These folks are the best. I was able to hang out with my great-nephew today. When we walked through the door, they immediately greeted us. The young lady there immediately took my nephew to show him stuff as I talked. He found a "senior moment - can't remember what it's called" and his eyes lit up. It the round rock with crystals inside. We saw replicas and fossils galore. We left with the "??" and a projectile point. What a great store with fantastic people. read more

We visited Tyrannostorus while I was in Arizona with my daughter, and it was such a fun surprise! You definitely don't have to be a dinosaur or fossil enthusiast to appreciate this place -- it's incredible for anyone who loves cool, unique finds. The store is packed with amazing fossils, rocks, and so many interesting things to explore. The staff was beyond helpful and kind. The gentleman working there took the time to answer all of our questions and even brought something special out from the back to show us -- which made the experience feel extra special. My daughter absolutely loved picking out her own geode and cracking it open with their machine to reveal the crystals inside. That was definitely the highlight of our visit! We will 100% be coming back next time we're in Arizona -- and we truly wish there was a store like this in California! Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area. read more

Tyrannostorus - A cracked geode - Kids Activities Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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While I was visiting my sister and her family, I asked my niece to show me her collection of gemstones and fossils. We got to talking, and she mentioned this store. She's a huge fan! Her mom and I went out of state for a few days, and my niece's work schedule is the graveyard shift, but we made plans to visit the shop before I headed back to the airport. For some reason, I had a picture of a roadside set up. Needless to say, it was not. I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover, because this small package (shop) was filled with things to look at, do, and buy. It was like a mini museum, but you can touch everything! We bought a few bags to pan through, and I bought a couple of silly things for my kids ("kids" 26 & 34). I really enjoyed myself here, especially with my family. I wish we had more time to spend, but I had a flight to catch (now with some gemstones), and my niece needed to get some sleep before her shift. I'll ask to go again when I visit next time! read more

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Absolutely the best service, best value for the items purchased. Stand behind everything they do and work tirelessly with their customers. Great selection and value. read more

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Harry and Dr. Grant gave the Fossil/Dinosaur presentation to our after-school program to about 40 children and staff. It was outstanding. All the students were engaged because of the way that Harry presented. He asked questions and there was a lot of back-and-forth interaction. Our students are typically quiet and shy with someone that they don't know, but that was not the case here. After the presentation Dr. Grant was at a table explaining the different fossils and he had quite a group surrounding him. Harry also had a big group asking questions and talking about dinosaurs. Both were very patient and took time needed. It was a highly successful event for us, and I recommend the staff at Tyrannostorus for an engaging, informative session! read more

The One Rule for Tyrannostorus: You're allowed to touch everything. How cool is that!?! This place is amazing. Fun for both children and adults alike, expect to be wowed and to learn things. They have an extensive line of cool items to look at and buy. If only my niece still liked dinosaurs, I'd get her a cool dinosaur purse they had hanging up. I walked out of there with some fluorite and a starfish ornament for my Christmas tree. The staff here is incredibly friendly and informative. They run a mean social media game too and truly are a delight to talk to. I learned so much in my short visit in their store. read more

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Amazing place. Quality fossils on display and for sale, all the way from a couple bucks to $50k! The range of items in this store/museum is so impressive. My kid had the best time sifting for fossils. For a $10 bag he had so many! Next time I'm getting a more expensive bag if this was the $10 one! The person we got to talk to (who also hosts their YouTube channel) was so helpful, friendly, and informative. I highly recommend this store for anyone of any age. Anyone will find something there that they will find interesting! Wish we lived closer so we could go everyday! read more

Tyrannostorus - Kids Activities Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Upon entering, I warned my kids not to touch as I could quickly spot all of the fossils and other seemingly fragile merch. The shopkeeper very kindly informed us that the kids were actually ENCOURAGED to touch. Spaces where children are celebrated and encouraged are not common in our society so I was very impressed by this. So. Many. Cool. Things. Fossils, replicas, shark teeth, gemstones, etc. With the relatively small shop size I assumed we would be in and out. Not so! My kids loved looking at everything from the cases to the sand fossil pit to peppering the associate with questions. He seemed genuinely enthusiastic regarding the topic of dinosaurs and it was refreshing to meet someone who clearly knows their stuff. Saved me from telling my kid "uhhhh I don't know actually. Maybe we can google it." We bought a microscope, a fill your own bag of gems, an owl pellet discovery kit and a figurine or two. I felt the prices were reasonable as everything is good quality and educational. We are looking forward to enrolling in some of their in-store classes. It's a long summer in Phoenix with two small kids. Too hot to do anything. THIS is what we needed to find. Well done guys! read more

This place is awesome for anyone that likes dinosaurs or anyone with Kids. There are a lot of really great things to looks at and holding things like a tyrannosaurus claw and standing that close to a skull replica really helps you understand how big they were. This place has a fissile digging thing for kids (adults too lol) that seems awesome. They have more than just Dino's too. A few science and learning things. Lots of stones and minerals and some skull still also. read more

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What a fantastic store!!! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and kind- they took the time to find out what my child was interested in, and gave us facts and items to look at that were related to their interest. Highly recommend doing the panning for fossils. We came home with so many treasures. Overall a fantastic store and a great experience. We will be back. read more

Tyrannostorus - Kids Activities Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

My Grandson & I visited today for his Birthday after seeing reviews in social media! I was so impressed with the knowledge, patience w/ an almost 8yr old who loves Dinosaurs, & kindness of the staff! The amazing selection of products; a cool meteorite watch for Grandpa, an adorable Dino purse & jewelry for my adult daughters, books for EVERYONE, and the cool artifacts for collecting & decorating; literally everyone would find something! I can't thank the staff enough for the great time my Grandson had! I know we will be back many times!!! read more

Tyrannostorus - Kids Activities Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

What an amazing place! We took our 5 year old grandson to meet his friend and they learned a lot and had a great time. A Biologist who digs for fossils talked to the kids and showed them fossils and asked them questions. Very interactive. Then they had two activities to find their own fossils, one digging in clay like dirt and another where they washed away the dirt from the fossils with water. Of course we bought a souvenir here was the coolest thing....when we got home he wanted to turn on a dinosaur show on Disney and he spent more time looking at the fossils he took home. Can't wait to come to another class at the Tyrannostorus! read more

The only rule is "you can touch everything." Really fun educational store for kids and fans of fossils, gems, skulls, toys, or oddities. Pan for your own treasures with their interactive sluice box. I love how welcoming & informative the staff was. We'll worth the trip - especially with exotic reptile neighbors! read more

Incredible store if you are into rocks, fossils, or anything science related. Unique selection of items and a truly cool experience. Staff is always so kind and always willing to talk to you about anything in the store. read more

This store/experience is absolutely amazing! My 9 year old LOVED IT! Even the hard-to-please, 13 year old LOVED IT. It's very clean, even when panning for gems (we got the small bag to pan for just $5!!!!) The very helpful and knowledgeable staff does a great job too! I cannot recommend trying this place out enough. They even give you a cute box, bag, and cards with labels for the gems you find!! read more

Tyrannostorus - Finding gems! - Kids Activities Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

My 7 and 3 yo had a fun time digging in sand to find fossils and panning for gems. I like that there are different priced packages. You get a lot of bang for your buck too. The employees were so helpful and friendly. We will definitely be back. read more

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What a fun adventure went with hubby on a day date and panned for gems. Staff was great and knowledgeable on the fossil on display.

I can't believe we lived here for over five years before finding this place, but it is amazing if you are or have a dinosaur/creature lover. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable and there is a great selection of activities, fossils and models. read more

Great place to buy gifts and see cool things. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Good place to take kids.

My kids are obsessed with this store. Everyone is so nice and knowledgeable, and the dig kits are a hit with my boys.

A fun place! If you are looking for a place for wonderful and unique place for a history lover in your life, this is the place!