Adorable and Simple Printable Cardstock Dinosaur Craft for Kids

Use this paper Dinosaur craft for kids with a FREE printable template to keep your kids entertained. Once they are done crafting they can play with their new pet dinosaur!

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Is your little one obsessed with dinosaurs? If so, this adorable dinosaur craft for kids is the perfect way to engage their creativity while indulging their love for all things prehistoric. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend activity or a simple project to keep them entertained, check out this paper Dinosaur craft for kids with free printable template. The fun part about this craft is it makes standing dinosaurs, so they can be played with or left out on display.

Crafting provides a great bonding opportunity and helps children develop fine motor skills and express their creativity. With the free printable template and directions I’ve provided in this post, this project is easy to set up and enjoy, making it perfect for kids of all ages.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own DIY dinosaur craft, explore the educational benefits of this activity, and share tips for crafting success. So, let’s get started on this dino-mite adventure!

DIY Dinosaur Craft for Kids

Use this paper Dinosaur craft for kids with a FREE printable template to keep your kids entertained. Once they are done crafting they can play with their new pet dinosaur! #kidsactivity #craft

This DIY dinosaur craft is simple, fun, and perfect for kids who love these prehistoric creatures. Using basic materials you probably already have at home, you and your child can create a colorful and unique dinosaur to proudly display.

What’s Included with the Template

The template includes one dinosaur craft that can be printed out and made one at a time or printed as a classroom set to make a whole herd of dinosaurs.

If you choose to print the classroom set, you can print each part of the template on colored cardstock or you can print the template on white paper and let your children color it with markers, crayons, or pencils.

Supplies:

White or Colored cardstock paper
Craft glue
Pencil
Black felt tip marker or Black Sharpie
Scissors

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Template Pieces

One Craft:

So, let’s begin by downloading and printing the free dinosaur template. The template includes a body base, spines, legs, spots, and toenail patterns.
Let your child choose their favorite colors and print the template on colored paper or cardstock for a vibrant look.

Classroom Set: Print the template pieces on colored paper, cut the craft pieces apart, and then distribute them to students to cut out.

If some pieces are difficult for your child to cut out have them bubble cut around the template pieces (here is a video example I found of bubble cutting) or lend them a hand.

The toenail template has several intracit cuts. To adapt this activity this piece can be left out and the toenails can be drawn onto the bottom of the legs.

Step 2: Assemble the Dinosaur

Start by gluing the body parts together with the following instructions:

Use a sharpie to draw the eye on the eye base cutout, and then glue the eye onto the head.
Optional: Draw a mouth and nose onto the dinosaur.
Glue the spot cutouts to the body.
Glue the toenail cutouts along each of the long sides of the leg cutouts.
Glue the spikes onto the dinosaur’s back.

Step 3: Make the legs so your dinosaur craft can stand.

Take the leg cutouts and roll them into cylinder shapes, and secure them with glue or tape.
Cut a 1 cm slit on the left and right sides of the legs, making sure the toenails are at the bottom.

Step 4: Complete the Dinosaur Craft

Once the glue has dried, slide the dinosaur body into the slit that was cut into the legs.
Set your dinosaur on a flat surface to stand.

Step 5: Decorate the Dinosaur Craft:

Let your child’s imagination run wild by adding stickers, glitter, or any other decorative items to their dinosaur. This is where their creativity can really shine!

Educational Benefits of This Dinosaur Craft

Teaches Patience and Focus: Completing a craft project from start to finish requires children to concentrate, follow instructions, and practice patience—all important life skills.

Enhances Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, gluing, and decorating the dinosaur craft helps children develop fine motor skills, which are essential for writing and other daily tasks.

Boosts Creativity: Crafting encourages children to use their imagination, making choices about colors, decorations, and how they want their dinosaurs to look.

Tips for Success with Making Paper Dinosaur Craft for Kids:

Prepare the Materials in Advance: Before starting the craft, make sure all materials are prepped and ready. This will help keep the kids focused and prevent frustration.

Encourage Independence: Let your child take the lead on this craft. Even if the result isn’t perfect, they need to express themselves and feel proud of their work.

Make It a Learning Experience: Use the craft as an opportunity to talk about dinosaurs, their habitats, and what they ate. This adds an educational element to the activity.

Wrap Up

This adorable dinosaur craft is not only a fun and creative activity but also a valuable learning experience for your child. With the help of our free printable template, you can easily bring this prehistoric project to life. So, gather your supplies and enjoy some quality crafting time with your little one today!