Build your own dino-rama

In this activity, you’ll learn how to build a dinosaur diorama (or dino-rama, for short) using regular cardboard, scissors, and some engineering ingenuity. 

The three dino-ramas are Triceratops, Pterosaur, and Allosaurus. You can pick one, two, or all three to build!

All of these ancient creatures on display here at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and you can learn more about them by following us on social media where we feature all kinds of dinos on #FossilFriday. Now, let’s build a dinosaur!

Materials

• Paper or cardstock

• Cardboard

• Pen or pencil

• Scissors

• Colored pencils or markers

• Dinosaur templates: Triceratops, Pterosaur, or Allosaurus

Directions

1. Print your preferred dinosaur template on a piece of paper (A4 paper, size 8.5” x 11”)

2. Cut out each piece with a pair of scissors

3. Using a pencil or a pen, trace the dinosaur pieces onto cardboard or sturdy cardstock

4. Cut them out carefully

5. Add some detail to your dinosaur. Where are the eyes? What does their scaly skin look like? What else is missing?

6. Assemble your dinosaur pieces. 

7. Which dinosaur did you create: Triceratops, Pterosaur, or Allosaurus? How do they interact together? Are any of the pieces interchangeable? 

8. #ShareYourDiscovery with us on social media by tagging @sciencemuseummn. We can’t wait to see your cardboard creation!