Speech and Language Tips and Tricks

The Best Dinosaur Toys For Toddlers

The Best Dinosaur Toys For Toddlers

Including Language Development & Learning Tips!


My kids were both obsessed with dinosaurs when they were younger.
However, it can be a challenge to find age appropriate dinosaur toys for toddlers.
Many dinosaur toys for toddlers are geared towards older children. But don’t worry, I have you covered.
The toys I will be sharing with you are appropriate for children between the ages of 2 and 4.
Keep in mind that some of the toys will have a manufacturer’s age recommendation of 3+, but this does not mean your 2 year old can’t play with them.

You as the parent know your child best, so use your judgment when choosing a toy.

Dinosaur toys are wonderful for speech–language development and learning.
I will give some language and learning tips (when applicable) along with each toy to help you play with your child.
At the end of the article you will also find some wonderful books for your little dino lover!


Learning Resources Jumbo Dinosaurs 2

These jumbo dinosaurs are great for little hands.
They are washable and made with non–toxic, lightweight plastic!
Your little one can pretend with these for hours. You can get an idea of their size based on the picture.
This set also comes with an activity guide!


Tips for language and learning

Size Concepts
Sort the dinosaurs according to size.
Talk about which is the biggest and which is the smallest.
Point out the dinosaur with the long neck and find the ones with short necks.

Colors
Name the color of the dinosaur.

Body Parts
Label the parts of the dinosaurs – eyes, nose, neck, tail, feet, mouth

Descriptive Words
Pointy, bumpy, sharp, smooth

Dinosaur Dig
If you have a sandbox/table bury the dinosaurs and have your toddler dig them up.
Talk about what you will need for the dig (shovel and pail).

Erupting Volcano
You can set this up in the sandbox where the dinosaurs are hiding.
Fill a bottle with water and baking soda and then pile sand up around it so it looks like a volcano (make sure to leave the top of the bottle exposed).
Then add some vinegar and watch the volcano erupt.
Use words such as volcano, eruption, lava, hot, etc.


ZipBin 160 Dinosaur Collector Toy Box & Playset

This toy box also doubles as a play mat to extend the dinosaur play time. Simply unzip the sides and the box unfolds. Fold and zip it back up for dinosaur storage!
Use the play mat and engage your child by pretending the dinosaurs are running, swimming, eating, etc.
There is the option to purchase this dinosaur toy box with dinosaurs.
But if you already have a lot of those, then just get the box and use the playmat with your existing dinosaurs.


Kidtastic Dinosaur Take Apart Toys

This adorable dinosaur take apart toys are perfect for children ages 3+.
These toys are packed with STEM learning opportunities too!


Tips for language and learning

Matching
Match the correct body parts to each dinosaur

Front/Back
Your little one can learn which part is the front of the dinosaur and which is the back. Put them together and make a whole dinosaur.

Colors
Each dinosaur is made up of a few different colors. Talk about the colors with your child.
For example, say to your child “I have a blue dinosaur leg, can you find the other blue leg?”

Fine Motor Skills
Practice fine motor skills by using the small screwdrivers to take apart and put together each dinosaur.

Problem Solving
Your child needs to figure out which body part goes with which dinosaur, building memory and problem solving skills!


Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Chunky Puzzle

I absolutely love all of the Melissa & Doug Wooden Chunky Puzzles.
They are a go to toy for encouraging language development in young children.
In addition to talking about the dinosaur names, here are some other things you can do with this puzzle.


Tips for language and learning

Counting
Count each of the dinosaurs

Pretend Play
These puzzle pieces stand upright and therefore can be used as if they were dinosaur figures.
The dinosaurs can go on different adventures everyday!

Matching
Each cutout has a picture of the matching dinosaur.
So if your child is struggling to match the outline of the dinosaur to the cutout, encourage him to look for the matching picture.

Hand Eye Coordination

Simple Phrases
Put all of the puzzle pieces in a bag or box.
Take turns picking a puzzle piece.
Encourage your child to say something like “I pick (one)” or “my turn”


Plush Dinosaur House by Unipak

If you have read some of my other articles you will know that I am a big fan of stuffed animals for toddlers.
Not all children will become attached to them, but they make great playmates.
This plush dinosaur house (I think it is supposed to be an egg or a cave) comes with 5 soft and lovable dinosaurs.
The “house” can be used to store the dinosaurs and is great for travel! And everything is washable!


Tips for language and learning

Prepositions
Talk about putting dinosaurs “in” the house and then take them “out” of the house.
They can crawl “through” the holes as well!
The dinosaurs can also get in and out of the house through a flap that lifts at the back.

Colors

Body Parts
These dinosaurs have teeth!

Use your imagination
Perhaps there is a mother, father and children. Talk about what they might eat.
Are they friendly dinosaurs or scary ones? Maybe one of your child’s other non–dinosaur stuffed animals/toys would like to visit the dinos.


Educational Insights Dino Construction Company

If you have a future builder and dinosaur enthusiast this collection will find a perfect place in your home!
Choose from a variety of different dinosaur construction vehicles including:

  • Wrecker the T–Rex Skid Loader
  • Boom the Brachiosaurus Backhoe
  • Helix the Stegosaurus Cement Mixer
  • Rocko the Styracosaurus Dump Truck
  • And many others

Use these vehicles indoors or out!
Some even leave dinosaur tracks when pushed around in the sand, so take them on your next beach vacation!
So many language opportunities are possible with these vehicles! Combine dinosaur vocabulary with construction vocabulary!


Dinosaur Play Sand Kit

Kids love sand and dinosaurs which makes this set very appealing.
This kit is perfect for small spaces. It comes with 34 pieces and 2lbs of sand
If using indoors simply put an old sheet or table cloth underneath to avoid having the sand go everywhere.


Tips for language and learning

Vocabulary
Sand, trees, dinosaur (specific names if child is interested), color labels, fence

Prepositions
Up, down, in, out, up, under (the sand), over (the fence)

Actions
Stomp, jump, dig, eat, push (push down on the dinosaur mold)


Dinosaur Books For Toddlers

These dinosaur books are sure to be a hit!
And it’s a fun way to learn so more amazing facts about dinosaurs but at a level that young children can learn from!

Here are a few of my favorites.


Melissa & Doug Children’s Book – Poke–A–Dot: Dinosaurs A To Z (Board Book with Buttons To Pop)
Interactive books such as this one are a great way to get young kids more involved in book reading.
Some of the facts in this book are a bit advanced, but this makes it a great book to keep on the bookshelf for many years!


How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
This book will make for a great goodnight story!
While your child won’t learn specific facts about dinosaurs it should help make the bedtime routine go a bit more smoothly, especially if your little one aspires to be a big stomping dino!

Here are even more dinosaur toys that are perfect for children between the ages of 2 and 4! I have hand picked these toys with your child’s development in mind!

I hope that this guide has helped you find some quality dinosaur toys for toddlers.

Do you have a dinosaur enthusiast in your family? What are some of his/her favorite dinosaur toys? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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