Paleontology for Kids (Dinosaurs and More!): External Resources

Visit the David H. Koch Hall at the museum to explore two halls filled with all things dinosaur.

Dinosaur Journey is a regional paleontological and geological museum that tells the story of the history of life in Western Colorado and surrounding areas with real fossils, cast skeletons, and reconstructions of dinosaurs and other paleo species. The hands-on, interactive museum includes over 15,000 fossil specimens in its collections, exhibits and displays featuring discoveries from the region, a viewable paleontology laboratory where dinosaur bones are prepared for display, a sandbox for making your own dinosaur tracks, and a “quarry site” where kids can uncover actual Jurassic dinosaur bones.

Dinosaurs once roamed here. Their fantastic remains are still visibly embedded in the rocks. Today, the mountains, desert, and untamed rivers flowing in deep canyons support an array of life. Petroglyphs reveal the lives of Indigenous people. Later, homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history or scenery, Dinosaur offers much to explore.

Explore the Genius Hall of Dinosaurs to learn all about the great beasts of the past.

Travel back in time at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center -- a 12,000-square-foot world class museum dedicated to fossils from North America's Cretaceous Period including marine reptiles, pterosaurs and dinosaurs,

The new, 31,000-square-foot fossil hall invites you to explore the epic story of how Earth’s distant past is connected to the present and informs our future. Travel through ancient ecosystems, witness the evolution of life, and get up close to some 700 fossil specimens. Discover how human actions are driving Earth’s rapidly changing climate today much like long-ago geological events did in the past. Learn how to interpret the scientific evidence of the past and present, and see how the choices we make today will live far beyond us, in deep time.

The word “fossil,” comes from the Latin word “fossilis,” which means “dug up.” Fossils often are found in limestone and they represent a variety of extinct marine invertebrate animal life forms, including brachiopods, bryozoans, clams, corals, crinoids, nautiloids and snails. See below for some of the most common fossils found in Missouri.

Learn about the plethora of fossils that could be hiding in your backyard, waiting to be discovered.

Delve into these fast facts about dinosaurs for kids of all ages. Discover why the Tyrannosaurus had sharp teeth, where the name “dinosaur” comes from, and more!

Explore the incredible world of dinosaurs through fascinating facts, amazing art, and the latest science.

Discover facts, figures and images for more than 300 dinosaurs.

The American Natural History Museum's paleontology page of their science website for kids, OLogy.

Get answers to FADQ (Frequently Asked Dinosaur Questions) from the US Geological Survey.

Plan your fossil hunting trip to Fossil Basin where you can unearth your very own fossil fish! To learn more about the history of ancient Fossil Lake, stop by Fossil Butte National Monument. During the summer, the national monument has a Fossil Quarry Program where visitors can help with the fossil hunting, but you cannot keep any fossils found at the site. However, the area has multiple private dig-your-own fossil quarries located in the hills surrounding ancient Fossil Lake, where you can hunt and dig for fossils, and often even take fossils home with you. Find more information on these private fossil quarries below.

Hell Creek Fossils LLC is a public dinosaur dig located in the badlands of North Dakota near the town of Marmarth. Our dinosaur digs are open to anyone with an interest in paleontology, geology, or dinosaurs. Dinosaur fossils found on our excavations include the remains of the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex, Edmontosaurus, and Triceratops. Whether you are looking for an adventure or just another great vacation idea, Hell Creek Fossils LLC is the way to go. Join in an authentic expedition and experience the hunt for dinosaur fossils and the scientific knowledge they hold.

Dig for dinosaurs in one of the Montana Dinosaur Center’s active fossil sites! Our digs are open to all ages and experience levels. We run digs from June through September, so we can work with your plans for a Montana adventure!

The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is devoted to the advancement of education, outreach and research. We provide outstanding hands-on geologic and paleontological experiences that are engaging and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. This world-class facility displays one of the largest and most unique fossil collections in the world and our dig sites have some of the richest fossil-bearing strata in the western United States.