How to Make Dinosaur Eggs

Rather than blowing your party budget on favors that no one wants or needs, craft your own; these dinosaur eggs are easy to make and fun to open, and can double as a party activity.

You can make your own dinosaur eggs with a hidden "baby dinosaur" inside with just a few household ingredients. It's best to make these at least a week in advance so they can harden, but in a pinch you can bake them on a cookie sheet for 25 minutes in a 125 degree oven. To make dinosaur eggs you will need the following:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup used coffee grounds
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/4 cup craft sand or sandbox sand
• 3/4 cup warm, not hot, water
• small plastic toy dinosaurs

Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Slowly add the warn water, making a dough. Once the ingredients are mixed into a dough, break off a piece and press a small plastic dinosaur into the middle. Now as if you are making a snow ball, press the dough around the dinosaur and create an "egg" shape. Place each egg on a cookie sheet with the pointy side of the egg facing up. Let dry for 5-7 days. Makes 8-10 Easter egg-sized eggs.

At the party bring out your dinosaur eggs and let the kids break them open and discover their prehistoric treasures inside! Older children might like using shovels and small hammers to break open the eggs. Or provide paints and let guests decorate their eggs and then take them home after the party.