pint-sized paleontology
Filed Under Events, Places | July 28, 2009
If you’re looking for something to do with your kids that includes air conditioning, then it might be worth making a trip out to Metrotown to check out Dinosaurs Unearthed which is on display until Sept. 20th.
Spread over the Grand and Atrium Courts, the exhibit features two animatronic dinosaurs, various bones and fossils and a junior paleontologists’ sand table.
The exhibit takes about half an hour to view and while we were a little disappointed that there wasn’t more too it, our kids couldn’t stop talking about it for the rest of the day. A good reminder that sometimes it’s the parents that want more, while less can be quite enough for the little ones.
Aside from the obvious appeal of being able to control the dinosaurs roaring, blinking and limb movement with the press of a button, another big hit was the Dinosaur scale display. Our tots found it fascinating that there were dinosaurs as small as the six year old and others whose single claw was bigger than all four of their hands.
A word of warning, it is worth preparing your child beforehand that the dinosaurs will roar, move their heads and generally be a little scary. While our six- and three-year-old found it hilarious and roared right back, we know of a few young friends who found it a titch overwhelming.
If you are looking to extend the outing, the Metropolis Express stops right beside the exhibit in the Grand Court taking you on a short ride around the mall. Children get on free and adults ride by donation that goes to support local charities.
The Build-A-Bear Workshop has also brought in some stuffed Dinos if you want to take a cuddly T-Rex home.
And for groups of over 20 kids you can arrange a tour of the exhibit which includes friendly herbivore/omnivore competitions and some dino-loot.
Dinosaurs Unearthed: www.metropolismetrotown.com
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