


Additionally, if your child has any kind of sensory sensitivities, keep in mind that dinosaur toys often have rough and/or pointy textures, sometimes make loud “roar” noises, and some may even have flashing lights. Kids put their toys through a lot, so when you’re shopping, be sure to check out user reviews to find out if they will stand up to rough play.

Of course, part of finding the best dinosaur toys means finding toys that are durable and built to last. In this regard, consider what milestones they’re working on and whether or not the toy you’re looking at encourages this development (or if it’s too advanced or not advanced enough). That being said, just because the toy is deemed safe for a child, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for where they are intellectually. This is especially important with younger kids who still put toys and small pieces in their mouths. Every toy will have a manufacturer's age recommendation somewhere on the packaging, and this number indicates the age range in which the toy is both developmentally appropriate as well as safe. No matter what kind of toy you’re shopping for, it’s always crucial to ensure it’s appropriate for your child’s age. A good example of this is a puzzle or the VTech Count and Chomp Dino. You can pair these toys with books, too, to encourage your child to continue to learn and become even more engaged with the subject of dinosaurs.įor younger children who simply love the concept of dinosaurs and aren’t ready to get deep into the science of it all, look for a toy that features dinos but teaches something else. If you’re hoping to open up larger conversations about science and life, as Hall discusses, then look for dinosaur toys that are realistic, either in how they look or in how kids play with them (such as a fossil dig toy). “When play is paired with dinosaur toys, it allows for teaching these universal concepts, but rooted in the history of life on our planet.” “Play is a crucial part of a child's brain development, as it allows the exploration of universal concepts such as family, love, life, and death in a safe way,” says Hall. In order to choose the best dinosaur toy for your child, consider what it is you hope they get out of playing with it. What to Look for When Buying Dinosaur Toys Type of Toy We also considered user reviews, price, and availability. We then researched dozens of different dinosaur toys, looking at each toy’s features and what age range it would be appropriate for. When creating this list, we consulted with paleontologist Ashley Hall, outreach program manager at the Museum of the Rockies. “Jurassic World” fans will also get a kick out of the very cute Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Hatchling Gift Set. That being said, we ranked the Toyk Create a Dinosaur World Road Race as our top favorite for its realistic dinosaur figurines and imaginative play concept. The best dinosaur toy for your child depends on their age, interests, and skills.
