Entertaining the kids in the school holidays requires some careful planning, and for dino-mad children nothing beats prehistoric-themed activities. Crafting is a wonderful way to keep your little ones busy and help them to engage with their favourite things - so what better way to occupy them than by getting them to create their own dinosaurs? Here, we outline three simple ideas that kids of all ages can enjoy. 

Papier-mache dinosaur

This rather messy activity is sure to get your kids smiling and can be done with household items. All you need are strips of newspaper, a flour and water mixture for the glue, a balloon and some other items - perhaps toilet roll tubes for legs and long necks. Instructions for how to make the glue can be found online. 

Create the dinosaur by using the balloon as a body and covering it in the papier-mache. It’s a good idea to add several layers, letting each layer dry before adding the next. Once finished, the legs, head and tail can be added, as well as any other features such as spikes or tiny T-Rex arms. The dinosaur can then be painted. 

Dinosaur puppets 

If you have a pair of socks that are looking a bit threadbare, don’t throw them away - instead give them a new lease of life by turning them into dinosaur puppets. Your kids can use all sorts of things to make their dino unique - from googly eyes and pom poms to spikes made of felt. Young children can ask their grown ups for help with gluing the features on, while older children might like to try sewing them on. You can then stage your own family theatre show with the sock puppets as the stars. 

Felt dinosaurs

Children who are confident with needle and thread will enjoy creating their own felt dinosaur. They can start by drawing a basic dinosaur shape onto a piece of felt and cutting around it. The second side can be made by using the first as a template. The two pieces can then be carefully stitched together, leaving a hole to add the stuffing. Again, a range of features can be added to make the dinosaur as imaginative as they choose. Buttons, beads, sequins and feathers are all great extras to give the dinos some flair. If your children are using hot glue to add details, adult supervision is recommended. 

If you’re planning family things to do in the UK this summer, why not enter the prehistoric world at your local theatre? Dinosaur World Live is an award-winning show currently touring the UK. This fantastic production uses lifelike puppetry to introduce you to some of prehistory’s best beasts, from Triceratops and Segnosaurus to the mighty Giraffatitan and, of course, T-Rex. At just 50 minutes with no interval, it’s perfect for young children, and there’s a 15 minute meet and greet after the show. Search ‘family theatre near me’ and book your tickets today.