Remote control dinosaur toys were, and still are, greatly popular, especially among kids who are 7 years and up. The possibility of having their dino move, roar, make sounds, or even light up, is intriguing for a child.
The great thing is that remote control dinosaur toys are not as expensive as they used to be. And to make things even better their quality and range of functions has improved considerably since then too. So a remote control dino toy can make for a perfect gift for your little one, without breaking your bank.
Here are some of the top picks we found in this range of toys. As you’ll see, these toys are quite affordable, and offer a range of innovative functionality. You’ll also be able to strike the right balance between affordability and features. This will help you decide on whether to opt for a basic toy or spending more for a smart toy.
Best Remote control dinosaur toys: our picks
1. Temi Remote Control Tyrannosaurus Rex
First up our list is this fantastic RC dinosaur toy from Temi – a ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex that packs a punch for features and functions. Not only does this toy move and sound like a real dinosaur, but it also has head-shaking action, is capable of 360-degree rotation stunts, and has a one-press demo mode that will showcase what it can do, to the delight of any children who get to play with it.
Unlike many of the other toys we’ve covered, this one is rechargeable – including a 4.8v, 400mAh battery that provides up to 15 minutes of non-stop playtime on a single charge. Being rechargeable, you’ll save money in the long-run, proving to be far more economical than the throw-away batteries that most other RC dinos use. Like any good parent, you’re concerned with safety. With this product, you can rest assured that, as it’s made from recyclable, non-toxic ABS plastic. It has also been independently certified for both CPSIA and ASTM F963-11, making it BPA-free and 100% kid-safe.
While this toy isn’t cheap – in fact, it’s by far the most expensive remote-controlled dino toy we’ve included on this list – it arguably has the most to offer in terms of features and functionality, including a battle mode. This well-rated, 4.5-star toy is excellent as a gift, being sure to excite and captivate the imagination of whichever kid ends up getting it. If you’ve got the budget to stretch for it, this dinosaur is worth a buy.
Buy it: From $60, Amazon.com
2. JOYIN LED Light Up Remote Control T-Rex
Next up is this super value, LED light-up realistic RC dinosaur toy from Joyin. This interactive dino toy walks and roars, just like a real dino. Your little one will shriek with excitement as this dino stomps around the room, making it a great, inexpensive interactive toy that your child will love. This product is an exceptional buy, offering a lot given its low price.
This RC dino is made from durable, non-toxic BPA-free vinyl and has been independently certified as conforming to all US toy safety standards, including ASTM F963. Its features include a stunning, multi-colored LED light, remote-controlled walking, and head shaking, along with a realistic roar side. Powered by 3x AA batteries, which you’ll need to purchase separately, this impressive dino toy packs a punch and is recommended for kids aged three years and up.
If you’re looking for a full-featured, impressive RC T-Rex for a budget price that won’t break the bank, then this pick for Joyin is it. It’s also incredibly well-rated, scoring an average 4.5-star rating from a whopping 1,666+ reviews, meaning this dino is excellent, and you don’t just have to take our word for it. All-in-all, remote-controlled dinos on a budget don’t come better than this awesome $30 toy.
Buy it: From $30, Amazon.com
3. Advanced Play Dinosaur T-rex Multifunction RC toy
Our next pick is this multi-function T-Rex TC dinosaur toy from Advanced Play. This realistic-looking dinosaur has a life-like appearance, complete with claws, teeth, scales, and more. It also has some of the most impressive functionality of any dino toy on the market, doing everything from move and roar to dance and play music. Recommended for children aged three years and up, your dinosaur-obsessed little one will fall in love with this incredible, value for money toy.
There’s a lot of functionality with this toy. Move it forward or backward, shake its head, move its arms, make it roar, spray mist, or light up. Also, it comes with several preprogrammed songs that can play at the click of a button. This toy is also 100% kid-safe, independently ASTM certified, and made from durable, non-toxic ABS plastic, which is tough enough to stand up to the rough and tumble of play.
This dinosaur toy is excellent. There’s a lot of functionality here, and when we say a lot, we mean it. The remote control that comes with this toy has 12 buttons, with which you can do everything from many this dino shake, move, dance, spray, roar, and play music. This range of functionality is all the more impressive when you consider it retails for just $39 – which, in our view, is a pretty good deal considering what you get. It’s also well-rated, with a 4.5-star rating from 1,352+ ratings, making this RC dino one of the best around.
Buy it: From $39, Amazon.com
4. The Learning Journey ABC Dancing Dino
Next up is this award-winning educational dinosaur toy from The Learning Journey – their ABC Dancing Dino product. This toy has educational and developmental benefits, stimulating tactile motor skills, reaction skills, and helping your little one build self-confidence. This toy is for children aged 2+ years, and is an excellent choice as your child’s first interactive dino. It offers a wide range of playtime possibilities and hours of fun and entertainment.
This toy offers a lot in interaction – arguably more than alternative products recommended for young children, like dinosaur toys from VTech – with it asking your child to answer questions, dance, and explore, controlling the toy with its remote control. It also features auto shut-off, which is good news for parents, and measures 8″ long, 7″ wide, and 9.5″ high. This toy is also kid-friendly and safe, independently safety tested for compliance with all US toy safety regulations. One drawback of this product over others on this list is that it’s battery-powered, not rechargeable, meaning you’ll need 2x AA batteries – the first of which come in the box.
If your child is still very young, this toy is an excellent option as their first remote-controlled dino toy. The level of interaction it offers will engage and captivate your child while developing essential skills and providing a range of educational benefits. Well-rated, with an average 4.5-star rating from 380+ reviews, and affordable, at just $35 – you can’t go wrong with this pick for your little one.
Buy it: From $35, Amazon.com
5. Discovery Kids RC Triceratops
Now, if you’re someone looking for an interactive RC dinosaur toy on a budget, the RC Triceratops from Discovery Kids could be it. This wireless, LED infrared remote-controlled toy packs a punch for the low-price tag, a realistic, life-like dino toy with textured skin and fully-articulated arms and legs, which enable it to move around realistically. It also features a range of sound effects, including dinosaur roars – which will excite and captivate your little one as they play with this impressive, inexpensive dino toy.
This 9” tall dinosaur toy brings the prehistoric world to life and will capture the imagination of your little one as it roars and moves around the room. It features a realistic-looking, hard-peddled skin, articulated movements, more realistic motion, and light-up eyes. There are also two modes; two-way steering, enabling you to move the dinosaur backward and forwards, or auto-mode, allowing the toy to roam around as it pleases. This toy requires 5 AAA batteries, which aren’t included in the box, so you’ll need to pick these up separately.
In conclusion, if you’re searching for a remote-controlled dinosaur on a budget, it doesn’t get better than this. Retailing at just $12 and coming from a reputable, well-known brand, this product is affordable, functional, and high-quality. It’s also well-rated, scoring an average rating of 4-stars from an impressive 1,634+ ratings, demonstrating the quality of this low-cost RC dino toy.
Buy it: From $12, Amazon.com
6. FUN LITTLE TOYS Remote Control Dinosaur Toy
Finally, this cute remote control dinosaur from Fun Little Toys is designed for younger children, recommended for those aged three years and up. It walks, dances, roars, and sings, making it packed full of features and functionality that will capture your little one’s imagination and provide them with hours of fun. What’s unique about this pick is its ability to spray mist – fill it with water and, at the touch of a button, watch the air around it steam as it roars.
In the box, you’ll find a remote control with an impressive range of 33ft. With this control, your child can make the dino move forward and backward, left and right, as well as command it to sing, turn in circles, and dance, with four pre-programmed cheerful songs playing at random. You can also control this toy with hand gestures, as it has a sensor built-in to its head, adding a further level of interactivity that once your little one gets the hang of, they’ll love. While this toy is rechargeable using a USB cable, the remote control isn’t, requiring 4x AAA batteries, which you’ll need to purchase separately.
If you’re looking for your toddler’s very first robot dinosaur toy, this one is a great choice. Feature-rich and inexpensive, at just $26, this well-rated 4.5-star RC dino offers a wealth of interactive play, giving your child hours of fun at an affordable price. Overall, this toy is pretty good and worthwhile considering for your next toy purchase.
Buy it: From $26, Amazon.com
Buying guide for remote control dinosaur toys
Quality
When it comes to buying any toy you will want to be careful to choose a good quality toy. This includes both the safety of the materials used, as well as their level of durability.
Needless to say, toys are subjected to lots of bumps, falls and other rigorous movement. So they will need to be as durable as possible. As a general rule of thumb non-toxic BPA free vinyl is considered to be a good material for most toys. You should also check that the particular toy conforms with safety standards.
Functions
What is this remote control dinosaur toy you are considering to buy for your kid capable of doing? Is it only able to walk around? Or can it snap it’s mouth open and shut? Turn around, shake its head, tail or wings? Or maybe even dance around a bit too?
Be aware that remote control toys are not as interactive as higher priced smart and robotic dinosaur toys. However, you’ll still be able to find a remote controlled dinosaur toy that can satisfy your little one’s expectations.
Lights and sounds
The more sounds and lights the dino can make, the more captivating it is likely to be. Lights and sounds are important buying factors, as they add to a remote-controlled dinosaur toy’s interactivity.
While RC dinos aren’t fully fledged smart toy, they can still fascinate your kid with lighting and sound effects. This will also help to make the dino more realistic looking and interesting.
Small parts
Beware of toys that contain small, removable parts. These – if they can be easily removed – could present a danger to younger children.
Ease of use
Your child will want a toy that he can operate on his own without any difficulty. You cannot give him a remote controlled toy that is not easy to use. This is especially true for toys with complicated remote controls which will discourage them playing with it.
Additional features
More advanced remote controlled dinosaur toys also come with touch sensitivity features and custom programming possibilities. These obviously impact price, making them more expensive than a basic RC toy or simple walking dinosaur toy.
You may wish to consider carefully whether your child is still too young to be interested in such functionalities. This is because for younger children, it may not be worthwhile to spend more for these functions unnecessarily.
Final thoughts
Any electronic dinosaur toy will intrigue a child. Luckily, technological advancements have meant that toys are even more fascinating these days.
It’s important not to get carried away when shopping around for remote controlled toys. It is easy to do, as there are so many options on market at various price points.
Set a budget and compare what functionalities different remote controlled toys offer before choosing. Always bear in mind your kid’s age so as to make a good buying decision based mainly on that.