If you want an easy way to blend science and play, you’ll enjoy this project: How to Make Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs. It’s an easy experiment that turns into hands-on fun for younger kids, while also incorporating a little science.

For more ideas, check out my list of dinosaur activities for kids. Since my kids are older now, except for my youngest, I haven’t been able to do this activity at their level. But I would have loved to try it when they were curious about dinosaurs.

See exactly how we created these dinosaur eggs, share what your kids can learn from the process, and provide you with ways to extend the activity to keep the fun going. Stay with me to the end, and I’ll point you to more of my favorite dinosaur resources and ideas we’ve enjoyed at home.

Finished version of How to Make Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs displayed neatly on a red tray.

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The Science Behind This Experiment

Chia seeds are amazing because they absorb water and form a gel-like coating. When they sit in water, they swell up and become sticky. That’s what makes them perfect for creating a textured shell for these dinosaur eggs.

As the seeds expand, they create a fun sensory experience for kids. They can feel the slimy coating, see the color spread through the seeds, and later, watch how the eggs freeze and then melt when warm water is added. It’s a small-scale experiment that shows absorption and freezing in action.

Recommended Dinosaur Books

Do you have a dinosaur lover? Grab one of these wonderful dinosaur books to make homeschooling even more enjoyable.

How to Catch a Dinosaur Have You Seen My Dinosaur? (Beginner Books(R))Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?: All About Dinosaurs (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)Weird But True! Dinosaurs: 300 Dino-Mite Facts to Sink Your Teeth Into Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (Dinosaur Books, Dinosaur Books for Kids, Dinosaur Picture Books, Read Aloud Family Books, Books for Young Children)The Impatient Dinosaur: (Kids Books about Feelings, Emotions, Anger Management, Ages 3 5, Preschool)

Final Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs from the How to Make Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs activity

What can kids learn from this activity?

This experiment may look like play, but it’s full of learning opportunities. Here are three things kids can discover:

How chia seeds absorb water and change texture
The process of freezing and melting
Practicing patience and following the steps carefully

I also recommend checking out my Earth Science Printable Packs. They make it simple to bring science into your lessons with ready-to-use activities.

Supplies laid out for the How to Make Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs activity

Dinosaur Eggs Supplies

chia seeds
water
small bowls
Measuring spoon
Food coloring
Plastic bin with sides
Plastic dinosaurs (optional)
Easter eggs
Painter’s tape
Water
Cupcake pan or egg carton (if using regular eggs)
Squeeze bottle (optional)
Warm water (optional)

Recommended Dinosaur Activity Kits

Adding dinosaur kits to this activity can make it even more fun for kids. Having a set of dinosaurs nearby adds excitement as they crack open their eggs and find hidden treasures inside.

Dig Up Dinosaur Fossil Eggs,Break Open 12 Unique Dinosaur Fossil Eggs and Discover 12 Cute Dinosaurs NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Dinosaur Air Dry Clay Arts & Crafts Kit – 5 Clay Colors, 5 Dino Skeletons, Sculpting Tool & Googly Eyes for Kids Dino Soap Making Kit for Kids – Dinosaur Science Toys Kits – Gifts for Kids All Ages – STEM DIY Activity Craft Kits Mega Fossil Dig Kit – Dig Up 15 Real Fossils (Dinosaur Bones, Sharks, & More) – Great Science, Archeology, Paleontology Gift for Boys and Girls – Excavation Toys CoolToys Daring Dinos Paint n’ Play 3D Model and Craft Kit – STEM Educational Wooden Dinosaurs Building and Painting Set for Kids Ages 6+, Fun and Creative Activity for Boys and Girls Creativity for Kids Mini Garden Dinosaur: Terrarium Kit for Kids – Dinosaur Crafts for Boys, Dinosaur Toy and Science Kit for Kids Ages 6-8+, Small Gifts for Kids

The final output of the How to Make Chia Seed Dinosaur Eggs activity.

How to Make Dinosaur Eggs for Kids with Chia Seeds

When we did this project, I prepared the chia seeds with food coloring first. My daughter loved watching the seeds soak up the colors and swell in the bowls. It took about 30 minutes, and she kept checking to see how they were changing.

Filling the plastic eggs was a little messy but fun. We used painter’s tape to close the bottoms, and then carefully spooned the chia seed mix into the eggs. My son thought it looked gross, but interesting at the same time.

The most exciting part was when we froze the eggs overnight. The next day, running warm water over the plastic shells revealed the frozen eggs. Watching them melt in the bin was just as fun as making them.

step by step pictures of how to make dinosaur eggs from chia seeds

Ways to Extend the Activity

There are plenty of ways to stretch this activity beyond the initial project. Try these ideas to keep the learning going:

Dinosaur Dig Activity – Set up a bin with sand or dirt and bury dinosaurs for a pretend excavation.
Dinosaur Research Report – Have older kids research their favorite dinosaur and share what they learned.
Paint your frozen eggs with washable paint before melting them to add an art twist.
Use a magnifying glass to examine closely how the chia seeds adhere to the eggshell.

More Dinosaur Activities to Try

If your kids enjoyed this, here are even more ideas to explore:

Dinosaur Science Experiments
Dinosaur Kindergarten Worksheets
Make Your Own Felt Dinosaurs
15+ Roar-some Dinosaur Crafts by Simple Everyday Mom
Best Dinosaur Games for 4-Year-Olds by Homeschool Preschool

Making DIY chia seed dinosaur eggs is a fun way to combine science and playtime at home. It’s a project that doesn’t require much setup but leaves kids with a memorable experience. I hope you give it a try and add it to your collection of hands-on science fun.