Help the Kids Find a Dinosaur in South Carolina

It seems that every kid goes through a phase where they are dinosaur-crazy. Dinosaur toys, dinosaur movies, dinosaur clothing. Some even live the dream 24/7 on dinosaur sheets.

But how exciting would that child be if he or she could see dinosaurs seemingly to come to life, learn more about prehistoric creatures and even dig for real fossils, all on your next vacation? Well, we have you covered in South Carolina. Check out our list of activities for dinosaur-obsessed children (and their parents).

The South Carolina State Museum has an extensive paleontology collection, and kids can see real-life dinosaur bones. But dinos aren't the only fossils at the museum. They also have fossils of ancient marine life, and prehistoric camels, mammoths and even saber-toothed cats that once roamed South Carolina. And don't miss the hulking mastodon, or the massive megalodon shark swimming overhead. If Jaws didn't make you think twice about swimming, the 43-foot long, life-size model of this prehistoric fish just might.

Ever dreamt of returning to the age of dinosaurs and walking around among them? Well, we can't take you back in time, but we can offer the next best thing: Life-sized dinosaur models that seem so real they'll make you jump. Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville features a dinosaur trail with an array of the prehistoric reptiles. Climb into the center's treehouse to see if you can spot all the extinct creatures of the past. The trail can be experienced from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays as part of the Afternoon Explorations program and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 through July 29 as part of the Summer Adventure program. 

Dinosaurs: The Exhibition in Myrtle Beach also gives visitors the chance to enter dinosaur's world with animatronic models, but this time indoors at the Palace Theatre. You can even go for a ride on the back of T-Rex. What dinosaur-obsessed kid wouldn't love that?