Fossil Hunt

Materials Needed:
Copy paper box lid/plastic tray
Plastic fossil bones
Water
Plaster of Paris
Small hammers/wooden mallets
Small screwdrivers/chisels
Small paintbrushes
Sand (optional)
Dry tempera paint (optional)

What to Do:
Embed the plastic bones into a Plaster of Paris "rock".
To make the plaster "rock" combine 4 parts Plaster of Paris to 1 part water.
Pour 1/4 to 1/3 of mixture into a box lid/plastic tray.
Immediately place some of the bones on top of the mixture. Then add another layer of mixture and more bones (continue doing this until all of the mixture of Plaster of Paris is used). Mound the plaster so it resembles a rock.
After plaster mixture has dried provide the children with tools such as: screwdrivers, chisels, wooden hammers, small brushes, etc... These tools will help the children with their excavation of the fossils.

* Note: Adding sand to the Plaster of Paris mixture makes it break up easier. Adding paint to the mixture makes it look more realistic.