Try a web search using the terms indoor fossil hunt here are a few results _Virtual Saskatchewan - T.rex Plus_ (http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/dino2.html) A nearby "demo lab" lets visitors participate in an indoor fossil hunt by sorting through "matrix", earthen material retrieved from nearby quarry sites and _Everything Dinosaur :: The Dinosaur A-Z an Alphabet Teaching Guide based on Prehistoric Animals_ (http://blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk/blog/_archives/2009/3/6/4113754.html) an indoor hunt is pictured -- a team travels to schools to offer such a "hunt" and _http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/_ (http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/) Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture offers an indoor fossil hunt activity a parent web site with kids activities suggests making faux sand by crushing fruit loop cereal or maybe use plastic pellets? (hopefully non-static and non-toxic?) Barbara Hass, retired librarian In a message dated 9/1/2010 9:35:39 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I am putting together, for the first time, an environment that represents Southern Indiana during the Mississippian Time period for children to understand the natural environment. In conjunction, create a fossil hunt area to find the plants and animals that would have existed in this time period. Specifically, I would like to know more about the use of sand or similar material for visitors to "dig" into to find fossils. I do not prefer to use sand due to the possible mess it could make, is there any other recommendations? I am in the very beginning stages of this project and if anyone has any advice related to what to do and what to avoid would be very helpful. Looking forward to your responses! Jenny Mack Exhibits Developer Monroe County History Center 202 E. 6th St. Bloomington, IN 47408 812-332-2517 http://monroehistory.org/ ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).