I get it. You have a dinosaur nerd like me that you’re trying to shop for and are overwhelmed by decision paralysis. This is why you’re here.
We have multiple articles on this site featuring great dinosaur gifts that many people would enjoy, such as this list of 15 dinosaur books for adults.
Maybe you’re creative and would prefer to get something with a little more flair. I won’t waste your time.
These are 10 unique dinosaur gifts for adults that I’m sure even the most avid dinosaur-lover may not already have in their collection.
The Nation’s T. rex Skull Desk Statue
Want to purchase a T. rex skull? While that’s expensive and unethical, you can opt for a replica. Master Replica has one of the best options I’ve come across.
Crafted from durable resin, the T. rex desk statue is the actual replica of the real Tyrannosaurus found at the Smithsonian Museum, dubbed the Nation’s T. rex.
This is an authentic scaled fossil replica based on a cast. If you’re unfamiliar with the actual specimen and its extraordinarily preserved soft tissues, I’d suggest reading more about it on phys.org.
The company used 3D digital scans of genuine assets from the Smithsonian to create this accurate replica. They then rapid-prototyped the scans for molding, producing a replica that is as close to the real fossil as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about casting dinosaur fossils and how many fossils on display are created, take a look at our other article on dinosaur bones in museums.
The attention to detail is impressive, and so is the overall build quality. The replica measures 8.1 by 8.1 by 8.1 inches (20.57 x 20.57 x 20.57 cm) and weighs 2.27 pounds (1.03 kg). It’s lightweight and sized appropriately to make a great addition to any space.
While it’s nicely made and a high-quality replica, it has one main drawback: you can’t get the skull to display with the mouth open. You can open the mouth, but it seems to have a mind of its own and will not stay that way. To do so, you would have to glue the jaw hinges, damaging the statue.
Still, this gift is likely to be well received by any dinosaur enthusiast. It’s a statue made for display, not a toy, so I’d suggest getting it into a desired pose and not touching it further.
Authentic Trilobite Fossil
So, perhaps you want to purchase a real fossil and not just a replica? Many fossils are affordable gifts.
The Kalifano brand has numerous fossils for sale. I think everyone should have at least one trilobite fossil, so that’d be my first choice as a gift. Fossils make a truly one-of-a-kind gift, as they by nature are one of a kind.
Trilobites went extinct around 252 million years ago. During their time, they were widespread. Though their fossils are common, they are treasured by fossil collectors.
Remember that these fossils are old and fragile. They can sometimes break during shipping or at the slightest drop. If it arrives broken I would ask for a refund.
I once purchased a trilobite from the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and dropped it on the way to the car. On the bright side, fossils can be repaired using special glue, but damaging a piece of history is still frustrating.
If you’d like to learn how to repair fossils, check out this article where we cover what glue to use for this purpose.
In my article on fossil hunting, I break down what beginners need to know to collect their first fossils. In this case, you can gift your friend a fossil without getting dirty.
Women’s Dinosaur Party Dress
So, how do you identify yourself as a dinosaur fanatic to everyone around you without ever saying a word? That’s simple: dress the part.
I’m not suggesting that you gear up as a paleontologist. Instead, I have a simple but elegant dress meant to turn heads.
If you’re looking for the ideal dress for dino lovers, then we recommend the CowCow Womens Dinosaur Sexy Party Sleeveless Dress. Why pick this one over the countless others listed? It comes in various patterns and sizes, it’s extremely comfortable, and it’s reasonably priced.
Soft and lightweight, the dress is made of 90% polyester and 10% spandex. Available in a fit and flare shape, the dress gives the body a flattering shape. If you’ve spent time trying on clothes before, you know that this can vary from product to product.
Further, this dress is versatile. It’s great as sleepwear, for holiday parties, or just for a casual night out. It can work with heels, sandals, ballet flats, or boots.
The dress is available in five regular sizes and four plus sizes. It’s machine and hand-washable with cold water, but remember not to bleach. It’s a durable fabric but at this price point, not the most durable outfit I’ve seen.
If you want to get a gift that will draw attention, this is certainly it. But I have another costume idea that may take the cake for attention-grabbing outfits.
The Original Inflatable Dinosaur Costume
So you’ve given into madness. Gift the adult dinosaur fan in your life a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: let them become a dinosaur.
If you’re ready to go all out, we recommend the Original Inflatable Dinosaur Costume. This is the one you’ve seen all over the Internet. The thing is iconic!
The long-sleeved inflatable costume comes with a zipper closure on the back for easier entry and exit. Since it’s inflatable, it has a built-in battery-operated fan that pumps air into the costume to inflate it.
Before wearing the costume, you need to install the fan. Take the fan and remove the fan ring before placing it on the inside of the costume and bringing it around through the opening. Using the outer fan ring, secure the fan on the costume by turning the ring counterclockwise.
Made of 100% nylon, the costume is strong and durable. This makes the costume resistant to wear and tear.
Due to the material’s low absorbency, it dries faster than natural fabric. However, the AA batteries to operate the fan are usually not included in the costume. That means users have to incur the cost of buying the batteries… forever.
Or you could buy some rechargeables and save your friend the hassle of buying new batteries constantly. The planet will thank you.
Funwares Dinosaur Taco Holders
Looking for something to spice up your table? Well, you’re in luck. I know what you’re thinking: who needs dinosaur taco holders? It may not be you but I’m sure your dinosaur-loving friend does.
The Funwares Dinosaur Taco Holders are a fun little gadget that dino lovers will surely appreciate. It’s an affordable and endearing gift that will surely turn heads.
My favorite is the Triceratops model. It measures 10.25 inches (26 cm) in length, 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide, and 3 inches (7.62 cm) high. It weighs a mere 0.2 pounds (90.7 grams).
Completely food safe, the taco holders will not leach toxins into your food that studies have linked to cancer and other diseases. See this article from Mayo Clinic to learn about BPA.
These taco holders are designed with safe materials, i.e., plastic that is 100% BPA-free. The designers engineered the cookware with consumer safety in mind, which is something I always look for when shopping for myself.
While it’s made of food-safe materials, it’s not microwavable. This will melt the plastic and damage the dinosaur taco holders. Honestly, who microwaves tacos?
It is, however, dishwasher safe. That’s the first thing I look for before checking out. You don’t want to be that person who makes your friend hand wash dishes, now do you?
Available in multiple dinosaurs and counts, you can adjust your purchase according to your budget or cater to the family size of your gift recipient.
So, what else can I say? It’s a well-designed taco holder that holds tacos. It’s simple and cute and I think that makes it an easy recommendation for when you need a thoughtful gift that won’t break the bank.
The Disappearing Dinosaur Mug
Another item that dino lovers will cherish is the Unemployed Philosophers Guild Disappearing Dino Mug.
This is no ordinary mug. Yes, the mug is great for coffee, tea, and other beverages, but it has an additional feature: a hidden dinosaur.
On the side of the mug, you’ll see the skeletal structures of a Tyrannosaurus chasing its prey. When you add a hot beverage to the mug, the temperature of the beverage will change the appearance of the mug. If you drink the hot beverage and allow the mug to cool, the dinos revert back to their fossil form.
I know, it’s a bit childish. This is an article on unique dinosaur gifts for adults, right? I say that this gimmick works no matter how old you get.
The mug is typically sized, with a capacity of 12 fluid ounces (350 mL). Decent size for a cup, but if you’re like me you’ll need a refill. The mug is microwave-safe. This comes in handy for heating water for some drinks.
What’s the catch? It’s not dishwasher safe. This means you have to do the unthinkable and hand wash it.
The cool artwork can be damaged too, so a gentle scrubbing sponge would be best. I know many coffee drinkers that are particular about not washing their coffee pots and mugs so as to not disrupt the flavor over time, so this one may not be such a big deal.
Dinosaur Mini Waffle Maker
Continuing with the theme of housewares, we come to my favorite product on this list. I cannot always be bothered to go out, so why not stay in and enjoy some waffles?
The waffle maker can create five different dino-shaped waffles. It can do it in just a couple of minutes, far less than a drive to Waffle House.
All you need to do is prepare the batter, plug in the Dinosaur Mini Waffle Maker to heat, and pour in the batter. Cover the waffle maker for a couple of minutes and when ready, serve the dino-shaped treats. The waffle maker produces 5 dino-shaped treats every three to five minutes.
What’s great is that the waffle maker has a nonstick coating. As such, cleanup is simple.
Besides waffles, the waffle maker can also help you make flapjacks and mini pancakes in the shape of dinos. The dino shapes are great for parents looking to feed a picky child. We know everything is much easier when offered in a dinosaur shape.
The product measures 10.94 by 9.02 by 5.24 inches (27.79 x 22.91 x 13.30 cm) and weighs 3.54 pounds (1.6 kg). It won’t up much space on the kitchen counter or cabinet.
While it makes perfect dino treats, the waffle maker has no timer. This means you’ve to check the dino treats every two to three minutes to ensure they don’t burn. Just be careful when leaving it unattended.
Jurassic Park 16-Piece Ceramic Dinnerware Set
Remember the iconic lunch scene from Jurassic Park? What if someone created the ceramic plates featured in the movie?
Designed for fans of the Jurassic Park film franchise, these themed dishes are replicas of those used in Jurassic Park. Now you can host a tea party or brunch with your dinosaur-loving friends.
The set contains four dinner plates, four salad plates, four mugs, and four decorated bowls. Each plate, mug, or bowl comes emblazoned with the Jurassic Park logo on the inside or the sides.
White in color, the set also has a black and gold accent trimming and features a little dinosaur track in matching gold on the inside of each bowl.
Made of premium ceramic material, the dinnerware set is suited for everyday use, but I do not recommend it. I would prefer to leave it in a display case or china cabinet personally, but I can understand those who prefer to use it.
If not handled with care, the mugs, bowls, and plates could easily break. Ceramics, no matter how premium, are not very durable. I recommend that you hand wash the mugs, plates, and bowls. The dish set is not dishwasher-safe or microwavable.
If you know a Jurassic Park fan, they would love to add this piece to their collections. It’s a great talking point and I believe it will become more valuable with time.
Jurassic Park Logo LED Wall Sign
This gift works great for the Jurassic Park collector who has everything. It can fit easily into the most basic or advanced collection and breathe some life into a room.
This is an LED wall sign that is surprisingly bright. LED bulbs are energy-efficient and long-lasting, so this piece packs a punch without running up the bill.
The USB cord includes a convenient switch. Perfect for when you need to stop thinking about dinosaurs long enough to sleep.
The measurements are 13 inches by 13 inches by 2 inches (33 x 33 x 5 cm). I’d take some measurements of the space before mounting it, but it’s not large enough to be gaudy.
The sign can certainly get attention without taking it too far. The diffused light makes the ambient glow peaceful and not eye-searing. I would ensure that it works before gifting it, as some reviewers mentioned that it was malfunctioning out of the box.
Jurassic Park Nedry and Dilophosaurus Funko Pop
While Funko Pop may be the new Beanie Babies, I think they’re good collectibles. If you have an adult dinosaur lover who collects Funkos, these will make an outstanding addition to the shelf.
This set features two figures, portraying the shocking attack on Dennis Nedry from Jurassic Park. Nedry even has the infamous Dilophosaurus venom on his face!
This set is getting harder to come by these days, though it wasn’t very rare when it was released. Numerous other sets pay homage to Jurassic Park. This one is my favorite, as this scene was always very creepy.
The product is good quality for Funko, but nothing remarkable. The price may be a bit inflated due to its place as an exclusive. Still, for the right collector, I think these two deserve a look.
The Best Unique Dinosaur Gifts For Adults
While this list is far from comprehensive, I think there are plenty of great ideas to choose from here. Let me know if you purchase any of these items or if you have any recommendations to add. I will read the comments and keep this article up to date.
If you know someone who would enjoy this list or want to present some ideas for your upcoming birthday, share this with someone special. You may just be in luck!
