Children's 5 favourite dinosaurs (and where to see them in Madrid)

Ask any child about their favourite dinosaur and watch their face light up. After thousands of visits to the park, we know exactly which five spark the most excitement.

1. Tyrannosaurus rex

The undisputed king. Its ridiculously short arms, enormous head and reputation for devouring everything make it the absolute favourite. A fact children love: its bite was so powerful it could crush bones. At Dinolandia, it is quite literally the dinosaur that welcomes you.

2. Triceratops

The herbivore with attitude. Three horns, a huge frill and a fierce expression: children adore it because it looks friendly and dangerous at the same time. It is also perfect for explaining that not all dinosaurs ate meat.

3. Brachiosaurus

The long-necked giant. Its colossal size (it could look over a four-storey building) makes it a favourite with the youngest children, who gaze upwards with their mouths wide open.

4. Stegosaurus

The plates along its back and its spiked tail make it unmistakable. A fun fact that always goes down well: its brain was the size of a walnut, something children find hilarious.

5. Velociraptor

Films are to blame, of course. Although the real Velociraptor was the size of a turkey and had feathers, its reputation as a clever, speedy hunter keeps it in the top 5. It is the favourite among slightly older children.

Where to see them at life size

All five (and many more) await you at Dinolandia, the large dinosaur park in the Sierra Oeste de Madrid, 50 minutes from the capital. They are life-size animatronic figures that move their heads, tails and eyes among the pine trees: the most spectacular way to meet them without a time machine.

Which one is the favourite in your household? Come and see whether it lives up to expectations in person.