your inner child. Dino crafts always get a little wild, and honestly, that’s half the fun, especially when we throw in a punch of creativity .
We try not to stress when paint drips or pom-poms roll everywhere. It’s just part of the process, right?
When kids take the lead, everything feels more special. A blue dinosaur with ten legs? Sure, why not!
Perfection’s honestly overrated. Those little “oopsies” turn into the best memories.
We snap photos along the way—paint-stained hands and all. The goofy, messy moments we created end up being the ones we actually remember.
