The Best Dinosaur Toys for Kids Who Love Prehistory
Trends come and go—from narwhal-themed products to llama-inspired baby gear —but dinosaur toys for toddlers stand the test of time. After all, so many kids are obsessed with all things prehistoric and love to educate adults about the differences between a T-rex and a triceratops. This passion for paleontology often coincides with a toddler’s burgeoning sense of self, coupled with their first foray into imaginative play, usually between the ages of 1 and 3. Dino toys are unsurprisingly often at the top of birthday wish lists around this age, so we’ve rounded up the best dinosaur toys for boys and girls.
Dinosaur-themed items have the added benefit of introducing children to the concept of world history, different eco-systems and geography. Plus, they “inspire imagination,” says Matthew Gibson, the curator of natural history at the Charleston Museum.
“An early interest in prehistory fosters both creative thinking, as well as interest in exploratory science,” he says. “Children use their imaginations to visualize these animals which also can lead to a desire to learn more.”
And if they have a toy dinosaur to help spark such creativity, all the better. “These toys give children a physical medium to interact with and play out prehistoric scenarios encouraging exploration and inspiring an interest in nature,” says Gibson. If you held similar interests as a child, you can even use this as an opportunity to bond with your mini while watching a classic movie like A Land Before Time.
Ready to begin your voyage into the rawr-some world of dinosaur toys? Browse our picks for the best dinosaur toys for kids—plus, some cool gear too! From cuddly stuffed animals to fierce bath toys and personalized books, these gifts will excite and delight your little one.
By the age of 3, toddlers will have an evolving vocabulary, which is sure to include the names of their favorite dinosaurs! Foster this passion with dinosaur toys for 3-year-olds that help them to refine new skills and understand cause and effect.
T-rex toy
Your mini will be ready to face any adventure with this cool T-rex toy at their side—which also stands out as one of the most realistic dinosaur toys. But don’t worry, the rubber body is filled with fluff, meaning it’s perfectly squishy and huggable. Ready for the best part? Press the built-in speaker on this big dinosaur toy’s belly and hear it ROAR! Looking for something a little less ferocious? Fat Brain Toys has a brachiosaurus version too.
- Durable
- Incredible detail
- 17" tall
- Requires batteries (included)
Dinosaur figures
One of the best dinosaur toys for curious tots? A selection of dinosaur figures to help them name and differentiate between the prehistoric species. This collection includes animals, rocks, plant life and massive amounts of fun.
- Includes 45 pieces
- Not suitable under the age of 3
Dinosaur music set
Dinosaur toys for kids don’t have to just be all about roaring. Your little musician can play some rex-cellent tunes with this percussion set that includes maracas, a tambourine, a recorder and a rainbow xylophone. It’s perfectly sized for little hands to make their next jam-sesh as easy as can be.
- Beautifully painted, durable wood
- Pricey
Dinosaur bean bag toss game
Active tots love mastering new skills, so this bean-bag toss game is sure to be a big hit. It’s designed to be hung inside a doorway, and you get points by getting a shot through each individually scored hole. Dinosaur toys for kids that keep them active and entertained? Yes, please!
- Easy to store away
- Occupies a doorway while in use
Dinosaur play-doh
Next up is a dinosaur toy for 3-year-olds that’s sure to elicit some giggles. The set comes with three dino-eggs filled with Play-Doh, a mini pterodactyl figure and a hungry tyrannosaurus rex. Simply put some dough in the T-rex toy’s mouth to make him chow down and hear the silly sound effects. Forewarning, some of the meal will reappear out the other end as, ahem, dinosaur poop.
Can be used without the Play-Doh
- Play-Doh can get stuck in the dinosaur
Dinosaur costume
Imaginative play is one of the cornerstones of toddler development, which is why this colorful dress-up dinosaur outfit is one of the best dinosaur toys for kids. The shiny costume has felt facial details and spikes sewn on the back. Your kiddo can pop it on and stomp around in pursuit of their favorite snack.
- Great for Halloween or dress-up
- Ages 3 to 6
- Pricey
Once your child celebrates their second birthday, they’ll most likely begin to engage in more sophisticated play patterns including make-believe games. Perhaps that’s why the big, bad world of dinosaurs tends to capture their imaginations at this age! Whatever the reason, here’s a batch of the best dinosaur toys for toddlers.
Personalized dinosaur book
Cool dinosaur toys can also come in the form of an amazing book. This tale will take your child on an adventure to Dino Land, where they’ll get to roar and stomp alongside a pterodactyl, velociraptor, diplodocus and more. But they’ll also learn how fantastic it is to simply be themselves. The book is personalized with your kid’s name and character—plus, a customized cover and dedication page.
- Personalized
- Helps kids learn new vocabulary
- Best for ages 2 to 5
Dinosaur puzzle
The best dinosaur toys encourage the development of fine-motor skills. Check out this chunky wooden puzzle, which includes seven easy-to-grasp dinosaur pieces with matching pictures underneath. Plus, the removable dino-characters stand upright for pretend play.
- Beautiful bright colors
- Seven different dinosaurs
- No dinosaur names on puzzle
Dinosaur playset
One of the coolest dinosaur gifts for kids is definitely a dinosaur playset—and this one happens to be particularly gorgeous. With eight different dinosaurs to choose from, your toddler will have endless fun being the T-Rex chasing the velociraptor or the pterodactyl soaring above.
- Made from sustainably grown rubberwood
- Hand painted with toxic-free paints
- Best suited for 18 months to three years of age
Dinosaur night light
Looking for some awesome dinosaur gear to decorate your kid’s bedroom? Look no further than this magical night light by Child Universe. Adorned with a dream-like scene of a dinosaur traversing space, this LED light emits a soft, calming glow to keep nighttime fears at bay. This would also make a great dinosaur gift for kids!
- Can be personalized
- Not a toy
Dinosaur train set
KidKraft’s Adventure Tracks Dino World toy is a great option for twins or siblings that love to play together. Race the wooden triceratops and T-rex along the figure-eight track and see who makes it through the stegosaurus underpass first!
- Wood toys inspire learning
- Add ons available, sold separately
Big dinosaur toy
Want to go big with your dinosaur gift? This ultra-plush stuffie is one of the best big dinosaur toys you can choose. Your kiddo will love hugging and cuddling with this dino that’s basically their same size, and its floppy feet and friendly face will make everyone in the house smile!
- Great for all ages!
- Nearly 3' tall
Newly-minted toddlers are able to identify their favorite places, people and things. If your little one is beginning to show an interest in dinosaurs, encourage them with some baby dinosaur toys or cute dino-inspired clothing. Not sure where to begin? Here are our picks for the best dinosaur toys for 1-year-olds.
Light-up dinosaur toy
Sensory toys offer an awesome way to encourage toddlers to explore the world around them. That’s why we adore this dinosaur toy that’ll make a major splash at bathtime. It’s soft, squeezable and lights up when it touches the water—yay for squishy dinosaur toys!
- Easy-to-clean design
- Phthalate-free
- Some reviewers have had issues with the lights.
Pink dinosaur toy
Not all dinosaurs are scary! This adorable pink dinosaur toy pillow will have the opposite effect and help your little one calm down when they cuddle with it. The minimalist design would make it a great decorative piece in any nursery, but we bet your little one will love it too much to let it just sit there!
- 100 percent cotton
- Sleek design
- Children under 2 shouldn't sleep with a pillow
Dinosaur ride-on toy
Dino ride-on toys are always a surefire hit, and you can rock right into the land before time with this cute dinosaur toy by Wonder & Wise. The super-soft plush seat ensures a smooth ride, while a sturdy wooden handle and rockers offer added support and stability. And get a load of that ferocious spiked tail!
- Soft and low to the ground
- Pricey
Dinosaur pajamas
Of course, toys aren’t the only dinosaur gifts for dino-obsessed little ones. Case in point: These snuggly footy pajamas. They’re decorated with a variety of species, including the ferocious T-rex, but are still extra cozy.
- 100 percent cotton
- Machine-washable
- Easy zipper with cuddle tab
- Not flame resistant, so make sure they fit snuggly
Dinosaur stuffed animal
Battle stranger anxiety and big feelings with the help of this cuddly toy dinosaur straight out of the prehistoric era. Trust us, this sweet stegosaurus will soon become your kiddo’s favorite cuddle companion.
- Handmade
- 11" tall
Dinosaur plush
Another great option if you’re looking for dinosaur gifts is this adorable lovey by Little Unicorn. Crafted from 100 percent cotton muslin, this blanket is breathable, machine-washable and actually gets softer over time.
- Lightweight yet warm
- Should be kept out of baby's crib
If you’ve got a child who’s showing an interest—or perhaps developing an obsession—with dinosaurs, then you’re probably on the lookout for the best dinosaur toys for kids. But with all the non-prehistoric responsibilities on your plate, we’ve decided to make the search a little easier for you by narrowing down some of the best dino toys on the market.
When selecting the best dinosaur toys, we considered what age they’re for, their design, the materials and their ease of use. We also made sure to read user reviews to see what real consumers have experienced when buying these toys, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Matthew Gibson is the curator of natural history at the Charleston Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, the oldest museum in the United States.
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