Choose Learning Type ▼

Journey to the Cretaceous

Activity

Create Your Own Prehistoric Habitat

Using craft supplies and things found in nature, create a prehistoric habitat! You can focus on the environment that existed in Texas millions of years ago, like the time of the Cretaceous period, when large dinosaurs roamed the land. Include dinosaurs, prehistoric plants, rivers, seas, marine creatures, and volcanoes or other landforms.
Paleo 1
Paleo 1 (3)
Paleo 1 (2)

Science Seed

Millions of years ago, Texas was very different from what it is today. During the Cretaceous period, the region was covered by vast seas and lush landscapes filled with plants like ferns, cycads, and conifers. Dinosaurs roamed the land, including huge sauropods and predators like the Acrocanthosaurus (whose tracks you can see at Dinosaur Valley State Park). The climate was warm, and many different types of animals and plants thrived in these environments, from giant reptiles to early mammals. During the Jurassic Period, plesiosaurs swam in in the sea, which is now Shoal Creek (the fossil skeleton is on display at the Texas Memorial Museum). Over time, volcanic activity, shifting continents, and changing sea levels altered the landscape, shaping the Earth into the world we know today.
botany jar illustration

move to the next activity

earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Sanchez Elementary

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Sánchez Elementary School is close to downtown on Austin’s east side. Built in 1976, the campus boasts murals by Raul Valdez depicting the school’s Hispanic history and heritage. Sánchez was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education- fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education. This project was made possible by HEB.

Skip to content