A lot of kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, and Cub Scouts share that passion. This is what makes Digging in the Past The Wolf elective adventure, so fascinating. Scouts are able to learn about fossils and formations, while enjoying fun dinosaur activities such as this dino dig.

Wolf Elective Adventure Digging Past 3B. Make a dinosaur dig. Be a paleontologist, and explore a dinosaur grave made by another member of your group. Explain how a paleontologist works carefully when digging.

Plaster of Paris is suggested for the free minerals in the Wolf handbook. However, most people don't have it sitting around their house. I conducted some research to determine whether there was a different method.

Corn starch

You can make a dino-dig from the corn starch along with water. You probably already have a container within your kitchen.

Mix corn starch with water to create the oobleck.

I didn't have enough, but it was a lot more convenient to visit the grocery store or dollar store to purchase corn starch rather than going to the craft shop or Home Depot for Plaster of Paris. It's also cheaper.

Materials to DIY Dinosaur Diving Activity

Corn starch

Water

Mix Dish

Toys for dinosaurs and fossil Skeletons

Container

The size of your container will determine how much corn starch you need. I purchased two 16-oz. I used about half of the boxes to create the pie dish that is deep.

When I was shopping for dinosaur dig kit items I visited Dollar General and Walgreen's. Both stores did not have any dinosaur toys nor dinosaur skeletons. I was searching for something like this.

The sale happened right after Halloween and Walgreen's was selling skull garlands at as low as 80%. They're not dinosaurs, but they're skeletons! Scouts are thought to be Thrifty.

Therefore, I have a Human skull dig instead of an animal skull.

Steps to make a Dinosaur dig

Remember, your Cub Scouts are expected to dig themselves and dig, so don't make it for them.

It's possible to take Cub Scouts out to mix the oobleck. If not, you'll be cleaning the floor of corn starch for many days! This is something I have not experienced personally.

To make oobleck, mix the corn starch and water in a large bowl. For the most perfect texture, you'll require twice as much cornstarch to water.

For instance, you can use 3 cups of cornstarch per 1 1/2 cups of water. If the mixture is too fluid, you can add more corn starch.

Place the oobleck in the container. Place the dinosaurs into the oobleck so you don't have them visible.

Your bones may not want to be buried forever, so you might have to pull them back into the mix. You may allow a few bones to peek out of the mixture. However, make sure they're submerged completely in the oobleck.

The container should dry out for at minimum a day. The container will need to be brought inside if it rains.

If the oobleck has hardened, you'll begin see cracks.

You'll want to bring all containers to your home if you're conducting this as a group activity. This will ensure that everyone returns to the next gathering. A large and deep box could allow for easy transport.

The requirement requires the Scout to excavate the remains of a dinosaur which was created by a different member of the den. To make sure that everyone gets their dig, the Scouts must draw their names on masking tape and place it inside the container. It is also possible to randomly hand out digs.

Searching for Dinosaur Bones

Find some dinosaur-themed digging equipment. Let your kids play with their imaginations, but common items such as old toothbrushes, paintbrushes, toothpicks, and a light Hammer can be used. Your Cub Scouts can bring their own digging tools.

We've used this hammer for quite a while. It was donated to one of my sons by Lowe's during a workshop for children. Unfortunately, it appears Lowe's has pulled the plug on this program.

This is going to get messy. You will find corn starch dust everywhere. I highly suggest you take this exercise outdoors. If you've got a place with picnic tables, they're great to use.

Bring something for the Scouts to explore. I made use of a pan, however, newspaper works just as well. Lay the newspaper on the table.

Make sure to turn the container upside-down on the surface. The dig should be able to slide out of the container.

The dig might break up slightly, which is fine. Your Cub Scout can hit the dig using a hammer to break it apart If it does not.

Allow your Scouts to brush and dig their way through the dried Oobleck. They should remind themselves that if they discover a bone, they must gently dig around it and clean any corn starch debris with brushes.

Soon, they'll be able to find the dinosaur's bones!