Children have always been fascinated by the wonders of the animal kingdom, and this fascination extends to the creatures that once roamed the Earth but are now extinct. From the towering dinosaurs that ruled the prehistoric world to the enigmatic dodo that met its untimely end, these extinct animals continue to captivate young minds. They stir the imagination through their unique appearances, impressive sizes, and the dramatic tales of their existence and extinction.

This blog is written by two brothers PursuitPrimal (11 year) and rsPajamas (8 years), where they explored some of the most beloved extinct animals that children adore, delving into the stories of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, the woolly mammoth, and many more. Join us on a journey through time as we uncover the wonders of these fascinating creatures and the lessons they teach us about our planet's rich history.

Dinosaurs:

Perhaps the most beloved extinct animals among kids. Specific dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and Stegosaurus are perennial favorites, thanks to the people who wrote books, and made toys and movies for us depicting these animals.

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Mammoths:

These large, woolly relatives of elephants fascinate children with their enormous size and distinctive curved tusks. Mammoths are often featured in educational programs and animated films. We first learned about these from the movie series called “Ice Age”

Saber-toothed Tigers (Smilodon):

Known for their long, curved canine teeth, these prehistoric predators intrigue kids with their fierce appearance and are frequently included in books about the Ice Age.

Dodos:

This flightless bird from Mauritius is famous for its extinction in the 17th century, based on books. The story of the extinction of these dodo's is very sad and we even heard them in many grown up conversations.

Pterosaurs:

While not technically dinosaurs, these flying reptiles are often grouped with them in popular culture. Their ability to fly and varied, often dramatic, appearances make them a hit with kids. After watching the movies called “Jurassic Park” we learned all about these from books.

Megalodon:

This gigantic pre-historic shark sparks awe and excitement due to its massive size and fearsome reputation. It is often featured in documentaries and adventure stories. We first learned about these from the movie series called “The Meg”.

Tasmanian Tigers (Thylacines):

The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, with its striped back and dog-like appearance, fascinates kids as a more recent example of an extinct animal. If we remember correctly, we first learned about these from a documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Passenger Pigeons:

Once numbering in the billions, their sudden extinction in the early 20th century is a powerful example of human impact on wildlife, often used in educational settings. We learned about these from many stores form our parents back in Asia where they were born and raised before moving to the United States.

These animals not only captivate children but also serve as important educational tools to teach about biodiversity, evolution, and the consequences of extinction.

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