How to Make a Paper Mache Dinosaur Land

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Ever wonder how to make a paper mache dinosaur land? An actual habitat that will fit your child’s plastic dinosaur?

You’ve come to the right place. With a few recyclable supplies, you’ll be able to create a fun dinosaur habitat that your child can use with their favorite dinosaurs.

While it takes a bit of time, I promise it’s well worth it. To see the joy on your child’s face as they play with something they’ve created, that can’t be beaten.

This was at the height of my son’s love for dinos. He knows them all and loves his carnivores of course what little boy wouldn’t.

Check out more fun dinosaur activities for kids here.

Recommended Dinosaur Books

Learn more about your favorite dinosaurs with these colorful illustrated books about their favorite creatures. My boys loved the books that had realistic pictures and detailed facts about each dinosaur.

Dinosaur! (Knowledge Encyclopedias)Little Dinosaur (Ten Minutes to Bed)The Dinosaur Book National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs How to Catch a Dinosaur Weird But True! Dinosaurs: 300 Dino-Mite Facts to Sink Your Teeth Into

Materials for Paper Mache Dinosaur Land

large bowl
flour
water
shredded newspaper
white paper towels
empty plastic water bottle
paint
masking tape
a large piece of cardboard – we used one from a large appliance

** Notice that we folded our box so there were two layers. I thought this would give it more support. You’ll see that the edges of the first layer start to curl up after it dries.

Instructions for dinosaur habitat

Build the base layers for the landscape with newspaper

We first crumpled up the newspaper and taped it down to the cardboard to make the hills. We also used masking tape to tape down the water bottle to the cardboard as well.

Don’t worry about making look pretty it’s going to get covered up. We also added some crumpled newspaper to the base of the water bottle and taped it down.

Adding crumpled paper with paper mache to large cardboard for a dinosaur habitat

Create a Paper Mache Paste

Then we made a paper mache paste that was 1 part water to 1 part flour.

Layer on the Paper Mache Layers

Add in the newspaper and keep adding layers until your whole board is covered up. We waited for it to dry and then added a second layer using the white paper towel.

This ensured that it would look uniform when we painted over it.

Paint the dinosaur landscape

Then it was painted. M1 painted it all by himself, except for the volcano, which I did. I was advised that it could only be brown when I tried to mix in some other colors, he was not happy with me.

He used lots of green but mixed on yellow and browns for the terrain.

He used blue paint to create a river that ran through the landscape.

He now wants to make a second one, since he can’t fit all his dinos on it. I have no problem building things with him, but I just have no space to store it, lol.

The dinosaur land is painted with greens and brown for the volcano

Recommended Dinosaur Toys

Dinosaur toys come in all materials and sizes. My kids loved the plastic ones and then when they got older, they preferred the ones that were more realistic looking. We like the ones from Schleich. I have a dinosaur from when my oldest, who’s 19, got when he turned 5 and it got passed down to each child.

And it still roars.

LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaurs 31058 Build It Yourself Dinosaur Set, Create a Pterodactyl, Triceratops and T Rex Toy (174 Pieces)BAODLON Kids Arts Crafts Set Dinosaur Toy Painting Kit – 10 Dinosaur Figurines, Decorate Your Dinosaur, Create a Dino World Painting Toys Gifts for 5, 6, 7, 8 Year Old Boys Kids Girls Toddlers Advanced Play Dinosaur Trex Toy Realistic Walking Tyrannosaurus Rex Multifunction RC Trex Toy Figure with Roaring Spraying Function Good Dinosaur Toys for Boys Girls Ages 3 Plus Schleich Dinosaurs, Dinosaur Toy, Dinosaur Toys for Boys and Girls 4-12 years old, Juvenile Therizinosaurus Schleich Dinosaurs, Dinosaur Toys, 7-Piece Playset for Boys and Girls 4-12 years old, Dinosaur Set with Cave SCHLEICH Toy Dinosaur Research Station 33-Piece Playset for Kids Ages 4-12

Added Paper Trees to the Dinosaur Habitat

We made cut-out trees, a deciduous and coniferous tree, and a cactus. I asked why didn’t he put his cactus on and he told me that they were for deserts and that this environment was very warm. “oh” I said. lol. Of course, how did I miss that?

Each tree was had two templates that we cut out, then we added a slit to the bottom of them so it would slide into each other.

The paper mache dinosaur land completed with plastic dinosaurs and paper trees.

We had to throw this out when we moved but we made a new one for our new home. Now his younger brother wants to make one too. We’re just waiting to find a large box.

I hope this gave you some inspiration while you create your own paper mache dinosaur land.