Creating an outdoor 'dinosaur playground'

Didn't know where the best spot to put this was, but considering it will be something in the backyard and may require a touch of basic landscaping thought it might be best in here..

Anyway, DD (nearly 3) is obsessed with dinosaurs and likes to take them outside sometimes to play with them. We have in the past had containers of sand, water and once made some slimy goo, that she can stomp them around in. She was in a patch in the backyard this morning that I think was supposed to be a garden but has never had anythig done apart from a rough rock border and a tree planted in it.
This sparked an idea to section off a small portion of it and create a little area for her dinosaurs with rocks, a little bit of water, bridges, hidey holes, nesting areas etc.
Now, I am no gardener or landscaper, and we rent so it can't be too permanent or invasive. We also have a dog, and while I think for the most part he would leave it alone, it is a place where he buries bones... Obviously also needs to be weather proof.

I had a quick google and found a link to a dinosaur garden someone had made for their kids which looked quite good, but was fairly permanent and their area was a lot tidier than the little plot we have!
So after some ideas..how do I plan it, what should I put in t, what should I use, how do I make it happen?

What a sweet idea! I have fairy garden areas my DD plays with.... I would love a dinosaur one too :)

We had a digging patch (or quarry as they called it) where our kids played with Tonka trucks and things like that under a tree where there was no grass growing. Something like that would be fine while you're renting because you can just move the soil back over the parts they've messed up or dug out.

Gorgeous idea! I love garden stuff.

A few ferns would do it. A couple of plants with large foliage with some pebble/rock pathways in between wont make the garden look "crazy" and still within renting ability. Actually there are some vegetables that would work well for instant results and wont last for long- broccoli would be fun, artichokes, kale is bushy... Children have great imaginations so I don't think you need too much. Make some fun things like tunnels & caves for a bit of excitement :)

Have done as much as i think we'll get done today..will hit the garden shop tomorrow to find some plants, stones and woodchips. The area is in sun most of the day, would ferns be ok? Thought they liked things damp & dark?
There's a bit of a hollowed out tree root that I've incorporated, put a bit of lattice across the colourbond fence, tidied up the rock edging and divided off about a third of the entire area with another line of rocks. Cleared up all the grass that was growing in it and raked all the leaves & filthy dirt off the top. Found two plastic pots at Go lo (plus some little baby dinosaurs, dinosaur 'fossils' and some river rocks to make nests with), filled one with sand and put water in the other. Which then leaked out and is now empty..didn't realise there were tiny drainage holes in the corners! Lol. Will have to find a spot to dig them into the ground. Also put a wooden plank stacked on some bricks, for stomping along or hiding under or whatever. Found a short piece of pipe, not sure where I'll put it yet, if I even use it at all.

And after all that effort, while I was on the phone to my mum DD was quite happy enough playing with them on the verandah..lol. Oh well..wasted the day well!