International Dinosaur Day | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with International Dinosaur Day. International Dinosaur Day is a popular observance, often celebrated annually (commonly on June 1st) to ignite fascination with dinosaurs, palaeontology, and Earth's ancient history. It is not established by a single global founding organisation, but is widely embraced by museums, educational institutions, and dinosaur enthusiasts worldwide to encourage learning about these magnificent creatures and the scientific study of their past. For information on local events or educational resources, we recommend consulting reputable natural history museums, science centres, or educational websites dedicated to palaeontology.

Understanding International Dinosaur Day in EYFS & KS1

Let's roar with excitement and dig into the incredible world of dinosaurs! 🦖🌋🦕

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully exciting and engaging theme for exploring history (ancient past), animals (extinct), science (fossils, palaeontology), size and measurement, patterns, creative play, and understanding the world. It's about inspiring children with the awe and wonder of dinosaurs, developing their imagination, and introducing them to foundational scientific concepts. This day offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about dinosaurs both essential and wonderfully captivating!

Why Is Learning About Dinosaurs Important for Young Children?

Integrating International Dinosaur Day and themes of dinosaurs and palaeontology into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is a fun way to build curiosity, develop critical thinking, and broaden their understanding of the natural world and deep time.

• Sparks Imagination: Dinosaurs are inherently fascinating and encourage imaginative play and storytelling.

• Introduces Scientific Concepts: Provides a tangible way to learn about fossils, extinction, different species, and classification.

• Develops Sense of Scale & Time: Helps children grasp concepts of large sizes and ancient history (millions of years ago).

• Enhances Vocabulary: Introduces complex names and scientific terms in an engaging context.

• Promotes Inquiry: Encourages children to ask questions, research, and seek answers about the past.

• Supports Cross-Curricular Learning: Naturally integrates literacy, numeracy, science, and creative arts.

Engaging Dinosaur Activities for International Dinosaur Day (EYFS & KS1)

Let's stomp, roar, and discover for International Dinosaur Day with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on exciting discovery, imaginative play, and hands-on learning about these prehistoric giants! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by our dedicated ‘Dinosaurs’ topic page and other related resources.

Here's some inspiration for celebrating International Dinosaur Day in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• Dino Dig & Fossil Discovery:

  • Set up a sensory play 'dig' area using sand, dirt, or playdough with hidden toy dinosaurs or 'fossils'. Use our 'Dino Dig - Banner' and 'Dino Dig - Word Cards'.

  • Incorporate learning challenges like 'Dino Dig - Find And Fossil Letters', 'Dino Dig - Find Fossil Shapes', 'Dino Dig - Find Fossil Numbers', 'Dino Dig - Find Phase 2 Words', and 'Dino Dig - Find Phase 3 Words'.

  • Encourage problem-solving with 'Dino Dig - Find And Match', 'Dino Dig - Find 2-Piece Puzzles', and 'Dino Dig - Find And Count Puzzle'.

  • Practise sequencing with 'Dino Dig - Find And Size Order'.

• Dinosaur Literacy & Phonics:

  • Introduce dinosaur vocabulary with 'Dinosaur Word Mat - Cartoon' or 'Dinosaur Word Mat' (realistic) and matching 'Dinosaur Word Cards'.

  • Explore dinosaur sounds with 'Dinosaur Sounds Mat - Phase 1 Phonics' and 'Dinosaur Sounds - Phase 1 Phonics Activity'.

  • Practise letter recognition using 'Dinosaur Alphabet Cards - Cartoon’ or 'Dinosaur Alphabet Cards' (realistic), and 'Dinosaur Alphabet - Colouring - Cartoon' or 'Dinosaur Alphabet Cards - Colouring' (realistic).

  • Build CVC words with 'Dinosaur Bone CVC Word Builder Game'.

  • Encourage creative writing or drawing about dinosaurs using 'My Favourite Dinosaur Sheets' and 'Dinosaur Border Sheets’.

• Dinosaur Numeracy & Maths:

  • Engage with 'Dinosaur Maths Challenge Cards - Cartoon' for various maths problems.

  • Practise counting with 'Dinosaur Counting Puzzles 1-10' and 'Dinosaur Nest Playdough Counting/Number Mats'.

  • Explore size with 'Dinosaur Size Ordering Activity Cards' and 'Dinosaur Size Ordering Cards Activity - Colouring'.

  • Work on number sequencing and recognition using 'Dinosaur Number Slice Puzzle Pictures (1-5, 1-10 & 0-20) Full Colour And Colouring Versions'.

  • Collect data with 'Dinosaur Tally Chart/Check List' and 'Dinosaur Pictogram Chart'.

  • Play games like 'Dinosaurs - Dice Game' or 'Feed The Dinosaurs Dice Game - Odd/Even & Carnivore/Herbivore'.

• Dinosaur Creative & Role Play:

  • Set up a 'Dinosaur Museum Dramatic Role Play Pack' (available in cartoon and realistic styles) for immersive play.

  • Get moving with 'Dinosaur Activity/Movement Challenge - Cartoon' or 'Dinosaur Movement/Activity Challenge' (realistic).

  • Make 'Dinosaur Lollipop Puppets - Cartoon' for storytelling or role-play.

  • Engage artistic skills with 'Dinosaur Colouring - Cartoon (Free Sample)' or 'Dinosaur Colouring' (realistic), 'Dinosaur Multimats - Cartoon' or 'Dinosaur Multimats - Playdough, Loose Parts, Art & Crafts', and 'Designing Dinosaurs'.

  • Solve puzzles with 'Dinosaur 4-Piece Puzzles - Cartoon' or 'Dinosaur 4-Piece Puzzles - Cartoon (Colouring)', 'Dinosaur Pattern Match Puzzles - Cartoon', 'Dinosaur Picture Snap Cards', and 'Dinosaur Silhouette Match Cards'.

• Dinosaur Displays & General Learning:

  • Create an exciting dinosaur display using 'Dinosaurs' Display Banner - Cartoon' or ''Dinosaurs' Display Banner' (realistic).

  • Integrate dinosaurs into daily routines with 'A4 'Today' Weather Calendar - Dinosaurs Theme'.

  • Learn interesting facts from 'Dinosaur Fact Posters'.

• Explore More: To delve deeper into the prehistoric world, please visit our dedicated ‘Dinosaurs’ topic page to access our full range of Dinosaur themed resources. You may also like to explore additional pages covering relevant and/or connected themes such as ‘Animals’, ‘History’, and ‘Zoo’.

These activities offer great inspiration for making International Dinosaur Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering curiosity about the past, scientific exploration, creative play, and a lifelong fascination with these magnificent creatures.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘International Dinosaur Day’

Free EYFS & KS1 ‘Dinosaur’ printable activities and ideas:

‘Dinosaur’ themed activities and ideas for EYFS & KS1:

(Please visit our ‘Dinosaurs’ topic page to access our full range of Dinosaur themed resources.)

Cartoon style dinosaur activities, games, displays and many more additional educational materials:

Realistic style dinosaur activities, games, displays and many more additional educational materials:

‘Dino Dig’ sand play activities:

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for June

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!

SEARCH ‘LITTLE OWLS Resources’ USING THE FOLLOWING MENU BUTTONS…

Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'International Dinosaur Day'. It is a popular, informally observed day, and is not established by a single global founding organisation. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with any particular group's celebration of this day. For information on local events or educational resources, we recommend consulting reputable natural history museums, science centres, or educational websites dedicated to palaeontology.