By Hilda Mitrani

Brachiosaurus! Diplodocus! Stegosaurus! Triceratops!

I used to go through the alphabet reciting the dinosaurs with my son. So you can imagine how excited we were to learn about Dinosaur World in Plant City, just off I-4 in Central Florida.

Dinosaur World is an outdoor dinosaur museum. It has 150 life-size dinosaurs set in the beautiful lush landscape that is typical of Central Florida. It also has interactive exhibits, and even a Fossil Dig environment where kids can become paleontologists.

The Dig is a perfect combined science and history lesson. It features shark teeth, sea urchins and dinosaur bone fragments among the more than ten types of authentic fossils. The young scientists (park guests) get to keep three of the fossils that they find.

Florida's Dinosaur World is a perfect place for elementary and pre-teen students. The little ones in the family may be a bit intimidated at all the sharp teeth in view. Here’s a video that gives you an idea of what a stroll through this interesting park near Orlando and Tampa is like.

Admission fees at this park won't take a bite out of your wallet. Admission is $12.75 for adults and $9.75 for children. Parking is free. (Yes, that's spelled correctly: F-R-E-E.) You can even bring a picnic lunch and a small cooler too, since the park has no food service.

My kids know much more about dinosaurs than I do. We parents can stroll through Dinosaur World's exhibits reading about the creatures' habitats and food preferences, and we'll finally have a chance to catch up!

 

PLACES TO REMEMBER