Can we talk about dinosaurs

[lmhj]

Hello

I'm desperate for some MN help and ideas for DD who will be 7 in December. All she wants is dinosaurs or fossils.

She has a metal detector, used daily.
She has, in my view, all the toy dinosaurs one would ever need.
Her clothes are all dinosaurs.
We have done many of the days out.

I'm stuck.

She seems to be talking about a real dinosaur, a robot one? I can find nothing of her age that would fit this. All more remote control younger.

Is this the year we go for tech and she can build a Dino world or something? Does such a game exist.

I'm reluctant to give animals as a gift. We do have Rex the lizard and diplo the gecko. So that is sufficient.

She breeds butterflies. Collects rocks. Loves crafting. Marble runs.

I am completely out of ideas. Has anyone any genius ideas for main birthday, Christmas gift.

She's a good kid who doesn't really fit in and I would like to get her something that suits her interests

Have a look on museum gift shop websites. You get those gem which you hunt for..

This kind of thing.

https://shop.natgeokids.co.uk/product/ultimate-gemstone-dig-kit/

I’ve seen this kit on sale for half the price in other shops

Lego dinosaur?

My DD was like that at 7!
She loved the fisdil or gem dig kits already mentioned.

She still has her her Schliech dinosaurs as decoration in her room (she's 11)

Does she like lego?
https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/dinosaur-fossils-t-rex-skull-76964?ef_id=Cj0KCQjw_sq2BhCUARIsAIVqmQsainRX6jQOnTt4iWO3g55kLBhTapkqy7u3IfKxjeBrosQRgA0QhTsaAtvfEALw_wcB%3AG%3As&s_kwcid=AL%21933%213%21%21%21%21x%21%21%2119812010236%21&cmp=KAC-INI-GOOGEU-GO-GB_GL-EN-RE-SP-BUY-CREATE-MB_ALWAYS_ON-SHOP-BP-PMAX-ALL-CIDNA00000-PMAX-LOW_PRIORITY&gad_source=1

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dino-snores-for-kids.html ?

Do you live anywhere gettable to London?
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dino-snores-for-kids.html]]

Has she got this book? It's gorgeous.

xpost with @zoop1

Ds1 did this with cubs when he was 8. He thought it was brilliant.

Fossils (little ones for her stocking)
A fossil hunting trip, start off with a professional guided expedition.
https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/best-fossil-hunting-destinations-uk
The Lego T Rex skull above s excellent, I agree that museum shops are a good place to start.

I'm on the list for dinosnore. We are north Scotland so that's a big trip perhaps next year?

She has lots of fossil digs but not gem will look at those.

Books I think we have and jigsaws but will check.

Great find. Do not have this. Thanks 🙏

Museum shops and Lego good shout. We have not really done Lego yet.

I got my nephew a Spinosaurus (I think it was) tooth from Etsy. Checked the reviews and info etc to make sure they were legit. He loved it!

And there's a guy called JurassicJim or something on Facebook who might be worth looking at (hopefully someone else will correct me if it's wrong!)

What about things that are just Dino themed - stationary, bedding, stuff for her bedroom (furniture, curtains, lamps, wall art etc), craft sets? Dressing gown/slippers?

This Dino show looks awesome www.jurassic-earth.co.uk/tour-dates

https://www.fossils-uk.com/fossils-c1/fossils-under-25-gift-ideas-c81

Look here for some real fossils at an affordable price.

They're the sort of thing that you would keep your whole life.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dinosaur-Building-Electric-Construction-Engineering/dp/B093Q969LD/ref=ascdfB093Q969LD/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696350735940&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16812314940679374606&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007460&hvtargid=pla-1411897330025&psc=1&mcid=5c67173829d43d2fbabe0b72402ef9dc&gadsource=1

These are not as babyish as they first appear.

Cheapish so maybe not a 'main' present but I'd highly recommend.

Ds3 had them last Christmas at 6.5. He didn't put them down for days and even now, long after I'd have expected the novelty to have worn off, he often picks them off his 'display' shelf and spends time rearranging them, giving each one a new leg or whatever. And the electric screwdriver actually works very well!

*Edited to add - the main picture of a toddler is deceiving I think. There's no way a typical toddler could build these independently. Far more suited to age 5-7 imo, possibly even 8 or 9 although the novelty would no doubt wear off quicker.

This is brilliant. Thank you all. Everyone.

@user1471538275 WOW. 🤩

A trip to Lyme Regis?

Dunelm have an ammonite table lamp and dinosaur skull curtain tie backs. I want them for me to be honest

I was going to say Jurassic Jim. He does fossil/gem advent calendars that have been popular on here and often sell out.

This "TOEY PLAY Walking T-Rex Dinosaurs Toy for Kids, Realistic Dinosaur Figure Robot, Roaring, Lights and Sounds, Educational Gifts for Boys Girls 3 4 5 6 Years Old" doesn't use a remote as far as I can tell and just needs switches to be ON for it to roar, walk and for the lights to light up - £17 from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOEY-PLAY-Dinosaurs-Realistic-Educational/dp/B09V15DG5G/

Unless you've absolutely rejected remote controlled ones YouTube is a good place to see examples (reviews) of other toys - they usually have quite big buttons so possibly might work for her.

and

Lakeland also has dinosaur cookie cutters, cake moulds, cupcake cases, dinosaur sprinkles, chocolate moulds and dried pasta shapes https://www.lakeland.co.uk/landing/dinosaur-party, plus napkins https://www.lakeland.co.uk/74503/talking-tables-dinosaur-napkins-pack-of-20

There are loads of different dinosaur-themed biscuits (Google / Etsy) including this T-rex https://www.biscuiteers.com/biscuits/natural-history-museum-small-letterbox-biscuit and selection https://www.biscuiteers.com/biscuits/dinosaur-biscuit-box

All the dinosaur toys from the Natural History Museum are here https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/dinosaurs/dinosaur-toys.html (see page 2 as well).

You can even buy authenticated fossilised dino poo (coprolites) but I'll leave you to google that ;)

Rarrrr :)
Jo

3d puzzles, amazon has a build a dinosaur nightlight thing, terrarium

I know you said no pets but isopods (fancy woodlouse)?
Rock tumbler
Amber
Kite in the shape of a pterodactyl

A dinosaur puppet?
a trip to Staffin on the Isle of Skye to see the dinosaur footprints there?