Best books for children who love dinosaurs

Dino-phase incoming? Whether your little one is just learning to roar or already pronouncing Parasaurolophus like a pro, these joyful, fact-checked, and gloriously hands-on Usborne picks will feed that fascination, while gently building early literacy, fine-motor skills, and curiosity. Below you’ll find a simple age-by-age guide for parents and caregivers to help you discover the best books for your little ones.

Babies & toddlers (6-36 months): sensory play and big giggles

Start with sound, touch, and rhythm. Don’t Tickle the Dinosaur! is irresistibly tactile. All you have to do is press the fuzzy patches to hear dinosaur sounds, then dance along to the noisy finale. It’s a perfect lap book to encourage cause-and-effect, listening, and language play.

For cuddle-heavy storytimes, Dinosaurs Love Hugs uses chunky, curved pages and simple, reassuring text to show that even the spikiest creatures crave a squeeze, which is great for naming feelings and bonding routines.

Planning ahead for your dino-fan’s second birthday and beyond? Feed your Dinosaur (a wheel-turning novelty book) invites little hands to offer silly “snacks” and watch the reaction. This is a delightful way to practise turn-taking and fine-motor control. (Coming August 2026.)

Preschool & Kindergarten (ages 4-6): pop-ups, building, and early problem-solving

When attention spans lengthen, dial up interaction. Who Let the Dinosaurs Out? is a riotous pop-up book where dinos leap from cupboards and fridges; the final spread earns gasps in storytime circles and sparks loads of vocabulary talk.

Prefer something crafty and screen-free? Slot-together Dinosaurs is a clever book-plus-models hybrid: punch out sturdy pieces and build five favourite species, each with a mini fact file. It’s sneaky STEM, and encourages children to follow instructions! 

For longer sit-down sessions, Big Activity Book Dinosaurs packs mazes, matching, counting, stickers and press-outs into one mega workbook, which is perfect for rainy-day focus or travel trays. (Coming February 2026.)

Early elementary (ages 6-9): facts, puzzles, and art!

Curious kids love discoveries with a side of challenge. Lots of Things to Know About Dinosaurs serves up short, surprising nuggets (think trombone-headed Parasaurolophus and Spinosaurus nose-tricks), ideal for independent browsing or five-minute fact breaks.

For kids who love puzzles, Dinosaur Puzzle Book (Age 7+) mixes dino data with logic, language, and maths puzzles; it’s a satisfying brain-workout that keeps them learning during the summer months.

And for art that feels a bit magical, Usborne Scratch Activities: Dinosaurs includes a wooden stylus and high-contrast scratch pages paired with colouring and puzzles. This is the perfect all-in-one book for calming, creative, and fridge-worthy creations.

A gentle note

Novelty elements (pop-ups, press-outs, scratch tools) are best used with adult supervision, especially with younger siblings around.

Ready to build your mini museum of Mesozoic wonders? Explore the books above and curate a dino shelf that grows with your child’s age and interests.