DYNAMIC EXPERIENCES TO BRING YOUR CHILD FACE TO FACE WITH DINOSAURS

Disclosure: I am a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider team and they sent items to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed within are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

It is inevitable – even if your child is not a dinosaur fanatic, it is likely that he or she still stands in awe of the massive creatures when they have the opportunity “meet” one face to face. Therefore, I have compiled a list of where to see dinosaurs – both for scientific and entertainment purposes!

AT HOME WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S DINOSAURS
At work, my colleagues and I have been really interested in exploring how augmented and virtual reality can enhance classroom instruction. National Geographic’s Dinosaurs Experience Pack is an inexpensive option for Mattel’s Viewmaster, the perfect starter VR set for any family.

The Dinosaurs experience pack allows dinosaur loves young and old to walk in the land of the dinosaurs. My five year old spent a long time exploring the habitats and engaging in the varied experiences offered – like riding a dinosaur, sitting in a meadow watching dinosaurs and more.

Likewise, this would be a great option for classrooms studying dinosaurs. In my classroom, I would have a Viewmaster in a learning station where students could experience the land of dinosaurs “firsthand”. What a way to help students visualize the world of dinosaurs!

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Luckily for us, we are only 45 minutes from an awesome collection of dinosaurs at Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. With tons of dinosaurs, a kids’ excavation area, and more, this museum in interactive enough to keep little ones interested!

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah is on my travel bucket list. The Utah side of the monument is where you should head if you want to see the more than 1500 exposed dinosaur fossils housed in cliff wall in the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, ANIMAL KINGDOM, AND DISNEY SPRINGS IN ORLANDO
Dinosaur lovers like to kick back and enjoy some entertainment, too. Orlando boasts a ton of dinosaur experiences, from the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom, Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios, or T-Rex Cafe – an amazingly-themed restaurant in Disney Springs (hint: ask to eat in the ice room).

FIELD STATION: DINOSAURS
NJ and NY locals often mention Field Station: Dinosaurs as a top destination. Over 30 life-sized dinosaurs are brought to life via robotics in their natural, outside exhibits.

THE SMITHSONIAN
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is another one of our favorite places to see dinosaurs. Note that the Fossil Hall is closed until 2019, when they will reveal a whole new, updated exhibit!