Live from California, dinosaur expert extraordinaire Jack Horner joined an online event hosted by RNIB to share his expertise with over 50 children from across the UK.

The world-famous palaeontologist, who has worked as an advisor and consultant for Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies, took time out from his busy schedule on Saturday, 12th March to make sure children with a vision impairment experienced a sensory dinosaur lesson with a difference.

The session was part of the Shape and Share Dinosaur Discovery Family Event, organised by Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) Children, Young People and Families team.

This event was, of course, dinosaur-themed and Jack Horner talked to the children about his work with dinosaurs and answered questions from his curious audience. 

The second segment of the event saw the children entertained and spell bound by the fabulous Dinomania puppet show where they met Trudy the Troodon, Pteri the Pteranodon, and Bradley the baby Brachiosaurus, to name but a few.

Prior to the online event, the children received a Dino Lab kit so they could get involved and smaller children received a dinosaur soft toy.

Shaping and Sharing Support

RNIB Shape and Share events form part of the support the charity offers for children and young people with vision impairment and their families. This event took place virtually in order to reach as many children as possible across the UK, but future events will comprise a mix of online and face to face experiences.

Other recent RNIB Shape and Share events have included craft and storytelling, ‘jump, jiggle and jive’, pizza making and sessions on online safety. Last year they welcomed HRH The Countess of Wessex who took part in a craft session with children and made her very own bird box.

The events, which run throughout the year, are aimed at encouraging children and young people with vision impairment to make new friends, try new things, and engage in some much-needed fun.

Jack Horner

Jack Horner praised the interest and passion of the families who took part in the discovery session and said how much he enjoyed meeting them all.

He said: “I love talking about dinosaurs with children because they are often as interested in dinosaurs as I am, and children ask better questions than my university students!

“When I asked a child how he thought a T. rex got his meat, he answered ‘he was a scavenger!’ I was so impressed that I told him he could come and be my graduate student!” 

He also thanked RNIB for all the work the charity is doing to support people.

A Fascinating Session

RNIB Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Specialist Lead, Craig Brown said: “Our online Shape and Share events, part of our activity programme, bring children, young people and their families together for peer support, to share experiences and take part in fun activities like Dinosaur Discovery.

“We are thrilled that Jack was able to join us and lead on an engaging and fascinating session. RNIB Shape and Share events are open to families throughout the UK so we would encourage anyone interested to get involved in future activities.”

Julie Dale from Leicestershire attended the virtual event with her children Thomas and Joshua Dale. Thomas, 8, has nystagmus, an eye condition of uncontrolled eye movement. Joshua, 10, is sighted and joined his brother for some dinosaur fun.

Julie said: “The event was brilliant! Thomas and Joshua really enjoyed it. We completed the packs we were sent and following the steps, we made a little dinosaur. The boys were pleased.

“As a mother of a child with a visual impairment, it’s nice to have the opportunity to do these fun things online. It was interactive, easy, and relaxing.”

To find out more about RNIB’s Children, Young People and Families team and the services we offer, visit:

rnib.org.uk/advice/children-young-people-education, or phone RNIB’s Helpline on: 0303 123 9999 or email cypf@rnib.org.uk.