Buying scientifically accurate dinosaur toys for school—YIKES

[brontosauruschuck]

Hey y'all, I might be opening a can of worms. If so, sorry sorry sorry!

One of the schools where I sometimes substitute teach has a bunch of toy prehistoric reptiles on the windowsill of the office. I'm trying to build a grant proposal to get them replaced by more scientifically accurate toys, because while I love the old models of dinosaurs as well as the new, I feel like giving kids prehistoric reptile toys to learn from is irresponsible. The blog has always had great information about what dinosaurs are the most updated, but right now I'm trying to figure out where I can order them, so I can price out how much the school will need for the grant proposal. If you have any suggestions on where to buy a good scientifically accurate model online, that would be great. Links would be fantastic. Ebay is kind of tricky since what you see there today might not be there tomorrow.

Here's what I'm looking for:

Brachiosaurus - 1 adult & 1 infant
Tyrannosaurus - 1 feathered & 1 featherless
Pteranodon
Styracosaurus
Pachycephalosaurus

Thanks!

[E.D.G.E. (PainterRex)]

Since no here wants to, or is capable, of helping me out, I will help you out my friend!

Brachiosaurus adult: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Ltd-Wild-Brachiosaurus/dp/B0032O8Q3E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677229&sr=8-2&keywords=safari+brachiosaurus

Brachiosaurus infant: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Ltd-Wild-Brachiosaurus-Baby/dp/B00BAUCVE2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677317&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+brachiosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Unfeathered (If you want a bigger, but ever so slightly outdated than this one is better): https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Carnegie-Scale-Model-Tyrannosaurus/dp/B00005BHLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677446&sr=8-1&keywords=carnegie+tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Unfeathered, Option 2 (Battat And Dan Lorusso's sculpts are amazing and have mostly survived 1020 years without getting outdated): https://www.amazon.com/Terra-rex-LoRusso-Collection-Battat/dp/B01FMB94NA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677513&sr=8-3&keywords=battat+terra+tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Unfeathered, Option 3 (The New carnegie one, the most accurate, but rather smaller than the other options): https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Ltd-Carnegie-Dinosaurs-Tyrannosaurus/dp/B00HDSKZY8/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677636&sr=8-16&keywords=carnegie+tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurus feathered (this is the only option, unfortunately. It is a little pricey, but also rather large): https://www.amazon.com/CollectA-Prehistoric-Deluxe-Feathered-movable/dp/B00XKK0KSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469677681&sr=8-1&keywords=feathered+tyrannosaurus

Pteranodon (Unfortunately, this genus is hard to find anything accurate of): http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/pteranodon-sternbergi-with-fish-by-bullyland/
The bullyland one is the best, even though it has some problems, biggest of which is that it is representing a genus that has changed to Geosternbergia. The walking/sitting one is good too: http://www.gutundguenstig24.de/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=4136

Styracosaurus (The palo figure is nicely detailed and rather accurate, but a bit shrink-wrapped and awesomebro-y): https://www.amazon.com/Papo-55020-Styracosaurus/dp/B004IZ3ZYG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469678103&sr=8-2&keywords=styracosaurus+toy

The safari styracosaurus is great as well, and not so shrink-wrapped! : https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Styracosaurus-Carnegie-Museum-Dinosaur/dp/B000HSVAXQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469678250&sr=8-3&keywords=safari+styracosaurus

Pachycephalosaurus (Collecta's is pretty good, but stuck on a stand): https://www.amazon.com/Collecta-88629-CollectA-Pachycephalosaurus-Toy/dp/B00E36A660/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469678333&sr=8-1&keywords=collecta+pachycephalosaurus

Favorite's Pachycephalosaurus is also pretty great: http://www.bhigr.com/store/product.php?productid=326

[Flaffy]

Go to EverythingDinosaur(UK), Minizoo(Australia), DansDinosaur(US) etc... All of which are online shops.
For brachiosaurus, I think Wild Safari or Carnegie are both good choices, in terms of detail and accuracy, I personally prefer the Carnegie one. For the infant, there aren't any good brachiosaurus infant toys I can think of, but Safari Ltd and CollectA mad their own versions of it.
Ok now to the tyrant king. The CollectA Deluxe Feathered Tyrannosaurus is a very good choice.And for the scaly rex, go for the Battat Terra one. 
For pteranodon, I personally prefer the Favourite Co. pteranodon.
For Styractosaurus, If you can get your hands on the Battat Styractosaurus, I say go for it. However it is really hard to find these days and it is pricey, but knowing that kids will be around the figures, I suggest getting the Favourite Co. figure instead of the Battat one.
For the pachy, I would go for the CollectA one, but it more on the small side.
Links:
EverythingDinosaur- http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/
DansDinosaurs- http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/
Minizoo- http://www.minizoo.com.au/
Favourite Co. selection- http://www.f-favorite.net/english/products/dinosaur/SoftModel/
Favourite Co. for sale- http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/favorite-co/?sort=featured&page=1
CollectA selection- http://www.collecta.biz/en/collections/prehistoric-life
CollectA for sale- 1) http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/collecta/
                          2) http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/models-and-inflatables/dinosaur-collection-procon.html?limit=30
                          3) http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/models-and-inflatables/dinosaur-collection-procon-collecta-1-40-scale.html
                          4) http://www.minizoo.com.au/categories/Collecta/Prehistoric/
Safari selection- https://www.safariltd.com/dinosaur-toys/#limit=all
Safari for sale (some includes Carnegie figures)- 1) http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/safari-ltd/?sort=featured&page=1
                                                                      2) http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/models-and-inflatables/carnegie-dinosaur-collectibles.html
                                                                      3) http://www.minizoo.com.au/categories/Safari/Dinosaurs/
Battat Terra selection- http://www.terrauniverse.com/dinosaurs
Battat Terra for sale- http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/models-and-inflatables/battat-terra-dinosaur-models.html
I hope this helps. 

[DinoLord]

How picky are you about scale? Do you want them all to be in scale with each other? This will help us point you towards specific figures.

[Patrx]

Here are my suggestions - they're not perfect, but these are, by my reckoning, the most correct scientifically - ignoring scale. I also left out the tiny vending machine figures that come out of Japan, which are very accurate in general but do not seem quite right for a classroom setting due to their small size and fragility.

Adult Brachiosaurus : 2012 Edition by Carnegie. It has correct forelimbs and nostril placement, unlike, well, every other brachiosaur toy. Unfortunately, I cannot think of an infant version that does not have erroneous feet and nostrils.

Unfeathered (Retro) Tyrannosaurus: The Series Two Favorite Soft Model is a decent option. It's a little shrinkwrapped, though. Nevermind the name, it's not actually "soft", it's just made of plastic instead of polystone resin.

Feathered Tyrannosaurus: Unfortunately, the previously-mentioned Favorite model's "feathered" brother isn't very good, but CollectA have two feathered rexes, Deluxe and Standard, that are quite nice. They do have scaly faces and no "lips" unfortunately.

Pteranodon: I'll be going back to Favorite's Soft Model series for this one. Unfortunately, it's not fluffy enough, the tail is wrong, and the wings are not shaped correctly - but it's still the most accurate one out there that's not a tiny little vending machine figure.

Styracosaurus: Until Doug Watson of Safari LTD makes a new version, your best bet will probably be Papo's attempt (neck is too long) or Favorite's Soft Model (shrinkwrapped) They both have decent (but still not-quite-right) hand anatomy.

Pachycephalosaurus: Unfortunately, the only decent toy version of this one I can think of is the retired Favorite Soft Model, which might be tricky to find. EDIT: Oh! I forgot about CollectA's Pachycephalosaurus, it is rather good and easier to obtain!

Hope this helps! I applaud your effort to update your classroom 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

Mostly echoing what others have said, I would suggest
Brachiosaurus: 2012 Carnegie (w/WS baby)
Tyrannosaurus rex: 2014 Carnegie, and the Battat. The CollectA feathered rexes are really the only ones out there with feathers.
Pteranodon: Schleich 16416 (Isn't easy to find)
Styracosaurus: Battat or Carnegie (Battat being preferable but more expensive)
Pachycephalosaurus: Wild Safari or Battat, neither are particularly common or cheap.

[Flaffy]

No one notices the Battat Terra T-rex for the scaly rex? 

[Patrx]

No one notices the Battat Terra T-rex for the scaly rex? 

I believe it's included in PainterRex's list of suggestions 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

No one notices the Battat Terra T-rex for the scaly rex? 

I just came back to edit my post for that exact reason after walking past my Battat shelf

[stargatedalek]

Are you looking for toys the kids can play with or teaching aid models?

If toys:

Brachiosaurus - 1 adult & 1 infant
Recent Carnegie Brachiosaurus is really your only option, but it's discontinued so good luck finding multiple of them. I recommend using an alternative sauropod. CollectA has a good selection of up to date sauropods to choose from and some have small and large versions available.

Tyrannosaurus - 1 feathered & 1 featherless
You're really spoiled for options with featherless Tyrannosaurus, just check that the palms face each other and it doesn't have the Jurassic Park "angry eyebrows" and you're probably golden. For feathered you really only have the CollectA versions and the (less desirable) Favorite Kinto version.

Pteranodon
Spoiled for choice here too. Unfortunately there is no kid friendly 100% up to date Pteranodon available, but really so long as it has a coating of fluff on it and no teeth in its beak you're doing about as good as you can. I agree with the recommendation of the Favorite Kinto figure, but keep in mind the species it's based on has been renamed to Geosternbergia and not Pteranodon.

Styracosaurus
Again no 100% up to date one out there, but the Papo and Favorite Kinto are both good options.

Pachycephalosaurus
CollectA is a good option, or the retired Favorite Kinto if you can find it. If you're patient you may be able to get the Battat one when/if it re-releases at Target.

[ltokuda]

Hi Brontosauruschuck,

Wow, that sounds like a great project.  It makes me want to do something similar for my son's school.  I have some suggestions as well.

I would strongly recommend getting all the models in the same scale.  Recently, I did a dinosaur presentation for my son's Kindergarten/1st grade combo class with 1/40 scale dinosaur toys.  Having all the dinosaurs on the same scale proved to be extremely effective.  It immediately conveys a wealth of information that even the youngest children can understand.  The kids were absolutely shocked when I compared a 1/40 scale person to a 1/40 scale brachiosaurus! :-)  Or comparing the size difference between protoceratops and triceratops says a lot about evolutionary diversity.  The size comparisons will definitely be the first thing they notice.  They won't even think about the scientific details until much later.

One general comment I have on accuracy is that "its all relative".  What was accurate yesterday might be outdated tomorrow.  In order to keep the collection up to date, you might want to add to it over time.  Maybe if you make a list of dinosaurs you want to add, some parents will volunteer to buy a piece or two at a time.  That way, the collection can grow and stay up to date.  It can also serve as a great example of how scientific thinking evolves over time.

I don't think there is a really accurate 1/40 scale brachiosaurus out there right now (much less with a baby).  If you're going for accuracy, I would punt on the brachiosaurus and choose another sauropod instead.  New toys are coming out every year and one day, a really good 1/40 scale brachiosaurus will come.  If you really need a Brachiosaurus, though, then the 1/50 scale Canegie brachiosaurus is a very good choice:

http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/carnegie-collection-brachiosaurus.html

If you can do without a brachiosaurus (and baby), then I would recommend the Carnegie diplodocus.  This is one of my favorite dinosaur figures.  The Carnegie collection has been discontinued but you can still buy them at retail price:
http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/carnegie-collection-diplodocus.html

For the unfeathered T-Rex, I would definitely get the Battat version from Target (about $10).  You can also get it on Amazon or here:
http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/t-rex-dinosaur-model-battat-terra-t-rex-dinosaur.html

For the feathered T-Rex, I would recommend the Collecta Deluxe version.  It is available from Amazon or here:
http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/tyrannosaurus-feathered-deluxe-by-collecta/
http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/collecta-deluxe-feathered-t-rex.html

Other's have pointed out that there are no good Pteranodon options available.  The best available choice seems to be the Favourite version.  Maybe an alternate option is to go with Quetzalcoatlus instead:
http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/collecta-quetzalcoatlus-with-prey.html

For Styracosaurus, I would choose Papo:
https://www.amazon.com/Papo-55020-Styracosaurus/dp/B004IZ3ZYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469753212&sr=8-1&keywords=papo+styracosaurus

For Pachycephalosaurus, I would choose Collecta:
http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/collecta-pachycephalosaurus.html

[brontosauruschuck]

Holy Moley! Thanks everyone for the recommendations! You're the best! I can't wait to get started on this!

[ltokuda]

It looks like a 1/40 scale brachiosaurus is on the way!

http://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4937.msg145469#msg145469

[DC]

When I teach I use CollectA or Safari.  I try to keep them at least releative scale.  They have the advantage of being easy to get and comfotably priced plus the sculpts are robust enough to take handling by kids.

Papo and Hasbro make me uncomfortable to use teaching although kids commonly bring them into class.

[ProSauropod]

Excellent idea - how about another twist?  Collect the "same" dinosaur going back as far as you can (e.g. Marx playset) up to the present and include chinasaurs, JP toys, etc.  By putting them in a timeline hierarchy you  show how our perception of a given creature has changed over say 50 years; T-rex from a lumbering upright tail-dragger to a lithe predator to feathers (?).  And how the correct perception (at a given time) has been - ummmm - modified for movies or as a cheap-a-saurus toy.  A backdrop of representative illustrations show how artwork has or hasn't kept up with model / toy representation.  I recently spent time explaining to a young person why their "dinosaur" toy doesn't look like what is in the book    I may look to do this at a local library now that you mention it .............

[CityRaptor]

Well, that only works if the library has accurate books.

[vmi]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222282059103?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

you can see this on ebay

[stargatedalek]

I must recommend heavily against the use of the ITOY Ceratosaurus as an educational piece. Additionally you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere.

[Flaffy]

Nope. There are better, more accurate and durable figures of ceratosaurus out there.

[Takama]

It looks like a 1/40 scale brachiosaurus is on the way!

http://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4937.msg145469#msg145469

Dont get your hopes up just yet.