Kids love dinosaurs. Kids love video games. Dinosaurs are in video games. Dinosaur video games inherit the Earth!
While many dinosaur games (or games with dinosaurs) involving shooting dinosaurs, or violently attacking dinosaurs, there are some games that focus more on interacting with these wondrous beasts non-violently.
Here is a list of our favorite dinosaur games that are great for kids (and adults!).
ARK: Dinosaur Discovery
ARK: Dinosaur Discovery is a kid-friendly, stand-alone game mode from big brother ARK: Survival Ascended. Instead of hunting, taming, and building through a prehistoric island, players can explore the dino-filled island at their own pace, free of danger (and other players).
Dozens of dinosaurs can be found, catalogued, and ridden across the land, sea, and air. Finding dinosaurs unlocks dino facts from HLN-A, voiced by Madeline Madden from ARK: The Animated Series.
Platforms: Switch
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Jurassic World Evolution 2
For excellent modern park builders, look no further than Frontier Developments. The designers of Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo made an excellent Jurassic Park/World park builder with Jurassic World Evolution. The sequel builds on the events after Fallen Kingdom, with dinosaurs (and players) moving beyond tropical islands into the entire world, building parks and nature reservations for the prehistoric titans.
Players must hire staff, research upgrades, build enclosures, manage power and security, and appease fickle dinosaurs in a variety of missions and biomes. JWE2 also has a ton of DLC, including one that brings in dinosaurs from the fan-favorite, kid-friendly Netflix series, Camp Cretaceous.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
LEGO Jurassic World
The LEGO games are fantastic kid-friendly action games, and LEGO Jurassic World is no different. Released when Jurassic World was brand new, the game covers the first four films of the franchise, letting players adventure through the parks and islands and relive exciting moments from the movies.
The dinosaurs themselves are also playable, from the tiny Compy to the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex. LEGO Jurassic World also supports up to two player drop-in/drop-out co-op.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and mobile devices.
ESRB Rating: E10+
Paleo Pines
Paleo Pines is a farming sim a la Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons. But with dinosaurs! Armed with your loyal parasaurolophus, players look to build a thriving ranch on an island where dinosaurs and people coexist.
Explore the island, expand the farmland, complete quests, help townsfolk, befriend dinosaurs, and create a haven for adorable dinos. Some dinosaurs are hard to find, and all provide special abilities and assists for helping around the island and the ranch.
Platforms: Steam PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Parkasaurus
If you like the idea of running your own Jurassic Park, but want something a bit simpler and less serious than Jurassic World Evolution, Parkasaurus has you covered. This little indie game crams a ton of gameplay into its streamlined simulation. Hire employees, construct buildings, hatch dinosaur eggs, and keep everyone happy, from your dinosaurs to your customers, to manage the perfect (and perfectly adorable) dino park.
Platforms: PC, Switch
ESRB Rating: E10+
