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Christmas gift guide

The Christmas present a three-year-old opens first, and 5 reasons it stays out after the holidays

Every year there is one toy under the tree that gets played with before breakfast. For dinosaur-loving kids this year, parents and grandparents say it is this one.

Rachel Mendes
Rachel Mendes
Toy reviewer and mother of three
5 min read • 15 September 2026
The Christmas present a three-year-old opens first, and 5 reasons it stays out after the holidays

1It roars the second it comes out of the paper

A small finger pressing the roar button while the roof lights flash
Four buttons, two lights, batteries already in.

The first thing a child finds is the row of red buttons on top of the T-rex's head. One starts the engine, one roars, one backs up, one honks, and the two roof lights flash.

Because the batteries are included, that happens on Christmas morning, not after a trip to find batteries.

A parent's review: “The best toy to give during Christmas.. My toddler stays entertained for hours.”

2It is two favorite things in one box

A boy hugging the T-rex truck under the Christmas tree

A dinosaur and a truck, together. For the child who is obsessed with both, there is nothing to decide.

And it is not just for boys. Several parents in the reviews bought it for daughters who love dinosaurs every bit as much.

From a parent's review: “My daughter absolutely loves it.”
Press to roarFour buttons on the T-rex's head: start the engine, roar, back up, honk. Two roof lights flash.
The mouth slideFlip up the lid, drop a dinosaur car in the top, and it rolls out of the open mouth.
Pull-back racersThe eight dinosaur cars pull back along the floor and zoom off on their own.
Everything parksSix spots on each side, behind clear doors that swing up. Clean-up is part of the game.

3There is a game in it, not just a toy

Pull-back dinosaur cars racing across the floor

Drop a dinosaur car in the top of the head and it rolls out of the mouth. Pull it back along the floor, let go, and it races away. Then park it back in its spot on the trailer.

It is a loop small children invent for themselves, which is why the truck is still out on the floor days later.

What grandparents notice: “He likes the dinosaur cars roll down and out the dinosaur truck mouth.”

4It is the size the listing says

The truck beside a water bottle with its measurements marked

Plenty of toys in this category are sold with videos that make them look enormous. This one is 17.3 inches long and 6.3 inches tall, about the length of a computer keyboard.

That is a good size for a three-year-old: big enough to be the main present, small enough to carry from room to room.

Order-by date: for Christmas, order by December 12. Every order ships within 24 hours.

5It covers a whole family of little ones

The bundles are built for families: two trucks for two children, or three for the cousins. The price per truck drops with each one.

If it is not right, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

RoarHaul T-Rex Truck
Reader pick
RoarHaul T-Rex Truck

The 13-piece T-rex carrier truck: roar and horn buttons, flashing lights, eight pull-back dinosaur cars and four mini vehicles. Batteries included, ages 3 and up.

Order by December 12 for Christmas
CHECK AVAILABILITY

30-day money-back guarantee • ships within 24 hours

13 PIECESBATTERIES INCLUDED30-DAY GUARANTEESHIPS IN 24 HOURS
★★★★★
He didn't want to open anything else after he saw it. Worth every penny.
Linda R., grandmother
★★★★★
I was the best Santa ever, according to a three-year-old. That is all I needed.
Tom B., grandfather
★★★★★
Bought it for his birthday and he still plays with it every day. Comes with the batteries, so it worked straight out of the box.
Maria G., mom
★★★★★
Wrapped it for my nephew and it was the only toy still out on the floor at the end of Christmas Day.
Sharon K., aunt
★★★★★
My daughter loves dinosaurs more than anything. She loves this one just as much as her brother does.
Ben A., dad
This year, give them the one they open first

This year, give them the one they open first

Order by December 12 for Christmas. Every order ships within 24 hours.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

30-day money-back guarantee • ships within 24 hours