Dino Days are stomping back into Zilker Botanical Garden!
The Hartman Prehistoric Garden is roaring to life as we rewind the clock to Cretaceous-era Central Texas. Wander among ancient flora, meet fascinating “fossils,” and dig into hands-on fun with interactive demos led by local paleontologists (yes, real-life dinosaur experts!).
Families can get their hands dirty at make-and-take Prehistoric Planter Workshops, then show off their best dino swagger at the Dino Day Children & Pet Parade on the final day of the celebration!
Best part? Dino Days are included with Garden admission and FREE for members.
Not a member yet? Join today and let the dino-mite adventures begin!
Want to help us bring this event to life? Click here to view our volunteer opportunities for Dino Days!
Weekend Activities
Scavenger Hunt
Kick off your adventure with a fun, self-guided scavenger hunt at the Hartman Main Entrance! Explore your surroundings as you search for clues and discoveries along the way. Participants who complete the hunt can earn small prizes like stickers, temporary tattoos, and mini dinosaur surprises—perfect for curious explorers of all ages.
Tricera-Toss
Test your aim at Tricera-Toss, a hands-on, self-led activity located at the Hartman Main Entrance. Toss rings onto the Triceratops board and see how many points you can score. This quick and playful challenge is great for all ages and easy to jump into while exploring the area.
Fossil Making
Get creative at Fossil Making, located across the waterfall in Hartman. Using clay, natural materials, and real fossil examples, guests can press and create their own fossil impressions to take home. Guided by volunteers, this hands-on activity blends art and science and offers a fun way to learn how fossils are formed.
Story Walk
Take a leisurely stroll through the Children’s Garden and enjoy our Story Walk, a self-guided reading experience that brings stories to life page by page. Perfect for families, this activity encourages movement, reading, and outdoor exploration all at once.
Spore Explore
Step into the tiny world of plants at Spore Explore, located in the center of Hartman beneath the Overlook. With the help of volunteers, guests can use real microscopes to examine fern spores up close and learn how plants reproduce. Informational sheets and fresh plant samples make this an engaging, hands-on science experience.
Dig Pit
Young paleontologists can get their hands dirty at the Dig Pit, located under the Hartman Overlook. Dig through the sand to uncover hidden dinosaur toys using brushes and scoops, just like a real excavation. This self-led activity is ideal for imaginative play and fossil-finding fun.
Let’s Get Tactical
Stop by our fossil tables by the Overlook and take a closer look at life during the Cretaceous period. Using magnifying glasses, dino brochures, and hands-on materials, visitors can explore real fossil evidence and learn how scientists study the ancient past. Friendly volunteers will be on hand to guide curious minds of all ages through this interactive experience.
Dino Days Art Contest
Courtney Bernard
Submit your best work for the Dino Days Art Contest!
Local artists and students are encouraged to submit original dinosaur-themed art to participate in this year’s Dino Days Art Contest. All artwork must contain flora and fauna that best represents Texas during the Cretaceous Period. There will be 3 winners and the artwork chosen as “Best in Show” will be printed into a limited edition ZBG Postcard for the Garden’s Gift Shop.
All contest terms and conditions, categories, and prizes can be found on the application page.
Dinosaurs of Texas with BK Bones
Paleontologist BK Bones will share a peek back in time into prehistoric Texas, where fascinating dinosaurs and other amazing creatures roamed the wild. This show will guide young minds to remember a time long before the Alamo, (but will mention the dinosaur named Alamosaurus!) After the show, you’ll see why BK Bones calls the Lone Star State the (dinosaur) Bone Star State! Be ready to see a massive T. rex skull and an Iguanodon track. And of course, meet BK Bones’s amazing baby dinosaur puppet pal Roofus!
About BK Bones
BK Bones, aka Bethany Burke Franklin, is a paleontologist and science educator who shares her passion for the prehistoric with engaging talks and lively demonstrations designed for preschool and school-aged children.
Bethany is currently the lead researcher on Texas Through Time’s marine reptile dig site. She has also served as a field intern at The Montana Dinosaur Center where she conducted field research at a dig site, prepped fossils in the lab, and led museum tours. She is a certified fossil preparator [please note: preparator is the correct term in paleontology] and member of many paleontological societies. She has also been a guest lecturer at several colleges.
BK has recently joined a research team that has discovered a rare jaw fossil of the extinct sea reptile Mosasaurs and was interviewed for Live Science Magazine and quoted in Smithsonian Magazine in September 2024. Visit her website to learn more!
Prehistoric Planter Workshops
Join us in the Auditorium for the prehistoric planter workshop to create your own miniature prehistoric landscape! Each registrant will receive a planter and two prehistoric plants to create the landscape foundation. From there, decorations like rocks and sand can be added. Finally, a mini dinosaur will be added as it would be incomplete without one! Folks will take home everything they create and receive care instructions.
Date: March 17th
Times:
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Park Rangers – Skins and Skulls
Stop by on March 15th to explore fascinating biofacts from some feathered and scaly dinosaur descendants. With a special focus on birds and reptiles, you’ll get an up-close look at bird wings and skulls, reptile skins, turtle shells, and discover how today’s wildlife connects to the age of dinosaurs. Park rangers will be on hand to answer your questions about local birds, reptiles, and their prehistoric relatives.
Dino Days Closing Parade
On March 21st, join the Zilker Botanical Garden community for a Dinosaur Costume Parade, led by Blowcomotion from 12:00 – 12:45 PM! This high-energy, roaming brass band brings bold horns, funky beats, and nonstop movement, turning the gardens into a full-on prehistoric dance party. Costumes encouraged, stomping required!
Blowcomotion is Austin’s community-learning brass band, welcoming adults of all skill levels. Founded through workshops with Minor Mishap Marching Band, the group has grown to 60+ musicians across Central Texas and has performed 175+ times since 2018 – bringing joy and energy to festivals, parades, and unexpected places alike.
A special thanks to our partners the Austin Parks & Recreation Park Rangers, Armadillo Clay & Supplies, and Jerry’s Artarama!
