Coast to Country

We recently brought home the MAKE IT MINI™ Dinosaurs toy, and let me tell you—my son was all in. If your household is anything like ours, dinosaurs aren’t just prehistoric creatures—they’re characters, friends, and full-blown obsessions. Our latest? A mini adventure that blends toy unboxing, hands-on fun, and real-world science.

We carefully scooped dry DNA powder into a tiny hybrid cylinder, then used a pipette to add liquid DNA (with very serious scientist faces, of course). With a good shake, the magic happened—our mystery dinosaur was revealed: Ankylosaurus! Or as my son immediately shouted, “It’s Bumpy!!” (Yes, that lovable armored dino from Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.)

It was more than just a fun surprise—it turned into a full science lesson.

Step 1: Add Dry DNA

Step 2: Add Liquid DNA

Step 3: Shake & Crack

Step 4: Incubation

Step 5: Reveal

🔬 From Jurassic Toys to Real Science

These Make It Mini™ Dinosaurs mimic what happens in the Jurassic Park universe: bringing dinosaurs back to life through DNA. And while we’re not actually growing baby dinos on our kitchen table (yet), modern science is doing something eerily similar.

Did you know?

A biotech company called Colossal Biosciences has created three dire wolf hybrid pups using ancient DNA and cloning tech. They’ve used gene editing tools and gray wolves as surrogates—bringing extinct species (or close relatives) into the modern age.

Colossal is also working on bringing back mammoths, dodos, and Tasmanian tigers. It’s called de-extinction, and it’s no longer science fiction—it’s real.

🐣 The Chicken-Dinosaur Connection

Since we’re homeschooling, we love tying play into actual learning. Our next step? Exploring how birds—especially chickens—are modern dinosaurs. We’re talking:

Hatching chicken eggs Tracking embryo development Learning about evolution

Watching an embryo grow inside an egg connects perfectly to what’s happening in our toy incubator. Only this time, it’s not Bumpy—it’s biology.

🧪 Coast to Country Classroom Ideas

Here’s how you can take this toy and stretch it into an exciting science unit at home:

1. Dino DNA Lab:

Set up a pretend lab with scoops, pipettes, and colored water. Talk about how real scientists use tools like CRISPR to edit genes—kind of like we did with our “DNA powder” and “liquid DNA.”

2. Hybrid Animal Debate

After reading about the dire wolf project, have kids imagine or draw their own hybrid animal. Then ask:

Should we bring back extinct animals? What could go wrong or right? Let this be a gentle intro to bioethics and critical thinking.

3. Dinosaur ID Cards:

Use the QR code that comes with the toy to research the real dinosaur. Make a card with:

Name Time period Diet Fun facts (Did it have armor? Could it swim?)

4. Compare to Chickens:

Show videos or books on chicken embryo development. Compare that to the toy’s “incubation.” Discuss the idea that Bumpy’s relatives might be pecking the ground in our backyard!

💡 Why This Works

This toy didn’t just reveal a dinosaur—it sparked questions about DNA, evolution, and the power of science. That’s what Coast to Country Classroom is all about: turning everyday play into opportunities for discovery.

Whether it’s through a pipette, a chicken egg, or a high-tech genome lab, the spirit is the same—curiosity leads to learning.

Disclaimer:

Some images and descriptions featured in this post are sourced from the official MAKE IT MINI™ Dinosaurs product line by MGA Entertainment. All rights to these images, characters, and trademarks belong to their respective owners. This post is for educational and personal use only, and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by MGA Entertainment or the Jurassic World franchise.

Just sharing for fun—we’re not paid or sponsored, we just really enjoyed the toy and turned it into a cool learning moment!