Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
The dinosaurs and the tools don’t feel incredibly sturdy…so we aren’t sure if these dinosaurs will ever secure hand-me-down status.
If that’s not enough to teach the power of hard work, the set also includes two manual screwdrivers to put the pieces together. Our biggest issue is that there weren’t any instructions. We were left wondering if we could switch body parts for the dinos or if there was a way to use the wrench that we didn’t realize. An instruction book with images would’ve been helpful. For the true dino enthusiast, this remote-controlled T-Rex does it all. It makes noise and even sprays steam for a more intense playtime experience. This 23-inch T-Rex can respond to some half-dozen commands, including walk, shake head, roar, and spray steam. The remote control also plays music and controls volume. Editor's Note (September 2023): This product review was originally written and published in 2019. To make sure we are still recommending the best products for your needs, we recently reviewed this story to make sure it is still accurate and that we stand by what we wrote. Despite newer models and options being available, we still feel confident that this product is one of the best choices, and therefore have included it in The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds.Letting your young kids make the animal noises themselves helps with language development and creativity. “Children learn everything at a young age through play,” says Nuernberger. “Whatever toys you have for your child, the most important thing is to get down to their level and interact and engage with them and the toys.” ToyVelt’s Take Apart Dinosaurs are meant for children ages 3 and up and are designed to help them develop problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience. We saw firsthand how our son’s hand-eye coordination improved after using the screwdriver just a few times. And unlike the fossil kit (see above), this set is designed for play, with movable joints, including a working mouth. And as for that T-Rex that says rawr, here’s good news for parents and caregivers: When it comes to speech and language development for younger kids, toys that make noise are not the best option. Yes, you heard us right.
Even better, the boat can float, so kids bring the toy in the bath or play with it while using a water table for a more creative experience.
The set includes 12 acrylic paints and two brushes for your paleontologist-turned-artist to decorate the dinos before creating a prehistoric scene, complete with artificial grass, a virgin forest (like those from pre-human times), and two display boxes.
Users are impressed with this set’s versatility. For example, for a 3-in-1 set, each dinosaur requires its own build, while other multi-use sets might have a main build and then smaller add-ons or adjustments. Kids (or kids with their grown-ups) will build a 1:32-scale Tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, and pteranodon, with the T-Rex measuring 15 inches long and 7 inches tall. The finished pieces sit on their own labeled stands for display or play, along with two Lego mini figures: a paleontologist for role-playing and a skeleton (with the label “Lego sapiens”) for laughs. Is there anything for which Lego doesn’t have a set? This 910-piece kit is a challenge for older kids but makes for a good rainy- or snowy-day family activity. It’s unique, too, in the fact that it features dinosaur bones versus the “living” animal, for a museum-style display. We found that our 3 year old son, who is at the minimum age for these Take Apart Dinosaurs, was far more interested in sliding the dinosaurs around on the floor than actually taking them apart and rebuilding them. Thankfully, we anticipated that might happen, so we did a little prep work before introducing him to this toy. We kept four dinosaurs in the box and brought out just one matching pair. Then, we took one apart and left one intact so he could see what he would be building. That first build was really fun and kept him totally engaged. However, once it was built, he had no interest in taking apart any other dinosaurs. This set features two raptors attempting to escape the reigns of enemy explorers. A little dark—not to mention anachronistic—but kiddos can rescue the dinosaurs and trap the hunters in the cage.
The ToyVelt Take Apart Dinosaur set is a good choice for any child who loves to tinker or is in a major dinosaur phase. For the younger crowd, it’s best as a parent-led activity, but for older kids, these dinos could provide hours of entertainment. Simple toys that do not have fancy lights, music, or movement are great because they are versatile,” says Liz Nuernberger, M.A., CCC-SLP, a pediatric speech-language pathologist. “You choose what you want to do with them, and it gives you a chance to use your imagination.” Since the Dinosaur Take Apart toys come apart completely, you can ensure they are thoroughly clean. The best way we’ve found to do it is to take apart the dinosaurs and put the parts in a sink full of warm soapy water. We then let them air dry on a big towel. If your little one wants to get in on the action, giving the dinosaurs a bath can be a fun game in itself. Plus, quiet toys are easier on parents’ and caregivers’ ears. That’s not to say toys that make noise or have screens are a hard no. “Believe me, as a parent, [I agree] there is a place for these,” says Nuernberger. “Just make sure you’re interacting with your child. For example, you can narrate what they’re doing and expand on what the toy is doing or saying.” How We Selected
Great Deal 
New Comment