When kids think about fossils, they’re usually thinking about big dinosaur bones and monsters that tower over everyone, but bugs are packed with as much fossil fun as dinosaurs!
The Crayola Critter Creator Fossil Kit has everything kids ages 7 and up need to make their own collection of bug fossils to put on display or give as gifts to friends and family. The clay-based STEM set comes with eight different bug molds so kids have plenty of options, including ladybugs, beetles, spiders, dragonflies, wasps, and centipedes.
Young scientists will be able to follow the directions easily, including how to measure out the right amount of clay, how to use the molds, and how to get the bugs out of the mold when they are done. Using the molds is very simple: Kids just press the clay into all the nooks and crannies, use the plastic plate to push down on the mold, and use the leftover extra clay to pull the bug out of its mold!
Kids don’t have to wait for the clay to dry before decorating their bug creations. They just pull the clay bug out of the mold and they’re ready to go! The set comes with 10 different paints, including metallic colors, that kids can use to decorate their fossils. During this part of the process, kids can also attach plastic wings to dragonflies and wasps. After the clay and paint are fully dry, kids can put their creations in the fossil display cases, which give them a magnified view of their bug fossils.
The clay dries very quickly, which is nice for kids who are excited to get their fossils on display, but it can be hard to store. I ended up using all of the clay because I was worried it wouldn’t store well. However, if you have a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container, that should keep it from drying out for a while.
In all, the included clay pack makes around 20 fossils. However, there are only 10 display cases, so kids have to choose carefully which bugs they want to show off.
Adults will like that this set is very easy to clean. The clay is nonstick and the paint is washable, which keeps clothes and furniture safe. Kids can also design and paint their fossils on the included placemat, which keeps workspaces clean. The placemat is also educational, offering fun facts about the different bugs kids can make.
Whether kids enjoy sculpting and painting fossils or just really like bugs, they can express their creativity while also learning about insects with the Critter Creator Fossil Kit!
