My 8 year old daughter, who is very hands on, is studying dinosaurs this year and we would like to participate in a dig-for-a-day program this summer. But which one? Has anyone participated in either the Paleoworld Research Foundation program in Montana or the Museum of Western Colorado dig program in Colorado? Are there other programs in the Western U.S. that are appropriate for kids?

I know this isn't quite the educational activity you're going for, but as an add on, may I suggest T-Rex - a dinosaur themed restaurant. I know they have some educational things with it but I would recommend it as an additional fun dino activity.

Trexcafe.com

I just checked out the Trexcafe but the only restaurant is in Kansas. I'm not opposed to adding a more commercial component to the trip but it will need to be a bit closer to a dig site. I'll keep it in mind for future travel.

The owner of Rainforest Cafe bought the T-Rex Cafe and is building another one in Downtown Disney in Orlando Florida. The resaurant will include some incredible props, seat 800 people, and cost $25 million to build.
The restaurant is expected to open in early 2008.

"Landry's paid Schussler $7.6 million for 80 percent of the rights to T-Rex and another Asian concept, with an option to purchase the remaining 20 percent for up to $35 million more, if the chain turns $20 million in total profit. The deal allows Schussler to build eight T-Rex locations domestically and nine more outside the United States."

"Several different themed dining areas, one of which will feature a live shark tank as its centerpiece, connect with seven activity areas. Each space is filled with a junglelike environment, populated with more than a dozen dinosaurs, plus waterfalls and geysers."

"Unique to Orlando will be the Ice Room, a 20-degree vodka bar with a robotic bartender, working side-by-side with a human counterpart preparing drinks."

"Among the unusual retail components is a licensing agreement with Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. to develop Build-A-Dino, complete with components for eight dinosaur figures."