A Month of Delightful DINOvember Antics!

Parents, enter with us into the enchanting realm of creating magic moments for kiddos! November ushers in not just the crisp rustle of falling leaves and the aroma of pumpkin spice, but also the delightful return of DINOvember!

Picture this: every day, throughout the month of November, homes come alive with the playful antics of dinosaurs! Yes, you heard it right – these prehistoric pals take over living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, engaging in the most charming and whimsical activities.

Much like their elf counterparts, these dinosaurs bring an extra sprinkle of magic and creativity into the lives of children and parents alike. Come and join us in a month full of prehistoric playfulness with DINOvember! Explore ingenious setups, from dino board game nights to tiny, flour-dusted footprints leading to baked cookies. Get ready to embark on a journey where imagination knows no bounds and where the magic of childhood is celebrated in the most ROARsome way possible!

Here's a list of daily play scenes involving dinosaur toy figurines from Safari Ltd. for the month of November 2023:

NOVEMBER 1

It’s family game night!

The dinosaur toys gather around a colorful board game, rolling dice and strategizing their way to victory. Can’t you just hear the roars of excitement! Set out your kiddo’s favorite board game, or buy them a new one as a surprise gift, and have the dinosaur figurines positioned around the board as if they are playing.

NOVEMBER 2

Something smells delicious! The dinosaur toys put on their chef hats and aprons, embarking on a cookie-baking adventure.

Make it look as if the dinosaur toys have really been baking; leave traces of flour, chocolate chips or sprinkles scattered about, and be sure to include dino footprints through the messy flour. As a bonus surprise, leave your kiddos a sweet treat or baking set to try. 

NOVEMBER 3

Transform everyday household items into an epic obstacle course for your dino figures.

Set up a course where the  dinosaur toys look as though they are crawling through tunnels made of toilet paper tubes, balancing on stacks of books, and leaping over hurdles made of popsicle sticks, and other means of testing their agility and having a roaring good time.

NOVEMBER 4
 

It’s quite puzzling! The dinosaur toys join forces to tackle a challenging puzzle.

They work together, using their sharp minds and tiny claws to piece together a prehistoric scene. With each triumphant click of a puzzle piece, their teamwork grows stronger. 

NOVEMBER 5

I smell popcorn! The dinosaur toys are all set up with a cozy movie night setting.

They gather around a TV or iPad screen, snuggling under tiny blankets with bowls of popcorn in their claws. Can’t you just imagine them laughing, gasping, and sharing moments of cinematic magic together.

NOVEMBER 6

The dinosaur toys have unleashed their inner artists, dipping their tiny feet into vibrant paint colors and leaving footprints across a canvas.

With each stomp and wiggle, they’ve created a unique and colorful masterpiece, expressing their creativity and leaving their mark on the world.
 

NOVEMBER 7

The dinosaur toys have embarked on a thrilling safari adventure, they spent their night exploring a miniature jungle playset filled with lush houseplants or fake mini trees.

They encountered hidden treasures, mysterious creatures, and exciting challenges (like a mud pit or fallen logs) as they navigated through the dense foliage, and it is evident that their imaginations were running wild. 

NOVEMBER 8

Scrub a dub it’s a dino in the tub! Set up a bubble bath in a sink or bowl or make an epic dino themed bath in your bath tub.

You can use real water and bubbles or make a pretend bubble bath with clear ping pong balls, ornaments or, cotton balls. Lay out washcloths as towels, add in a mini rubber duckie or tiny loofa (make by balling up a piece of tulle and tying into shape). 

NOVEMBER 9

It’s time to rescue the dinos!

Wrap some of the dinos up in foil, rubber bands, tape or string for your kids to undo and rescue them! You can have a larger dino or other figurine free with the material in hand as the perpetrator. You can make a sign that says, “HELP!” 

NOVEMBER 10

The dinos visit a "zoo" to see the other animals. Set up a mini zoo complete with animal figurines.

You can make animal enclosures with blocks, keva planks, popsicle sticks, boxes, a mini zoo set or anything else you can dream up! Have the dinos standing and looking at the animal exhibits. Maybe even have a giraffe feeding area with the dinos holding up a leaf for the giraffe toy. 

NOVEMBER 11

Are you ready for some fizzy fun? Have the dinos set up a bubbly experiment for your kids to try.

The dino toys will be holding and standing near the experiment materials: baking soda, vinegar, a small clear cup or bowl, a spoon, and an eye dropper (optional).  Have your kids place a small amount of baking soda into the cup or bowl. Next, slowly add vinegar over the baking soda and watch the magic happen!  For an added twist, you can add food coloring to the vinegar to create a colorful eruption.  instead. Want to make some fizzy dino eggs? Read the blog HERE! *Explanation of the basic reaction: when baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) mix, they create carbon dioxide gas, causing the bubbly eruption.  Don't like the fizz? You can choose to do a different  science experiment. 

NOVEMBER 12

It’s a pet spa day!

Gather toy animal figures, a small bowl of warm, soapy water, soft scrub brush (like a children's tooth brush), and wash clothes (as towels). Set up a designated pet washing station with a towel on a table or a shallow tray to contain the water. Situate the dinos to look as if they are washing their pet animals. Your kiddo can join the fun and take over the pet washing by dipping the figures into the soapy water, gently scrubbing them with the tooth brush, and then carefully drying them off. 

NOVEMBER 13

It’s just a shadow!

Use a desk lamp or flashlight, blank paper, and markers or crayons to set up a shadow drawing scene. Situate your dinos so that they appear to be tracing each other’s shadows onto the blank paper. Encourage your kids to take over and trace additional dino shadows, or shadows of other animal figurines or household items. Read more about additional shadow play fun and information HERE. 

NOVEMBER 14

Stomp into fun!

Grab some play dough, clay, or salt dough for your dinos to leave footprints and tracks. Your kids can try to match the dino track to the dinos and make additional tracks with other animal figures or toy vehicles.

NOVEMBER 15

Scrub those pearly whites!

Oh my, the dinos made a mess in the bathroom brushing their teeth! Set up the dinos with toothbrushes and toothpaste to look as if they are busy scrubbing their chompers. It’s fun to add some splatters and smears of toothpaste around the sink, on the mirror, and even on the dinos.

NOVEMBER 16

Time to walk the runway!

Grab some pieces of scrap cloth or felt, scissors, ribbon, stick on gems, and other decorative items to create fabulous outfits for your dino toys. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy nor involve sewing. Fashion simple capes, hats, scarves, or even tiny vests for the dinosaur friends. You can create a runway with red paper for the dinos to be walking down modeling their new gear. 

NOVEMBER 17

Time to play!

Set up a block set or train track  for the dinosaurs to be playing with. They can be riding on the train or hiding in a castle made of blocks. 

NOVEMBER 18

It’s always fun to have breakfast for dinner!

The dinos got hungry in the middle of the night and decided to fix themselves some cereal. Make it look as if the dinos chewed holes through the box to get to the cereal, and have some dinos coming out of the box opening. Fix a bowl of cereal and give the dinos some spoons. You can also scatter some cereal around on the counter. It’s also fun to leave a box of special cereal for your kids as a treat. 

NOVEMBER 19

It’s time for a cozy beverage.

Set up a scene with the dinos having a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Some of the dinos can be “eating” the marshmallows instead of putting them in the hot chocolate. There can be dino tracks through some spilled chocolate powder on the counter. You can set out additional hot chocolate packets and marshmallows for your kids to enjoy as a surprise treat. 

NOVEMBER 20

The floor is lava!

The dinos set up a game of prehistoric fun! Lay throw pillows or other items on the floor for the dinos to appear to be hopping to and from. Add some red cloth or paper as “lava” on the floor. You could also use the Melting Lava Playmatt or  Wahu The Lawn is Lava Playset. 

NOVEMBER 21

We have the munchies!

The dinos and friends made a bit of a mess fixing themselves some snacks! Use whatever snacks you have on hand, or if you want to take it up a notch, create a little charcuterie board. Who used all of the squirt cheese and left cracker crumbs everywhere? Was it T-Rex or Triceratops?  

NOVEMBER 22

The dinos were feeling a little guilty after having made so many messes recently.

They decided to wash the dishes as an act of kindness for the family. Set up a scene with the dinos handwashing and drying some dishes.

NOVEMBER 23

The dino toys were feeling a little rambunctious and decided to string toilet paper around the bathroom!

You could also have the toilet paper as a trail to follow through the house leading to a treat.

NOVEMBER 24

Grab some of your laundry and set the dinos up with another act of kindness.

The dinos decided to be helpful and match socks and fold some laundry. Some of the dino friends were a little clumsy and got folded into some of the socks! 

NOVEMBER 25

It was a quiet night, and the dinos had a lovely story time session.

Set up a stack of books in a cozy spot. Have the dinos appear to be reading or “listening” to a story on a Tonie Box. This would be a fun time to add some new books to your kid’s collection. 

NOVEMBER 26

Time for some indoor camping!

Set up a little camping scene with your dino toys. You can make a pillow fort, use an  AirFort®, or just make a little tent out of a pillow case for the dinos. Add to the fun with a pretend camping set or camping supplies. You can create a pretend fire with sticks and some red and yellow paper. Have the dinos “roast” marshmallows over the fire. 

NOVEMBER 27

What is your favorite card game?

The dinos decided to spend their evening playing cards. Grab your kid’s favorite card game or introduce a new one. Have the dinos set up to seem as if they’ve been playing cards. 

NOVEMBER 28

Dinos like to be creative too!

Have your dinos appear to be building model dinos from Plus-Plus blocks or  Eugy 3D puzzles. 

NOVEMBER 29

Oh no! One of the dino friends got hurt and had to get bandaged up by his friends.

You can stick bandages or wrap gauze around the “injured” dino. You can set up a doctor's kit or vet clinic to make the scene more impactful. 

NOVEMBER 30

I hear those sleigh bells jingling!

Set the stage for winter holidays by having the dinos decorate a mini Christmas tree or do a holiday craft. Leave a craft for your kids to do as well as a bonus surprise.

Find more Dinosaur Fun: 

• Create your own fossil dig!
• DIY Swamp Sensory Bin
• Wild Safari® Prehistoric World Collection
• Great Dinos Collection
• Dinosaur TOOBS
• Dino Dana Collection
• Prehistoric Fanatics Collection
• https://www.safariltd.com/collections/geoworld
• DIY Super Hero Dino Diorama