Dinosaur ball pits: The 5 best of 2022

My nephews had a ball pit in their room when they were one and two. My brother-in-law hated it, my sister was not a huge fan, but those two boys loved it. They spent hours playing in it.

While ball pits may not be ideal for parents or caregivers, these toys make children happy. And that should be a goal of a parent, no matter how it makes them feel.

Keep reading to find out all about dinosaur ball pits. We have included reviews and a buyer’s guide so you can be certain to pick out the best one for your littles.

Best dinosaur ball pits: our picks

1. wilwolfer 3-Piece Dinosaur Kid’s Play Tent with Ball Pit and Crawl Tunnel

Buy it: From $38, Amazon.com

2. TTLOJ 4-Piece Dinosaur Kid’s Play Tent with Ball Pit and Tunnels Set

Buy it: From $50, Amazon.com

3. Bollepo Dinosaur Play Tent with Ball Pit, Basketball Hoop, and 60 Balls

Buy it: From $30, Amazon.com

4. SISTICKER 3-Piece Dinosaur Kid’s Play Tent with Tunnel and Ball Pit

Buy it: From $33, Amazon.com

5. KIDAMI Dinosaur Ball Pit with 20 Balls

Last but not least, we’ve got this dinosaur ball pit from brand KIDAMI – a product that not only looks and functions great but also ships with 20 balls included, giving you everything you’ll need for your little one to enjoy this pick right out of the box. This dinosaur ball pit is recommended for kids aged 9+ months to 3 years, making this a great choice as your little one’s first ball pit.

This product is best for smaller children, thanks to its size – measuring 20” x 48” – and sit-in design. It also features a load of elements perfect for sensory play, including crackling cheeks, squeaking buttons, mirrors, and softballs with bell sounds. One of the best things about this pick is how easy it is to clean up and put away when it’s not in use – simply zip it up with the balls inside. This product is also kid-friendly and safe, made from non-toxic materials and complying with US domestic toy safety standards. It features high-quality materials and stitching, making it incredibly hard-wearing and durable.

Overall, if you’re shopping for a ball pit specifically for younger toddlers and babies, then this pick for KIDAMI is it. Its small size, sit-in design, and additional sensory elements make this a toy that’s packed full of entertainment for very young children. While it’s not cheap – in fact, at $56, it’s the most expensive pick on our list – it packs a real punch when it comes to all the features it offers, making it pretty good value overall, despite its price tag. It also comes reasonably well-rated, with 18+ verified customers giving this dino ball pit an average rating of 4.5-stars.

Buy it: From $56, Amazon.com

Buying guide for dinosaur ball pits

Think about how many times you may have walked by the ball pit at the mall. Right now, with a pandemic, it may not be an issue because many of them have been removed. But I have walked by and seen children unattended, mouthing the balls, coughing, or sneezing on them. In reality, these ball pits are just huge pits of germs.

It is no wonder that many parents tell their children they are not playing with them. Hard telling how often these are cleaned!

Here we provide information about picking a ball pit for your children, how to clean your ball pit, and much more!

Simple to clean and sanitize

When buying a ball pit, you want it to be easy to clean and sanitize. All balls should be able to be immersed in hot soapy water or a bleach solution. To accurately wash them, use hot soapy water first to eliminate any filth or grime. Then sanitize them with a mixture of bleach (⅓ cup bleach to a gallon of water).

How often you wash the balls will depend on who is using the dinosaur ball pit. If you have younger children that like to put the balls in their mouths or do not know how to cover their coughs or sneezes, you will want to clean them more. Or if you notice the balls are dirty looking, go ahead and clean them. During cold or flu season, it is advised to wash them more often as well.

Younger children may also have fun helping you wash the balls. You can get a stool set up in the sink for them to wipe down with soapy water. Never let a child help with the sanitizing process though.

Another simple way to clean the balls is to toss them in the bathtub with the child. They can wash them with a washcloth while they are taking a bath. Many children will find this activity to be a lot of fun and it can also help children that hate bathtime.

Advantages of owning your ball pit

There are various advantages of owning your ball pit. First, an individual will be able to burn off some energy. This is essential if you have children that have lots of energy they can not seem to get rid of.

Ball pits can help a child strengthen their muscles. They will be grabbing balls, throwing them up in the air, and rolling them to friends.

A child can also do cooperative play in a ball pit. Social skills can also be worked on when two or more children are playing in one.

On the flip side, ball pits can additionally be super relaxing. Children and adults ( if the ball pit is large enough) can lay in the pit and rest.

Number of balls

Something that you need to think of when dealing with space ball pits is how many balls the pit will require. Having too many balls may become aggravating to a child as there will not be enough room to play, but not having enough will bore a child.

First, find out how deep you wish for the balls to be. You will additionally need the radius of the balls the child will be playing with within the pit, along with the square footage of the floor area in the ball pit.

Generally, one can go by this rule: A ball pit that measures 2 feet by 2 feet with balls being one foot deep and possessing a ball radius of 2.5 inches will accommodate approximately 500 balls.

Questions to ask yourself before your purchase

The following questions can be asked before you purchase a dinosaur ball pit. These questions can make sure you obtain the best dinosaur ball pit for your children, family, and space.

• What is the budget that I have to spend on a ball pit?
• How many balls will the ball pit take? Will there be a need to buy additional ones?
• Is it easy to clean?
• How easy would it be for a child to bite a hole or squash the balls?
• Where will I store the ball pit?
• Can it be folded down or deflated for easy storage?
• Am I able to use the ball pit for something else, such as the storage of dinosaur stuffed animals, a reading corner, or something else?

Final thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our reviews and buyer’s guide for dinosaur ball pits. These pits are perfect for any dino-loving child.

Dinosaur ball pits are great for a child to get exercise and develop skills. They can be used indoors or outdoors, and are just fun to have.

A child will appreciate a ball pit more than you know.