Which type of dinosaur is most popular?

While each individual child has their own favorite dinosaur, according to the American Museum of Natural History , the Tyrannosaurus rex ranks as the most popular. One reason this may be the case is that it’s often featured in movies and TV shows—the T. rex has starred in everything from “Jurassic Park” to “The Flintstones” to “Ice Age 3” to “Night at the Museum”—which leads to character action figures and clothing. Additionally, there are some amazing fun facts about the T. rex that makes it all the more interesting, like that it stands more than 19 feet tall, it has between 50-60 teeth (each the size of a banana!), and that it could run around 12 miles per hour.

Why do kids love dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs are fascinating and almost fantastical since no human has ever actually seen one, which is the perfect combination for curious little kids. “Children have incredible imaginations and are sponges for learning, so gigantic, toothy, extinct animals that once ruled the Earth millions of years before us satisfies their imagination and curiosity,” says Hall. Additionally, since there are so many different species of dinosaurs, it’s like an endless stream of knowledge for kids because once they know all there is to know about one dinosaur, there’s always another one with its own facts to learn about next. For kids, dinosaurs are sort of where real-life and magic meet.

The 13 Best Dinosaur Toys of 2023

There’s just something about dinosaurs that kids can’t get enough of, which is why dinosaur toys are so wildly popular. These reptiles fascinate children (and adults) who love adventure and science, and the best dinosaur toys can open up a whole new world of knowledge and fun for little ones.

“Dinosaurs and dinosaur toys are the gateways to science for so many children,” Ashley Hall, outreach program manager at the Museum of the Rockies, tells Verywell Family. However, not all dinosaur toys are created equal, so when you’re on the hunt for something for your child, it’s important to pay close attention to the type of toy, the materials it’s made from, and whether or not it’s age-appropriate.

To help you with your search, we’ve researched some of the best dinosaur toys on the market, considering a variety of age levels, types of play, and durability.

Here are the best dinosaur toys to buy kids of all ages right now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Toyk Create a Road Dinosaur World at Amazon

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Best for 2-Year-Olds:

VTech Count and Chomp Dino at Amazon

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Best for 3-Year-Olds:

Li’l-Gen Dinosaur Toys and Book at Amazon

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Best for 4-Year-Olds:

Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Hatchling Gift Set at Amazon

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Best for 5-Year-Olds:

Laradola DIY Dinosaurs at Amazon

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Best Robot:

TEMI Remote Control Dinosaur Toys at Amazon

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Best Realistic:

Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex at Amazon

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Best Educational:

Toyk Dinosaur Egg Dig Kit at Amazon

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Best Costume:

Rubie's Talking Plush Dinosaur Costume at Amazon

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Best Puzzle:

Bigjigs Toys Dinosaur Cube Puzzle at Maisonette.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Realistic dinosaur figures
Imaginative play opportunities
Endless track designs

Cons

Doesn’t include a storage case

We love dinosaur toys in general, but we really can’t get enough of this amazing Dinosaur World set. The 185-piece set includes dinosaurs, cars, trees, bridges, track pieces, and more. What we really like about this set is that not only are the dinosaur toys realistic looking, but the track system offers kids the opportunity to use their imaginations to create all kinds of fun courses.

The track pieces can turn left or right, allowing for twists and turns throughout a course; the dino cars light up (batteries not included); and the set comes with all kinds of fun accessories like signs, trees, and even a Dinosaur Park gate that looks like something out of a movie.

Age range: 3–8 years

Amazon

Pros

Three modes of play
Teaches counting, colors, food, shapes, and more
Engaging

Cons

Noisy

While this dino isn’t exactly a scientifically accurate depiction, it still offers plenty of opportunities for little ones to learn while engaging with it. The VTech Count and Chomp Dino is designed for kids between 1 and 3 years old and teaches counting, colors, food, shapes, and more. In meal mode, kids “feed” it coins, each with a different food drawn on it, and the dinosaur will respond with the food’s name. In counting mode, the dinosaur will count as it’s fed the coins. It also plays more than 130 songs and features five buttons in different colors and shapes. When grown-ups have had enough of the noise, kids can play with it as a pull toy with the power off.

Age range: 12–36 months

Courtesy Amazon

Pros

Interactive book with sounds
Includes 12 dinosaur figurines
Offers educational play experience

Cons

Dinosaur figurines are relatively small

Two things little kids love: dinosaurs and press-and-play books—and the Li’l-Gen Interactive Sound Book and Figurine have both. The set comes with one book and 12 realistic-looking toy dinosaurs. Throughout the book, kids will learn about each of the 12 dinosaurs in the set and will get to press a button to hear what they might have sounded like. It’s the perfect combination of fun and education.

“Grab a bag of dinosaur toys, and open up conversations with the children in your life and engage with them: ‘Tell me about this one—was it a meat-eater or a plant-eater? How do you know? What's this one's name?’” Hall says of engaging kids in dinosaur conversations. “Soon enough, they will be teaching you about dinosaurs and correcting your pronunciations and facts.”

Age range: 3 years and up

Amazon

Pros

Figurines are movable
Dinos “hatch” out of the toy’s packaging
Set of six per pack

Cons

Toys aren’t exactly realistic looking

For kids who would prefer a pack of small dinosaurs to one big toy, we really like the Fisher-Price Imaginext “Jurassic World” Hatchling Gift Set. It comes with six colorful little baby dinosaurs that “hatch” from the toy’s package. Each little dino has movable arms and legs and looks like a dinosaur featured in “Jurassic World.” These toys can spark kids’ imaginations and take them on all kinds of prehistoric adventures.

Age range: 3–8 years old

Amazon

Pros

Fun introduction to STEM
Set includes three dinosaurs
Assembly guides are kid-friendly

Cons

Includes lots of small pieces

While there are plenty of amazing dinosaur toy options for 5-year-olds, we really like the Laradola DIY Dinosaurs because they’re a fun introduction to multiple STEM disciplines at once. The set comes with three dinosaurs (a T. rex, a Triceratops, and a Velociraptor), a toy electric drill with two drill bits, three toy screwdrivers, and several plastic screws. Each dinosaur comes in several pieces, and kids use the tools to put them together—so with each dinosaur, they get a building/engineering activity and a toy. Each set comes with step-by-step assembly instructions that are easy for kids to follow.

Once the dinosaurs are put together, they have realistic features and textures but are still colorful with whimsical touches, like big, cartoonish eyes. Once the toys are put together, the dinosaurs’ limbs and tails can move around, and there’s always the option to take the toys apart again and start all over.

Age range: 3 years and up

Walmart

Pros

Dinosaur lights up and makes sounds
The toy can do a fun stunt
Cost-efficient rechargeable batteries

Cons

Hand controller isn’t intuitive
Short battery life compared to charge time

Kids who love dinosaurs and robots will have so much fun with this RC dinosaur. Each set comes with one T. rex, a transmitter, two rechargeable batteries, and a USB charger. We love that this dinosaur can move forward and backward, turn right and left, roar, shake its head, flash lights, and even do a full turn stunt. The hand controller has a sleek design that’s easy for kids to use (though they’ll have to play with it a bit to really get the hang of it), and the rechargeable battery will last between 40 to 60 minutes of playtime when fully charged (two-hour charging time).

Age range: 3–7 years

Walmart

Pros

Realistic design
High-quality and durable
Has a movable jaw for fun pretend play

Cons

It’s on the pricier side for a single figure

Any dinosaur toy is fun, no matter what it looks like, but realistic toys offer a little extra educational value. “Manufacturers that specialize in designing dinosaur toys update their models from year to year to reflect the newest science,” says Hall, “so I would highly recommend purchasing updated dinosaur models if you can.”

We really like Schleich dinosaurs for this reason and the T. rex in particular. It’s hand-painted to look like the real thing (or what we think the real thing looked like, at least). This dinosaur is also durably built, so kids can play rough with it without worrying about it breaking.

Age range: 4–12 years

Amazon

Pros

Includes 12 eggs
Encourages exploration and sensory play
Knowledge cards offer extra educational content

Cons

It’s a messy activity

Yes, simply playing with dinosaur toys is fun, but so is digging them up like a real archeologist. The Toyk Dinosaur Egg Dig Kit comes with 12 eggs with hidden dinosaurs inside that kids will have to excavate out using a chisel and brushes. In addition to the eggs (and the dinos inside them), the kit also includes knowledge cards, so kids can learn about the dinosaurs they dig up and discover. Don’t worry, caregivers: The chisel that comes with this kit is not sharp or dangerous.

Age range: 3 years and up

Amazon

Pros

Easy for young kids to put on by themselves
Sound chip adds realistic aspect
Two sizes available

Cons

Some reviewers say sizing is inconsistent

Why play with a dinosaur toy when you can be a dinosaur yourself? We can’t get enough of this adorable dinosaur costume that features a full-body suit, shoe covers, and a separate headpiece. The suit has an attached tail with spikes and an orange belly, and the toothy headpiece attaches under the chin. As if that’s not cute enough, our favorite part is that this costume also includes a little sound chip that makes a dinosaur “roar” sound, so kids can really play the part.

Age range: 3–4 years (small size); 1–2 years (toddler size)

Maisonette

Pros

Six puzzles in one
Made from high-quality materials
Sized for small hands to play with

Cons

While it’s sized for all ages, it may be a bit of a challenge for younger kids

With this single set, kids get six fun dinosaur puzzles. It comes with nine large cubes, and each side is a piece to a different puzzle, requiring kids to go beyond the standard problem solving when doing a puzzle. It also allows them to mix and match to come up with their own fun picture. Each cube piece is sized for little hands to grab, turn, and place, and the whole set is made from high-quality wood (including a wooden puzzle base/tray for storage).

Age range: Not listed

LEGO

Pros

Set includes several play pieces
T. rex is poseable once it’s built
Encourages imaginative play

Cons

Many pieces to lose

For kids who are more interested in what’s inside a dinosaur than what’s on the outside, we like the T. rex Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition LEGO set. The 198-piece kit comes with everything kids need to build their own museum-worthy skeleton, as well as a little drawing board, Darius and Owen Grady figurines from “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous,” an adorable baby Triceratops figurine, and a few accessories for extra fun. As with any LEGO kit, this one also comes with a guide to walk kids through every step of the building process. After they’ve created their museum exhibit, kids can play with the poseable skeleton or take everything apart and create something totally unique.

Age range: 7 years and up

Best Buy

Pros

Authentic design with texture and sounds
Includes app access for more educational content
Figurines are poseable

Cons

Each figurine is sold separately

Whether your kiddo wants one dinosaur or multiple, you can trust you’ll get a quality figurine when you shop this collection. There are six dinosaurs total, including a T. rex, a Baryonyx, Ankylosaurus, and more. Each textured, authentic-looking figure is movable and has its own “strike feature” that plays realistic sounds. Caregivers can also download the “Jurassic World” Facts app, where kids can scan their dinosaurs and see them come to life on screen, learn fun facts, hear different roars, zoom up close on dinosaurs, and more.

Age range: 4 years and up

Amazon

Pros

Baby-friendly design with large buttons and handle
Plays sounds and songs
Batteries are included

Cons

Lights and sounds may upset babies with sensory sensitivities

Even though this doesn’t resemble a real dinosaur, we still can’t get enough of the Skip Hop Dino Zoo Phone for babies. It has a handle that’s perfect for little hands to hang onto, and it features six interactive buttons. This phone will light up, play a song, roar, chew, ring, or say “hello.” While it does require three AAA batteries, the good news is that they’re included with the purchase! This little phone is the perfect way to introduce your baby to dinos.

Age range: 6 months–2 years

Final Verdict

The best dinosaur toy for your child depends on their age, interests, and skills. 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. “Jurassic World” fans will also get a kick out of the very cute Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Hatchling Gift Set.

How We Selected the Best Dinosaur Toys

When creating this list, we consulted with paleontologist Ashley Hall, outreach program manager at the Museum of the Rockies. We then researched dozens of different dinosaur toys, looking at each toy’s features and what age range it would be appropriate for. We also considered user reviews, price, and availability.

What to Look for When Buying Dinosaur Toys

Type of Toy

In order to choose the best dinosaur toy for your child, consider what it is you hope they get out of playing with it. “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. “When play is paired with dinosaur toys, it allows for teaching these universal concepts, but rooted in the history of life on our planet.”

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). 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.

For 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. A good example of this is a puzzle or the VTech Count and Chomp Dino.

Age Level

No matter what kind of toy you’re shopping for, it’s always crucial to ensure it’s appropriate for your child’s age. 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. This is especially important with younger kids who still put toys and small pieces in their mouths. 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. 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).

Toy Materials

Of course, part of finding the best dinosaur toys means finding toys that are durable and built to last. 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. 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. Take your time reading through the toy’s features to ensure that it’s something your child would enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of dinosaur is most popular?

While each individual child has their own favorite dinosaur, according to the American Museum of Natural History, the Tyrannosaurus rex ranks as the most popular. One reason this may be the case is that it’s often featured in movies and TV shows—the T. rex has starred in everything from “Jurassic Park” to “The Flintstones” to “Ice Age 3” to “Night at the Museum”—which leads to character action figures and clothing.
Additionally, there are some amazing fun facts about the T. rex that makes it all the more interesting, like that it stands more than 19 feet tall, it has between 50-60 teeth (each the size of a banana!), and that it could run around 12 miles per hour.
Why do kids love dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs are fascinating and almost fantastical since no human has ever actually seen one, which is the perfect combination for curious little kids. “Children have incredible imaginations and are sponges for learning, so gigantic, toothy, extinct animals that once ruled the Earth millions of years before us satisfies their imagination and curiosity,” says Hall.
Additionally, since there are so many different species of dinosaurs, it’s like an endless stream of knowledge for kids because once they know all there is to know about one dinosaur, there’s always another one with its own facts to learn about next. For kids, dinosaurs are sort of where real-life and magic meet.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, including dinosaur toys, as her youngest daughter absolutely loves them.

More Toys for Kids

When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here: