Orchard Toys Board & Card Games Orchard Game - Dinosaur Lotto

Orchard Game - Dinosaur Lotto

by Orchard Toys

$29.95 ~~$34.95~~ /

🐨 100% Australian | Owned & Operated

⭐ 20,000+ Happy Customers | Trusted since 2016

Calculate shipping

Also available in a bundle

The anticipation builds as they flip a card, hoping to reveal the matching Triceratops needed to complete their board.

🦕 Simple Matching – Relies on pictures, not words, so pre-readers can play independently.
🧠 Builds Memory – Encourages them to track where specific cards are hidden.
👀 Visual Skills – Develops the observation skills needed for recognising letters later.
🤝 Social Play – A gentle introduction to turn-taking and winning or losing gracefully.

The Educator's Note

It isolates and trains 'visual discrimination'—the ability to spot differences in shapes—which is a critical precursor to identifying letters and numbers.
The game mechanics are simple enough that children can essentially 'facilitate' the game themselves after a few rounds, building independence.
Orchard Toys produces consistently durable card stock that withstands the repetitive flipping and handling inherent in memory games.

Play Specifications

🧒 3 years +

Recommended for ages 3 years +

🔬 Scientist

Curiosity & STEM

🌍 Explorer

Active & Outdoor

🔉 Quiet

Low volume

👥 Group Play

Collaborative / Multi-Player

🏠 Indoor

Living Room / Playroom

🧳 Travel Friendly

Compact / Portable / Car-Friendly

🧠 Cognitive

Problem Solving & Logic

🗣️ Language

Speech & Vocabulary

The Educator's Note

It isolates and trains 'visual discrimination'—the ability to spot differences in shapes—which is a critical precursor to identifying letters and numbers.
The game mechanics are simple enough that children can essentially 'facilitate' the game themselves after a few rounds, building independence.
Orchard Toys produces consistently durable card stock that withstands the repetitive flipping and handling inherent in memory games.

Play Specifications

🧒 3 years +

🔬 Scientist

🌍 Explorer

🔉 Quiet

👥 Group Play

🏠 Indoor

🧳 Travel Friendly

🧠 Cognitive

🗣️ Language

Far more than a game of luck, this is a foundational workout for their observation skills. The simple mechanic—turn a card, see if it matches your board—is instantly graspable for a three-year-old, yet the dinosaur theme keeps them engaged enough to finish the round. It turns the often-difficult lesson of 'waiting your turn' into part of the fun. From simple picture matching at 3 years to using memory strategies to win at 5 years, this game adapts to their growing cognitive abilities. The double-sided boards offer two levels of play: a simple matching side for beginners and a more challenging scene side for older players. It's the ideal bridge between solitary play and structured board games.

This game is a staple for early learners who are ready to move beyond solo play into shared activities.

The Dinosaur Enthusiast (3–6 years) – If they can name a Stegosaurus, they will engage with this immediately.
The Pre-Reader – Excellent for building confidence in children who aren't reading yet but want to play 'big kid' games.
The Busy Family – A reliable choice for parents needing a game that sets up in seconds and finishes in under 15 minutes.

The Thrill of the Hunt

There is a specific kind of quiet concentration that falls over a group of children playing this game. They aren't just looking at pictures; they are scanning for specific visual details—colour, shape, and species. When they flip a card that matches their board, the immediate thrill of success reinforces their focus. Because the game relies entirely on visual observation rather than reading, it levels the playing field, allowing younger siblings to compete genuinely with older ones.

Building Pre-Reading Skills

While they think they are just collecting dinosaurs, they are actually practising the exact skills required for reading. Distinguishing between a T-Rex and a Diplodocus requires noticing subtle differences in shape and orientation. This is the same cognitive process used to tell the difference between a 'b' and a 'd' or a 'p' and a 'q'. It strengthens the neural pathways for pattern recognition long before they pick up a school reader.

Social Learning in Action

Board games are often the first place children learn to navigate social contracts. Dinosaur Lotto provides a structured, low-stakes environment to practise patience. Waiting for the player to their left to finish their turn requires impulse control, while the game's short duration (typically 10-15 minutes) ensures they don't burn out before the winner is declared. It's a manageable way to introduce the concepts of rules, turns, and fair play. If they enjoy this, the classic Shopping List game is a perfect next step.

We ship daily around Australia. Orders placed before 10am are typically shipped on the same day.

Shipping is calculated based on your location and the items in your cart.

For your piece of mind we offer a 30 day return policy

Post code

State

Available Shipping Options:

Orchard Game - Dinosaur Lotto

Buy now

Why gift givers choose this

Quick Gameplay – A full round takes about 10–15 minutes, fitting easily into the pre-dinner window.
Learning in Disguise – It feels like a dinosaur hunt, but it's actually a rigorous memory and observation exercise.
Durable Design – The thick, wipe-clean boards survive sticky fingers and enthusiastic grabbing.
Travel Friendly – The compact box packs easily for holidays or visits to grandparents.