(Source: Dinosaur Adventure）
Looking for more immersive Dinosaur adventures for your kids? What about dinosaur theme parks? It can bring your kids for a day filled with knowledge, fun, and dino adventure!
In this post, there’s a list of favorite parks around the U.S. where you can create a wonderful experience.
Check them out here and better start packing!
Dinosaur Park
(Source: Black Hills & Badlands SD, Dinosaur Park)
Beginning your search with a ‘dinosaur theme park near me’ query could be a good start, but it might not give you the best results. Sometimes, traveling is also a good time for your and your kids to bond over some dinosaur facts, plus the ride is just as fun as the destination.
That said, we’re kicking off the list with a free attraction. This South Dakota spot was built on May 22, 1926. There are over seven dino sculptures posed in Dinosaur Park, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Apatosaurus, Triceratops, Edmontosaurus annectens, Stegosaurus, and more. The structures were made with concrete, iron pipes, and wire mesh. This free tourist attraction also has a great overlooking view of Rapid City. On June 21, 1990, the park became a part of the National Register of Historic Places list.
Wonder of Dinosaurs
(Source: TripAdvisor)
Based in Redondo Beach, this dinosaur theme park in California offers more than just jaw-dropping animatronic dinosaurs. Your kids can also enjoy themselves in the Triassic Train, Dinosaur Carousel, Dinosaur Mini-golf, and even try the Ride-A-Trex. It is one of the most popular dino parks on the west coast. Each exhibit comes with scientific information to help people learn more about the creatures.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
With two steel and concrete displays towering up to 65-feet tall, this novelty architecture spot is a crowd favorite in California. The dinosaurs are named Dinny and Mr. Rex, both of which appeared in the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
This place has a fascinating history. Architect Claude K. Bell and Structural Engineer Geral Hufstetler created the dinosaurs to help attract customers to The Wheel Inn Restaurant, which he owned. However, the restaurant is now closed.
Dinosaur World
(Source: VisitTheUSA.com)
This dinosaur theme park in Florida is just one of many in the area. What’s more is that you can also visit this dog-friendly dinosaur park in its locations in Kentucky and Texas.
Both adults and children can enjoy activities like dino gem excavation, interactive shows, and take a stroll in the prehistoric museum. You can also host parties here if you want to throw your kid a dinosaur-themed celebration. Get ready to see over 200 life-size dinosaurs in this Plant City attraction.
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum & Field Station
(Source: Montana)
The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum & Field Station houses one of the most famous preserved dinosaurs in Northeastern Montana. Get ready to meet its dino displays named Giffen, Ralph, Roberta, and Leonardo. Your kids will love to pay a visit at this museum because here, they can try their hand at unearthing fossils with the Junior Paleontologist Program. This attraction is a private, non-profit organization.
It opens every May to August and September and it opened in 2008. It surely isn’t something you should skip. Do note though that the museum is closed every winter but opens for special appointments.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
(Source: Field Station: Dinosaurs)
The Leonia family attraction is convenient for families located in New Jersey and Manhattan. It boasts a world-class experience with a Broadway feel. The Field Station: Dinosaurs features thirty hand-sculpted and scientifically accurate dinos for your kids to gawk at. It also has a scenic view of the Overpeck Park and live shows to keep you all the more entertained.
The location has been around since 2012 and interestingly, it has won awards from Time Out New York for Best Local Theme Park and other accolades.
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village
(Source: TripAdvisor)
Your kids can run around this 60-acre outdoor dinosaur park located in Oakdale. The village is full of activities like the dinosaur-themed maze, T-Rex tower, trails, and ever-expanding exhibits. Your kids would also enjoy spotting over 50 dinosaurs here. This attraction also allows you to have a great time in the water with its zero-depth water park, which is New England’s most massive Splash Pad. Surely, there’s something for every member of your family here.
Dino Land at Edaville
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Massachusetts is a great spot to enjoy a dinosaur expedition. With sites like Dino Land, visitors can learn about dinosaurs with life-like figures and paleontologists to assist them. You can buckle up with themed rides like the Bone Shaker too. At the same time, your kids can also get close with dinosaurs, including the Allosaurus, Camarasaurus, Centrosaurus, and more.
The attraction also features seasonal activities like the Dino Land walking trail and the place also has establishments dedicated to food and shopping.
Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
(Source: Dinosaur State Park)
This Connecticut natural history preserve is an incredible spot for being surrounded by different flora and fauna. Visit its Jurassic-era sandstone tracks that have been in place for 200 million years. The Dinosaur State Park is considered to be one of the largest dinosaur sites in all of North America and kids can have an educational day frolicking in the geodesic dome, dig pits, lectures, and other activities.
Additionally, the Arboretum features plants from the Mesozoic era and other families of rare species so you can consider going here as a supplementary educational trip for your kids.
Jurassic Park at Universal's Islands of Adventure
(Source: Orlando Weekly)
And of course, our list would not be complete without a Jurassic adventure. Encounter dinos and stay in dinosaur-themed hotel rooms at Universal’s Islands of Adventures. One of its biggest attractions is the Jurassic adventure dinosaur theme park. Your kids can have a blast with the River Adventure, Camp Jurassic, and Pteranodon Flyer, which is considered a must-try ride. If you want to wind down, the Orlando tourist spot has a Discovery Center that will lead you to highly educational activities.
Start Your Dino-filled Adventure
It’s easy for kids to develop an interest in dinosaurs given how fascinating they truly are. And if your child is a certified dinosaur-enthusiast, you’ll love them to have some dino merchandise such as dino-themed pajamas to match a jurassic-themed bedroom, or perhaps, you can also purchase a few life-like dinosaur puppets for bedtime stories, or better yet, rent a dinosaur costume for an out of this world experience.
However, if you’re still unsure whether you should take a dino trip with your kids, this report from the National Education Association (NEA) should convince you otherwise. A study conducted by NEA has found that students who take educational trips finish school with better grades as opposed to those who don’t. In fact, 59% of students finish their trips more engaged with education and are more curious.
The takeaway here is that spending a few hours to visit the parks in this list will certainly enrich your children’s lives. And exploring even a single park can broaden their knowledge of both history and science. Plus, it teaches them an important lesson that learning doesn’t exclusively happen in the classroom.
And hey, who doesn’t want to spend a day full of fun and thrill accompanied by dinosaurs? So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go and have fun at these dinosaur attractions!
