These Are the Best Toys for Car-Loving Kids (That They Don't Already Have)

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All vehicle enthusiasts start somewhere! Whether your young one has already sparked an interest in automobiles or mechanics or just likes to ride, car toys are a great way to get kids excited and involved.

If you’re looking for a way to help your kids with their development and engagement while avoiding excessive screen time, toys on wheels can be useful and fun. Some can encourage learning STEM skills like engineering through constructing your roads/race tracks, while others, like remote-controlled cars, satisfy your child’s need for speed. Some are even ride-on designs, so kids can hit the “open road” just like their parents. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of car toys that will stimulate imagination in all ages.

We’ve rounded up the best car toys for a variety of ages and different levels of play to get your kids playing indoors and outdoors, as well as learn beneficial skills.

Construction Set

This construction set is made of high-quality ABS plastic and alloy, and is designed for small hands. Kids will love the wide range of construction vehicles and will be able to work on shape recognition, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and planning as they dig, push, and pull through sand and dirt.

Best for kids ages 2 years and up.

Take Apart Racing Car

Racing cars is fun, but kids will be even more invested in the game when they can build—and dismantle—the racers themselves. This toy car kit includes 26 parts, screws, and a drill. It'll help little ones gain a basic understanding of mechanics and math, while also being a blast.

Best for kids ages 3 to 7 years old.

4-Level Garage

This fun Matchbox garage is a one-stop wonderland with four levels of activity, including a spiral ramp and working elevator, a car “wash,” service station, and a Matchbox tow truck.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Electric Fire Truck Toy

This light-up fire truck features LED lights and siren sounds to help kids run with their imagination. The toy can run on its own (it can even change direction when it bumps into something) or can be used as a push toy.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Remote-Control Car Transformer

This car-to-robot transformer will mesmerize children for hours and is easy enough for younger kids to control. The police car features Xenon-style headlamps, realistic engine sounds, and a scratch-proof design.

It transforms between robot and car with one click. It can be operated via a robust 2.4G remote control from up to 45 meters away. Three required AAA batteries are included.

Best for kids ages 8 years and up.

Pull Back Cars and Trucks

Pull-back-and-go vehicles are fun for kids who want to set up races on their own, or in groups. The 12-pack includes race cars and construction vehicles with joints that can swing. Kids will rev their imagination and language skills playing with these vehicles for hours.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Construction Race Track

There are more ways to play with this build-your-own construction race track set. This toy includes 200 pieces of flexible race track, so your little one can create routes ranging from small and simple to big and complex. It also has two race cars, four mini trucks, stop signs, trees, and a bridge.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Tornado LED Remote Control Car

Does your child have a need for speed and cool stunts? Consider this remote-controlled car from Force1. It’s built for race, rumble, and tumble, with all-terrain tires and two-sided driving. It can perform a variety of stunts, especially in 360-degree tornado mode. Batteries are rechargeable and come included with the kit along with a USB charging cable.

Best for kids ages 8 years and up.

Kids Playmat

If you have a little one on the younger side, this interactive play mat is a great educational tool and allows them to learn car functionality and traffic patterns. You can use any of your own cars with this mat, which means it can transition from their pull-back toys to smaller Matchbox models as they get a little older.

Best for kids ages 3 months and up.

Marvel Spider-Man Character Car

Race to your next adventure in this Spider-Man character car that is based on one of his latest suit designs. A white web car is stored in a loading spot on the front bumper and can be launched by pressing down on the spoiler. Pushing the spoiler also adjusts Spider-Man’s eyes on the windshield so when the web car is ready to be released, it’ll look like he’s aiming straight at his villains and obstacles.

Best for kids ages 4 to 8 years old.

Dueling Stomp Racers

These stomp racers are great toys for an afternoon playdate. The dueling set lets your kid challenge their friends by launching cars at the same time to see who makes it to the finish line first.

Two launchers, two cars, and a ramp are included, as well as decals to design the cars. No batteries are needed and assembly is quick and easy. It’s a no-fuss way to get your kids away from screen time.

Best for kids ages 5 years and up.

RC Stunt Cars

This remote-control car does flips and tricks that your kids will love. It’s got big wheels to handle tough terrain and the ability to turn itself over. The split design allows it to do 360-degree moves, drifts, and tricks. It has easy-to-use controls and can even run on sandy beaches.

Best for kids ages 4 years and up.

Dinosaur Car Toy

Dinosaurs and cars? You can’t go wrong. This pull-back-and-release set of dinosaur toy cars doesn’t make sense, and your kiddos will be fine with that. They’ll love naming and learning the different dinos (the six-pack includes a T.rex, a pterosaur, and a triceratops). The set is also great for handing out as party favors.

Best for kids ages 3 to 6 years old.

Big Dig and Working Excavator

The Big Dig ride-on excavator allows kids to pretend they’re on a major construction or archeological dig. It features 360-degree swivel action, and digging and dumping power.

This is a four-season toy capable of excavating sand, dirt, and snow. The crane arm reaches up to 33 inches, and you can dig 15 inches deep.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Farm Collection

This 70-piece die-cast set includes everything your little ones need to set up a faux farm. The set is built to a 1:64 scale and includes tractors, trucks, a machine shed, animals, and fencing. This set is great for solo imaginative and cooperative group play.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

6-in-1 Monster Truck Building Set

This light-up Lego-style build-your-own monster truck set incorporates bright colors, LED lights, and fun. The kit comes with six different truck designs, 66 tinted construction bricks, one laser peg, and a Zippy Do power base.

Best for kids ages 5 to 8 years old.

Hot Wheels Id Smart Track

This Hot Wheels Id track offers a next-level of play that combines the exhilaration and old-fashioned fun of yore, with 21st-century connectivity. The Smart Track Start Kit comes with three Hot Wheels Id die-cast cars, premium track pieces, and a Race Portal.

The cars can be launched at 900 mph scale speed, and they can count laps and play games on the track through the app, which connects to smartphones and tablets. The more they play with the toys, the more they level up in the video game.

Best for kids ages 8 years and up.

Electric Ride-On Bumper Car

This 6-volt ride-on bumper car is fully rechargeable. The ride-on car offers a full 360-degree spin, with simple joystick controls and a maximum speed of 0.75 mph.

Built from durable plastic, the car also has a soft bumper to prevent crash landings. The tires are made to withstand serious wear and tear, and a safety belt is built-in. No assembly is required.

Best for kids ages 2 years and up.

Remote Control Lamborghini

This 1:24-scale licensed Lamborghini Aventador SVJ model race car is ideal for inside and gentle outside use. It features a delicate racing profile, a durable finish, and a fully functional remote that is easy to control; the car stimulates the powerful racing engine, and it maxes out at 4 mph.

The remote control and car require a total of five AA batteries sold separately.

Best for kids ages 8 years and up.

Police Station and Car Building

This Exercise N Play STEM building block set includes 736 pieces letting kids create an entire police station. Included in the package are materials for scout towers, radar and garages, an escort car, a prison van, and police vehicles.

Best for kids ages 6 to 12 years old.

Up and Down Roller Coaster

Your kids will be thrilled (and you’ll be tempted) to ride on this ATV-style coaster toy car. Preschoolers can board the ride on the high-backed car and cruise down the 10.25-foot gently rolling track. Kids will have the fun of the ride, but they’ll also acquire gross motor, balance, and hand-eye coordination pushing the coaster to the platform and riding it down.

Best for kids ages 3 to 4 years old.

Nesting and Sorting Game

This adorable and colorful toy car and garage game will keep toddlers busy for hours. The numbered and color-coordinated cars and garages will also help them learn their numbers and colors, and help them begin to understand sorting and patterns. Seven stacking garages and seven wooden cars are included, and the options for play are endless.

Best for kids ages 2 to 4 years old.

Animal Rescue Truck

To the rescue! This rugged safari truck comes equipped with two people who are ready to dive in and help out their furry friends.

There is also an alligator, zebra, rhino, elephant, giraffe, hippo, and lion that fit puzzle-style into the truck’s side-through die-cut slots. This is a great toy for firing up your child’s imagination and helping them with sorting, shapes, and fine motor skills.

Best for kids ages 2 to 4 years old.

3-In-1 Mercedes Benz Ride-On Car

This Mercedes Benz serves as a push-car and ride-on for toddlers. The car is constructed from nontoxic and odorless PP plastic, and features a footrest and steering wheel. There is also an easy-pull handle rod so caregivers can join the fun and control the speed of the cruise. The Benz includes a sunshade as well

Best for kids ages 1 to 3 years old.

9-Car Gift Pack

This assortment of vehicles will keep kids entertained, is great for parties, and is a super foundation for a larger collection.

This “fleet” of vehicles includes a wide variety of 1:64 scale die-cast cars, speedsters, specialty vehicles, and trucks. The set will keep them busy with imaginative play for hours and will help them with sorting and fine motor skills.

Best for kids ages 3 to 7 years old.

Lightning McQueen’s Race Day

Your toddlers will be racing toward fun with these Disney/Pixar Lightning McQueen racing cars. The set includes a Lightning McQueen racer, a Mater’s tow truck, a toy repair workshop, and more. Kids are able to flex their imaginative role-playing and fine motor skills.

Best for kids ages 2 to 5 years old.

Cozy Coupe Dinosaur

The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has been around for over 40 years, and this Amazon exclusive gives the traditional red and yellow car a dinosaur makeover. It features a removable floorboard so kids can power themselves as well as interactive buttons and a working horn.

Best for kids ages 2 to 5 years old.

Creator Ford Mustang

This build-your-own 1,471-piece 1960s-era Ford Mustang GT features dark-blue bodywork with white racing stripes, 5-spoke rims with rugged rubber tires, a detailed interior, V-8 engine, and a variety of add-ons—including a supercharger, rear ducktail spoiler, exhaust pipes, front chin spoiler, and nitrous oxide tank.

Best for kids ages 14 years and up.

Trucks Collector’s Set

This 12-pack collector’s set of monster trucks comes with 1:64 scale versions of classic toy trucks, including the Grave Digger and El Toro Loco. The die-cast series brings the action right to you, featuring BKT tires, styled chassis, and detailed graphics.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

20-Pack Set

Car enthusiasts of all ages will shriek with delight at this 20-pack set of Hot Wheels. The set of 1:64 scale die-cast vehicles includes old favorites and new models, with classic decorations and hot designs. Each one can be distributed at parties or kept together as the foundation of a mega-set.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Light-Up Transparent Car

This sports car is made from clear plastic so kids can see how the gears inside actually work. It’s got a bump-and-go mechanism inside it, so if it runs into an obstacle it will redirect itself. It runs on batteries (which are included) and even lights up and plays music for extra entertainment.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Cars Transforming Mack Playset

Mack from Cars looks like an 18-wheeler, but when you open up the back, he reveals an on-the-go mobile repair shop. Inside is a wash station, a tire changing area, and a spring-loaded launcher, so the vehicles can get back on the road in a flash.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Carrier Truck

If you’re tired of stepping on all their car toys in the middle of the night, you need a storage solution. This one is fun because it fits their smaller cars into a larger truck. When you aren’t stowing toys, the back opens up to make a five-foot racing track. It comes with 12 die-cast cars, traffic signs, and two launchers.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

The Mighty Movie

Chase is on the case in this speedy little RC car. Reaching speeds of up to 3 mph, kids can use a simple two-button remote to move this car up and down smooth surfaces like a driveway or hallway.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

Push Around Buggy

Skip the stroller on your walk to the park and opt for this brightly colored buggy. Once they’re strapped in, kids can pretend to drive while their adult uses the sturdy handle to push them to their destination. This even has cup holders and a horn so it feels more like the real deal.

Best for kids ages 2 to 3 years old.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe

Ideal for teens who want a bigger challenge, they can assemble this highly detailed version of a Porsche 911 (paint and glue sold separately). It’s 109 pieces, and you can even opt to make this a left or right-handed drive if you want it to look like a European model. Once completed, this small collectible is perfect for display.

Best for kids ages 12 years and up.

12V Ride On Truck

What better way to get them interested in cars than to give them an actual vehicle that they can drive? This mini Jeep has a 12V battery, runs for 2 hours, and is stacked with realistic features like a seatbelt, locking doors, and working headlights. If they aren’t quite ready to use the pedals and steer on their own, there’s a parent-enabled remote to use instead.

Best for kids ages 3 to 7 years.

Baby Car Toys with Storage

They can bring their favorite toys with them wherever they go in this little storage bag. It holds the eight included pull-back vehicles and a traffic sign, and once the bag is emptied, it unfolds into a playmat with a road to drive on.

Best for kids ages 1 to 2 years.

Super Mario Bowser’s Muscle Car

Take their video game obsession off the screen and turn it into some hands-on building. Mario Kart fans will appreciate this 458-piece Lego set that features Bowser in the driver seat (complete with bombs you can fling). It connects with other Super Mario sets for interactive play.

Best for kids ages 8 years and up.

Michelin Car Service Station

The Michelin man himself makes an appearance in this miniature mechanic shop. It’s got a height-lifting platform, little gas pumps, a car wash, and two wooden toys. It will help them hone their fine motor skills, and it folds up when not in use.

Best for kids ages 3 years and up.

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