On the Trail of the Dinosaurs

“On the Trail of the Dinosaurs,” made for kids ages 6 to 9, turns your backyard or a park into a prehistoric valley that has just been discovered. A strange fossil has been found, and five different footprints lead through the bushes to the hidden nest of a vanished dinosaur. The kids follow the trail from print to print, such as a giant claw, a tail trail, and a piece of eggshell, observing, comparing, and guessing which dinosaur passed this way. Each stop teaches a real little fact about dinosaurs, slipped into the game without ever feeling like a lesson. It is a clue trail made for moving, observing, and marveling while you walk, without ever going in circles: every print points clearly to the next. The book includes the footprint cards, portraits of the five dinosaurs, an explorer’s journal to fill in, and a guide for the grown-up who goes along with the group. It is perfect for a birthday party, an afternoon at the park, or a walk in the woods, ending with the discovery of the nest that rewards the whole team of explorers. Five footprints set the pace of the course, each tied to a different dinosaur, so the final discovery really makes sense. The guide also offers options for different play areas and a shorter version for the youngest players.