There are only a handful of toys who still adorn the shelf in my childhood bedroom. With each visit home fewer and fewer of my favorite toys manage to make the nostalgic cut. There is one little guy who has stood the test of time though. A small plastic Triceratops who I picked up at the museum many many years ago. The last remaining member of my now extinct collection of dinosaur toys.
While I can’t trace my childhood fixation on dinosaurs to any specific event, I am both amazed and delighted when I see today’s children playing with toy dinosaurs. Children who have grown up in a much more crowded toy space than I ever did. Children who choose to transport themselves back to prehistoric times over being drawn into the addictive glow of a tablet. Children who are lucky enough to immerse themselves in the wonder and imagination that dinosaur toys can create. Here are some of the best!
We also have a review of the best robot dinosaurs for kids – check it out!
Best Dinosaur Toys for Play and Learning
 | Schleich Dinosaur Figurines | Check price at |
 | The Evolution Board Game | Check price at |
 | Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex | Check price at |
 | ZipBin Dinosaur Collector Toy Box and Playset | Check price at |
 | National Geographic First Big Book of Dinosaurs | Check price at |
 | Zoomer Dino Indominus Rex (Jurassic World) | Check price at |
 | Animal Planet Grow Eggs | Check price at |
 | The Good Dinosaur Little Golden Book Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Jurassic Dinosaurs Inflatable Triceratops | Check price at |
1. Schleich Dinosaur Figurines
When it comes to dinosaur figurines there is one brand that towers (like the enormous Brachiosaurus) above the rest. Schleich have been making figurines and toys since the 1950’s and their incredible collection of detailed, hand painted and rugged prehistoric animals are as much works of art as they are the best dinosaur toys available. For display, for play and for creating amazingly lifelike prehistoric worlds, this incredible selection of historically accurate reptiles cannot be beat!
2. The Evolution Board Game
What started as a wildly successful KickStarter campaign, the Evolution board game has gone on to become a runaway success of ‘tyrannic’ proportions. With stunning original artwork and addictive gameplay, Evolution is a 60 minute board game for 2-6 players aged 10 years and above. Children will learn about the science of evolution as players adapt their species in a dynamic ecosystem where food is scarce and predators lurk. The perfect way to turn your child’s love of dinosaurs into great value family fun.
3. Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex
While we may not have prehistoric creatures with us today, it does not mean your kids cannot start looking for the telltale signs that these incredible creatures once roamed the Earth. The Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs excavation kit from the Smithsonian Institute lets your children start exploring the fascinating science of archeology. Using the provided tools and equipment, this ready-packed Tyrannosaur is just waiting to be dug up, brushed off and reassembled, just like a real paleontologist.
4. ZipBin Dinosaur Collector Toy Box and Playset
This one is probably going to be just as exciting for parents and teachers as it is for kids. The ZipBin Toy Box is a neat and innovative dinosaur-themed container for storing all of those wonderful dinosaur toys. A fun way to keep playspaces tidy, the ZipBin also zips down to form an exotic backdrop for all of those exciting dino-adventures.
5. Dinosaur Busy Bag
Busy Bags are the perfect travel activities for children; they are educational kits specifically designed to keep your toddler entertained and learning while building independence. This kit includes 15 dinosaur toys and matching cards, all contained in a clear durable zip bag. Clear instructions are included to ensure your child gets the most out of this kit, learning about dinosaurs and developing their fine motor skills. This fun little exercise is suitable for children aged 3–5 years.
6. National Geographic First Big Book of Dinosaurs
The Big Book of Dinosaurs is the perfect companion for kids who are dino-obsessed! Packed with stunning illustrations and fun facts, each dinosaur comes with a full page color picture, a brief description, and an information chart showing its size, eating habits, and period in which it lived. Interactivities are included in every chapter and parents and teachers will love the tips to help carry readers’ learning beyond the page.
7. Zoomer Dino Indominus Rex (Jurassic World)
Yep, that’s right, Indominus Rex is the big snappy dinosaur from the Jurassic World movie. One of the most advanced dinosaur toys on the list, this Zoomer Dino is an incredibly lifelike and interactive creature. Controlled by remote or let loose on its own, this robotic dino uses True Balance Technology to stand upright, can hunt, patrol and explore its surroundings, can detect hand movements and also be programmed to record and guide movements.
8. Animal Planet Grow Eggs
Animal Planet Grow Eggs can hatch into all sorts of fascinating critters and creatures. These dinosaur eggs are simply placed into a glass or bowl of water and within 24 hours they will start to crack. In 36-48 hours your little dinosaur will start to hatch and can be rinsed off and played with, or put back in clean water to watch grow daily. Over the course of a few days these tiny little dinos will grow 5 to 10 times their original size.
9. The Good Dinosaur Little Golden Book
A picture book of the Disney and Pixar film, The Good Dinosaur Little Golden Book is a cute and beautifully illustrated story for younger children. Perhaps the spark to ignite a larger flame of prehistoric learning or just fun and familiar reading before bed, this little book is a delightfully cheap and cheerful companion for any young dino-lover.
10. VTech Switch & Go Dinos
What do you get if you cross model cars with dinosaur toys? Well, you will probably get the ultimate young boys dream toy, but you will also get the VTech Switch & Go Dinos. This two in one dinosaur toy transforms from dino to car in just a few quick moves. With an LCD screen playing animations as well as over 50 sound effects and audio dino-facts, these crazy dinosaur toys come in T-Rex, Triceratops and Stegosaurus.
11. Jurassic Dinosaurs Inflatable Triceratops
If I could choose any item on this dinosaur toys list, this would be it! Whether you want to create an incredible jurassic classroom experience, decorate for a prehistoric themed party or give your dinosaur-loving kids a fun bedroom friend, these inflatable dinosaurs are an incredibly lifelike and well priced blow-up bargain.
12. Wooden Dinosaur Teether
These Dino Teethers are a really great natural item! Made of hard maple, these chew toys won’t splinter and are naturally anti-bacterial, as well as being finished in an organic coconut oil and beeswax finish, which is soothing for painful gums. Amazingly, wood retains cold, so if you pop the teether in the fridge or freezer it becomes extra soothing to chew on! Along with the teether, there’s a choice of three dinosaur-themed clips so you can attach it to a stroller, car seat or your baby! You can also have the teether personalized for free, you just need to let the seller know when ordering.
13. Gund Corduroy Stuffed Dinosaurs
Saving the cutest for last, these Corduroy Stuffed Dinosaurs from the famous soft toy company Gund, are most certainly the cuddliest creatures when it comes to dinosaur toys. With ‘Tristen the T-Rex’, ‘Bret the Brontosaurus’, ‘Trevor the Triceratops’ and ‘Steggy the Stegosaurus’ there is a prehistoric pal for every dozy dino-lover.
BONUS ITEM! Dinosaur Egg Soap
These little gems will make washing up so much fun! Who knows what kind of dinosaur is going to break out of these ‘eggs’? These goats milk soaps are roughly the size of a regular chicken egg and are handmade. They’re so entertaining and surprising you won’t have any trouble getting mucky hands clean as kids can play with the toys once the dinosaur inside has been washed clean or ‘hatched’ from its shell!
Any favorite dinosaur toys that you’re kids are having fun and learning with? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, final gather.