Beyond the Book: Tiny T. Rex

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Beyond the Book: Tiny T. Rex

May 14, 2021

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Beyond the Book

Here’s a fun STEM activity to go along with one of our favorite Tiny T. Rex stories!

Have you seen the Tiny T. Rex books? They are a favorite in our Museum gift shop.

Recently, we read “Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark” By Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Jay Fleck.

We love this story and its brave (and tiny) main character, a T. Rex who overcomes his fear of the dark with a little help from his friends.

Let’s go Beyond the Book and explore science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) concepts with an activity inspired by this heartwarming book! It’s a great way to keep the fun going after the last page.

Create a one-of-a-kind constellation with a few items that you probably have sitting around the house!
Create a one-of-a-kind constellation with a few items that you probably have sitting around the house!
Turn off the lights, shine your light, and be mesmerized by a starry night sky!
Turn off the lights, shine your light, and be mesmerized by a starry night sky!

STEM Activity and Story Companion:

Stars are like millions of nighty-lights up in the night sky, there to make the VERY DARK DARK seem less scary. Make your own stars to shine in the dark with this fun STEM activity!

Materials:

  • Flashlight
  • Cardboard or black construction paper
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Marker, any color
  • Toothpick, push pin, or similar object
  • Toilet paper tube

Let’s Get Started!

  1. Place one end of a paper tube on a piece of cardboard or black construction paper, trace around it with a marker. Then cut around your tracing.
  2. Use your marker to sketch stars (or any design that you would like) onto the circular piece of cardboard or paper.
  3. Use a toothpick, push pin, or similar object to punch holes along your design.
  4. Secure the cardboard or paper piece to one end of a paper tube with tape.

Time to test! In a dimly lit room, shine a light through the other end of the tube and direct it towards the wall, you should see your design projected onto it! Wow!

About the Book

Book called Tiny T. Rex sitting on a counter.

“Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark” By Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Jay Fleck

Excerpt from inner cover: “Tiny T-Rex and his friend Pointy are worried. Without their nighty-lights, the dark outside suddenly seems VERY dark … and full of spooky things. Good thing Tiny has a super-secret plan to keep the dark at bay!”

Find this book and other fun dinosaur titles in our gift shop, Play Central Toys & Books.

 

 

Looking for more dinosaur books?

Head to our gift shop!