Field Station: Dinosaurs facts for kids

Kansas park

Field Station: Dinosaurs in Kansas
Location	2999 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67036
Opened	2018
Operating season	May through November
Area	14 acres (5.7 ha)

Field Station: Dinosaurs is an exciting outdoor theme park where you can explore a world of prehistoric creatures! It has two locations in the United States. This park is perfect for families with children, especially those who love dinosaurs.

Both parks offer a walking tour where you can see amazing, life-size animatronic dinosaurs. These aren't just any dinosaurs; they are scientifically accurate! The parks also have fun, interactive exhibits and live shows. Everything is designed to teach kids about dinosaurs and how they fit into their ancient environments. The person in charge, called the Executive Producer and Expedition Commander, is Guy Gsell. He has loved dinosaurs his whole life!

The very first Field Station: Dinosaurs opened in New Jersey in 2012. It quickly became popular. In 2013, it was even named the second-best dinosaur theme park in the world! A travel guide called Fodor's also listed it as one of the "World's Best Spots for Dinosaur Lovers" in 2014.

Later, in 2018, a second location of Field Station: Dinosaurs opened. This new park is located in Derby, Kansas, which is near Wichita.

Exploring the New Jersey Park

The first Field Station: Dinosaurs opened on May 26, 2012. It was originally located at Snake Hill in Secaucus, New Jersey. After four fun seasons, the park needed to find a new home. This was because the land was needed for a new school campus.

The Secaucus park closed on September 7, 2015. It had record numbers of visitors on its last day! The team then searched for a new place to open. In 2016, Field Station: Dinosaurs found its new home. It reopened in Bergen County’s Overpeck County Park. This new spot is next to Teaneck Creek. The beautiful green surroundings make a perfect natural home for the dinosaurs.

In 2018, a new dinosaur joined the New Jersey park. Visitors voted for their favorite, and the Spinosaurus won! It replaced the Argentinosaurus, which had been retired. When it was first bought, the 90-foot Argentinosaurus was the largest animatronic dinosaur ever made.

Here are some of the cool areas you can explore in the New Jersey park:

Base Camp: Your Adventure Starts Here

Base Camp is where every visitor begins their dinosaur adventure. When you arrive, you get your "credentials." This is like a passport that gets stamped as you visit different parts of the park. You can also get stamps for joining in games, workshops, and shows. Base Camp is also home to the TriceraShops gift shop. It's also where you'll find first aid and Expedition Central Command.

Amphitheater: Live Dinosaur Shows

The Amphitheater is an outdoor stage area. Here, you can watch several exciting shows throughout the day. A huge 15-foot dinosaur puppet often stars in these performances!

• Feeding Frenzy: This show uses science to figure out what dinosaurs ate.
• Found in New Jersey: Learn about the history of dinosaurs right in the Garden State.

Other shows at the amphitheater include the Field Station Challenge and the Dinosaur Dance Party.

Dig Site: Become a Paleontologist

At the Quarry, you'll find a special dig site. Here, children can dig for their own fossils! There's also a Paleontologists' Laboratory. It's a great place to learn what real dinosaur scientists do.

Riverview: Meet Giant Dinosaurs

At the Riverview area, you can see the enormous 90-foot Argentinosaurus. You'll also meet the Hadrosaurus. This special dinosaur is New Jersey's official state dinosaur!

Family Tent: Fun Games and Activities

The Plateau is where you'll find the Family Tent. This area hosts fun family games like "Mesozoic Concentration" and "Raptor Feud." In these games, you answer questions about dinosaurs, geology, and paleontology. There are also activities like Dinos-Origami and "What Color is Your Dinosaurs?", which is a fun show for younger kids.

Discovering the Kansas Park

A large crowd await the start of the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy in the amphitheater in Derby

Field Station: Dinosaurs opened its second location in Derby, Kansas, on May 26, 2018. This park is home to 44 amazing animatronic dinosaurs! It also features more than 40 live shows. These shows happen at different spots around the park all day long.

A large amphitheater is a popular place for shows. One of the most famous is the 'T-Rex Feeding Frenzy' show. This show features a huge 14-foot-long T-Rex puppet!

Park Attractions and Learning

Both Field Station: Dinosaurs parks are designed for families with younger children, usually those aged 11 and under.

Education: Learning About Dinosaurs

The parks offer special educational programs. These programs are great for students, summer camp groups, and daycare centers. They provide a fun way to learn about prehistoric life.

List of Dinosaurs You Might See

Here are some of the incredible dinosaurs featured in the parks: