The Best Toy Cars for Kids of All Ages

WOW Fireball Frankie at Amazon

Kidoozie Press ‘n Zoom Fire Engine at Amazon

Melissa & Doug Wooden Vehicles and Traffic Signs at Amazon

PLAYMOBIL® Back to The Future Delorean at Amazon

Radio Flyer My First Tesla Model Y at Amazon

Paw Patrol Dino Patroller Motorized Vehicle at Amazon

Kidoozie Lights 'n Sounds Police Station at Amazon

WOW Toys Mack Monster Truck at Amazon

WolVolk Transport Car Carrier Truck at Amazon

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust the Spruce

Hot Wheels

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What We Like

Affordably priced
Works well with Hot Wheels and other tracks/mats
Appealing to both boys and girls

What We Don't Like

Some gift packs contain duplicate cars
Some cars are plastic—not all have rubber tires

This pack of 20 Hot Wheels reigns from an authority name in toy cars and makes a great gift for car enthusiasts of all ages, earning it our top spot.

Each set comes with 20 cars for collecting or play, all designed with metal bodies and plastic wheels. The 1:64 scale vehicle models are compatible with various toy racing tracks and mats, even beyond the brand, making for more exclusive play with your child's existing collections. Reviewers noted that some cars may not be compatible with every Hot Wheels track due to their shape or size. Or simply use the toys are push cars for little ones as a form of imaginative play.

The cars are brightly colored and come in gender-neutral designs and a variety of models. You don't know which cars you are going to get, emulating extremely popular surprise or mystery toys. Adult collectors will love how realistic the cars look while kids will enjoy the surprise of pulling each car out of the box. Some reviewers were disappointed with the cars in their set, but we still think it's worth taking the plunge.

_{Dimensions: 8.66 x 18.31 x 1.58 inches | Material: Metal, Plastic, Rubber | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

WOW

What We Like

Friction-powered, so no batteries are needed
Helps with fine motor skill development
Comes with rear magnetic hook, compatible with any WOW trailer

What We Don't Like

Moves rather slowly

Page named WOW vehicles among the safest made, as they are all battery-free, dishwasher safe, and made for durability. Fireball Frankie is a pullback toy car that comes with no small parts, and makes realistic car sounds that enhance playtime. The removable driver, Toby, looks great driving this flashy red car with flame detailing.

_{Dimensions: 5.91 x 2.56 x 30.7 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Kidoozie

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What We Like

Battery-free
Has no small parts that come off
Innovative and inspiring for creative, imaginative play

What We Don't Like

Wipes clean easily, but isn’t dishwasher-safe

Page also strongly recommends Kidoozie for younger children. He noted that the brand makes quality, safe products, as well as a remarkably wide assortment of toy vehicles. From fire trucks to street sweepers to garbage trucks and more, the toy vehicles often include remote control options.

The Kidoozie Press ‘n Zoom Fire Engine has wheels that spin, and moves forward easily with a simple press on the fireman’s head. The ladder also moves so that the fire fighter can get it into place for fire fighting.

_{Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.7 x 7.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 1 year and up}

Melissa & Doug

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What We Like

Includes a variety of emergency vehicles, a school bus, taxi, and more
Signs are all vividly colored and easy to read
Provides practice with sorting, understanding cause and effect

What We Don't Like

Occasionally delivered with chipped paint

“Melissa & Doug make cool, educational stuff to work with as kids grow, with all kinds of fun gadgets from 9 months to 99 years old," says Page. We love that this set includes various types of everyday and emergency vehicles, perfect for youngsters to practice sorting and vocabulary. These wooden pieces are easy for little ones to grab, and the wooden material helps ensure years of use.

_{Dimensions: 8 x 13.5 x 2 inches | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 9 months and up}

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Gull wing doors that open
Working lights
Excellent customer service

What We Don't Like

Takes about 20 minutes to set up the first time

The Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean comes equipped with all the expected movie elements: Marty McFly, the good doctor Emmett Brown, Einstein the dog, the skateboard, the flux capacitor, the plutonium cores and their case, as well as accessories and the DeLorean itself. The set is ideal for elementary aged children and has a warning for a possible choking hazard for children three years old and younger.

_{Dimensions: 3.7 x 11.8 x 15.16 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Radio Flyer

What We Like

Helps develop motor skills
Has a weight capacity of 43 pounds
Wheels are quiet enough to ride indoors

What We Don't Like

Horn can get annoying

TESLA recently developed a partnership with Radio Flyer creating a unique line of ride-on toys. If you're looking for a ride-on toy, the TESLA Model Y, is high quality, following the reputation of Radio Flyer, a company known for their well-made, sturdy products. The Radio Flyer My First TESLA Model Y is a solid toy vehicle with an ergonomic seat embedded on the hood, a working horn and steering wheel, and rubber grip wheels that work both indoors and out.

_{Dimensions: 21.5 x 10.5 x 16.3 inches | Material: Plastic, Rubber | Recommended Age: 18 months and up}

Paw Patrol

What We Like

Hours of fun for any kid who loves PAW Patrol
Well-made and substantial

What We Don't Like

Small parts pose a choking hazard for kids under 3

The PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Paw Patroller marks the very first time the team has driven a motorized vehicle. It moves forward with the press of a button, and it shoots out rescue nets to save animals in distress. With oversized wheels, the Patroller can roll over nearly any terrain. It has room inside for all six animals, and the T. Rex’s mouth and tail both move. The PAW Patroller requires 6 AA batteries, which are included.

_{Dimensions: 7 x 20 x 13 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Kidoozie

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What We Like

Wipes clean easily
Helps preschoolers develop hand-eye coordination

What We Don't Like

Realistic lights and sounds would be better if there were volume control

Inspired by our first responders, this car set includes the lights and sounds of a real police station. The included moving police car, two officers, and police station wipe clean easily and promote imaginative play. You’ll need two AA batteries, which are included to power the exciting interactive features.

_{Dimensions: 17.3 x 3.15 x 9.84 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 2 years and up}

WOW

What We Like

Built sturdily with bright colors
Helps teach cause and effect
No batteries needed
Well-packaged

What We Don't Like

Some children may feel Mack’s face is too scary

Encourage creative playtime and motor skill development when you give your kiddo a WOW Mack Monster truck. It comes as a set of two—just the truck and its removable driver—and it makes realistic engine sounds. It also has a push-down button that shows Mack’s Monster teeth, plus oversized rubber wheels for riding the roughest terrain.

_{Dimensions: 9 x 3.8 x 5.5 inches | Material: Plastic, Rubber | Recommended Age: 1 year and up}

WolVolk

What We Like

Perfectly sized to hold matchbox cars
Front cab is detachable and turns
Lids snap closed to keep cars safely in their spaces on the truck

What We Don't Like

Packages aren’t always neatly packed up for shipping

This sturdy car carrier truck is a unique truck toy with numerous exciting features. Kids can push this truck around with up to 28 of their cars inside as they imagine they’re on their way to unload at the dealership or are simply transporting their cars to a friend’s house for more hours of creative play. There’s a handle on the top of the truck to help with its portability, so it makes for a great storage option, too.

_{Dimensions: 19.5 x 7.1 x 4 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Hot Wheels

What We Like

Built well, durable
Nice to add to any toy car collection

What We Don't Like

A little pricey for only six cars

Disney and Pixar fans, gather ‘round! Your favorite characters have now become Hot Wheels cars, and they’ve each been reimagined in stunning detail. Do you recognize them? Think: The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and Wall-E. Perfect as a gift for a toddler, these six 1:64 scale cars instantly become a collection that your child can enjoy and then pass down through generations.

_{Dimensions: 2 x 7 x 9.75 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Radio Flyer

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What We Like

Comes with a seat belt and racing flag to enhance visibility
Has a rechargeable 24 volt battery with charger included
Maximum speed of 8 mph

What We Don't Like

Partial assembly is required upon unboxing

An impressive toy car indeed, Radio Flyer’s Ultimate Go-Kart has a weight limit of 81 pounds and has an an adjustable seat, allowing for it to grow as your child grows, as well as a choice of three forward driving speeds and a single reverse speed—and a very handy parent-controlled speed lock that gives parents the ultimate control over how fast the go-kart actually goes. The front tires are rubber and have great traction and the rear wheels are extra wide.

_{Dimensions: 43 x 30.25 x 37.2 inches | Material: Plastic, Alloy Steel | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Melissa & Doug

What We Like

Comes with a booklet of instructions and play ideas
Figures and animals are solid wood
Encourages sorting skills, hand-eye coordination, shape recognition and more

What We Don't Like

Some find the wood to be low quality, splintering easily

Melissa & Doug have crafted the ideal toy truck for young animal lovers. The wooden animal rescue truck lets them put animals they have rescued through its sides while matching their shapes. This truck has room for a hippo, giraffe, elephant, rhino, lion, alligator, and more—then once full, you just lift the cargo door and remove them from the truck and release them into the animal sanctuary. Two rangers come with the set as do seven wooden animals.

_{Dimensions: 5 x 11 x 7 inches | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 2 years and up}

BEZGAR

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What We Like

Works inside and outside
Very realistic looking

What We Don't Like

Seems quite small compared to the photos

This stunning remote control Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is a high quality choice for beginner collectors or children practicing the controls of their first supercar replicas. The Aventador is easy to direct in all directions with the controller. It has a maximum speed of 4 mph and is made of non-harmful ABS plastic. It requires five AA batteries in total (three for the car and two for the remote controller.) It’s best as a gift for car-loving teenagers or adults looking to add to their collection.

_{Dimensions: 7.3 x 3.6 x 1.9 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

The Big Dig Special Edition Sandbox Digger Excavator Ride On Crane and Pretend Play Construction Toy with 360 Degree Rotating Boom and Seat, Orange (115)

Amazon

The Big Dig Sandbox Digger is a Great Construction Toy

What We Like

Can dig up to 15 feet deep
Encourages imaginative outdoor play
Helps improve hand eye coordination

What We Don't Like

Partial assembly is required at unboxing

An impressive ride-on toy excavator, the Big Dig and Roll can be used in all seasons on sand, dirt, or snow. Plan a little construction project in your backyard with the littles, or let them excavate the sandbox or a pile of fresh snow. You could even bring this along to the beach next time you make the trip. Crafted of durable metal, it offers a working crane and rubber wheels with a 360 degree rotation. The weight limit for the rider is 110 pounds.

Our tester loved the realistic construction of the toy and how it sparks kids' imagination. It is suitable as a snow toy or a sand toy perfect for the beach or a backyard sandbox.

_{Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 32.5 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Amazon

What We Like

Comes with a safety belt and anti-flat tires
No assembly required

What We Don't Like

Lengthy charging times required for short-lived battery life

Another brilliant ride-on toy option, this bumper car can be driven by the child or, for kids from 1.5 to 3, parents can choose remote control instead to operate it themselves for optimal safety. It can do full 360-degree spins, comes with a rechargeable 6V battery that holds a charge for one to two hours, and has a weight limit of 66 pounds for riders.

_{Dimensions: 28.35 x 28.35 x 16.93 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Playmobil

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What We Like

Very realistic parts for play and role playing
Good value for the price
Flashing lights and siren work well
High quality product

What We Don't Like

Some littles quickly disassemble, lose parts, and never find them again

Aspiring young EMTs will dream of rushing to assist the injured bicyclist in this innovative ambulance with working lights and sounds that turn on with the flip of a switch. Kids will enjoy hurrying to aid the patient with the equipment provided, including a stretcher with straps that rolls, a medical chart, bandages, an IV drip, and more. The stretcher fits into the back of the ambulance, so the medical workers can roll the bicyclist in and drive them to the hospital. Light assembly and sticker-placement assistance is required from adults.

_{Dimensions: 10.6 x 5.1 x 5.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

John Deere

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What We Like

High quality pieces
Easily grasped by small hands

What We Don't Like

Vehicles are smaller than expected
Small parts dangerous, i.e. horses, choking hazard for kids under 3

This 26-piece farm set has everything needed to set up a miniature farm in your own home. There are plenty of tractors, trucks, horses, fencing, and more, and the farm vehicles each have at least 3-inch long bodies and rolling wheels for realistic playtime.

_{Dimensions: 16.40 x 9.00 x 2.00 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Melissa & Doug

What We Like

Helps kids learn sorting, shapes, matching, etc.
Kids get exercise pushing the bus through the house
Sparks a lot of creative, imaginative play

What We Don't Like

Occasional misshapen pieces

If you’ve got little ones heading off to school on the bus soon, why not prepare them ahead of time with a Melissa and Doug school bus set? Each set comes with a happy, smiling driver and six enthusiastic student passengers ready to get in and ride the bus to school. Wheels roll easily, the bus door opens and closes, the stop sign flips open for safety, and the composition of all the pieces is high quality and durable.

_{Dimensions: 5.50 x 10.00 x 4.25 inches | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Kidoozie

What We Like

Helps kids learn cause and effect, fine motor skills, and more
Perfectly sized for little hands to grasp

What We Don't Like

Some seem to break easily

For the industrious young child, hours of play “work” awaits with these durable and colorful toy trucks. Ideal toddlers and older, Kidoozie Little Tuffies come with three construction vehicles per package—a bulldozer, dump truck, and cement mixer. Play with them at home or stash them in the beach bag or picnic basket for your next outing.

_{Dimensions: 4.5 x 5.75 x 3.75 inches | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 18 months and up}

Amicool