Baby and Kids

The Very Best Vehicle and Car Toys for Toddlers

car toys

When my girls were little, I bought them trains and cars, and they couldn’t have been less interested. Everyone told me to prepare myself when I had my first boy, and I didn’t believe them. At just eight months old, he would sit in front of our Christmas tree staring at the train going around the tree. And now, at almost 2, he is absolutely obsessed with cars and toy vehicles. He wakes up asking for his favorite toy cars, and plays with them all day long. From train sets and fire trucks to police cars and anything Lightning McQueen, his love runs deep. I’m going to focus on toddler toys since I’m the mom of a toddler boy, and that’s the era I’m in right now. But this gift guide will highlight some of our favorite car toys for toddlers and preschoolers at various price ranges.

The Very Best Vehicle and Car Toys for Toddlers

My toddler son son lives for cars, and our collection has expanded quite a bit over the last year. And when it comes to toys, the best ones will keep them engaged, spark their imagination, and even help develop important skills like hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. Whether your little one loves zooming cars across the floor, playing with a racetrack, or pressing buttons for lights and sounds, the right car toy can provide hours of entertainment. From classic wooden vehicles to interactive, battery-powered options, I’ve rounded up the best car toys for toddlers that are both parent-approved and kid-loved.

Etsy

Parking Garage

This is my son's favorite toy, and I love that it holds all our race cars, so it's fun and functional, too. There are garage spots for both big and small cars, and he loves driving his cars up and down the ramp.

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Way to Play Toys

Rubber Roads

This is the perfect toy for kids that love to build cities and play with vehicles. Young engineers will can construct a city, and toddlers will love driving their cars over these roads They're durable enough to play with outdoors, and waterproof, so they're a great bath toy, too.

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Etsy

Car Storage

This is a great toy for the young racer who likes to take their cars on the go. I keep this in my bag with a few cars, so he always has a place to drive his cars. It's great in the car, at restaurants, and for travel, too.

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Pixar

Die-Cast Cars

When my girls were little, they loved Daniel Tiger action figures. But my son is all about cars. These are a little bigger than hot wheels, so I feel better about him playing with them. There's a smaller car in the set that I can't let him keep in his car seat, but he does really well with the larger ones.

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Amazon

Wooden Inertia Cars

These have been a hit with all 3 of my kids. I love that they're simple wood cars, but they also make car sounds and light up when you push them. And they're a great developmental toy for toddlers who are learning how things work.

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Bigjigs Toys

Fire Truck

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Tubworks

Mold Free Cars

I love these cars because they don't have holes, and can't fill with water. They are really easy to clean, and my kids all love playing with them.

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Blu Track

Car Track

This flexible car track suctions to windows and can go across tables, and over chairs, stairs, and pillows. It works well with Hot Wheels and our Pixar cars, and has been a hit with all 3 of my kids.

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Funrise

Remote Control Dump Truck

RC cars are typically a toy you'd think would be played with by older kids, but this one is great for toddlers since it's simple to control. My girls (4 and 6) love playing with it, too.

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Pixar

Mini Cars

These are recommended for 3+ but I have let Jack play with them with supervision. He's almost 2 and absolutely loves them.

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Pixar

Mini Mack Hauler

This Mini Mack is a must-have for the Pixar mini cars. Any cars-loving toddler or preschooler would love this one.

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Cat Toys

Toddler Train Set

I got this for my son for his first Christmas, and it took him a few months before he played with it without taking the track apart. But it's very toddler-friendly and easy to operate.There's an app that lets you control the train, but we just push the body of the train to start it.

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Amazon

Friction Garbage Truck

This was a gift and is another favorite. Friction cars and trucks are so fun – just a little push and they're off! It's plastic, but sturdy enough, and lights up and makes noises.

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