On Sunday, Feb. 1, kids can embark on a prehistoric scavenger hunt in Zilker Botanical Garden’s Hartman Prehistoric Garden. During this special Dinosaur Detectives event from 1-4 p.m., kids will look into the exciting lives of famous fossil collectors and their discoveries, and create a paper plate dinosaur or a fossil to take home. This event is free with paid entrance admission.

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— Rain or Shine?
We were curious if this event will still go on as planned if the weather is as rainy on Sunday as indicated in the latest forecast, and our friends at Zilker Botanical Garden reported that they normally run all events as scheduled, rain or shine, unless the weather is unsafe to operate in. If it rains lightly, the event will move under the pavilion cover in the prehistoric garden. If the rain becomes too much to run the program outdoors, it will be moved to the Greene Room inside the Garden Center Building. If you want to call before you go, the phone number is 512-477-8672.

– About Hartman Prehistoric Garden:
In 1992, amateur paleontologists discovered dinosaurs once roamed the grounds of Zilker Botanical Garden. More than 100 tracks made by six or seven reptiles along with the bones of an ancient turtle were found. Paleontologists studied the best methods to preserve the tracks because they were deteriorating rapidly. Researchers decided to map and make casts of the tracks, then rebury the tracks to prevent further loss from exposure. This two-acre site has since been developed as a Cretaceous habitat.  Plants in the garden represent the types that existed at the time of the dinosaurs. Plants in the garden represent the types that existed at the time of the dinosaurs. Here you’ll also find a life-sized sculpture of an Ornithomimus.

– Admission
While the special dino event is FREE, there is a small admission fee for entrance into Zilker Botanical Garden: $1 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62 and over), $2 for adults, Austin resident (ages 13-61), $3 for adults, non-resident.

– Hours
The park is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

– More for Dino Fun
If you’re seeking more dinosaur-related fun in the area, check out this post:

Have a great time!