13 best toy cars for toddlers for some fun tearing

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Toddlerhood is such a beautiful age for toys cars. It lets them run around the house while taking the wagons everywhere.

For instance this great set of wooden cars from Le Toy Van. A nice retro style and they drive well. The weight is especially nice and with that they can drive well over the floor.

In this guide, I take a look at the 13 best toys cars in front toddlers and what you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Best Toy Cars For Toddlers (1)

Let's take a quick look at the top options. Then I'll go into more detail about each of these choices.

Overall best toy car set for toddlers

Le Toy VanRetro Subway

These are the kind of classic vehicles in soft pastel colors that I want my child to play with. No, I want to play with it myself!

8.5
Toy score
Product image

Best toy parking garage for toddlers

HapeE3002 Park And Go With Lift

The gas station at the bottom is a nice addition for some pretend play. The hoses can go into the cars.

9.3
Toy score
Product image

Best RC car for toddlers

sgile360 Rotation

[Toy Grade] You see this kind of 360 degree rotation cars popping up everywhere, and the best brand for this type of RC car at the moment is Sgile. Super sturdy so bumping or falling from something won't do anything to him.

8.7
Toy score
Product image

Best toy car that can change color

Hot WheelsColor Shifters

There aren't many cars that can take a bath, so that's a welcome addition. Hot Wheels are on the cheaper side of diecast and are really meant to be toys.

8.3
Toy score
Product image

Best toy car that can be taken apart

Theo KleinBosch Car Tuning Kit

Can be completely taken apart with a real working electric screwdriver that can turn both left and right.

7.9
Toy score
Product image

Best toy car with trailer

Melissa & DougWooden truck-loading crane

Wooden trailer with magnetic crane with which he can pick up the supplied cars and place them on the trailer.

7.3
Toy score
Product image

Best activities

joyinGarbage truck

Take it apart with the screwdriver. The best activity is the garbage arm that can actually lift the 3 included garbage cans.

8.1
Toy score
Product image

Best toy car wash for toddlers

Melissa & DougService station

The brightly colored sliding doors are there to close off the parking garage. Your little one must be curious to see what's behind the garage doors.

7.6
Toy score
Product image

Best cheap toy car with light and sound

CatTough Machinery Dump Truck

For a cheap car it has very realistic sounds. It is a 10-inch (25 cm) Cat Dump Truck made of very sturdy plastic.

8.7
Toy score
Product image

Best cheap toy cars with track

KkonesDinosaur Flexible Track Playset

But 144 track pieces is certainly enough to come up with many different setups. The pieces are easy to click together but are still fairly tight afterwards.

8.2
Toy score
Product image

Best toy car with trailer for toddlers

Green toysRV Camper Set

It's time for a holiday with this toy. A nice trip with the Camper. Actually a 3-in-1 play set with 2 trailers.

8.9
Toy score
Product image

Best magnetic car for toddlers

BlockarooFoam Roadsters

The Blockaroo Roadster is a great fun set for toddlers. They can actually start building something with this.

8.5
Toy score
Product image

Best electric car toys from 3 years old

CostzonMercedes Benz ML350 6V

This is another children's car with a sturdy seat. This makes it great fun for kids who are between 3 and 8 years old.

8.7
Toy score
Product image

From toddler to toddler activity book collection

Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years

Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.

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Toy cars for toddlers buying guide

What should you pay attention to when buying toys cars in front toddlers?

At this age they can just enjoy a car in their hand and drive smoothly across the floor.

Durability is especially important at this age, and they need to be fun to ride.

Sustainability

There are quite a few differences in quality toys car brands. Just look at the difference between Green Toys and Joyin, you can clearly feel the quality.

With a full wooden auto In any case, virtually nothing can break. That's what I paid extra attention to when assessing the durability of the cars.

Quality of driving

At toys You want cars to drive well. Some things to pay attention to are:

  1. the distance from the wheels to the chassis: some toy cars run into problems so they don't drive very well
  2. the rigidity of the shaft: some toy cars are very wobbly so the wheels can move far in and out, and still rub
  3. the quality of the wheels: is it plastic or are there really rubber wheels on the tires? Rubber rolls a lot better
  4. the weight of the car: you may not realize this right away, but the weight of the car plays a very large role in how well it rolls. A heavier car made of diecast or wood rolls a lot better and further than a plastic car

Replayability

A big part of the replayability of the auto It's in how well it drives, but there are other factors that determine how often they return to it.

Age also plays a role. Is it a auto that remains ignored after toddlerhood or can it last longer because it is also suitable for older children?

The number of extra functions also plays a major role, such as the extra activities at Joyin or the blocks of Blockaroo.

I have each of the cars on this list on these components are assessed on a 5-point scale.

Top 13 toy cars for toddlers reviewed

Overall best toy car set for toddlers

Le Toy Van Retro Subway

Product image
8.5
Toy score
To drive
4.1
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
4.5
Best for
  • Sturdy wooden construction
  • Wheels run fine
Less good
  • Paint scratches quite quickly

This is the kind auto that I want my child to play with. No, I want to play with it myself! Beautiful classic vehicles in soft pastel colors.

Especially with such an outspoken model it is good to have a set to be able to play with it together.

Sure, others cars also often participate in the game, but they often go out together in one way or another.

They are an Independent Toy Award winner, painted with non-toxic paint and made from renewable rubber trees.

Just the right size for small children's hands. Great quality for an affordable price.

Best toy parking garage for toddlers

Hape E3002 Park And Go With Lift

Product image
9.3
Toy score
To drive
4.5
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
4.7
Best for
  • Sturdy wooden garage
  • Good price
  • Lift included
Less good
  • Colors are not very attractive

Age: 3 years +

The first on the list is the toys garage with elevator from Hape. I think this is a nice garage and the nicest elevator because it is a pulley elevator.

Furthermore, it is nice and high and both floors have a spiral slope, making it fun to use one of the 2 supplied cars to drive off. There is also a helicopter.

The gas station at the bottom is a nice addition for some fantasy play. The snakes can be in the cars.

What it is: a medium-sized (42 x 93 x 43 centimeters), solid wood, 3-storey garage with road markings, a pulley lift, two spiral ramps, 3 cars and a ramp with a lever. Requires assembly with screwdriver (instructions included).

Why I like him: this is a good price for a sturdy wooden garage that is fairly easy to assemble (the instructions are good and clear).

Some reviews do state that the lift is a bit stiff and the ramp is a bit steep, but they all thought it was fun to play with.

Best RC car for toddlers

sgile 360 Rotation

Product image
8.7
Toy score
To drive
4.2
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.6
Best for
  • Collide safely so your child can tear with it
  • Made to do fun stunts
Less good
  • Controls can take some getting used to for a small child
  • Not suitable for racing

Type: Toy Grade

This is a auto for when you want to drive around without worrying about bumping into something.

That may be because you really like it, but it is also perfect for toddlers and toddlers who don't yet know very well what they are doing.

This kind of 360 degree rotation cars you see them popping up everywhere, and the best brand for this type of RC car at the moment is Sgile.

Super sturdy so bumping or falling from something won't hurt it and it charges nice and fast (in 1,5 hours) so your child will never run out of battery (because they will often forget to charge it before they want to ride) ).

Oh, and charging is done via USB so you can do that anytime, anywhere.

That fast charging is also necessary because it can only last 25 minutes on a single charge. That is one of the major drawbacks.

But they also paid attention to safety with high-quality ABS materials that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The battery has short circuit protection and overcharge protection.

Best toy car that can change color

Hot Wheels Color Shifters

Product image
8.3
Toy score
To drive
4.2
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
4.1
Best for
  • Can change color
  • Hot Wheels are cheap cars, fun to play with
Less good
  • Water must be really hot and cold

Cars Hotwheels are known for being easy to ride on and fast, but... you also have many different options.

That is why I am also looking at these Color Shifters from Hotwheels.

The disadvantage is that you don't know in advance which one you will get, so if you are really looking for a specific type auto these aren't for you, and I got this race car when I ordered one.

Hot wheels color shifters

Someone indicated that it doesn't work no matter what he tried, but most people can still get some fun out of it:

Exactly as advertised. I ordered three cars and luckily they were all different (thank you!!!) The children take them to the bath with a cup of ice cream and enjoy the color changes.

It is indeed difficult to get the color changing effect.

Warm must be really very warm and cold very cold, otherwise it won't work. But for example in a warm bath is fine and then with a glass of ice water next to it.

There are not many cars that can be taken in the bath, so that is a welcome addition.

Best toy car that can be taken apart

Theo Klein Bosch Car Tuning Kit

Product image
7.9
Toy score
To drive
3.2
Replayability
4.6
Sustainability
4.1
Best for
  • Really working screwdriver can even turn left and right
  • Very nice kit
Less good
  • Car doesn't drive very well
  • Sturdy parts, but the car is not firmly put together

Using

  • the demountable car,
  • 4 interchangeable straps,
  • 3 interchangeable label sets,
  • the screwdriver
  • and of course the working Bosch electric screwdriver

you can use the auto build it up and then take it apart again, and do that as often as you want!

It can be completely disassembled, and it comes with a real working electric screwdriver that can turn both left and right to loosen and re-tighten everything.

The auto is made up of all separate parts, so you also have loose wheels that you can use as spare tires and put on them.

Theo-Klein-Bosch-Take-Apart-Car-Electric-screwdriver

All the plates can be removed, so you can actually see exactly how a auto is put together.

There is also a sticker sheet where you can give those blue parts nice speed stripes, just like in a real race auto.

A very nice set from Bosch so that they can learn to use screwdrivers and also use power tools, wheels and everything else that comes with it. auto to get to know them a little.

The auto is not very firmly put together. It is difficult to play well with it.

That's why it was mainly used with us to take apart and rebuild, but never made it in our son's pretend play.

Best toy car with trailer

Melissa & Doug Wooden Truck Loading Crane

Product image
7.3
Toy score
To drive
3.1
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
3.8
Best for
  • Nice set with cars and trailer
  • Good size to play with other cars
Less good
  • Magnet is very weak and hard to keep the cars on it
  • Wooden stop block of the trailer broke off (after angry throwing)

The Melissa & Doug magnetic wooden truck crane with vehicles consists of six parts and includes a red charger with magnetic army arm, a car transport trailer and four magnetic wooden cars.

The four cars all have a different color, namely red, blue, yellow and white and each has its own number. In this way, a child learns to count, sort and group and playfully stimulate fantasy.

I had written about it before here under the nicest wooden one toys like wooden toys car, that the magnet (like this magnetic toy) could have been a little stronger.

That is really true because it becomes very challenging to drive with the auto while holding something.

You can pick up cars with the magnetic crane on the truck and they are very loose. You have to be extremely dexterous with that magnet.

In the end he liked the other magnet best toys, such as magnetic blocks and magnetic animals.

Melissa & Doug truck mounted crane with magnetic block

But it's such a fun and cute set and my son is absolutely full of it.

Best activities

joyin Garbage truck

Product image
8.1
Toy score
To drive
3.7
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
3.7
Best for
  • Many activities in one
  • Garbage truck theme is very appealing
Less good
  • Cheap build quality
  • Not all activities are fully developed

Joyin is not my favorite brand because it is a bit cheap plastic, but the amount of fun they put into them every time toys knowing how to stop is huge.

And my son never finds the build quality much of a problem.

This garbage truck can be taken apart with the screwdriver with 3 types of replaceable heads. It is 12,5 inches long and 4,5 inches wide (31 x 11,4 cm).

The best activity is the garbage arm that can actually lift the 3 included garbage cans.

It is also a friction powered system (push-n-go without batteries) and has lights and sounds.

It is not suitable for children under 3 years old because all screws and such are very small. But if you stay with it, a 2-year-old could also play with it.

You will probably have to put it back together yourself often because they can unscrew it with 3, but they can no longer put it together.

They have quite a lot in one auto trying to cram everything in so that everything is not completely worked out properly.

But it gives a lot of fun and it is mainly me who has a problem with it, not my child.

Best toy car wash for toddlers

Melissa & Doug Service station

Product image
7.6
Toy score
Wash
3.6
Replayability
3.9
Sustainability
3.9
Best for
  • Nice sliding doors and barrier
  • Including cars
Less good
  • Not very educational outside of pretend play

Age: 3 years +

What it is: A garage theme (6cm x 14cm x 30cm). Comes with different colored ones cars from Melissa & Doug.

Why we love it: the sliding doors are really fun to play with. It's a basic garage if you want to keep it small, not too expensive, but still want quality.

The car wash is at the back and it is in fact a road where the cars can drive through.

But it does give extra fun with fantasy play.

Best cheap toy car with light and sound

Cat Tough Machinery Dump Truck

Product image
8.7
Toy score
To drive
4.3
Replayability
4.5
Sustainability
4.3
Best for
  • Sturdy plastic
  • Lots of sounds like hydraulic action and reversing
Less good
  • Tipping bucket can be a weak spot

For a cheap one auto it has very realistic sounds. It is a 10-inch (25 cm) Cat dump truck made of very sturdy plastic.

The engine rumbles when you turn the auto Start. It also has flashing lights, engine revs, reversing and hydraulic sounds.

It takes 2 AA batteries and can be used for quite a long time. The auto is also super sturdy, but there is one weak spot at the connection of the container. He could break there over time.

But with us he lasted a very long time with intense play, so definitely one for wild children.

Also read: are your children ready for toy cars for toddlers? These are the best!

Best cheap toy cars with track

Kkones Dinosaur Flexible Track Playset

Product image
8.2
Toy score
To drive
4.1
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
3.4
Best for
  • Many parts for little money
  • Nice set to experience many different setups
Less good
  • Cheap plastic
  • Batteries run out quickly

For a small price you get 187 parts to build and drive with, in a dinosaur theme.

It is actually 144 track pieces with 2 more cars and 4 dinosaurs. There are also parts such as the bridge and trees and the like.

But 144 track pieces is certainly enough to come up with many different setups.

The pieces are easy to click together but are still fairly tight afterwards. They are flexible so you can also make them in funny curves.

Unfortunately, the batteries don't last that long so make sure you have some on hand.

The material is a bit cheap. The track itself is ok, but the accessories have clearly been saved because the trees and signs don't stay in place very well.

But yes, what do you want with so many parts for such a low price.

Best toy car with trailer for toddlers

Green toys RV Camper Set

Product image
8.9
Toy score
To drive
3.8
Replayability
4.7
Sustainability
4.8
Best for
  • Very sturdy and environmentally friendly
  • Lots of accessories and cheerful colors
Less good
  • Pretty pricey

Green Toys lives up to its name toys made from completely recycled plastic. Of course BPA-free and it is even dishwasher safe.

With this piece toys it's time for vacation. A fun trip with the Camper. It's actually a 3-in-1 playset with two trailers and some accessories.

The boat can also float in the bath so they can even be taken there.

Because there is so much included it is fun toddlers to explore with it and use it in all their other pretend play.

There are 2 characters, 2 chairs, a picnic table and a camping stove with a total of 10 pieces in the set.

You may pay a little more, but it is better for the environment and... toys which can withstand many brothers and sisters and soon even grandchildren.

Best magnetic car for toddlers

Blockaroo Foam Roadsters

Product image
8.5
Toy score
Magnet
4.1
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.4
Best for
  • Nice building blocks and a car
  • Can bathe and shower
Less good
  • Wheels are not very good

The Blockaroo Roadster is a great fun set for toddlers. They can actually start building something with this.

The box says from 3 years old, but a 2-year-old can also appreciate it. In any case, all preschool children can use it.

There are 13 parts, and it is foam that makes the blocks. Nice and soft and good for sensory stimulation.

They can therefore also take a bath and shower, which is definitely worth trying (they can also be put in the dishwasher afterwards).

As with the Smartmax vehicles, the wheels here are not great either. It's more about building and being able to drive it is a bonus.

13 blocks is not very much, but they also fit on other Blockaroo sets.

Best electric car toys from 3 years old

Costzon Mercedes Benz ML350 6V

Product image
8.7
Toy score
To drive
4.6
Battery
3.8
Sustainability
4.6
Best for
  • Nice sound system
  • Parental supervision
  • 6 km / h top speed
Less good
  • Some are disappointed with the battery life

This is another children's car with a sturdy seat. This makes it great fun for kids who are between 3 and 8 years old.

They can drive around with their friends or siblings!

We liked that they gave the parents some extra safety assurance by giving them a remote control.

This gives parents total control over the auto in case their child is inexperienced in driving or gets into a collision.

Even if your child is driving the vehicle, the remote can take control at any time.

The top speed this ride on the auto each can be 6 km/h. Children can move backwards and forwards and the auto steer in any direction.

There is also a sound system built into this car toy. You can connect devices via an Aux plug-in or listen to the radio.

We liked that they have also implemented a screen that provides you with information.

These include details about battery life and whether the lights for the auto be on or off.

What age is this for toys recommended?

3 years

What makes this toys remarkable?

Parents are also happy to find that they can be in control of the vehicle at any time.

Conclusion

There are a lot toys cars aimed at toddlers and it's such a fun age to play with it too.

Pretend play might start off a bit, but it's mostly about good driving and chases.

The cars adding fun activities are great at this age.

Also read: these are the best toy cars for all ages

Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?

Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.