The human race has been fascinated with dinosaurs ever since we’ve known about them, and for children in particular, these giants of the Mesozoic Era are truly larger than life. While it’s doubtful that an encounter with a real dinosaur would be a positive experience, tons of popular movies, children’s television shows (Barney, anyone?) and colourful toys have managed to soften the public’s perception of these once-fierce gargantuan beasts.
Fortunately, we can enjoy dinosaurs from a comfortable distance on the historical timeline, and our children have a myriad of options to choose from to help them learn more about these amazing creatures. If you have a dinosaur-obsessed child in your house, you know how important it is to keep their imagination engaged with toys that feed their prehistoric predilection.
With this mission in mind, we have taken the time to sift through the countless dinosaur-themed toys on the market, and have narrowed down the best dinosaur toys that will provide plenty of fun and imaginative play for your pint-sized paleontologist.
1. Neat-Oh! Dinosaur Medium Playset
This super-useful playset definitely lives up to its name, because its colorful design and functional versatility are truly “Neat-Oh”. The dinosaur-themed “ZipBin” features zippers on each corner, allowing you to unzip the bin and quickly convert it into a play mat that displays a colorful prehistoric landscape.
Once you zip it back up, it becomes a handy storage box for all of your child’s Jurassic companions. For those parents who have had the unpleasant experience of stepping barefoot on a hard plastic toy laying around in your child’s room, you will appreciate how this ZipBin will help you keep things nice and tidy.
It should be noted that only two dinosaur toys are included in the playset, but you can purchase additional Neat-Oh ZipBin dinosaur products to complete your child’s collection.
Why we love it:
- Versatility: Functions as both a storage bin and a play mat.
- Highly portable and ideal for travel.
- Easy to clean with wipe-down surfaces.
2. LEGO 31058 Mighty Dinosaurs Building Toy
LEGO has reinvented itself time and again throughout the decades, and the latest iteration of this iconic company has seen a shift away from general blocks that can be configured in many different ways to building sets that are designed to assemble specific things or creatures.
Such is the case with this super-cool 3-in-1 dinosaur building set – your child can assemble a mighty T-Rex, a fierce Triceratops or a soaring Pterodactyl using the 174 pieces contained in the set.
With an eye-grabbing green-and-beige colour scheme and fiery orange eyes, this menacing prehistoric creature will provide plenty of imaginative play opportunities for your little one.
Why we love it:
- It’s not a one-and-done building set; your child can create three different dinosaurs using the same pieces.
- Provides plenty of mental and tactile stimulation.
- Highly detailed pieces with posable joints.
3. R/C Remote Control Dinosaur
Let’s face it–it’s not that often that you get to see a dinosaur with glow-in-the-dark body parts, but that’s exactly what your child will get when they play with this fun and engaging remote control dinosaur. This illuminated Jurassic beast lights up in different colours, and it can walk forward and roar at your child’s R/C command.
One highly entertaining feature of this intriguing dinosaur is that it not only emits a formidable roaring sound, but you also have the option to put the toy on “Euro Disco” mode for a little 70’s throwback fun.
Whether dinosaurs jammed out to disco music during the Jurassic period is still up for debate, but this toy offers plenty of entertainment for your child nonetheless.
Why we love it:
- Colours are bright and fun.
- Walks like a proper dinosaur, even on carpeted surfaces.
- Cool sounds and music.
4. Orchard Toys Big Dinosaurs Jigsaw Puzzle
Puzzles are one of the best ways to help your child develop critical thinking skills as well as their fine motor skills. This Orchard Toys Big Dinosaurs jigsaw puzzle features 50 pieces that will provide a healthy problem-solving challenge for your little one without being too difficult to assemble.
The puzzle itself has vibrant colours and engaging illustrations that can introduce your child to some of the most popular dinosaurs from the prehistoric past.
Why we love it:
- Excellent illustrations with attractive colours.
- Just the right amount of pieces for growing minds.
- Durable puzzle board with wipe-clean surface.
5. DeeXop Electronic Dinosaur Toys Walking Dinosaur
This battery-powered walking dinosaur features flashing lights and cool dinosaur sounds that will definitely capture your child’s imagination. Unlike many comparable toys, the motions for this dinosaur are not stiff or stilted; instead, the feet, front claws and tail moves when it walks. The tail is detachable and contains the battery compartment, so it’s really easy to reload the batteries when they get low.
Your little one will enjoy seeing this ferocious T-Rex lumbering through the living room and making roaring sounds while its eyes light up in a fiery red glow.
Why we love it:
- Great attention to detail in terms of the colouring and texture of the dinosaur.
- Displays light, sound and motion to stimulate young minds.
- Dinosaur’s walk is very lifelike.
6. Hatch-Em Hatching Dinosaur Egg
Hatching eggs are a wildly popular megatrend in the toy world right now, and this hatching dinosaur egg is a fantastic way to engage your child’s sense of curiosity while also teaching a valuable lesson about life science. All you have to do is place the egg in a bowl or pot of water, and then watch as the dinosaur slowly forces its way out of the egg, swelling in size along the way.
These hatching eggs make great stocking fillers, and they will definitely activate your child’s imagination.
Why we love it:
- Fun way to teach a basic life science concept.
- Super-simple to use – no assembly or batteries required.
- Excellent add-on gift or stocking filler.
7. Amscan International Dinomite Dinosaur Costume
This adorable costume will immediately transform your youngster into a dynamic dinosaur with irresistible charm. This orange and red costume is made for young children 3 – 4 years old, and it features a golden belly, a plush dinosaur head hood, an attached tail with fabric plates, and yellow claws made of soft fabric. It has a cozy, plush feel to it, and is designed in a jumpsuit style so that it will be easy to put on and take off.
Whether you’re taking your little one trick-or-treating or they just want to roar around the house as their favorite Jurassic creature, this costume will provide plenty of fun and imaginative play for your child.
Why we love it:
- Jumpsuit design makes it easy for your child to suit up.
- Soft claws, tail plates and teeth ensure optimal safety.
- Bright colours and high quality plush material.
Whether you’re shopping for a Christmas gift or you’re just looking for a worthy dinosaur-themed toy that can feed your child’s active imagination, no doubt the toys listed above can help you accomplish your parental mission. With these fantastic dinosaur toys at your disposal, you can be sure that the fun will never go extinct!
