I Dig It Excavation Kits Compared: Fossils, Minerals, and Archaeology Sets

Quick Answer

For most families, start with the I Dig It! Big Gemstone Dig Kit if your child likes instant treasure and collecting, and move to a larger plaster-block excavation kit if they want a longer, more realistic dig. Choose a mineralogy-style kit when the goal is identifying rocks and minerals, and choose an archaeology-style kit when the goal is careful uncovering and reconstruction. If you are buying for a classroom, a bundle is usually the better value than several single kits.

Dig kits look similar on a shelf, but they are not interchangeable. The plaster hardness, the number of treasures inside, and the tools included change how long the activity lasts and how much adult help it needs.

This guide compares the I Dig It line and similar excavation kits by dig style, age fit, and what your child actually does with the finds afterward. It also covers when a classroom bundle makes more sense than buying single kits.

What Separates One Excavation Kit From Another

The biggest difference is what is buried and how hard the plaster is. A gemstone dig with 14 small rocks inside gives frequent finds and quick rewards, which suits younger kids. A larger plaster block with fewer, bigger specimens takes longer and rewards patience.

The second difference is the follow-up activity. Some kits end when the treasure is out. Others include identification, classification, or a craft step. If your child loses interest once the digging stops, pick a kit with a short dig and a clear collecting payoff.

• Check the number of specimens before buying; more pieces usually means shorter, more frequent finds.
• Match plaster hardness to your child's patience, not just their age.
• Look for a post-dig activity such as identifying, sorting, or making something with the finds.

Fossil and Dinosaur Digs: Long Digs With a Big Reveal

Fossil-style excavation kits bury a model skeleton or a single large specimen in a plaster block. The work is slower and more methodical, which makes them a good fit for kids who like a project that spans more than one sitting.

These kits teach real excavation habits: working from the edges inward, brushing away dust, and keeping track of small pieces. That makes them a natural first step toward paleontology-style learning, even though the specimens are models rather than real fossils.

If you specifically want a glow-in-the-dark T. rex excavation, check the product page for that feature before buying. Not every dinosaur dig kit includes a glowing skeleton, and the catalog does not list that option for every set.

• Plan for a work surface you can wipe down; plaster dust travels.
• Keep the included chisel and brush; a screwdriver or kitchen tool can scratch the specimen.

Mineralogy Digs: Identification and Collecting

Mineralogy-style kits bury real rocks and minerals and ask the child to identify them. The digging is only half the activity; the other half is sorting, comparing, and learning where those minerals are found in nature.

The I Dig It! Big Gemstone Dig Kit fits this category. It hides 14 unique, colorful rocks and minerals inside a plaster treasure chest, and the instructions cover the methods geologists use to unearth minerals and gemstones. It also includes a way to turn the finds into a necklace, which gives the activity a finished product.

Choose this style if your child likes collections, labels, and categories. Skip it if they only want the thrill of breaking something open, because the identification step is the point.

• Save the identification sheet; it is the reference for every later dig.
• Store small specimens in a labeled box so the collection stays usable.

Archaeology-Style Kits: Careful Uncovering and Reconstruction

Archaeology kits focus on slow, careful removal and often on rebuilding what was buried. The reward is a reconstructed object rather than a loose pile of specimens.

These kits suit kids who like puzzles and precision. They are a poor fit for a child who wants a fast result, because rushing usually breaks the pieces.

Before buying, check whether the kit includes a reconstruction step. If it does not, the dig ends when the plaster is gone, and you may need to add your own display or labeling activity.

• Work in small sections and stop when you see a piece; switch to the brush.
• Photograph each stage if your child likes documenting the process.

Classroom and Group Buying

For a classroom, a single kit is rarely enough. The Magnetic Science - Classroom Bundle 10-Pack shows the pattern Thames & Kosmos uses for group buying: it includes 10 individual STEM experiment kits and is recommended for up to 30 students.

The same logic applies to dig kits. If you need one kit per pair or per small group, price the bundle against single kits before deciding. Bundles usually reduce per-student cost, but they also commit you to one activity type for the whole group.

Check the recommended student count on the product page. A bundle sized for 30 students will not fit a small after-school club of six without leftover kits.

• Count students first, then divide by the recommended group size per kit.
• Confirm whether the bundle includes tools for every kit or only one shared set.

Decision Rules for Choosing a Dig Kit

• If your child wants fast finds: Choose a gemstone or mineral dig with many small specimens, such as the I Dig It! Big Gemstone Dig Kit with 14 rocks and minerals. More specimens usually means shorter waits between discoveries.
• If your child wants a long project: Choose a fossil or dinosaur plaster-block kit with fewer, larger pieces, and plan for more than one sitting. Check the product page for glow-in-the-dark features before assuming they are included.
• If the goal is identification and collecting: Choose a mineralogy-style kit with a reference sheet and a way to store or wear the finds. The learning happens after the dig, so the reference material matters as much as the tools.
• If the goal is careful uncovering and rebuilding: Choose an archaeology-style kit with a reconstruction step, and expect slower progress and a higher chance of breakage if rushed. These kits reward patience and fine motor control more than speed.
• If you are buying for a group: Price a classroom bundle against single kits, and check the recommended student count before ordering. Bundles lower per-student cost but lock the whole group into one activity type.

Product Facts That Affect Your Choice

• I Dig It! Big Gemstone Dig Kit: Buried inside a plaster treasure chest are 14 unique, colorful rocks and minerals; the kit covers the methods and techniques real geologists use and includes a necklace-making step. The 14 specimens give frequent finds, and the identification plus necklace step extends the activity past the dig itself.
• Magnetic Science - Classroom Bundle 10-Pack: The bundle includes 10 Magnetic Science STEM Experiment kits and is recommended for up to 30 students. It shows how a classroom bundle is structured, which helps you judge whether a dig-kit bundle is a better value than single kits for your group size.
• Gummy Candy Kit - Bunnies, Eggs & Tulips: The kit investigates the chemistry related to candy making and explores measurements, conversions, and temperature reading. It is a useful comparison point if your child prefers a kitchen-science activity over a plaster dig, since both teach measurement and process skills.

Who Each Dig Kit Is For

Best for

• Kids who like collecting and identifying rocks and minerals
• Families who want a repeatable activity with a clear finished product
• Teachers buying for a group who need one kit per pair or small team

Not for

• Kids who want an instant result with no cleanup
• Children who dislike plaster dust or fine motor work
• Buyers who want a real fossil rather than a model or mineral specimen

Pick the dig style that matches your child's patience and what they want to do with the finds, not the biggest box. If you are buying for a group, compare the bundle price and student count before you commit.