While dinosaurs are long dead, they live on in the hearts of those who love them. Many hours of excitement and fun have been had by an imaginative child with a dinosaur toy bringing the best of both worlds by combining education and entertainment.
Whether from the Triassic, Jurassic, or the Cretaceous period, every dinosaur has the ability to bring children back in time to when they walked the land.
While we were looking for the very best dinosaur toys for kids, we found plenty of options that would delight them and encourage learning.
What Makes a Good Dinosaur Toy for Children?
Toys and playtime help kids develop important skills like imagination and creativity, opening their eyes to the endless possibilities that abound in daily life.
Selecting a great dinosaur toy for a child can be daunting due to the sheer variety of toys available on the market, but there are a few factors to consider that are common across age groups and developmental stages.
Durability
Let’s face it, children play rough – any well-loved toy must be able to withstand the long-term tender loving care of a rambunctious kid. A toy that breaks easily is frustrating for both the parent and the child because it’s disappointing when fun times come to a premature end.
Soft dinosaur toys should be made of good quality, fire-resistant material, while plastic or wooden dinosaur toys should be made of sturdy material that can take a beating.
Some examples of well-made soft dinosaur toys are the Spooktacular Creations T-Rex Costume and the Naturally KIDS Dinosaur Backpack, while the Geyiie Dinosaur Hand Puppets are plastic toys that are both hardy and easy to clean.
Safety
When choosing a dinosaur toy, take a look at the product label to make sure the materials are safe for children. Any plastic or rubber compound materials should be non-toxic, while any paints and finishes on the toy should be child safe. Young children will put toys in their mouths and play roughly, so all toys given to them should be tested for safety and inspected to ensure there are no sharp edges that could hurt them.
As a rule of thumb, toys made by well-known manufacturers are subject to safety standards. The LEGO Jurassic World Triceratops Rampage toy is a good example of a toy made by a reputable manufacturer.
Fun
Toys are made to be stimulating! An added bonus of dinosaur toys is that they can encourage learning and development. Pick the toy that suits your child’s age, personality, and preferred style of play: if the toy is too challenging, they will be overwhelmed, while a toy that is too simple means that your kid will get bored.
Some children love action figures, while others love interactive toys like puzzles or assembly kits. If the dinosaur toy is engaging, your child will want to spend more time playing with it.
Dinosaur toys are gender-neutral, with plenty of space to encourage creativity and a healthy interest in STEM fields. Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, there is no lack of variety of toys for every age group. Let’s take a look at the dinosaur toys that made our list.