Are your kids dinosaur fanatics? Or are you looking for an engaging, screen-free activity for the classroom or home? These free dinosaur bookmarks to color are a fun and creative way to keep kids entertained while encouraging their love of reading. Not only are they educational, but they also double as a neat craft project that kids will love!
From T-Rex superstars to triceratops fans, these dinosaur-themed bookmarks bring prehistoric fun to every little reader. Plus, they’re easy to create and perfect for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers. Keep reading to download your free bookmarks and learn how to make them extra special!
Why Coloring Dinosaur Bookmarks is a Great Activity
Coloring isn’t just fun; it’s packed with developmental benefits for children. Here’s why coloring these dinosaur bookmarks is a win for kids (and adults!):
- Encourages Creativity: Kids get to choose their favorite colors to decorate their bookmarks, creating something entirely their own.
- Enhances Focus: Coloring helps children improve concentration and patience.
- Develops Fine Motor Skills: Holding crayons, markers, or pencils strengthens the small muscles in children’s hands.
- Fosters a Love of Reading: Using their handmade bookmarks can encourage kids to pick up their favorite books.
Who knew something as simple as a coloring activity could deliver so many benefits?
Materials Needed
Before you get started, gather these materials for the project. Don’t worry – most of these are items you likely already have at home or in the classroom!
- White Cardstock (thicker than regular paper for durability)
- Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers (anything your kids prefer for coloring)
- Scissors or a Paper Trimmer
- Optional Laminator (to make the bookmarks last longer)
- Free Dinosaur Bookmark Printable (download link at the end of this post)
Once everything’s ready, you’ll have all you need to create a set of bookmarks that are both practical and adorable!
How to Color Dinosaur Bookmarks
Follow these easy steps to turn plain dinosaur printables into vibrant and unique bookmarks kids will love!
Step 1: Download and Print
First, download the free dinosaur bookmark templates (link at the bottom). Print them onto white cardstock to ensure the bookmarks are sturdy and can withstand daily use. Regular printer paper will work too, but cardstock is ideal for longer-lasting results.
Step 2: Grab Coloring Tools
Lay out crayons, markers, or colored pencils and invite kids to start coloring! Encourage them to get creative with bright colors, patterns, and designs. Dinosaurs don’t have to be green or brown; they can be rainbow-colored or polka-dotted!
Step 3: Cut Out the Bookmarks
After coloring is complete, use scissors or a paper trimmer to carefully cut along the lines of each bookmark. This step might require adult supervision, especially for younger kids.
Step 4 (Optional): Laminate for Durability
Laminating the bookmarks after coloring is perfect if you want them to last. Simply place the bookmarks into laminating sheets and run them through a laminator. Once laminated, trim off the excess edges. This added layer will protect the bookmarks from wear and tear!
And that’s it! You now have vibrant, personalized dinosaur bookmarks ready to use.
Tips for Making Bookmarks Last Longer
Want these bookmarks to stick around for a while? Try these quick tips to maximize their durability and appeal.
- Use Cardstock: This thicker material holds up better over time compared to regular paper.
- Laminate Your Bookmarks: Laminating not only protects against spills and smudges but also gives them a shiny, polished finish.
- Store Properly: Keep bookmarks in a safe spot when not in use to avoid bending or damage.
- Encourage Gentle Handling: Teach kids how to use bookmarks gently to ensure they last longer.
These simple steps ensure the bookmarks will be a fun keepsake for weeks (or even months) to come!
Other Dinosaur Activities for Kids
Want more prehistoric fun? Pair these bookmarks with other engaging dinosaur-themed activities to keep little ones entertained!
Dinosaur Crafts
Crafts are a great way to get kids excited about learning. Try some of these easy and fun dinosaur crafts:
- Dinosaur Fossils: Use clay or play dough to create your own dinosaur fossils. Press plastic toy dinosaurs into the material, let it dry, and then gently remove the fossilized imprints.
- Paper Plate Dinosaurs: Cut out different shapes from colored paper plates to create your own unique dinosaurs. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and other craft supplies for added fun.
- Dinosaur Hats: Cut out a large dinosaur shape from construction paper and glue it onto a paper headband. Decorate with paint, markers, or stickers for a fun and easy dress-up activity.
- Popsicle Stick Dinosaurs: Use colored popsicle sticks to create different parts of the dinosaur’s body. Glue them together to make a 3D dinosaur that can stand on its own.
Dinosaur Games
Games are a great way to keep kids active and engaged while learning about dinosaurs. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Dino Egg Hunt: Hide plastic eggs around your backyard or living room and have kids search for them like paleontologists searching for dinosaur fossils. Inside each egg, include a small toy dinosaur or a fun fact about that specific species.
- Dino Stomp: Set up an obstacle course in your backyard with cones, hula hoops, and other items to represent trees and rocks. Have kids pretend to be different types of dinosaurs as they stomp their way through the course.
- Name That Dinosaur: Test your child’s knowledge by playing a game of “Name That Dinosaur”. Show them pictures or describe different physical characteristics of dinosaurs and see if they can guess the correct name. You can even make it more challenging by adding in lesser known or extinct dinosaurs.
- Dinosaur Fossil Hunt: Hide small toy dinosaurs or fossils around your backyard or a park and have kids search for them like paleontologists. This activity encourages physical movement while also teaching children about the process of discovering fossils.
- Dino Dig Sensory Bin: Fill a large bin with sand, dirt, and small toy dinosaurs buried throughout. Have children use brushes and tools to carefully “excavate” the dinosaurs from the sensory bin. This is a great way to incorporate sensory play into learning about dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Printable Activities
Increase your child or students’ learning and engagement with these fun and educational printable activities:
- Dinosaur Coloring Pages: Print out various coloring pages featuring different types of dinosaurs. This allows children to practice their fine motor skills while also learning the names and features of different dinosaurs. Checkout my dinosaur color by number here for a great addition to your coloring pages.
- Dinosaur Fact Cards: Print out fact cards with interesting information about different types of dinosaurs. Children can use these as flashcards or play a matching game with them.
- Dinosaur Word Search: Create a word search puzzle using dinosaur-related vocabulary words for children to solve. This is a great way to help them improve their spelling and word recognition skills.
- Dinosaur Cut-and-Paste Worksheets: Children can practice their fine motor skills by cutting out pictures of dinosaurs and pasting them onto a pre-made background scene.
- Dinosaur Sequence Puzzle: Print and cut out individual puzzles, each with a different dinosaur on it. Have children match the pieces to form different dinosaurs.
- Dinosaur Memory Game: Create and print out matching cards featuring different dinosaurs. This game not only helps develop memory skills but also teaches children about different types of dinosaurs and their names.
Dinosaur Picture Books
Introduce children to the world of dinosaurs through colorful and engaging picture books. These books can also serve as a great way to teach children about different types of dinosaurs, their habitats, and behaviors. Here are some recommended dinosaur picture books for children:
“How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
This humorous book teaches children about bedtime routines through the mischievous actions of different types of dinosaurs.
“National Geographic Kids Ultimate Dinopedia” by Don Lessem
For young dinosaur enthusiasts, this book is a must-have. Filled with beautiful illustrations, facts, and photos, it’s a comprehensive guide to over 700 different types of dinosaurs. Children will love learning about the prehistoric creatures and their habitats.
“When Dinosaurs Came with Everything” by Elise Broach
This silly story follows a young boy as he runs errands with his mom, only to find out that everywhere they go, dinosaurs are being given away instead of the usual freebies. This book is sure to make kids laugh and dream about a world where dinosaurs really do come with everything.
Download Your Free Dinosaur Bookmarks
Excited to get started? Enter your email below to download your free printable dinosaur bookmarks and start creating your personalized reading accessories. Whether you’re using them for bedtime stories or school projects, these bookmarks are sure to make reading even more fun for your little ones!
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Note: These printable are for personal or classroom use only. Please do not redistribute or resell them.
I’d also love to see your creations! Snap a picture of the finished bookmarks and share them with us on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram using #DinoBookmarksFun.
Happy coloring and happy reading!
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