Is there any kid who doesn't want to be a paleontologist? Well, if you live in the Washington-area, you can give them a taste of the process.
Several parks and beaches near the mouth fo the Potomac River and along Chesapeake Bay are so rich in fossilized sharks teeth and other shells that the eagle-eyed can spot them lying along the shore.
Calvert Cliffs State Park in Maryland is probably the most famous spot, but following a tip from one of our favorite podcasts, Science Sort Of, we have enjoyed fewer crowds and better luck at Brownie's Beach in Chesapeake Beach. It is supposed to be a local spot, so during the summer season they check driver's licenses and charge a somewhat exorbitant fee to outsiders. But in the evenings and during the rest of the year, the system is more flexible.A short walk through the woods, you'll find yourself in a little cove where a stream empties into the bay. Kids enjoy building castles and forts from the sand, just like they do on any beach. But the most common toys aren't shovels and buckets, but sifters of various sorts meant to shift the sand from the fossils.
Actual fossil spotting isn't precisely difficult but you do need to let your eyes adjust. With the teeth, what you're looking for isn't much different in size from the average shell fragments on the beach. But they are a different color, almost a gunmetal gray. Fossilized shells are distinguishable because of how thick they are, you can make out dozens of extra layers built upon each other. Once you have successfully found one, it becomes exponentially easier to find more, simply because you know what you're looking for.
Before heading way from the shore and back to the city, do yourself a favor and find a crab shack. After time on the water, seafood is particularly satisfying and kids love how interactive smashing crustaceans is. It's OK if you aren't a pro at picking them, there's certain to be someone -- either an employee or a fellow diner — ready to offer advice and assistance.
Verdict: If you're willing to go out of peak beach season Brownie's is a great fossil hunting spot. If you choose to go the state park route, be aware that it's a hike from the parking lot at Calvert Cliffs down to the water -- easy terrain, but a long walk if you're carting any beach gear.