Handmade Counting Dinosaur Game – Busy Bag Activity For Toddlers

Along with sharing various toddler friendly crafts on my blog, I want to start sharing more toddler themed busy bag activities that moms can make on the cheap and super fast.

Never heard of busy bag activities before?

They are called busy bags because most are stored in plastic bags & in the end, keep kids busy.

Some are just games and some have a learning lesson behind them. The concept is to make the busy bag activities durable and be able to use them over & over again. Plus it gives moms an excuse to get crafty {to make them} and then afterwards your child is satisfied with the end result too. It’s a win-win situation. With so many road-trips going on this summer, busy bags are great to throw in a basket & hand one over when your child gets fussy or bored.

Today’s busy bag activity is called “Counting Dinosaur Game.” Your child will have to identifying the number on each dinosaur cutout, then add the same amount of clothespins {spikes} along the back of each dinosaur. Super easy and a great learning activity as well!

To make this activity, it takes a few easy steps & less than 30 minutes to put together. The cost is also very reasonable & and you can change out supplies to best suit you.

Ready to learn how? Find all the details below! Happy crafting, my friends! Don’t forget to share pictures when you make your dinosaur themed counting game, on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram to see it! I can’t wait to also hear what you think of our DIY! #gluedtomycrafts

Counting Dinosaur Game Craft Supplies:

* Laminating Machine
* Laminating Sheets
* Cricut Machine
* Colored Cardstock
* Mini Clothespins
* Large Number Scrapbook Stickers {1-10}

Directions:

First things first – if you haven’t already, make your TEN dinosaur cutouts. Whether you use your Cricut, hand-draw them yourself or you pre-buy some from the store, you will need TEN paper pieces per game set {the original tutorial from 2013 was made with dinosaur cutouts from Hobby Lobby}

Now that you have your dinosaur cutouts, put a scrapbook number sticker in the center of each dinosaur shape. You generally want a set of 1-10 but no higher than those numbers. Otherwise your child won’t be able to put the correct amount of spikes on the dinosaur because of lack of space.

Next up – slide the finished paper pieces between your laminating sheets {leaving room between each one} and run them through the laminating machine.

When cool enough to touch – use your scissors to trim out the dinosaur shapes from the finished laminating sheets.

Now it’s time to separate and pair up your clothespins to the dinosaurs {this way you know you have enough for the game!} One dinosaur with one clothespin, another with two, another with three – so on & so on. Each dinosaur will have it’s designated amount of clothespins.

And you are done! To play, just ask your child to identifying the number on the dinosaur and then add the same amount of clothespins along the back of the dinosaur. That’s it!

Once the game is done, store your pieces in a large ziplock baggie for future uses. {or sew up a really cool bag if you want!}

To change up the game or add some flare – paint your clothespins and/or change up the colors of your number stickers so it becomes a matching game instead. You could even change the game up, by doing a single clothespin that matches the color of a particular dinosaur. So many ways to change it up! I just hope I inspired you today!

RELATED BUSY BAG POSTS ON GLUED TO MY CRAFTS: Bunny Tail Match Game and Deck of Cards Match Game