Toys are an essential part of a child’s development, and trucks are one of the most popular toys among kids of all ages. From wooden push trucks to remote-controlled monster trucks, there’s something for everyone.
We’ve researched and tested the most popular toy trucks on the market, taking into consideration factors such as safety, durability, and play value. Our list includes options made from a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, and metal, and covers a range of prices to suit any budget.
Whether your child is a budding construction worker or a lover of all things vehicles, we’ve got you covered! So, without further ado, let’s dive into our top picks for the best toy trucks for toddlers and kids!
Our Top Picks
- Best Monster Truck Set: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks
- Best Dump Truck: Green Toys Dump Truck
- Best Toy Truck Set For Toddlers: Battat Mini Monster Trucks
- Best Fire Truck Toy: Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck
- Best Recycling Garbage Truck Toy: Playmobil Green Recycling Truck Playset
- Best Car Loader: Melissa & Doug Magnetic Car Loader Wooden Toy Set
- Best Bulldozer: Tonka – Steel Classics Bulldozer
- Best Remote-Controlled Monster Truck: Altair Radio Controlled Off-Road Monster Truck
- Best Interactive Truck Toy: VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck
- Best Dump Truck & Tractor Set: John Deere Sandbox Vehicle Set
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Toy Trucks For Toddlers & Kids Picks
1. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Best Monster Truck Set
These 1:64 scale trucks feature impressive wheels and eye-catching designs, making them perfect for smashing and crashing play.
Each truck has its own unique name, type, strength, special crash attack, and motivation, adding to the imaginative play possibilities. Your kids will love bringing these characters to life and ruling the playroom! Plus, this set is a great gift for kids aged 3 to 6.
2. Green Toys Dump Truck – Best Dump Truck
Made without BPA, phthalates, or PVC, you can feel good about this dump truck being in your child’s hands. With the help of this dump truck, your child may learn about waste disposal and understand the importance of keeping their surroundings clean.
3. Battat Mini Monster Trucks – Best Toy Truck Set For Toddlers
These miniature monster trucks are perfect for turning any location into a racetrack or an imaginative play area. The large wheels and vibrant color combinations will keep your child entertained as they create new adventures. When playtime is over, simply store the trucks in the convenient bag.
4. Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck – Best Fire Truck Toy
This truck has all the tools to get the job done with its 2-foot extended ladder, flashing lights, and realistic sounds. Simply lift and pull to activate the fun! Marshall, the included figure, is in the lookout cab and ready to start the adventure.
You can use the launcher at the bottom of the cab to shoot water from the three included water cannons and put out any fires. Marshall can also hop into the Mini Fire Cart while Skye drives and Zuma controls the water cannon at the back.
The Mini Fire Cart is stored inside the fire truck and ready for action! If there are smaller jobs to be done, a mini fire hose is also included. If you and Marshall spot an animal in need, you can use the extendable functioning claw arm to lift it to safety.
5. Playmobil Green Recycling Truck Playset – Best Recycling Garbage Truck Toy
The Playmobil Recycle Truck is a well-made and sturdy toy that comes with several recyclables and a recycling bin. The set also includes two figurines, dressed in rubber boots and safety vests, that can stand or sit. Your child can have fun loading the recyclables onto the truck’s lift by rolling the trash up.
When they turn the crank, the container tips and the recycling falls into the truck’s bed. The truck’s rear can be easily opened to access the recyclables. If your child wants to add more recyclables or replace any that may have been lost, it’s simple to do so as the truck is compatible with other Playmobil products.
6. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Car Loader Wooden Toy Set – Best Car Loader
Your child can enjoy loading and unloading sturdy wooden vehicles, which have bright colors and are numbered. This promotes counting, sorting, and sequencing skills. The toy is also great for improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. This wooden vehicle set is suitable for children aged 3 to 6 and includes a red truck with a magnetic arm, a car carrier trailer, and four magnetic cars.
7. Tonka – Steel Classics Bulldozer – Best Bulldozer
This Bulldozer is a heavy-duty construction toy made from durable cold-rolled steel. The 12.5″ wide bulldozer comes equipped with a moveable blade, allowing for realistic construction play, and functional treads for added authenticity.
The front blade can be locked in either an up or down position, and the bulldozer is fitted with an articulated arm and a scooping bucket, perfect for digging and hauling tough materials like rocks, mud, and sand. To add to the fun, the bulldozer also comes with a front winch to hook and haul smaller loads.
8. Altair Radio Controlled Off-Road Monster Truck – Best Remote-Controlled Monster Truck
The Altair Power Pro 4×4 RC Truck is a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its 4WD and water resistance IPX4 system. This monster truck can handle any type of terrain with ease, thanks to its six metal springs that are separately fitted into the 4 wheel-independent suspension system and rubber all-terrain wheels.
The durable steel-structured chassis, all-metal sealed bearings, and drivetrain are designed to withstand even the toughest play. Your kids will have plenty of time for racing and off-roading, with the included 7.4V 1600 mAh battery that provides a 15-minute drive time.
9. VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck – Best Interactive Truck Toy
This truck will make learning a blast for your child as they drop colorful rocks into the bucket and watch as the truck counts each one.
The interactive truck will also help your child improve their motor skills as they push or drag the truck with the rocks inside and hear them rattle. With three bright buttons that play tunes, say words, and introduce tools and colors, your child will love playing with this dump truck.
The truck requires two AAA batteries, which are included for demo purposes only but it’s recommended to use new batteries for regular use. Suitable for children between the ages of 3 and 6.
10. John Deere Sandbox Vehicle Set – Best Dump Truck & Tractor Set
This John Deere 2-pack set includes both a tractor and a dump truck with functional front loaders. These toys are made of heavy-duty plastic that’s durable and perfect for little hands, and they’re great for both indoor and outdoor play.
With its classic John Deere green and yellow design, free-rolling wheels, and moving dump bed and front loader, this set is sure to provide hours of fun and imaginative play for kids aged 18 months and up. Plus, this toy is perfect for a sandbox.
11. LEGO City Great Vehicles Garbage Truck – Best Lego Toy Truck
This LEGO 4+ set features a strong and sturdy trash truck with a tilting container and a 2-minifigure cab. It also comes with a Starter Brick base, making it easy for even beginner builders to join in on the fun.
The straightforward instructions help guide your child through the building process, helping them understand how things are put together. The set includes a toy trash, waste pieces, and two LEGO minifigures.
12. Melissa & Doug Shape-Sorting Wooden Dump Truck Toy – Best Wooden Dump Truck
This versatile toy combines the excitement of playing with a truck and the challenge of sorting shapes, making it the perfect tool for teaching basic math skills.
The colorful wooden blocks come in the shape of 9 different shapes and can be easily dropped into the truck bed with a satisfying “clunk”. Your child can use their imagination to sort the blocks into the cutouts on three sides of the truck and then deliver them to their destination using the smooth-rolling wheels. And when they’re ready to start over, they can simply tilt the truck to the side or lift the back door. Suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 5.
13. Tegu Daredevil Magnetic Wooden Block Set – Best Magnetic Wooden Set
The TEGU Stunt Team is a family of fearless thrill-seekers who love nothing more than pushing the limits of speed and height. Their incredible stunts will leave you in awe, and their creativity knows no bounds. Each member of the squad has their own unique personality and a thirst for fun, whether they’re driving their iconic cars or testing out new inventions.
Whether you’re flying, jumping, racing, or looping, you’re sure to have a blast. And if you’re looking for a challenge, Daredevil is always up for breaking a few speed records. He’s built to race with his four magnetic wheels and versatile block configurations.
14. Cat Construction Steel Toy Dump Truck – Best Truck Toy For Outdoors
Measuring 16 inches long, the Cat Construction Dump Truck features extra-large wheels for added stability and a realistic look.
This dump truck is made of robust steel, just like the real thing. Kids can take charge of the action, loading up the tough dump bed, transporting it to its destination, and then dumping its contents using the fully operational dump bed. Suitable for children 3 years and older.
15. LeapFrog Tumbling Blocks Fire Truck – Best Educational Truck Toy
The Tumbling Blocks Fire Truck has arrived with a mission to help your little fireman learn their letters and animals from A to Z. Simply place each interactive block in the driver’s seat of the fire truck to hear the names and sounds of each letter and animal.
Your little firefighter can bring the blocks down from the fire truck’s ladder and watch as another block automatically loads for more tumbling fun. With flashing lights, a functional siren, and a rotating water hose, your child can act out their own rescue missions.
The fire truck also features a music icon that plays the ABC song, making it a fun and interactive toy for toddlers aged 18 to 36 months. Please note that the truck requires two AA batteries. After playtime, simply store all the blocks in the truck’s bed and be ready for the next rescue mission.
16. Aokesi Car Toys Transport Carrier Truck Dinosaur Toy – Best Dinosaur Truck Toy
For kids who love both dinosaurs and trucks, the Transport Carrier Truck with Dinosaur Toys is a perfect choice. With 6 dinosaurs, 6 miniature cars, and a monster truck included in the set, it’s an unbeatable value. The truck features compartments that can hold either the dinosaurs, the cars, or both, so your child can choose what they want to transport.
This toy cargo truck doesn’t require any batteries, so your child can push it around the house for hours of imaginative play. The bright colors of the dinosaurs and cars will catch your child’s attention, while the dark truck provides a nice contrast. Plus, the truck has a handle for easy transportation, so your child can take their playtime anywhere.
17. Mighty Fleet Motorized Garbage Truck Toy – Best Motorized Truck Toy
This highly detailed truck includes all the great features of a real garbage truck, including a motorized front power arm for loading and side levers that control the arm and horn. The back door opens for easy access, and at the touch of a button, the truck comes to life with hyper-lighting and realistic sounds.
With three AA batteries included, your child can start playing right away. This truck is suitable for children 3 years and older.
18. Green Toys Flat Bed Truck & Race Car – Best Eco-Friendly Truck Toy
The Green Toys Flatbed Truck and Race Car set is perfect for little ones aged one and up. They can race the two cars separately or stack them up for some fun transportation play.
Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, this toy is not only fun for kids, but also eco-friendly and helps conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can feel confident giving this toy to your child as it is free of harmful chemicals like BPA, PVC, phthalates, and exterior coatings.
19. Little Tikes Cozy Truck Ride-On – Best Ride-On Truck
The Little Tikes Cozy Truck is a perfect ride-on toy for toddlers and preschoolers. With its foot-to-floor operation, it’s easy for kids to start and stop, and it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Kids will love the functional door and tailgate, as well as the adjustable floorboard that protects their feet when they’re being led by parents. The truck also features “off-road” wheels, a functioning gas cap, a horn on the steering wheel, and a realistic front grill, all of which add to its truck-like appearance. Plus, the driver’s door opens and closes, adding an extra element of fun to playtime.
20. Green Toys Scooper Construction Truck – Best Plastic Truck Toy
This construction truck toy is made in the USA using 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, making them an environmentally friendly choice. Your child can have a blast dumping, mixing, and scooping with these heavy-duty vehicles, including a cement mixer with a rotating drum, a front loader with a movable scooper, and a dump truck with a traditional open-box bed. These toys are perfect for small hands and can be easily taken on the go, making them great for playtime anywhere
How To Choose The Best Toy Trucks?
- Age Appropriateness: Smaller toy trucks are great for younger children who are still developing their fine motor skills, while older kids may prefer larger, more complex toys.
- Safety: Safety is always a top priority when choosing a toy for your child. Make sure that the toy truck you choose is made from non-toxic, durable materials and has no small parts that could pose a choking hazard (1). Check that the toy meets all relevant safety standards and has been independently tested.
- Durability: Children love to play with their toys and they can be quite rough with them, so it’s important to choose a toy truck that is built to last. Look for options made from durable materials, such as plastic or metal, that can withstand the wear and tear of playtime.
- Play Value: Toy trucks should offer opportunities for imaginative play, problem-solving skills, and hands-on learning (2). Look for options that encourage creativity and encourage your child to explore and experiment with different scenarios and storylines.
How Long Will My Child Play With A Toy Truck?
The length of time a child will play with a toy truck varies greatly and depends on several factors. Age is one important factor, as younger children tend to have shorter attention spans for toys compared to older children. Children’s interests also play a role in determining how long they will play with a toy truck. A child who is passionate about vehicles and construction may play with their toy truck for longer periods than a child who is less interested.
How Do I Clean Toy Trucks?
There are different ways to clean a toy depending on the material the toy truck is made of:
- Plastic Toy Trucks: Use a soft cloth or sponge, mild soap, and warm water to gently clean the surface (3). Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, as these can scratch the plastic. After cleaning, rinse the truck with water and let it air dry.
- Wooden Toy Trucks: Use a soft cloth or sponge and a mild solution of soap and water to clean the surface. Avoid getting the wood too wet, as this can cause warping or splitting. After cleaning, rinse the truck with water and let it air dry. If the truck is painted, be careful not to scrub too hard, as the paint may come off.
- Metal Toy Trucks: Use a soft cloth or sponge and a mild solution of soap and water to clean the surface. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, as these can cause corrosion or damage to the metal. After cleaning, rinse the truck with water and let it air dry.
