The Best Dinosaur Toys for Dino-Obsessed Little Ones
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 one and 3. Dinosaur-themed items have the added benefit of introducing children to the concept of world history, different eco-systems and geography. And, 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 millennial movie like A Land Before Time.
Ready to begin your voyage into the rawr-some world of dinos? Browse our picks for the best dinosaur toys for toddlers—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.
In this article:
Best Dinosaur Toys for 1-Year-Olds
Best Dinosaur Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Best Dinosaur Toys for 3-Year-Olds
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 a baby-safe toy or some cute dino-inspired clothing. Not sure where to begin? Here are our picks for the best dinosaur toys and gear for one year olds.
Skip Hop Zoo Light Up Bath 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—wow!
Buy it: $6, SkipHop.com
Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends Dixi Triceratops
Battle stranger anxiety and big feelings with the help of this cuddly creature straight out of the prehistoric era. Designed by Steiff, each Dixi dinosaur toy is handmade from the finest materials and manufactured to the highest safety standards. Trust us, this sweet triceratops will soon become your kiddo’s favorite cuddle companion.
Buy it: $27, NeimanMarcus.com
Wonder & Wise by Asweets Dinosaur Rocker
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!
Buy it: $139, Maisonette.com
Carter’s 1-Piece Dinosaur Fleece Footie PJs
Of course, toys aren’t the only gifting option for dino-obsessed little ones. Case in point: This snuggly fleece romper. It’s decorated with a variety of species and comes complete with dinosaur feet.
Buy it: $20, Carters.com
Little Unicorn Dino Friends Cotton Muslin Quilt in Blue/Orange
Another great option is this cozy quilt by Little Unicorn. Crafted from 100 percent cotton muslin, this blanket is breathable, machine-washable and actually gets softer over time.
Buy it: $60, BedBathandBeyond.com
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 another batch of the best dinosaur toys for toddlers.
Wonderbly I’m a Name-O-Saurus Book
Take a trip to an unknown land with Wonderbly. This tale takes 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.
Buy it: $35, Wonderbly.com
Melissa & Doug Dinosaurs Chunky 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.
Buy it: $16, Amazon.com
LEGO DUPLO Jurassic World T. rex and Triceratops Dinosaur Breakout
Combine your kid’s love of dinosaurs and construction with this clever LEGO set. Inspired by the Jurassic World movie franchise, this set includes a buildable entrance to the iconic park, a large T-rex with an opening mouth, a baby triceratops and a dinosaur trainer complete with motorbike. With so many open-ended play opportunities, it’s the perfect toy to feed your child’s ever-expanding imagination.
Buy it: $30, Target.com
Child Universe 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. And, for a personalized touch, you can add your child’s name to the base.
Buy it: $69, ChildUniverse.com
Selfie Clothing Co Toddler/Big Kid Color-In Dinosaur Top
How cute is this color-in dinosaur top by Selfie Clothing? The soft jersey shirt features a crew of dinosaurs, fossils and eggs your kid can fill-in using the included set of fabric pens.
Buy it: $21, TheTot.com
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 that help them to refine new skills and understand cause and effect.
KidKraft Adventure Tracks: Dino World Stego Loop
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!
Buy it: $25, Maisonette.com
Fat Brain Toys Hear Me Roar T-Rex
Your mini will be ready to face any adventure with this cool T-rex toy at their side. The realistic rubber body is filled with fluff, meaning it’s perfectly squishy and huggable. Ready for the best part? Press the built-in speaker on the dino’s belly and hear it ROAR! Looking for something a little less ferocious? Fat Brain Toys has a brachiosaurus version too.
Buy it: $37, FatBrainToys.com
Animal Planet Dino Mega Tub Collection
One of the best dinosaur toys for curious tots? A selection of figurines to help them name and differentiate between the prehistoric species. This mega-tub collection includes a whopping 45 pieces, including animals, rocks and plant life.
Buy it: $25, Target.com
Stephen Joseph 6-Piece Dino Music Set
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 made with durable wood and is perfectly sized for little hands to make their next jam-sesh as easy as can be.
Buy it: $54, Nordstrom.com
Wonder and Wise by ASweets Dino Doorway Beanbag 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 points are won by getting a shot through each individually scored hole. Dinosaur toys that keep them active and entertained? Yes, please.
Buy it: $59, Nordstrom.com
Play-Doh Dino Crew Crunchin’ T-Rex
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 Dough, 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.
Buy it: $15, Target.com
Meri Meri Dinosaur Costume
Imaginative play is one of the cornerstones of toddler development, which is why we love this colorful dress-up dinosaur outfit. The shiny costume has felt facial details and spikes sewn on the back. Your child can pop it on and stomp around in pursuit of their favorite snack.
Buy it: $75, MeriMeri.com
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