Dinosaur Costumes: Inflatable T. rex Suits and Kids' Sizes

The best dinosaur costume fits the child’s size, lets them see clearly and has a flame-resistant label. Inflatable T. rex suits are the big-laugh choice for kids and adults but need a battery-powered fan and limit vision. Hooded jumpsuits suit toddlers. Add reflective tape and a flashlight for trick-or-treating after dark.

Which kind of dinosaur costume should you buy?

Dinosaur costumes fall into three broad styles. Each suits a different age and a different kind of evening.

Inflatable T. rex suits

An inflatable suit stays puffed up with a small fan built into the costume. One kids’ inflatable skeleton T. rex listing shows how they work: a 100% polyester windbreaker bodysuit with an attached fan at the back of the right hip, a battery pack that clips to clothing underneath and 4 AA batteries, not included. The head is fully enclosed, and the listing says its smoky vinyl viewport “allows limited vision.”

Rubie’s lists inflatable T. rex costumes for kids and adults, including Jurassic World T. rex versions with sound, plus seasonal “dress up kit” variants. Kids who love the films can find matching figures in our Jurassic World toys guide.

For scale, a real Tyrannosaurus was about 12 meters long, according to the Natural History Museum in London. Even a tall inflatable suit is a small T. rex.

Hooded jumpsuits and plush costumes

For toddlers, a soft hooded jumpsuit with a dinosaur face on the hood keeps the face and eyes clear. It also doubles as dress-up wear long after Halloween. Our dinosaur gifts for toddlers page covers age-graded toys for the same small fan.

Masks and accessories

A mask, a tail and foam claws turn a green hoodie into a dinosaur in minutes. CPSC says a mask should fit securely, have good ventilation and have eye holes large enough for full vision. If a mask fails that test, use face paint instead.

How to pick the right size

Buy from the size chart, not the age on the listing title. CPSC advises that costumes fit well and do not drag on the ground, which helps prevent trips and falls. Leave room for a warm layer underneath if your evenings are cold, and check that shoes can go on under any foot covers.

Some inflatable suits come in one size only, as the skeleton T. rex listing above does. Check the height range the maker gives before you order for a child at either end of it.

Is a dinosaur costume safe for trick-or-treating?

Yes, with a few checks. The official Halloween tips from CPSC, NFPA and the FDA focus on fire, being seen in the dark and clear vision.

Fabric and flames

CPSC recommends looking for flame-resistant fabrics, such as nylon or polyester, or the label “Flame Resistant.” NFPA advises staying away from costumes with long trailing fabric. A long dinosaur tail brushing past a candle-lit jack-o’-lantern is exactly that risk.

At home, NFPA suggests glow sticks or battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns, and keeping decorations away from open flames and heat sources.

Being seen after dark

CPSC suggests brightly colored costumes and reflective tape that shows up in car headlights. Children should carry flashlights so they can see and be seen. NFPA also recommends flashlights, or glow sticks worn as part of the costume. A dark green dinosaur suit benefits from a strip of tape down the tail and the back.

Batteries, small parts and magnets

Costumes with lights or sound chips may use button or coin cells. Under Reese’s Law, CPSC guidance says products made or imported after March 19, 2024 must secure those compartments so they need a tool or two independent, simultaneous hand movements to open.

For toddlers, watch for small trim such as plastic teeth, claws or buttons. CPSC bans small parts in products meant for children under 3, and costumes or accessories with small parts for ages 3 to 6 need a choking hazard label. Keep any magnetic closures or accessories intact: CPSC warns that swallowed magnets can attract each other inside the body.

Face paint and dinosaur-eye contact lenses

The FDA recommends testing costume makeup 24 to 48 hours in advance with a small amount on the wearer’s arm. Use only color additives the FDA has approved for cosmetics, which matters most for colors around the eyes.

Decorative contact lenses, such as reptile or dinosaur eyes, are medical devices. The FDA warns that buying any contact lenses without an exam and a prescription from an eye care professional can cause serious eye infections and permanent vision loss. Skip lenses sold at costume shops.

Dinosaur costumes for adults and families

Inflatable suits are sold in adult sizes too, and a family of T. rexes makes an easy group costume. Adults should follow the same vision and visibility advice, especially when walking kids along streets.

Dinosaur Gifts is not affiliated with Universal, Amblin, Mattel or the LEGO Group; product names are trademarks of their owners.

More than a Halloween costume

A dinosaur costume keeps working after October 31. It is a strong birthday present for a dinosaur party, a dress-up box staple and a Christmas gift for a child who talks about dinosaurs all day. Kids who want the theme at home can move on to bedding and lamps from our dinosaur room decor guide, and school-age fans will find kits, LEGO and figures in gifts for kids 6 to 12.

For every other kind of present, start at dinosaur gifts by age and interest.