We researched and tested the best dinosaur toys from top brands, considering recommended age range, safety, and interactivity. Our favorite picks include a fossil dig kit from National Geographic, adorable rain boots from Bogs, and a fuzzy plush dino from Manhattan Toys. Here are the best dinosaur toys for kids and beyond. Our tester loved that this science kit provided her child with a basic but fun introduction to paleontology and earth science. My child learned a ton from it, including what it’s like to dig for fossils in the field, what fossils are, and how they are formed," they shared. It took about an hour for our tester’s daughter to find all of the fossils, and she particularly enjoyed inspecting and identifying them using the included magnifying glass. Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $54 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $9 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $41 Price at time of publish: $182 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $130 Price at time of publish: $27 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $108 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $26
Purpose
There’s no shortage of realistic, detailed collectible dinosaurs out there, but kids won’t readily learn much from these figurines, except for maybe the different types of dinosaurs. For something with a little more educational value, there’s an abundance of more informational gifts, like books or hands-on activities, that teach about science and natural history but still entertain.
Interactivity
Bring another world to life with a dinosaur gift that responds to commands via voice or an app, just keep in mind that these types of gifts are better for older children who can figure out how to operate them without getting frustrated. Or, for a low-tech but still interactive option more suitable to the younger kids, choose from LEGO building kits or sets of realistic dinosaurs for imaginative play.
Safety
While you don’t have to worry about dinosaur bites, you should evaluate any potential toy for safety. Make sure to choose toys made out of rubber or BPA-free plastic for younger kids. You’ll also want to keep any battery-operated toys out of reach of babies and young toddlers since they can be dangerous if ingested, says Hafeez. When they get a bit older, children can handle toys made out of heavier materials—like metal or wood figurines—since they have better control and hand-eye coordination. And for any age, make sure that all materials used have been tested for safety and that any paints are safe for use on toys.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more.
