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Ages 8–10 · Est. 30–45 minutes · 2–6 players

Dinosaur Nest Census

Restore the nest survey reading order.

Six clues, three hint levels each, and a paper-only finish. No locks, apps or cutting required.

Get your printable packPlay on screen
Dinosaur Nest Census: Strip desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Your mission

The survey desk received two conflicting nest strips, three observer records and an out-of-order checklist. Recover the data and read the census slots. Collect five named badge digits and use the final sheet. Every clue is on the table; ask the host for one hint at a time.

Set up in one room

  1. Print one player pack and two record sheets per team. Keep the host answers and all three hint levels with the adult.
  2. Keep every clue as a full sheet at one table. Put the final sheet face down until all five results are recorded. Nothing needs cutting, folding or hiding.
  3. Give each child a pencil. Choose a reader, recorder and checker, and swap jobs after each clue. Use one team for 2–4 children or two teams for 5–6.

Materials

  • 6 player sheets and 2 prop sheets per team
  • One pencil per child
  • One adult host with the answer and hint pages

Designed ages and estimated time have not yet been calibrated in a live child playtest.

See all six player clues

These are the actual figures from the printable player pack.

1. Strip

Strip desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Strip desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.
Read this clue in text

Strip A: hexagon, triangle, square, circle, star, diamond, heart, cross. Strip B: square, triangle, star, diamond, star, cross, heart, triangle. Compare the same numbered position.

2. Observer

Observer desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Wes's item and copy its digit.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Observer desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Wes's item and copy its digit.
Read this clue in text

Map digit 8 Card digit 1 Pen digit 4 People: Rin, Val, Wes Rin does NOT have Card. Val does NOT have Pen. Val does NOT have Map. Wes does NOT have Pen. Find Wes's item. Each item is used once.

3. Survey

Survey desk: Combine every BEFORE rule to order the four actions. Write positions on the whole-sheet cards. Read position 3.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Survey desk: Combine every BEFORE rule to order the four actions. Write positions on the whole-sheet cards. Read position 3.
Read this clue in text

Cards: Check nest [4]; File census [8]; Record marks [6]; Read chart [2]. Rules: Read chart BEFORE Record marks; Check nest BEFORE File census; Record marks BEFORE File census; Read chart BEFORE Check nest; Check nest BEFORE Record marks. Read card position 3.

4. Nest

Nest desk: Find the exact word NEST, reading RIGHT only. Reject near matches and reversed words. Copy the digit immediately after it.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Nest desk: Find the exact word NEST, reading RIGHT only. Reject near matches and reversed words. Copy the digit immediately after it.
Read this clue in text

Find NEST; only read to the RIGHT. N E S X 8 A B C T S E N 2 A B C N E S T 5 D E F C A M P 9 S U N Answer = digit in the next square after the word.

5. Point

Point desk: Start at S. Follow EVERY arrow one square, including revisited cells. Record only the endpoint digit.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Point desk: Start at S. Follow EVERY arrow one square, including revisited cells. Record only the endpoint digit.
Read this clue in text

Grid rows: 5, 7, 9, 1 / 8, 0, 2, 4 / 1, 3, 5, 7. Start row 1, column 1. Moves: right, down, right, up, left, down, right, down; one square per move.

6. Final

Read your five badge digits in the printed order. Join them with no spaces, keeping zeroes.

Dinosaur Nest Census: Read your five badge digits in the printed order. Join them with no spaces, keeping zeroes.
Read this clue in text

Badge order: Nest, Strip, Observer, Point, Survey.

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