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Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for a long, long time—almost 200 million years! A lot changed during that time, including the land and the dinosaurs who lived there. Dig into the activities below to learn more about dinosaurs and why their fossils are so rare in Oregon.
Digging up Dinosaurs is also available in Spanish.

Drawing of a stegosaurus

WHAT MAKES A DINOSAUR A DINOSAUR?

Dinosaurs are a type of reptile that lived long ago—but not every extinct reptile is a dinosaur. So, what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur?

  • Reptile. All dinosaurs are reptiles, but not all reptiles are dinosaurs
  • Two holes in the bone behind each eye make space for large, strong jaw muscles
  • Lays eggs
  • Lives on land
  • Legs directly under their body for better walking and running

Learn more about dinosaurs on this poster.

Drawing of a chicken and dinosaur in a framed picture, with the word Family above them.
ARE BIRDS RELATED TO DINOSAURS?

Have you heard that birds are descended from dinosaurs? It’s true! A chicken has more in common with a T-Rex than a pterosaur, including legs directly under their bodies and three-toed feet.

Drawing of a volcano erupting.
WHY ARE DINOSAUR FOSSILS SO RARE IN OREGON?

When dinosaurs first evolved, Oregon was mostly under water, so there was not much land for dinosaurs to live on.

Dinosaurs probably lived in Oregon later in time, but eruptions from Oregon’s volcanoes buried their fossils under layers of lava—making them hard to find.

 

 

EXPLORE MORE!
Drawing of a dinosaur skeleton
ACTIVITY

Turning to Stone

A fossil is the evidence of a living thing that has been preserved over time. It takes a very long time for a fossil to form—sometimes many millions of years! Try this activity to explore how most fossils form.

 

A small dinosaur toy and a piece of clay in which the toy has been pressed to create an impression.
CRAFT

Fossil Fun and Dino Dough

Make your own fossils and dinosaur bones using clay or salt dough and this step-by-step guide.

Dinosaur drawing a image of toe bone.
VIDEO

Dinosaur Toe Bone

MNCH paleontologist Greg Retallack describes the Mitchell Ornithopod, a dinosaur whose remains he uncovered in Oregon in this 3-minute video.

Crayons, scissors, and coloring sheets with dinosarus and puzzle pieces on them.
CRAFT

Paleo Puzzles

Fossils are often found in many pieces and have to be put back together like a puzzle. Use this easy-to-follow guide and puzzle templates (print double-sided) to color and create your own.

Drawing of a group of dinosaurs in various sizes.
ACTIVITY

All Shapes and Sizes

How do you measure up to a dinosaur? Use this guide to find out.

Green fern.
ACTIVITY

Jurassic Scavenger Hunt

Many of the plants and animals around today were already alive in the Jurassic Period. Use this scavenger hunt to see if you can find them today.

 

Explore our other at-home adventures.

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