And it's not hard to see why.
Dinosaurs seem like something from a long tale or a mythical land ... but they're real.
They're scary, powerful, and huge ... but they're also safe, because everybody knows that they all died out a long, long time ago.
Here a bunch of great dinosaur toys created just for toddlers.
In this post I'll give you details about all kinds of dinosaur toys, from soft stuffed dinos to a"robot" t-rex that walks and roars, to dinosaur puzzles and counting toys to cute books about dancing dinosaurs.
At the end of the post, I've even included some "extra" fun stuff, like dinosaur beddings, room decor, and toddler dinosaur furniture.
If you don't feel like wading through all that, you can just click on one of the images and go have fun shopping:
Giant Stuffed T-Rex Dinosaur
Dinosaur Wooden Chunky Puzzle (7 pcs)4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in Storage BoxVTech Chomp and Count DinoLeapFrog Lettersaurus Alphabet Pull ToyRealistic Dinosaur Figure ToysWalking T rex with Light and Realistic Roaring SoundPlush Dinosaur Stuffed Animals
More Toys Your Kids Will Love:
The Hottest Toddler Dinosaur Toy Right Now!
Toddler Backpack with Plush Dinosaurs
This adorable dinosaur backpack is going crazy on Amazon right now, with over 11,700 5-star ratings.
Reviewers loved how this backpack is so well-made and that a tablet can fit into it perfectly. Plus, you can remove the dinosaur and replace him with another stuffed friend for the day whenever you want.
Several customers said their children or grandchildren had been wearing this backpack non-stop for days and don't want to take it off. Enough said!
✅ Educational Dinosaur Toys for Toddlers
Looking for a toy that will help teach and reinforce some early childhood concepts in addition to being fun?
Here are a few great toys that fit the bill.
VTech Chomp and Count Dino
What toddler wouldn't want to feed their own little pet dinosaur?
Well, that's exactly what they'll do with the VTech Chomp and Count Dino, while they also learn about colors, shapes, and numbers.
This toy comes with 8 brightly-colored discs with different pictures of food on them.
When you feed the dinosaur the banana chip, he'll say "Banana," plus tell you the color and nutritional value.
You can also set it to mode where he says, "Can you feed me a banana?"
In addition, there is a question button, where kids can answer the dino’s questions to show what they’ve learned, and a disc on the dino's back that kids can spin to play sing-along songs.
The toy comes with both a volume control and auto shut-off, so you won't ever to tempted to pick it up and hurl it against the wall.
2 AA batteries are included for demo purchases. If you're giving it as a gift, I would recommend also including new batteries.
Amazon reviewer A. John says this is one of their toddler's favorite toys:
This is by far one of my toddlers favorite toy. This not only teaches colors, numbers and foods but it delights her with a fun song that she's trying to sing along to now as well.
One of the things I love about this is that it actually stores all the pieces in his "tummy" so that they're not lost and we can find them easy again for the next time we play.
The pieces are small enough for her little hands and are easy to insert into his mouth without problems. She is now counting along as well whenever we use the 123 mode and I've noticed that her counting has gotten a lot better.
It does come with a pull along string that she pulls whenever she wants to take him for a walk and it's adorable to look at.
Leapfrog Dino's Delightful Day Alphabet Book
LeapFrog Dino's Delightful Day Alphabet Book
We got a lot of use out of various LeapFrop toys when my kids were little, and this one looks like a winner too.
This "book" has 16 interactive pages to hear a story read aloud. Letters are words are woven into the story to introduce children to the alphabet. Along the way, children can press the light-up button to hear specific letter names, letter sounds, or words from the story.
In addition, there are number button along the dinosaur's back to introduce counting and number recognition -- so it help toddlers and preschoolers with early math concepts as well as reading concepts.
Reviewers were impressed by how big and sturdy the toy was, with nice thick pages that won't be torn apart by toddler hands or bend after lots of wear and tear.
Amazon reviewer Momof2Angels said this toy was wonderful for her special needs child:
My youngest son has autism, and one of his favorite things to do is flip books over and over on the ground. We lost countless hardback and board books within a few days of purchase due to that.
Not this toy. It’s been a few months since we purchased it. The lights and sounds still work and everything is intact. The sensory input he gets from turning the pages and the sounds and lights delight him to no end! I realize this isn’t the typical buyer’s intent for this product, but if my son can enjoy it yours definitely will.
Like the VTech Chomp and Count Dino above, 2 AA batteries are included for demo purposes.
Leapfrog Lettersaurus Toddler Pull Toy for Toddlers
LeapFrog Lettersaurus Alphabet Pull Toy
Another winner from Leapfrog, this toy has 26 colorful letter buttons on the dinosaur's back. Pressing the button makes it say the letter, the sound it makes, and a word that begins with that letter. (For example, "H, huh, H is for happy.")
Toddlers can also spin the wheel on the dinosaur's tail, which introduces numbers and plays a cute song.
In addition, you can take your dino for a walk with the pull string. His head move from side to side while his feet play a jungle beat while he walks.
Requires 2 AA batteries. Batteries included for demo purposes only, new batteries recommended for regular use
Reviews appreciated the on/off and high/low volume switches (although one reviewer complained, "There are only two levels for volume: loud and really loud").
They also liked how it was a sturdy toy that could stand up to toddler abuse.
One minor complaint was that the pull-string was too short (one reviewer said the dino kept toppling over when it was pulled) and that the string needed a ring on the end so it could be gripped more easily.
Still, even the people who said that gave the toy 4 stars overall.
This toy requires 2 AA batteries, which are included for demo purposes only.
Sorting & Counting Dinosaur Matching Game
Jumbo Sorting & Counting Dinosaurs Matching Game
If you're looking for an educational dinosaur toy that doesn't make noise, this is a this Montessori style Sorting & Counting Dinosaurs Matching Game is for you.
It includes:
- 48 Jumbo Dinosaurs (1.25” x 3”)
- 6 Matching Dinosaur Egg Cups for sorting
- Dino Grabber for practicing fine motor skills
- Dice for color games
- Dice for number games
- Travel Backpack for storing it all (and with room for extra stuff)
- Learning Activities eBook Download
I love that this toy has so many different activities and that your toddler won't outgrow it quickly, but will continue to enjoy it for 3-4 years.
TIP: One clever reviewer said that her kids played with the dinosaur and egg shells so often that she was finding pieces all over the house. So she added a new game -- a dinosaur and egg scavenger hunt!
Snap-n-Learn Color & Matching Dinosaur Toy
Snap-n-Learn Matching Dinos -- Counting & Sorting Toy
This toy uses a total of 18 pieces to build two different dinosaurs.
It helps toddlers and preschoolers work on:
- Fine Motor skills
- Shape recognition
- Matching
- Problem solving
- Color identification
- Motor planning
- Parts to whole relationships
- Eye-hand coordination
Amazon reviewer K.D. shares a game they play with dinos:
These cute dinosaurs (or "dina-roars" as my 2-year-old calls them) are great for matching games as well as just to play with as little critters--they often go for a ride in my son's train.
I wish the two halves fitted up to each other more snugly so the tail wouldn't flip upside down when they're being played with as just dinosaurs, but they are easy enough for a toddler to pry apart and put together, which is really more important for this toy.
They seem plenty sturdy, and are really great for use in core strengthening games. Put heads on one side, tails on the other side, sit toddler in the middle on a little box or upended bucket, and have him pick up a tail on one side, then come up and pick up a head on the other side, come up to put them together, then down in the middle to drop it back in the bucket. Works great!
✅ Dinosaur Puzzles for Toddlers
I spent a LOT of time doing puzzles with my kids when they were little ... partly because they wanted me to, and partly because I enjoy doing puzzles (and those 1,000-piece puzzles for adults are way too hard for me! 😀)
My First Match-It Dinosaur Puzzles
My First Match It - Dinosaurs - 15 Self-Correcting Matching Puzzles
This is a simple way to include jigsaw puzzles to your toddler that helps them learn about colors and matching.
One nice thing about this toy is that you can adjust it to your child's age and ability. For a young toddler, you can give them one or two pairs at a time. For a slightly older child, they can do the entire set independently.
Dinosaur Floor Puzzle for Toddlers
Melissa & Doug 24pc Dinosaur Floor Puzzle
This puzzle is made of 24 extra-thick cardboard pieces and measures 2 feet by 3 feet when finished. The picture includes several dinosaurs in a variety of bright colors, along a volcano erupting in the background. It is a great first puzzle set that is easy to use for little ones and it teaches them how to start recognizing how puzzle pieces go together.
Reviewers loved how the puzzle pieces were sturdy and just the right size for toddler hands. Many people said their child would assemble and disassemble the puzzle multiple times in one sitting.
And once your child has mastered this puzzle? They can try flipping all the pieces over and solving it upside-down!
Wooden Dinosaur Puzzles in a Box
Melissa & Doug Wooden Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box
We had a few variations of these Melissa & Doug Puzzles in a Box when the kids were little. The great thing about them is that they're so portable and pack a lot of punch into one small box.
When my oldest daughter was 4 years old and took a gymnastics class, her 2 year old sister would sit in the bleachers with me and do these puzzles week after week.
Another really clever thing is that the puzzle pieces are sorted by shapes on the back. In other words, all the pieces for the triceratops puzzle have a small triangle on the back of the piece, all the stegosaurus pieces have a circle on the back, etc. (You can see what I mean in this photo.)
Not only does this keep the box neat and organized, but it means that putting away the puzzle is an additional sorting activity.
Chunky Wooden Dinosaur Puzzle for Toddlers
Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Chunky Puzzle
Another winner from Melissa & Doug, this makes a great first puzzle because the pieces don't attach to each other, but each piece fits into a space on the board.
Since each puzzle piece is a chunky wooden dinosaur, they can double as little block figures for creative pretend play.
Amazon reviewer Heather C. says:
We LOVE these Melissa and Doug puzzles. We already had one like this with sea creatures which has been a hit with my oldest and now my youngest so we got this one also.
The pieces are large but not too large for little hands to manipulate. I like that when the puzzle pieces are removed there is a picture of the piece underneath. This really helps little ones who are just getting the concept of puzzles to correctly place the pieces.
This puzzle also holds up really well since it is made of wood. Definitely recommend these!
✅ Dinosaur Stuffed Animal Toys
Yes, dinosaurs can be ferocious and scary ... but they can also be your cute and cuddly friend. Here are some stuffed dinosaurs that toddlers and preschoolers will love at bedtime or any time.
Stuffed T-Rex
This big blue guy is Amazon's Choice in the "Life Size Dinosaur" category.
Made by Melissa & Doug, he has bold colors, is super soft, and measures 30 by 9 by 26 inches.
Reviewers loved that this dinosaur was slightly stiff as opposed to flimsy or floppy, making it able to stand up on its own.
AIXINI Giant Stuffed T-Rex Dinosaur (almost 3 feet tall!)
If you're looking for a really BIG green dinosaur toy, this is probably your best bet. Measuring 12 by 19 by 31 inches, it stands at almost 3 feet tall.
Note: Some reviewers said they added some "fluff," as my family calls it, to make this dino stand up better.
Plush Dinosaur House & Carrying Case
Five (5) Stuffed Animal Dinosaur in Play Dinosaur Carrying Case
What a clever idea! This toy is a soft egg-shaped carrying case with a handle for carrying. and a trap door on the bottom (held closed by Velcro) to put dinosaurs back in or get out.
The "egg house" has windows that you put the dinosaur heads through and then the toddler pull them out.
Reviewers loved how this was a quiet toy that could keep toddler happily occupied in the car, in doctors' waiting rooms, or even at church.
Prextex Plush Dinosaurs 4 Pack
Prextex High Quality Plush Dinosaurs 4 Pack
This is a set of 4 stuffed dinosaurs in different colors and styles. Reviewers loved how they were super-cute, high quality, and the perfect size.
JOYIN Realistic Walking Robot Dinosaur Toy
JOYIN Realistic Walking Robot Dinosaur Toy
This realistic dinosaur toy walks, roars, fights, and dances. (Did dinosaurs dance?)
In addition, it has LED lights (red, blue, and green) that light up the clear spikes down the dinosaur's back and also flash in its eyes and tongue.
You'll need 3 AA batteries, which are not included.
OuMuaMua Realistic Plastic Dinosaur Figure Toys
OuMuaMua Realistic Plastic Dinosaur Figure Toys
These plastic dinosaur figures would be great for car and airplane trips and as stocking stuffers, Easter basket fillers, or dinosaur-themed party favors. (They'd also work well as party decorations and cake toppers.)
Since these little dinos can stand up on their own, it's easy for your kids to act out dinosaur stories and adventures.
Note: Be aware that a few reviewers said that some of theses toys had sharp edges.
Dinosaur Books for Toddlers
There are soo many cute dinosaur books out there!
This was one of the first books I ever bought for my oldest child, and we still have it ... somewhere. Not only is it super adorable and funny, but it also helps kids learn about opposites.
Here are some other dinosaur books your toddler or preschooler will love:
Count the Dinosaurs!: A Fun Picture Puzzle Book for 2-5 Year OldsHow Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday?Dinosaur Dance! (Sandra Boynton Board Books)How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?If You Happen to Have a DinosaurPop-up Peekaboo! Baby Dinosaur
More Dinosaur Gift Ideas for Toddlers
A great gift for a dino-loving toddler doesn't have to be a toy. Here are some other fun suggestions.
Trend Lab Children's Plush Dinosaur Chair4 Piece Toddler Bedding SetSkip Hop Toddler Backpack, Zoo Preschool Ages 2-4, DinosaurDinosaur Glow in the Dark Vinyel Wall Decals for Kids
What do toddlers learn from playing with dinosaurs?
Play is about so much more than just a fun, happy way to pass the time when it comes to toddlers. (And frankly, that's true about adults too, but that's a conversation for another day.)
A child with an intense interest in dinosaurs isn't just having a great time. They're also gaining:
- Deeper curiosity & imagination
- A new love and interest in geology and other science topics
- Increased knowledge & memorization skills
- Confidence from "mastering" something seemingly scary
- Improved attention span
Why do toddlers like dinosaurs?
There's actually a psychological, developmental reason why many toddlers are so fascinated by dinosaurs other than just "they're big and cool."
According to this CNN article, Kids ages 3 to 4 go through a period of "hyperfixation," or "imagination-based play." This is when they become interested in things like fairies, unicorns, monsters, and dinosaurs. (Yes, dinosaurs are real, but they seem unreal because they're not a part of our world.)
At this age, kids are just beginning a journey of creating this thing called "self," and one of the ways they do that is to make up stuff in the world they've created.
When did dinosaur toys become popular?
According to Smithsonian Mag, most toy dinosaurs appeared on the market in the 1950s and were driven by popular art at the time -- particularly a 110-foot-long mural by Rudolph Zallinger called The Age of Reptiles. The mural was completed in 1947 and was the first major work showing what dinosaurs might have looked like when they were alive.
Video -- Rudolph Zallinger's Masterpiece, The Age of Reptiles
Lori Symonds says
Excited over the new toys for the grand babies.