How to Throw a Shark Tooth Dig Birthday Party (At Home or in Florida)
Looking for a birthday party kids will actually talk about for years? Throw a shark tooth dig. Every guest gets to hunt for real fossils, everyone goes home with a tooth that's millions of years old, and it works just as well in a backyard as it does at a real Florida dig site. Here's how to plan one, whether you're hosting at home or bringing the crew to Myakka City.
Option 1: A Shark Tooth Dig Party at Home
You don't need to live in Florida to throw a fossil dig party. Relic Reef Mystery Buckets are packed with real fossil-rich Florida dirt and guaranteed real shark teeth, so you can bring the dig to your backyard, garage or kitchen table.
How many buckets do you need?
- Small party (4–6 kids): one or two full-size Mystery Buckets poured into a shared sifting station, plus a Mini Mystery Bucket for each guest to take home.
- Bigger party (8+ kids): a Mini Mystery Bucket for every guest so each kid has their own hunt, plus one or two full-size buckets for a group dig.
- The birthday kid's big moment: save a Megalodon Mystery Bucket for the guest of honor. It's guaranteed to have a real megalodon tooth or fragments 1" or larger.
Not sure which is which? Our bucket comparison shows what's guaranteed in each one.
What you'll need
- A few sifting screens or kitchen strainers (1/4-inch hardware cloth on a simple wood frame works great)
- Plastic tubs, trays or a kiddie pool to catch the dirt
- A hose or buckets of water for rinsing
- Small cups, bags or egg cartons so each kid can keep their finds
- Old towels and clothes that can get dirty
Set up the dig
- Build sifting stations. Set screens over tubs on a table or the ground. Two or three kids per station keeps things moving.
- Pour a little at a time. A cup or two of dirt per screen makes teeth easier to spot.
- Shake, rinse, hunt. Gently shake the dirt through, rinse with water, and look for small shiny triangles.
- Do a second sweep. Spread leftover gravel on a light-colored towel. Tiny teeth love to hide.
For the full step-by-step method, read What's Inside a Shark Tooth Mystery Bucket (and How to Sift One).
Party games that make it even better
- Biggest tooth contest: whoever finds the largest tooth wins a prize.
- Most teeth challenge: set a timer and see who finds the most in 10 minutes.
- Name that shark: after the dig, help kids figure out which shark each tooth came from using our guide, How to Identify Florida Fossil Shark Teeth. Sand tigers look like thin fangs, tiger shark teeth have a notch on one side, and a big serrated triangle could be a megalodon.
- Fossil show and tell: each kid shows off their best find before cake.
Shark tooth party favors
Skip the plastic toys. A Mini Mystery Bucket makes a perfect party favor: it's a whole fossil hunt kids can take home and do again. For a little extra, pair it with a shark tooth sticker.
Theme ideas
- Paleontologist party: safari hats, "field journals" and magnifying glasses.
- Megalodon party: shark decorations, a giant jaw photo prop and blue "ocean" punch.
- Beach dig party: buckets, shovels and a sandy sifting station.
Option 2: Celebrate at a Real Dig in Myakka City, Florida
If you're in or near Sarasota, Bradenton or the Tampa Bay area, take the party to the source. At our Myakka City shark tooth dig, your group sifts real fossil layer dirt at our dig site and keeps everything they find.
- Half Day Dry Sift – $125 per person. A morning of sifting starting at 9am. A great length for younger kids.
- Full Day Dry Sift – $225 per person. 9am to 3pm, for serious young hunters.
- Kids under 14 dig free with a paying adult (up to 2 kids per adult; each additional child is $25).
We provide the digging tools, buckets and a big sifting table. Bring water, sun protection and your best eyes, and arrive about 15 minutes before 9am.
Safety Tips for Young Fossil Hunters
- Small teeth and gravel are a choking hazard, so younger children should always dig with an adult watching.
- Have kids wash their hands after the dig and before cake.
- Outdoors in Florida, plan for shade, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Shark Tooth Party FAQ
What age is a shark tooth dig party good for?
Kids around 5 and up usually love it, and plenty of teens and adults get hooked too. Younger kids can join with close adult supervision.
Are the shark teeth real?
Yes. Every Relic Reef bucket contains authentic fossil shark teeth hand-collected from Florida dig sites. No replicas.
Will every kid find something?
Every bucket includes real fossil shark teeth, and giving each guest their own Mini Mystery Bucket is the easiest way to make sure everyone goes home with a find.
How far ahead should I order?
Order at least a week or two before the party to leave time for shipping. US shipping is a flat $6.99, and orders of $250 or more ship free.