How early learning centres can bring Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026 to life

Queensland Dinosaur Week is set to roar across the state from 4 to 10 May 2026, giving early learning services a timely opportunity to turn one of childhood’s most enduring fascinations into rich learning experiences.

Anchored by National Dinosaur Day on Thursday 7 May, the week celebrates Queensland’s extraordinary prehistoric history, with events, fossil experiences and educational activities taking place across the state.

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers, it is also a ready-made chance to spark curiosity, build STEM thinking, encourage storytelling and engage families through play-based learning.

Queensland is home to some of the world’s most significant fossil discoveries, including Australia’s largest dinosaur, giant marine reptiles and the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampede. As organisers note, visitors are not simply observing history, they are stepping into a landscape where science is still unfolding.

More information and the official program are available via the Dinosaur Experiences Australia website.

Build the week around Queensland’s BIG 7 fossil legends

Queensland Dinosaur Week has introduced the BIG 7 Fossil Legends, showcasing some of the state’s most iconic prehistoric discoveries.

This gives centres a simple and engaging way to structure programming across the week.

Ideas could include:

Monday – Cooper the Titanosaur
Explore size, scale, shadows and measuring.

Tuesday – Banjo the Carnivore
Movement games, speed challenges and predator-prey storytelling.

Wednesday – Matilda the Sauropod
Long necks, long tails, building and balancing.

Thursday – Krono the Marine Reptile
Water play, oceans and underwater habitats.

Friday – Kenny the Diprotodon
Megafauna, Australian animals and Ice Age environments.

These legends connect children with giants of land, sea and sky that once ruled Queensland’s ancient landscape. 

Celebrate National Dinosaur Day on 7 May

National Dinosaur Day offers a natural centre-wide celebration point during the week.

Services may choose to host:

• dinosaur dress-up day
• sandpit fossil dig
• dinosaur mask parade
• dino disco
• family breakfast or picnic
• dinosaur-themed books and storytelling circles

Sharing the statewide event link with families can also encourage weekend exploration and community connection.

Create your own centre dinosaur trail

Inspired by the newly launched GREAT Queensland Dinosaur Trail Pocket Guide & Map, services could design a mini dinosaur trail within the centre.

Ideas include:

• each room becomes a prehistoric destination
• children collect passport stamps as they visit each space
• educators create fossil dig zones, sensory stations and dinosaur habitats
• families walk the trail together at pick-up time

This approach promotes whole-centre engagement and shared learning experiences.

Bring real science into the program

Queensland Dinosaur Week is grounded in real palaeontology and ongoing scientific discovery.

That provides an excellent platform for inquiry learning through:

• fossil impression experiments with clay
• sediment layer jars
• comparing bones and footprints
• looking at maps of Queensland fossil regions
• discussing how scientists uncover evidence
• asking children what they think ancient Queensland looked like

Children begin to see science as something active, exciting and relevant.

Connect learning to Country and environmental change

The state’s fossil story also creates opportunities to explore landscapes, time, climate and adaptation.

Educators may discuss:

• how environments change over time
• how animals adapt to survive
• what Queensland may have looked like millions of years ago
• connections between land, water and living things

These experiences align strongly with the Early Years Learning Framework through belonging, being and becoming.

Invite families into the adventure

Family engagement can be simple and effective during Dinosaur Week.

Ideas include:

• take-home dinosaur passports
• sharing nearby museum or event options
• inviting families to send in dinosaur facts or books
• photo walls of dinosaur adventures
• family fossil hunts at home or in the garden

These small touch points help extend learning beyond the service gate.

Finish with an “Unearth the Adventure” showcase

Queensland Dinosaur Week’s official message invites visitors to Unearth the Adventure, and services can finish the week with a celebration of children’s learning.

Possible ideas:

• gallery of dinosaur artwork
• fossil museum display
• dramatic play performance
• dinosaur dance party
• slideshow for families
• children sharing favourite facts and discoveries

Dinosaur themes remain powerful because they naturally combine wonder, movement, language, problem-solving and imagination.

For children, Dinosaur Week can help them:

• explore science through play
• build vocabulary and confidence
• engage in inquiry and discovery
• learn about Queensland’s natural history
• experience awe and curiosity

For educators, it is a practical opportunity to deepen learning in ways children already find meaningful.

Queensland Dinosaur Week may celebrate creatures from millions of years ago, but for early learning services the message is very current: when children are curious, learning comes alive.