Use footprints, patterns, and a three-part story to make a playful dinosaur coloring session your own. Start with one idea, follow your child’s interests, and leave room for their own choices.
Begin with imagination
A dinosaur drawing can be a starting point for a story even when you do not know its name. These activities use pretend scenes and invented colors. If a child asks a factual question about a dinosaur, look it up together in a reliable reference instead of treating the drawing as a scientific guide.
Build a trail of footprints
Draw three large footprints across a spare sheet. Color each one differently and ask where the trail might lead. Keep the spaces broad. If your child prefers watching, let them choose the colors while you draw, then offer one footprint for them to finish.
Invent a friendly pattern
Try a row of dots, a stripe down a tail, or a few large patches. Choose one pattern first, then decide whether to repeat it. The dinosaur can be any color. You can say, “This is our imaginary version,” when separating the pretend design from questions about real prehistoric animals.
Give the scene a place
Add a hill, a pool, or a cluster of imaginary plants. Ask which place the dinosaur would like to visit in the story. Leave room around the character so coloring does not become crowded. Three background shapes are enough to suggest a setting.
Tell the adventure in three parts
Fold another sheet into three sections or draw three boxes. In the first, the character finds a trail. In the second, it meets a friend. In the third, they choose a place to rest. Your child can change any part of this story, or just describe it aloud.
Choose a comfortable stopping point
End after a character, a footprint, or a story scene. A half-colored page can be returned to later. Ask which part your child wants to show you, rather than making neatness the focus of the conversation.
Is the Dinosaurs book available?
Not yet. Dinosaurs is a planned Wild Little Wonders theme, with a target audience of ages 4–8. The cover, final interior, page count, and release date are not confirmed. Visit the book’s planning page for its concept, or explore Baby Animals for a look at the current paperback format.