We have all heard of the Easter Bunny. Did you know there were Easter Dinosaurs? Really! The EasTer Rex, the EasteRapator (or Easter Raptor depending on location in the Prehistoric World), EasTerceratops and many other Eastersaurs. For some reason the Bunny is the only Easter animal people seem to remember. Hmmmm. I wonder why?
Millions of years ago a group of Dinosaurs met to improve relationships with All Prehistoric Animals. Gifts were brought to share with All. This led to an Annual Tradition for Celebrating Sharing and Friendship, which We Really Should Do Every Day! The Time of the Year All the Prehistoric Animals selected happens to be the same time Humans Celebrate Easter. Today Eastersaurs deliver Chocolate & Colored Eggs, Chocolate Dinosaurs and of course Chocolate Bunnies. If you have been Really Good You may be lucky enough to receive a visit by an Eastersaurus one year!
At the Park, we are working on various crafts to prepare for Easter. Instead of coloring eggs with the kits that you can purchase at many craft and grocery stores (which can be very fun), I used foam Dinosaur Stickers & Drew Dinosaurs on the Eggs. It has become an Annual Activity. It’s Great Fun for All Ages!
The Cool Foam Dinosaur & other Prehistoric Animal stickers by Creatology, I found at Michael’s Arts & Crafts. They can be ordered online mailed or picked-up depending on the Michael’s in your area. The stickers include Pterosaurs and Dimetrodons which are not Dinosaurs! Pterosaurs are a close relative but a different part of the family tree. The Dimetrodons died out 60 million years before the dinosaurs appeared. Actually, Dimetrodons have more in common with You and I than a T-Rex. But that’s a Tale (Tail) for another time.
The Stickers are great! Kids from 3 to 92 can easily attach them to eggs! I drew backgrounds on the eggs before attaching the stickers. However, coloring the traditional way works too! The Natural History Museum of Los Angles County has suggestions for coloring to look like real dinosaur eggs.
I found my Artist Pens at Michael’s, as well. I drew dinosaurs on the eggs and used various colored Sharpies to finish them. You have two sides on the egg. So, if one side didn’t come out as well as you hoped you can show the other side.
I love repurposing items or repairing them. I started with a large woven Basket from a Holiday Gift. I decided to update the decoration for the inside of the basket. I used Watercolor paper 11 in. x 15 in. 140 lb. (available at Michael’s) cut in half on the short edge, Styrofoam and an empty dog biscuit box. “James Gurney The World of Dinosaurs: A North American Selection” by Michael K. Brett-Surman, PHD & Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. provided inspiration for my Dinosaur Eggs. I started with a 2B pencil sketch on each half. After finalizing the pencil, a 0.5 illustration pen was used over the pencil and various watercolors to finish. I attached each strip to the empty dog biscuit box with packaging tape using pieces of Styrofoam to create a layered look. Insert into the woven basket and You have an Easter Basket for the Eastersaurs!
Last Year’s design was more traditional colored eggs with chocolate brontosaurs. I like the Watercolors more and Kevin likes the Hatching Dinosaurs better. Hmmm, I shouldn’t be surprised!
The Great Courses www.thegreatcourses.com has many DVD and Downloadable Courses for “How to Draw”, “Everyday Urban Sketching”, “Sketching People, Places and Landscapes” that can help you as they have me with drawing and using watercolors. Just remember practice, practice & practice to reach your goal. Check Out Your Library to see if they have these courses available for You online.
I’m soaking the last 6 eggs from “Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs”! It will be fun excavating the little but very detailed dinosaurs from the fossil like clay eggs on Easter Day. I use the vinyl side of a picnic blanket as a work area. This could be a good time to put that junk mail to use by covering the table. The dinosaurs are pretty sturdy plastic. However, encourage your young paleontologist(s) to take their time to avoid damaging the dinosaur inside the clay egg. Each Egg comes with a plastic chisel making this a fun group activity. An Excavation Guide is included providing the names, pronunciation and some details about each Dinosaur or Pterosaur.
Hatching Dinosaur Eggs in water is also Fun! Make sure the glasses you use for the Hatching Eggs are large enough for them to grow. The accuracy or attention to detail various between all these types of dinosaurs and many can’t stand on their own.
We are having some decadent chocolate for Easter. With so many stores closed, it was nice to find Chocolate Mousse Eggs at Trader Joe’s. Also, the Cheesecake Factory is opened for take-out. Their Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake is a favorite, if Hobbes 2 doesn’t eat it first! Who knew how much Dinosaurs like Chocolate? I always purchase the entire cake vs. by the slice. It’s a much better deal. I freeze what I don’t need right away. It’s a special treat to take out a slice once in a while and they are so rich I can have half the next day. Their Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake is other Great choice. Hopefully they can add to Your Special Celebration.
Have a Happy Easter!
Viking.tv www.viking.tv has provided some Wonderful History Lessons & eTraveling this past week. The Great Courses can let you travel from your living room to far away places too! I especially enjoyed “The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul. Not only do You receive a Great History Lesson, You learn about what to bring and Off the Trail Spots Your Tour Guide might not show You!
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! Of Course, I’m checking out Tyrannosaurus Rex. There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” with host Emily Graslie and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Consider Memberships with these Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You.
www.Readingtokids.org has a number of eBooks and YouTube videos with Authors Reading their Books.
www.scholastic.com is another free resource during School Closures. Learning Journeys provided for Grades PreK – 9th.
Make use of all the Resources for eLearning, eBooks, even online Music & Movies at Your Library!
Stay Safe & Well.
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later this year.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, comment below or email:
paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com
Thank you!