How long is the workshop?

Each session lasts about 30 minutes from setup to initial de-mold.

What ages is this suitable for?

Recommended for ages 5 and up; younger children can participate with close adult supervision.

Do I need to bring anything?

Materials are provided; bring an old shirt and a bag to protect your cast on the way home.

Are real fossils handled?

Staff provide select prepared specimens for supervised handling and use replicas for casting practice.

Can I book for a group or school?

Yes, contact the venue or use the referral link to inquire about group rates and availability.

Is the activity messy?

Yes—expect plaster dust and damp surfaces; plan clothing accordingly.

Hands-On Fossil Casting Workshop in Wembley, Alberta | Workshop | Museum

On the edge of town in Wembley, Alberta, the Fossil Casting Workshop offers a compact, hands-on introduction to paleontology designed for families and curious visitors. In a brisk 30-minute session participants handle real fossil specimens and work with molding materials to create a cast they can keep — a tactile souvenir that turns quiet stone into something you can touch and take home. The workshop takes place inside a local paleontology museum space where display cases of fossil material sit near low worktables set up for small groups and children age five and up.

The scene is refreshingly hands-on: trays of molding compound, buckets of plaster, labeled specimens, and instructor-led stations that walk guests through each step. Key features include prepared fossils for handling, replica casts for comparison, and the casting table where mixing, pouring, and de-molding happen under supervision. The process connects visitors to the practical stages of fossil preservation without the technical barriers of a full lab.

Families and solo travelers alike appreciate how the format compresses learning into a single, satisfying activity. The workshop’s short duration makes it easy to fold into a museum visit or a longer northern Alberta itinerary. Staff are available to explain local fossil finds in plain language, turning questions about discovery and preparation into immediate, tactile demonstrations.

What sets this workshop apart is scale and access: it lowers the barrier to making museum-quality replicas so children and adults alike can leave with a piece they helped create. In Alberta, a province known for important paleontological sites, the act of molding and casting carries extra meaning, especially for first-time fossil observers.

Practical details: sessions run about 30 minutes, materials are provided, and groups should arrive a few minutes early. Expect plaster dust and damp work surfaces; wear sleeves you don’t mind getting messy. The activity is an efficient educational stop for families traveling through Wembley and the surrounding Peace Region.

Why book it: the Fossil Casting Workshop is part science demonstration, part hands-on craft, and wholly memorable. It turns observation into making, giving visitors both an entry-point to paleontology and a small, take-home artifact that recalls the very real processes scientists use to study ancient life. For families with limited time, this compact workshop delivers more than a souvenir: it delivers curiosity, context, and a bit of regional history in plaster form.

Book online via the provided referral link or contact the venue to confirm times, accessibility, and group rates. This short experience is ideal for school groups, young explorers, and travelers who want a hands-on introduction to the ancient world without a lengthy field expedition. Bring a camera for close-ups; small objects photograph well under museum lighting.

About Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley, Alberta is a regional centre for palaeontology and public education. The museum preserves and interprets local fossil heritage and operates research-led public programs that connect families, students and researchers to Alberta’s deep past.

Exhibits highlight mounted skeletons, interactive displays and rotating collections that showcase discoveries from the Pipestone Creek bonebed and the Wapiti Formation.

The museum runs guided field experiences and seasonal events led by trained palaeo-professionals, including the Pipestone Creek excavation visits, “Palaeontologist for a Day” digs, and the Bonebed Tour featuring the Pachyrhinosaurus skull known as BIG SAM. River-based outings such as the “Secrets of the Wapiti” float focus on regional geology, fossils and safe outdoor interpretation. Family-focused programs include Night at the Museum sleepovers, birthday parties with gallery access, Nesting Grounds early childhood sessions, and School’s Out PD Camps for ages 5–13.

Educational offerings extend to Homeschool Days and annual Science Festivals like Palaeo Palooza, providing hands-on activities, maker spaces, and film screenings. Admission options include full-day General Admission tickets with no re-entry. The museum partners with researchers, community groups and volunteers to conduct fieldwork and curate findings, following accepted conservation and documentation standards. Accessibility, safety and evidence-based interpretation are priorities. Visitors can expect guided learning, tangible fossil encounters, and professionally run events that support palaeontology, local heritage tourism and science education. Curatorial staff maintain research-grade collections, publish findings in peer-reviewed outlets when appropriate, and collaborate with universities to ensure scientific rigour and long-term preservation of specimens for future generations.