Science Fun! 3 Experiments to Try at Home

Homemade Fossils Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup used coffee grounds
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/4 cup sand
• 1 cup water
• "Artifacts" -- a variety of small objects that can be hidden (coins, small plastic figures, toys, etc.)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Mix the flour, coffee grounds, salt, sand, and water together. Form the mixture into round, flat balls; if desired, decorate the balls with food coloring or glitter. Press an "artifact" firmly into each ball then carefully remove it to reveal an impression. Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper and bake for 20 minutes at 150 degrees F. Upon heating, the balls will shrink slightly. Once the balls have cooled and hardened, the fossil is complete. Alternately, "artifacts" could be hidden inside the balls. With this method, once the balls have cooled, use a small hammer to break it open and discover the hidden treasure.

Used with permission from Discovery Place, Charlotte, North Carolina.