Clay dinosaur kits: The 7 best of 2022
Do you remember in elementary school playing with clay for art? Or being able to stay in for recess when it was super cold out and the teacher allowing you to play with clay?
Those were such fun times. For some reason, clay was a lot of fun to squish and mold. It was a chance to make whatever you wanted while having something squish through your fingers.
Here we will look at various clay dinosaur kits on the market. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide for these kits on why these dinosaur kits are a great idea for kids.
Table of Contents
Best clay dinosaur kits: our picks
1. Creativity for Kids Dinosaur Figures with Modeling Clay Kit
First up, we’ve got this dinosaur modeling clay kit from Creativity for Kids – one of a range of three different kits, the other two featuring mythical creatures and glow-in-the-dark turtle themes. With this kit, you’ll be able to complete a fun, creative activity with your kids, bringing to life one of three dinosaur skeletons – either T-Rex, Triceratops or Stegosaurus. This clay dinosaur kit is the perfect solution to an afternoon with nothing to do, offering a quick and easy activity for kids aged five years and up that doesn’t require much effort or break the bank.
In the box, you’ll find everything that you’ll need – including 3x plastic dinosaur skeletons, five different colors of clay – red, blue, green, yellow, and purple – along with a set of molding tools and googly eyes needed to complete your dino creations. Everything here is kid-friendly and safe, with only non-toxic materials that either meet or exceed US safety standards used. Another great thing about this set is that it’s award-winning, having achieved the 2018 ASTRA ‘best toys for kids’ away. So you can be sure that this pick offers plenty of quality.
Overall, this product is excellent – it’s from a reputable, award-winning manufacturer and is one of the most affordable dinosaur clay kits around, with a retail price of just $15 – making it an absolute bargain. And don’t just take our word for it – with an average star rating of 4.5-stars from a whopping 2,268+ verified customer reviews, this product is hands-down one of the best-rated dinosaur modeling clay craft kits on the market.
Buy it: From $15, Amazon.com
2. UNGLINGA Create Your Own Air Dry Clay Dinosaur Figures Kit
Up next, we have the create your own air dry clay dinosaur figures kit from UNGLINGA – a kit that’s quite different from many of the others on this list. The first thing you’ll notice about this kit is that it’s a 2-for-1, with the set using 3D wooden dinosaur puzzles instead of the typical plastic dinosaur skeletons that so many other similar kits included. Another key difference is the type of clay this kit uses – being more permanent than the modeling clay found in other kits, as it drys and sets after you’ve made your dino creation.
In the box, you’ll find 2x 3D puzzles – a T-Rex and a Stegosaurus – 12x air dry model clay, in six different colors, 2x pairs of googly eyes, and an instruction booklet to help you put it all together. Everything in the set is safe and non-toxic; however, it’s important to be aware that this one is recommended for children aged three years and up due to several small parts.
All in all, this product from UNGLINGA offers a lot of value. With two activities in one for just $14 – that’s a lot of entertainment for your money. We love the use of a 3D puzzle over the usual plastic skeletons, adding a unique touch to this kit. This one also boasts a pretty good rating, scoring an average of 4.5-stars from some 923+ verified customer reviews.
Buy it: From $14, Amazon.com
3. Toyvelt Clay Dinosaur Toys Set for Kids
The next product on our list is the Clay Dinosaur Toys Set from Toyvelt. This brand that makes a wide range of different kids toys and products, including things like dinosaur take apart toys, pull back cars, and dinosaur race tracks, to name just a few. As you would expect, everything in the set is non-toxic, safe, and easy on young, sensitive skin.
In the set, you’ll find a total of 51 different pieces – offering plenty of fun, play, and value for money. These pieces, including dinosaur figures, molding tools, and other accessories, are just as good to use with dinosaur play-doh, not just the modeling clay included in the set. Everything also comes in a handy carry case, making this product great for use at home or on the road. It’s also easy to pack everything up and take with you on vacation.
Overall, this product is probably the best pick for younger kids, requiring less fine motor skills to enjoy fully. This is different to many of the other dinosaur clay kits on the market, which need a little more dexterity, making them better for older adults kids. The set is also pretty good value for money – retailing south of $20 – and benefits from an average rating of 4.5-stars from an impressive 976+ verified customer reviews.
Buy it: From $19, Amazon.com
4. Dan&Darci Create Your Own Dino Models with Modeling Clay
Our next entry is the create your own dino models with a modeling clay kit from Dan&Darci, a kit that contains everything you’ll need to build your own bright, colorful models of all your little one’s favorite dinos. Dan&Darci makes all kinds of great dinosaur products, many of which we’ve covered in our other buying guides, including dinosaur egg toys, dinosaur squishies, and even dinosaur terrariums, all of which are well-made and affordable.
In the box, you’ll find 4x dinosaur skeleton figures – including Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and T-Rex – 6 different colors of modeling clay, 3x sculpting tools, 4x dinosaur stands, 4x dinosaur information cards, and an instruction guide. This product is excellent either for solo play or with friends at a playdate or as a party activity. It’s also a great, simple way to introduce your little ones to STEM with a fun, simple paleontology project.
All-in-all, this product is pretty nice. Well-designed and packaged, this dinosaur clay modeling kit from Dan&Darci makes the perfect, inexpensive gift for the dinosaur-obsessed child in your life. It also benefits from a good average rating of 4.5-stars, from some 477+ customer ratings – which goes some way to demonstrate the quality of this affordable, fun activity product.
Buy it: From $20, Amazon.com
5. Creative Kids Dinosaur Craft Kit for Kids
Build and create three of your favorite dinos with this 3D clay modeling kit from Creative Kids, which comes fully packed with everything you’ll need to make your very own T-Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus models. Unlike many of the other kits on our list, which use plastic dinosaur skeleton toys – this kit from Creative Kids uses 3D dinosaur puzzles, making this activity a 2-in-1, being part puzzle, part clay modeling set.
The set is packed full of creativity, with the box including 3x 3D wooden dinosaur puzzles, 3x sculpting tools, 15x colorful containers of air-dry clay, 6x googly eyes, and a set of instructions to help you put it all together. There’s a lot here for the money – enough to keep your little dino enthusiast entertained for several hours – making for a great, fun activity to complete either independently or as a family, at days spent at home.
While this kit isn’t the cheapest on our list – retailing for around $25, it’s on the pricier side – it’s one of the most varied, offering two activities for the price of one – a 3D puzzle and clay modeling activity. This set also benefits from a good review, scoring an average rating of 4.5-stars from 357+ customer reviews.
Buy it: From $25, Amazon.com
6. JOYIN Dino Egg Dig and Clay Kit
Our next pick is from JOYIN, and it’s the brand’s huge dinosaur egg dig and clay kit – a kit that is made up of 58 different pieces, offering plenty of fun for your little ones. JOYIN is another brand we’ve covered extensively on our site, featuring many of their products in several of our other buying guides and reviews. Their product range includes everything from dinosaur bubble machines and dinosaur truck toys to electronic toys like walking dinosaurs and RC dino toys.
In the box, you’ll find 12x clay eggs complete with dinosaur fossil figures, 12x excavation tools, 12x modeling clay packs, 12x plastic dinosaur figures, 12x dinosaur flashcards, and an instruction manual explaining how to use all the kits various pieces. Everything in this product is 100% kid-safe, being made from premium quality, non-toxic materials that meet or exceed all US toy safety standards. There really is a lot here, with this set being perfect for a dinosaur-themed birthday party or play date.
Overall, this kit is huge – and at just $23, it offers some of the best value for money of any product on this list. It also benefits from a pretty good rating, scoring an average of 4.5-stars from some 233+ verified customer reviews. There’s a lot here, and this kit will provide you and your children hours of dino fun.
Buy it: From $23, Amazon.com
7. AllwaySmart Kids Dinosaur Modeling Clay Kit
Last but not least is this dinosaur modeling clay kit from AllwaySmart – a set that includes everything you’ll need to create six clay dinosaurs. This set from AllwaySmart is recommended for kids aged between four and eight years old, making it a good choice for younger school-age children.
Included in this set are six dinosaur skeleton toys – 2x Stegosaurus, 2x Triceratops, 2x T-Rex – 1lb of modeling clay, and several sculpting tools. The great thing about this kit is that it uses soft clay, which is designed not to dry out – meaning that unlike many of the sets on this list that use air-dry clay, this one is reusable, providing far more opportunity for replay. As you’d expect, everything here is non-toxic and kid-safe, conforming to ASTM D-4326, giving parents that all-important peace of mind.
All-in-all, this set is pretty good – and while it’s somewhat expensive, with a retail price of around $27 – it does feature non-dry clay, making it reusable. This offers much greater value over time than many of the alternative air dry clay dinosaur kits. This one also comes well-rated, scoring an average star rating of 4.5 from 209+ verified customer reviews.
Buy it: From $27, Amazon.com
Buying guide for clay dinosaur kits
Many kids know what play dough is, but they might not have ever really heard about clay. Clay dinosaur kits give children a chance to experience something similar to dinosaur play-doh, but still provides a slightly different opportunity to create something.
Clay dinosaur kits are a lot of fun for various ages. Young children can get into the fun just as teenagers and adults can.
If you are ready to learn all about clay dinosaur kits, keep reading.
Who are clay dinosaur kits for?
Exactly who are clay dinosaur kits for? Well, they can be for anyone that loves dinosaurs or who loves to work with clay!
Many boys will be excited to have the chance to sculpt their dinosaur, but little girls may also be interested. There are no set rules on who can use a clay dinosaur kit.
Fine motor skills
When kids use a clay dinosaur kit, they’re using their fine motor skills to create their very own dinosaur toy. A child will have to knead, roll, cut, shape, and define their clay to take shape into their lizard. They may have to pick up objects to add fine details, such as a toothpick.
Creativity
Children love to be able to express their creativity. That is why clay dinosaur kits are so amazing. With these kits, a child can mold a dinosaur however they desire. Perhaps they will look at a dinosaur book before constructing their dinosaur. Or maybe they will research on the internet first.
Even if they have looked at books or pictures, a child can still create their dinosaur masterpiece out of clay. Maybe they will take the head off a brontosaurus and add the horns as a triceratops has. Perhaps they will add spikes like a stegosaurus, and make the arms short like a T-rex. Whatever the child decides to do is perfect because creativity and imagination are great to use at any age.
Word party
One great idea when using clay is to talk about how it feels. There are several works that perhaps a child may not know, or if they have heard of them, may not understand how to use them correctly.
Some of these words include smooth, stiff, slippery, squishy, silky, velvety, spongy, delicate, pliable, flexible, mushy, and cushiony.
Social skills
To go along with words, your child can improve their social skills when using a clay dinosaur kit. It doesn’t matter if they’re working on a kit with their younger or older brother, a parent, aunt, best friend, or teacher, the child is learning how to work beside someone. This practice allows a child to work on their social skills by collaborating on ideas that could be used to make a dinosaur with the clay.
Clay is a great medium to use if children are out of their comfort zones. The clay can help to reassure them while they are talking to those they are working with.
Hand-eye coordination
When a child uses clay dinosaur kits, they can hone in on their hand-eye coordination. Not only will they use their hands, they’ll also use tools to make a dinosaur tail or cut out eyes.
Playtime
While you may not think about it, clay dinosaur kits can promote playtime. You might think that sounds silly, but it is true. Many children simply do not know how to play by themselves.
How can this be true, you ask? Well, if a child is an only child, and the mom and dad play with them all the time, the child may not know how to play alone. Or for some children, they are not given the chance to play. Instead, they are stuck in front of a TV to watch or a computer to play games on.
But when you give a child some clay, they can learn how to play by themselves. Ask them to build you something, and eventually, they will. While it may be hard at first, once they get into it, they’ll quickly see how much fun modelling is.
Final thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed our reviews and buyer’s guide for clay dinosaur kits. You’ll now be able to look at a clay kit and understand why these make excellent gifts or are just great to have around the house.
Dinosaur clay kits are great for a child to use their imagination and creativity. They can be used alone or with a group of people. The clay will promote a child’s fine motor skills as well as their hand-eye coordination. And they will also be learning new words to go along with it too.
Now get ready to have a ton of fun as you begin creating a clay dinosaur for yourself.