Halloween Fun With Jim Henson Company and Dinosaur Train {Review}

My kids love to watch Dinosaur Train on PBS.  I love it too as it is very educational for them, yet holds their interest.  Both of my older children can name many different types of dinosaurs and tell you about them and I believe it is largely because of Dinosaur Train.

For Halloween this year Kurtis has struggled for an idea of what to be, so when we saw the Buddy the Dinosaur costumes from California Costume Connections we decided it would be perfect.  Kurt loves dinosaurs and LOVES the color orange so this was the perfect costume for him.

The colorful Buddy costume includes the orange colored T-Rex jumpsuit, Buddy the dinosaur hood, and shoe covers.  I love that the costume can be put on over clothing so he can wear something nice and warm underneath.

My favorite part of the costume is the tail.  When Kurtis walks, the tail “wags” back and forth and it is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  The neckline on the costume is quite wide and awkward, but I think we will put a turtleneck underneath for Halloween and it will look fine.  Buddy’s head is a little tippy on top of Kurtis’ head and I think I will try to find some elastic or something to secure it a little better.  I do love that the head is not a mask and does not go over Kurt’s face since I am sure he would not keep it on if it did.  It is also nice that the costume has ‘claws’ that can be pulled over the hands, or pulled back when you don’t want them on.

California Costume Collections offers Buddy and Tiny costumes for children.  Both costumes are available for toddlers ages 3-4, and children ages 4-6. SRP: $34.99 – $39.99.

If you prefer to make your own Halloween costumes, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has created a Buddy costume that can be made at home.  It is offered in a sew and no-sew option.  You can watch a video of the sew version.  I love this option as historically I have made many of my family’s Halloween costumes.

To add to our Dinosaur Train Halloween fun Danica and Kurtis were both extremely excited for their new bedtime storybook The Spooky Scavenger Hunt (Dinosaur Train) from Penguin Young Readers Group based on the Dinosaur Train television series.

Mr. Pteranodon takes Buddy and Tiny on a nighttime trip to the Big Pond for a spooky nature walk! Mr. Pteranodon and the conductor insist they can’t be scared, but when the conductor’s mom jumps out at them, everyone gets a good scare! This simple storybook is perfect for read-aloud fun!  Ages 4 – 8; SRP $3.99. 

The kids love the book and it is educational too with facts snuck in such as Troodons are nocturnal and have great night vision.  I love any book that teaches my children without them even realizing it!

As a final addition to the Halloween fun, Dinosaur Train is set to air 2 new Halloween themed episodes.  Haunted Roundhouse and Big Pond Pumpkin Patch are scheduled to air during the week of October 15, October 22 and on October 31. -check local listings.

Be sure to check out PBS kids on Facebook and Twitter and The Jim Henson Company on Facebook and Twitter.

BUY IT:

Buddy or Tiny the Dinosaur costumes can be purchased at California Costume Collections.  You can also follow them on Facebook.  The Spooky Scavenger Hunt can be purchased at retailers and many places online including our affiliate Amazon. You can follow Penguin Young Readers on Twitter.

Disclosure: I received a sample for the purpose of this post however all thoughts remain 100%  my own.