Finding dinosaur toys is relatively easy. Plastic dinosaur toys come in all colors and sizes, and are available everywhere from the grocery store to the toy store. “Squishy” dinosaurs are another, inexpensive option. Made of rubber, these squishy toy dinosaurs are fairly detailed, and stretch, bend, and squish to your child’s delight!

Once you have your dinosaur toys, your kids will doubtless begin searching out dinosaur “food” and other necessities. Unless you want to lose your box of tissues and your house plants to hungry dinosaur teeth, you may want to consider helping your child create their own play accessories. Any respectable dinosaur should have his own habitat, complete with trees, volcanoes, caves, and, of course, tall grass.

Early dinosaurs saw only non-flowering trees, so tree-making can be a fun and inexpensive craft project which will inspire creativity. Consider that the completed trees will need to be able to stand upright on their own, at least until the dinosaurs come along. Empty toilet paper rolls make great tree trunks. Save a few, and pull out some extra gift tissue paper, preferably green. With a little bit of glue and paint, your child can turn these common household items into inexpensive and practical trees. Simply crush and twist the tissue paper, insert it into one end of the cardboard roll, and affix with a dab of glue. If the dinosaurs eat the trees, no problem! Recycle and reuse.

Don’t toss away that newspaper! You still need some caves for your dinosaurs. Papier mache is easy and fun. Tear the newspaper into strips, mix one part flour with two parts water to make a paste, and grab a tired out latex balloon. Coat the balloon with layers of newspaper dipped in paste until covered. Once dry, decorate with paint, and cut in half, or otherwise open. Voila, great dinosaur caverns!

If you are going to create a volcano, it may as well be an active volcano. Form the exterior of your volcano from plaster or clay, and fill an old can or bottle positioned in the center with baking soda. Mix vinegar, water, and a healthy squeeze of dish soap. Add some red food coloring for a more convincing presentation. When ready, pour liquid mixture into volcano, and watch it erupt.

Green construction paper can be cut like fringe, and glued to a piece of heave duty cardboard to create rows of tall grass in which the dinosaurs can hide. Your child will have great fun painting and arranging the various components of their very own dinosaur habitat.

Using household items to create fun dinosaur toy accessories teaches your child problem solving skills and encourages creativity, without breaking the bank. Every kids craft project that you and your child create together provides a great learning opportunity, and a happy memory.