History Main / KidsLoveDinosaurs

One reason this trope exists is that dinosaurs are a lot like fairy tale creatures, particularly [[DinosaursAreDragons dragons]]. Also, as they don't exist anymore, you need a lot of imagination to reconstruct how they lived, and children use their imagination much more than adults. Dinosaur toys and media are often aimed at boys due to stereotypes and gender roles that boys like "cool things" while girls like "cute things" (which dinosaurs usually aren't seen as, though feathered dinosaurs are often seen as cute).

One reason this trope exists is that dinosaurs are a lot like fairy tale creatures (particularly [[DinosaursAreDragons dragons]]). Also, as they don't exist anymore, you need a lot of imagination to reconstruct how they lived, and children use their imagination much more than adults. Dinosaur toys and media are often aimed at boys due to stereotypes and gender roles that boys like "cool things" while girls like "cute things" (which dinosaurs usually aren't seen as, though feathered dinosaurs are often seen as cute).

* The original ''WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime'' is a children's film about dinosaurs. However, it's very dark and gloomy, even with certain parts [[WhatCouldHaveBeen removed during prerelease]]. The sequels [[LighterAndSofter are far less so]].

* There are three things that Akito of ''Manga/{{Kodocha}}'' likes: [[TrademarkFavoriteFood Sushi]], [[ShipTease Sana]], and dinosaurs. Note that "like" is his way of saying "love".

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' has Mister Potato Head play the role of One-Eyed Bart, robbing the town bank, aided by Slinky Dog as his force field dog. Fortunately, Sheriff Woody has a coup fourre at hand with Rex, as a force field dog-eating dinosaur. Of course, this is all in Andy's playtime scenario, yet it's notable that his Tyrannosaurus Rex plays TheLancer to Woody's TheHero.

* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' and ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' are in the [[MerchandiseDriven toy-sales business]], and one of their go-to themes is dinosaurs. (For the record, some others are animals, cars, and ninjas.) Notably, when there was a sales slump and they had to start moving merch fast, they used dinosaurs to do it (with ''Series/KishiryuSentaiRyusoulger).

Sometimes, paleontologists will describe themselves as kids who never "grew out of" their dinosaur phase. As a result, adults who still like dinosaurs can be stereotyped as {{Manchild}}ren. Compare BoysLikeCreepyCritters and AllGirlsLikePonies.

* In ''WesternAnimation/WereBackADinosaursStory'', four dinosaurs are brought to modern times and "nicefied" by [[UpliftedAnimal making them intelligent enough]] to be displayed into a museum where kids would be able to play with them, as [[BigGood Captain Neweyes]]' Wish Radio revealed that it is the dream of a lot of kids to meet real life dinosaurs. Later, they are hiding in plain sight in a [[UsefulNotes/MacysThanksgivingDayParade giant parade]] and start a musical number, with all the children singing and dancing. When they are discovered, all the adults start to freak out, but the kids are mostly in awe. But then even later, the trope is subverted by [[BigBad Professor Screweyes]], who [[DevolutionDevice devolves]] them to their former feral selves to put them in his CircusOfFear because the his ''Fright'' Radio revealed that a lot of kids have ''nightmares'' about monsters, aka ''scary'' dinosaurs.

* In ''WesternAnimation/WereBackADinosaursStory'', four dinosaurs are brought into the future and "nicefied" by making them intelligent enough to be displayed into a museum where kids would be able to play with them, as [[BigGood Captain Neweyes]]' machine revealed that it is the dream of a lot of kids to meet real life dinosaurs. Later, they are hiding in plain sight in a [[UsefulNotes/MacysThanksgivingDayParade giant parade]] and start a musical number, with all the children singing and dancing. When they are discovered, all the adults start to freak out, but the kids are mostly in awe. But then even later, the trope is subverted by [[BigBad Professor Screweyes]], who [[DevolutionDevice devolves]] them to their former feral selves to put them in his circus because the same machine also revealed that a lot of kids have ''nightmares'' about scary dinosaurs.

* Aaron from ''WesternAnimation/TheMitchellsVsTheMachines'' is an [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggeration]] of the trope. He's the youngest member of the Mitchell family and he's massively obsessed with dinosaurs; one scene shows him calling every number in the phone book just to find someone to talk about dinosaurs with. His phone case, his bedroom, and the t-shirt he wears are all dinosaur-themed, and he's extremely distressed when the family goes to a dinosaur-themed tourist trap and he sees how inaccurate the dinosaur statues are.

* Aaron from ''WesternAnimation/TheMitchellsVsTheMachines'' is an [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggeration]] of the trope. He's the youngest member of the Mitchell family and he's massively obsessed with dinosaurs; one scene shows him calling every number in the phone book just to find someone to talk about dinosaurs with. His phone case, the poster in his room, and the t-shirt he wears are all dinosaur-themed, and he's extremely distressed when the family goes to a dinosaur-themed tourist trap and he sees how inaccurate the dinosaur statues are.

* Aaron from ''WesternAnimation/TheMitchellsVsTheMachines'' is the youngest member of the Mitchell family and he's obsessed with dinosaurs; one scene shows him calling random numbers from the phone book just to find someone to talk about dinosaurs with. He even has a dinosaur-themed phone case.

** ''Film/JurassicWorld'': Gray (the younger of the two Mitchell brothers) is obsessed with dinosaurs and cannot hold in his excitement upon visiting the park. Once again, the park itself is subversion as it meant to be appeal to people of all ages.

* In ''Film/JurassicPark'', Tim (the younger of the two kids being given a tour of the park) loves dinosaurs and continuously pesters Dr. Grant with questions about them. Likewise, when Grant sees a Triceratops for the first time, he reacts with an adorable, childlike awe, soon admitting Triceratops was his favorite dinosaur as a little boy. Subverted by the park itself which was created to appeal to everyone, but John Hammond certainly admits that kids in particular will probably love it.

* ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' features the titular purple ''TyrannosaurusRex'' and his dinosaur friends befriending, playing with, and teaching a group of enthusiastic children.

--->'''Milhouse:''' These aren't dinosaurs! Dinosaurs sing!

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Sometimes, paleontologists will describe themselves as kids who never "grew out of" their dinosaur phase. As a result, adults who still like dinosaurs can be stereotyped as {{Manchild}}ren.

* In ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', Negi is a serious and mature little boy who holds down a job as a teacher. When offered a time machine he immediately regressed to his proper emotional age at the thought of going back in time to see dinosaurs.

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', when Annie finds out that a certain character is a Time Abyss, she excitedly asks them what dinosaurs looked like.

* [[https://xkcd.com/2273/The alt-text for]] ''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'' #2273 gives a NinjaPirateZombieRobot take:

* ''Anime/DinosaurKing''.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Discussed in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knWCsonQVG4 podcast]] staring paleontologists. Dinosaurs are easy to market to kids however adults aren't that interested in them. This is why there have been fewer dinosaur (or, even paleontology period) documentaries since the mid-2000s.
* In ''WebComic/GunnerkriggCourt'', when Annie finds out that a certain character is a Time Abyss, she excitedly asks them what dinosaurs looked like.
* The alt-text for [[https://xkcd.com/2273/ xkcd #2273]] gives a NinjaPirateZombieRobot take:
->"See also: Farm animals and dinosaurs. I am so confident that there exists children's media that involves dinosaurs driving trucks on a farm that I'm writing this without even Googling to check."
* Bowser Junior from ''WebVideo/SuperMarioLogan'' likes to play with dinosaurs. Sometimes when he plays dinosaurs with his friends, he will give them one tiny dinosaur to pit against his many bigger ones.

* The classic children's book ''Literature/DannyAndTheDinosaur'' by Syd Hoff features a boy named Danny who encounters a living dinosaur in a museum. The book revolves around their relationship and activities together. And yes, the dinosaur's name is [[ALizardNamedLiz Dinosaur]].

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Film -- Animation]]

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

* There are three things that Akito of ''Manga/KodomoNoOmocha'' likes: [[TrademarkFavoriteFood Sushi]], [[ShipTease Sana]], and dinosaurs. Note that "like" is his way of saying "love".

There is something of an idea that [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs dinosaurs]] are kiddie, or that dinosaur products and fiction should solely be aimed at children (especially young boys).