Dinosaurs are the sun, moon, and stars to our son. Dinosaur books, dinosaur toys, dinosaur puzzles, dinosaur fossil kits, dinosaur anything: he’s interested in them all!

If you have a dinosaur loving child of any age on your holiday gift-giving list, you’ll want to check out my curated list of our favorite dinosaur gift ideas.

One piece of advice as a parent: please pay attention to the age recommendations for each gift. There’s nothing more frustrating for a child than being given a gift that there are not yet ready for, and therefore can’t play with.

Best Dinosaur Toy and Gift Ideas

Disclosure: For your convenience this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here. 

Dinosaur Games and Puzzles

Walking T-Rex Dinosaur Wooden Puzzle

First, children build this 3-D T-Rex puzzle, which has 85 pieces. According to Amazon reviews, the pieces are labeled, making it easier to put together. Once built, it will walk and roar when you clap, providing additional play. It does require 3 AA batteries, which are not included, so pick up a set to include with your gift. (Recommended for ages 6 – 12).

Dinosaur Escape Cooperative Board Game

In the Dinosaur Escape board game, players work together to help three dinosaurs escape from a volcano before it erupts. Our 4 year old will be receiving this at Christmas; he seems especially interested because the game includes dinosaur figures. I like the fact that Peaceable Kingdom games can be played fairly quickly, as preschoolers’ attention spans are short. (Recommended for ages 4 – 7).

Wooden Dinsaur Puzzle 6 pack

This 6 pack of puzzles can be completed either in their frames or standing upright. A cute gift bag is included. (Recommended for ages 2 – 5).

Dinosaur to go 36 piece puzzle

This fun 36 piece puzzle featuring young kids’ favorite dinosaurs is easy to transport thanks to the cloth bag that comes with it. (Recommended for ages 3 – 6)

Melissa and Doug 12 Piece Wooden Dinosaur Puzzles (Four Puzzles in Box)

This set of 4 dinosaur puzzles, with 12 pieces each, would be a great gift to give a child who will be traveling, since it fits so compactly in the wooden box. Each puzzle features a different dinosaur: T Rex, stegosaurus, triceratops, and apatosaurus. (Recommended for ages 3 – 5).

Ravensburger The Time of Dinosaurs 100 Piece Puzzle

With 100 pieces, this prehistoric scene is an ideal puzzle for an early elementary aged child. (Recommended for ages 6+).

Related Post: Gift Ideas for Global Kids

Dinosaur Book Gift Ideas

Dinosaur Rap singalong book + Dancing Dinos dominos game

Our five year old loves singing along and moving to the music in this hip-hopped theme singalong book with CD from Barefoot Books. He’s quickly memorized the chorus, and it inspires a lot of pretend play in our house. The Dancing Dinos domino game is a perfect first game for preschool children that builds early math and science skills.  (Recommended for ages 3 – 7).

The Great Big Dinosaur Treasury collection of 8 dinosaur stories

Purchase from Amazon | Purchase from Bookshop

We purchased this collection of humorous dinosaur stories recently and love it. With 8 imaginative, playful stories that were originally published as individual books, it’s a great value. Our 4 year old’s favorite tale is Ridin’ Dinos with Buck Bronco. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8).

DK Eyewitness Books: Dinosaur

Purchase from Amazon | Purchase from Bookshop

If you have an elementary aged child who is interested in nothing but the facts (and fascinating, realistic illustrations) about dinosaurs, the quality of DK Eyewitness Books is unmatched. This book covers topics such as how dinosaurs evolved and went extinct, what we can learn about a dinosaur’s diet from fossils, and what their skin and feathers were like. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12).

Thesaurus Rex

Children will be so engaged by this playful little dinosaur’s adventures that they won’t even realize they’re building their vocabulary at the same time! Follow along as he “slithers, skids, glides, and slides” his way through his day. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)

Dinosaur Fossil Activities and Kits

Safari Limited Dinosaur Skulls TOOB

We have so many of the Safari TOOBs at our house because they are great for many different kinds of play: imaginative play, Montessori inspired activities, discovery bottles and more. This Dinosaur Skulls TOOB would be a perfect for a stocking stuffer. You might want to pair them with kinetic sand so that the child can pretend to dig up the fossil skulls. (Recommended for ages 3 – 8).

Related Post: Gift Guide: Best Picture Books for Every Interest

Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex

Future paleontologists will enjoy using the tools included in this Smithsonian kit to unearth the dinosaur bones, which can then be assembled into a T-Rex. This is a fun and messy activity which you’ll want to do outdoors or somewhere that you won’t mind bits of the crumbly “rock” getting everywhere (the “rock” will wash out of clothes thankfully.)

Please note the age recommendation as in my experience, preschool-aged children do not have the hand strength to use the tools included to excavate the dinosaurs. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12).

Related Post: Best Educational Toys and Gifts for 3 and 4 year olds under $35

Dinosaur Toys

LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaurs

Kids can use this LEGO set to build either a T-Rex, triceratops, or pterodactyl, all of which have moving body parts. Our son received three of these sets as birthday gifts, which was perfect because then he could make each of his models play (gently) with each other. (Recommended for ages 6 – 12)

Neat-Oh! Dinosaur Toy Box and Play Set

This kit is a dinosaur habitat play mat that folds up into a toy box, perfect for the child who already has quite a few dinosaurs and needs a fun way to store them. It also comes with two 5 inch dinosaurs. The toy box itself should hold around 150 dinosaurs of a similar size. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7).

Prextex Plushlings T Rex and Hatchlings

How adorable are these 5 plush dinos that come inside a large plush T Rex carrier? This set includes a T-Rex, brontosaurus, spinosaurus, triceratops, and a stegosaurus. This makes a great play set to take on a trip! (Recommended for ages 2 – 6)

Boley 40 Piece Bucket of Dinosaurs

This 40+ piece dinosaur set is one of the first dinosaur gifts our son received, and he still loves to play with the dinosaurs, trees, volcanoes, and rocks a year and a half later. It is a great starter set for a child who wants a large quantity of dinosaurs. (Recommended for ages 3 – 8).

Schleich T Rex

I recommend anything made by Schleich because their toys are of the highest quality. The adult T-Rex in this set has a mouth that opens and closes. All of their toys are hand painted, with incredible attention to detail. (Recommended for ages 3 – 10).

Melissa and Doug Giant Plush T-Rex

This giant plush dinosaur is perfect for the preschooler who wants a T-Rex big enough to snuggle with. It stands up on its hind legs too – if you can persuade your child to let go of it! (Recommended for ages 3 – 6)

Do you know a child who loves dinosaurs? What are their favorite toys, books, or activities? Share in the comments!