The Alberta badlands region in Canada hosts Drumheller as a town which provides young children and their families an opportunity to visit the past. The region stands out because it has yielded numerous important dinosaur fossil discoveries recognized worldwide.
Visitors traveling to Drumheller will discover multiple entertaining experiences that showcase dinosaurs through dynamic interactive displays. The combination of natural dinosaur displays with human-made attractions in Drumheller provides children with an extraordinary environment to discover their paleontological potential.
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
As North America’s only museum devoted exclusively to palaeontology, the Royal Tyrrell Museum holds an impressive collection of more than 160,000 fossils. Of course, the stars of the show for most young visitors will be the realistic dinosaur displays, with some containing genuine fossil bones. Children can stand next to the towering models imagining what it would have been like to see these creatures in the flesh.
In addition to stationary exhibits, the museum also runs the lively Dino Adventure Hour program tailored for kids aged 3-6. This gives children a chance to learn captivating details about dinosaurs from expert staff, view real fossils up close, rummage through sand in an indoor dig site for replica bones and teeth, and make dinosaur-themed crafts to take home.
The program aims to instill a sense of awe and understanding about ancient life on Earth that will stick with children for years to come.
The World’s Largest Dinosaur
Certainly living up to its name, the World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller is a towering T-Rex sculpture measuring a whopping 26.2 meters tall from its claws to the tip of its tail. The massive structure looms over the valley providing fabulous views. For a nominal fee, visitors can take the journey through its 106-step staircase leading right into the dinosaur’s gaping mouth.
Emerging onto the lookout platform nestled behind its ferocious teeth, adventurous climbers will be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the badlands. Kids will get a thrill out of seeing Drumheller’s landscape from the unique perspective inside the head of this colossal king lizard.
Drumheller Rotary Spray Park
On hot Drumheller summer days, the Rotary Spray Park offers the perfect spot for kids to frolic among fountains and splash pads. The park’s dinosaur theme carries on here, with larger-than-life fiberglass sculptures of these prehistoric beasts overlooking all the water fun.
Toddlers can splash about in the shallow play areas while older children zip down the park’s twisting waterslides. Parents can simply relax poolside and watch their kids expend energy darting through this wet playground. Located near the World’s Largest Dinosaur exhibit, families can easily pair a trip to the spray park with a photo-op featuring the T-Rex.
Dinosaur Trail and Hoodoos
Part of what makes Drumheller so perfectly primed for fostering a fascination with dinosaurs is its visible geography showcasing the Triassic, Cretaceous, and Palaeogene eras. The visible layers of these ancient time periods in the region’s exposed hillsides allow children to literally look back in time.
Families can explore these badlands along the Dinosaur Trail, a winding path dotted with nearly two dozen dinosaur statues. Kids will enjoy getting snapshots alongside the Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus, and other ancient creatures depicted in these sculptures.
In addition to dinosaur lookouts, the trail also leads past the distinct geological formations known as hoodoos. These columns of glacial sediment seemingly spring up from the landscape, taking on unusual mushroom-like orspikey shapes. Hiking among these relics of past ice ages provides kids insight into the natural forces that have shaped Drumheller across eons.
Fossil World Discovery Centre
The Fossil World Discovery Centre displays more than one thousand authentic fossils for visitors interested in paleontology. The exhibition features specimens of dangerous saber-toothed cats and prehistoric reptiles which once lived in the area during past millions of years.
The facility displays ten moving animatronic dinosaurs which produce original dinosaur vocalizations. The life-sized T-Rex replica with active nostrils and jaw movements creates an intense experience that will definitely thrill children who approach it closely.
The discovery process becomes accessible to children through hands-on digging activities which allow them to retrieve replica artifacts they can keep.
The Centre provides multimedia displays which enable visitors to examine fossils through high-powered microscopes while also allowing them to scan discovered bones. The Fossil World Discovery Centre demonstrates prehistoric times by merging educational learning centers with dynamic exhibition interactives including life-size dinosaur exhibits.
Barney’s Adventure Park
Barney’s Adventure Park provides extensive attractions that fulfill the entire family’s entertainment needs when visiting the dinosaurs. A nature path through the park showcases a complete display of animatronic dinosaurs.
Children can experience survival situations by escaping beneath the huge legs of a hungry Brontosaurus at the indoor ropes course. The restaurant at this location prepares Stegosaurus-shaped pizza for visitors who need a break to refuel.
The adventure park offers both encounters with dinosaurs and a large corn maze which presents an exciting challenge to visitors. Children can experience two unique activities by moving through cropland tunnels and visiting dinosaur ribs. The park provides multiple child-centered attractions which include pedal cart races together with batting cages and bungee trampolines and a petting zoo.
The Little Church
Among Drumheller’s quirkier treasures, a tiny church affectionately dubbed “The Little Church” makes for a quick but charming stop. Only seating six people at a time, this miniature structure tucked away on a side street provides a peaceful respite from a busy day of dinosaur thrills.
Visitors can snap selfies in the pews and even sign the guestbook as a memento. While not explicitly dinosaur-themed, the church’s diminutive size and cheering illustration of a T-Rex driving a steam locomotive gives it a whimsical spirit kids are sure to enjoy.
Additional Tips
To make the most of a dinosaur pilgrimage, families should consider a few key tips:
Dining
Fill up on family-friendly fare at eateries like Bernie and The Boys Bistro with kid-approved comfort foods and milkshakes. Or stop by the Ivan’s Dinosaur Park Cafe tucked beneath a lush wall mural depicting the area’s ancient past. Kids can refuel on chicken nuggets and fries, with occasional dinosaur character appearances to meet!
Accommodation
Opt to stay at accommodations that heighten the dinosaur immersion with amenities like fossil dig kits and movies in rooms. The Country Lodge Inn even offers a Dinosaur Wing allowing guests to sleep beside colorful murals and skeleton models. From themed bedrooms to learning centers and amenities, select lodging can enrich the educational experience.
Seasonal Events
If visiting between May through September, check the schedule for Discover the Dinosaurs. This immersive walking tour utilizes holograms and life-sized models to recreate what roaming among herds of dinosaurs would have been like. From Canada Day celebrations to seasonal arts and music festivals, various events scattered throughout the year also highlight Drumheller’s history and culture.
Conclusion
Drumheller allows paleontology enthusiasts to experience T-Rex sculpture climbing adventures and real fossil discoveries at its dig site center which creates endless opportunities for children to explore their imagination. The region features ancient history spanning billions of years expressed through its geological formations while creating several educational attractions that use modern tech to demonstrate life from the prehistoric era thus attracting families with children of all ages.