Salt Dough Fossils

Supplies

• 1 cup flour

• ½ cup salt

• ½ cup water

• Bowl for mixing

• Rolling pin (or a cup)

• Small plastic dinosaurs, shells, leaves, or other items to make imprints

• Baking tray (optional)

• Oven (optional — can air-dry instead)

Steps

1. Make the salt dough

1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour + ½ cup salt.

2. Slowly add ½ cup water, mixing until it forms a soft dough.

3. If too sticky: add a little more flour.

4. If too dry: add a splash more water.

2. Shape the dough

1. Break off small pieces and roll them into balls.

2. Press each ball flat into a disc (about 1–2cm thick).

3. Create the fossil imprint

1. Choose a small plastic dinosaur, leaf, shell, or any textured item.

2. Press it firmly into the dough disc.

3. Lift it off to reveal the “fossil” print.

4. Dry or Bake

You can choose either method:

Air-Dry:

• Leave overnight or for 24–48 hours until hard.

Bake:

• Place fossils on a baking tray.

• Bake at 120°C for 1–2 hours until fully dry (low heat prevents cracking).

Other Information

• Painting option: Once dry, kids can paint them with acrylic paint to give an “ancient stone” look.

• STEM talking points:

  • How real fossils form under pressure over millions of years.

  • Why imprints are important for learning about extinct animals.

• Storage: Salt dough fossils last a long time if kept dry.

• Variations: Try making dinosaur footprints, spiral fossils, or “buried treasure” imprints.