In full disclosure, we were provided the Dino X Team T. Rex Dino Dig in exchange for our honest review.
My son is approaching four years old and his love of dinosaurs began a few months ago. I love that he is interested in dinosaurs because he is developing an appreciation for science and nature!
During a trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences, my children participated in a space called The Big Dig where children equipped with goggles and chisels slowly dug for fossils. The next day we opened Uncle Milton’s Dino X Team T. Rex Dino Dig. I had never seen my son wait so patiently as we reviewed the simple and clear instructions.
The T. Rex Dino Dig consists of a chisel, hammer, and glasses (which are all plastic), a brush and of course the rock holding our fossilized bones. In our case, we have the T. Rex but the Dino Dig is also available in Triceratops or Stegosaurus. There are not many pieces needed and certainly no batteries. This is a straight forward digging for dinosaur bones and yet it is so much more.
Equipped with a hammer, chisel, brush and goggles, your young paleontologist is prepared to find fossils.
Mommy University Explores 4 Benefits of Uncle Milton’s Dino Dig Series
Provides a Hands-On Approach to Learning
Dinosaurs are in limited supply. In order to admire them in person we visit museums; however, that leaves figurines, videos, and books to help continue children’s interest. The Dino Dig transforms what children are learning in books and museums within their own home. Instead of just seeing the dinosaur represented, they are now engaging with the dinosaur. Granted this is not a real dinosaur, children have the imagination and joy of utilizing their imagination. This toy also involves a lot of textures. The original shape is not the final result. As each piece comes away, children will touch imprints from the skeleton to the dust. This is a toy that will get their hands dirty and let’s face it kids love to play in dirt.
Children love to get their hands dirty and why not? From ridges in the fossils to the pebbles remaining, there is a lot of tactile input.
Improves Fine Motor Skills
While the chisel and hammer are plastic, using these tools requires delicate balance using their fingers. They will need to patiently hold the chisel to a spot on the rock and hit it with a hammer. As they get closer to the bones, they can use the brush to wipe away the dirt. It takes practice and it takes time, which means through repetitive action they are enhancing their fine motor skills. It should be noted that children should be supervised while playing with this toy. Once the skeleton is unearthed completely, it will take time and dexterity to put the entire skeleton together.
From manipulating the tools in the Dino Dig kit to putting the skeleton together, children are improving fine motor skills.
Encourages Reasoning & Problem Solving
When the large rock is first removed from the box, a series of questions begin. Children wonder how to use the tools, the goggles, how many bones there are, but once all these initials thoughts go to the side they wonder how do they get the skeleton out of this amorphous shape. Where do they begin? With each tap of the hammer, with each scrap of the chisel, your child is faced with the next choice of what to do.
My son attempted using the tools differently until he found a strategy that worked for him. Where and how to use the tools became another investigative strategy. As well, children need to put the skeleton together which involves a lot of trial and error. Throughout playing with this toy, my son was incorporating reasoning to test out different methods. Through each attempt he was developing problem solving skills.
Where do we begin? Which tools? Which techniques? There is much trial and error that allows children to explore their reasoning and problem solving skills.
Encourages Patience
Patience is a skill many young children lack because it requires time and maturity. Currently, my son lacks the ability to sit for hours to work on this Dino Dig, but what I have noticed is that he is practicing patience. By working each day on the Dino Dig, he is learning that good things come to those who wait. This activity became a treat for him at the end of the day as he methodically attempted to dig out more bones. For older children, this activity is not a quick one and will require time thus it is great for improving patience.
It takes times to find all these pieces and much patience.
We had fun playing with this toy after visiting a museum, however it can also be played with leading up to a visit that contains exhibits on dinosaurs. Another extension of this toy is that it can be used as a discussion on geology and different types of rocks. This model consists of a handful of different types of bones which allows for an easy to assemble figurine; however, the T. Rex consisted of 200 bones. You can use the replica and discuss skeletal make-up of the T. Rex. Lastly, you can display this model on the shelf of any dinosaur fan once it is complete.
Uncle Milton is a company that merges toys and science into educational, imaginative and, most importantly, fun creations. That is why we love their products, and we love even more recommending them to you! Uncle Milton Dino X Team Dino Dig: T. Rex can be purchased easily on Amazon by using this affiliate link. Want to dig for other dinosaurs? Dino X Team also has Ceratosaurus and Triceratops!
Very cool! I love dinosaur stuff!