Many toy cranes make noise, move, and simulate real-life cranes. Not only do they help kids with pretend play, but they are STEM toys that encourage learning engineering.
Both boys and girls can enjoy the wide range of play options available with toy cranes. From use with toy cars to improving fine motor skills, there are plenty of benefits to toy cranes. Now you can find one of the best toy cranes available right here.
Best Toy Cranes for Kids
The Battat Micro Crane Truck, the Bruder Tow Truck With Cross Country Vehicle, and the Hape Crane Lift Playset are Amazon Choice toys, whereas the Pull Back Construction Trucks and Crane is not an Amazon Choice product but is well rated by customers.
CUTE STONE Construction Vehicles Playset
The CUTE STONE Construction Vehicles Playset comes with enough toys to build your child a new toybox! Not that the toys are actually capable of building real stuff, but, man, if they could! With this impressive set, your child can at least get some construction signs to place around their room when it’s a mess! What comes in the box? A truck, crane tower, excavator, cement, fuel truck, wheel loader, safety barriers, cones, signs, and even fake dirt along with mini people. The truck even comes with three replaceable truck parts for the wheel loader, including a snow plow, steamroller, and a forklift.
All the toys help to improve children’s ability to improve fine motor skills while also getting a better understanding of construction sites. Use the toy to improve pretend to play with simulation. It’s a great set for improving social skills, too, as kids can play together and learn to share.
Finally, the toys come with moving parts made of alloy and other high-quality materials like ABS plastic. All the parts are flexible and rotate too at the joints. It’s a great option for children ages three and up.
DRIVEN by Battat – Micro Crane Truck
The DRIVEN by Battat – Micro Crane Truck includes a smaller truck-based crane ready to take up less space and get jobs done in playrooms. Moreover, the micro truck makes lights and sounds ready to entice children to play. All with a tiny size, you don’t need to plan space for in your home, and it’s even small enough to travel.
Next, the realistic toy features a movable crane, working lights, sounds, and tons of details. The engine makes an idling sound and a honking noise. Also, the front lights turn on.
Beyond the simple movements, the beauty is in the details such as moving doors, opening the hood, pivoting and extending crane, and a rope that moves. It’s a great option to improve your child’s understanding of work vehicles.
The toy includes the necessary batteries, and it’s a great option for children ages four and up. Now you can take a bright yellow crane with you anywhere you want to entertain kids. It’s best for indoor use and not for outdoor play.
Hape Playscapes Crane Lift Playset
The Award-Winning Hape Playscapes Crane Lift Playset offers a wooden toy crane with an impressive amount of detail. It’s a great option for families trying to avoid plastic toys that fall apart faster. Instead, build an entire construction site out of hard-working toys from a German brand ready to last through generations of children.
Heavy-duty equipment provides massive fun for little kids the ages of three years and up. Moreover, the toy is non-toxic and made with completely safe materials. It’s large, too, at 17.8 inches by 16.5 inches by 21.22 inches, making it an impressive size ready to excite children.
The large scale toy is interactive to encourage understanding and motor skills. It also encourages imaginative play and creative construction. With enough pieces, the interactive toy can work for groups of children to encourage social skills, too.
Lastly, the crane comes with a platform and simple movements with twist knobs. It also comes with a control cab, but oddly does not come with a little construction worker. You can always substitute with a Lego figure. Also, the toy comes with signs, and construction barriers along with wood planks to carry.
Friction Powered Toy Crane Truck Construction Vehicle
The Friction Powered Toy Crane Truck Construction Vehicle is a crane on a truck ready to work on the go. With this set you can buy a whole construction set, including a crane, dump truck, excavator, and construction truck. However, the crane truck is our favorite.
Choose the bright yellow truck because of the authentic appearance and moving parts. Even better, you don’t need batteries as this toy operates without them. It’s fueled by imagination! It also uses friction power to push the truck forward on its own.
As for the size, the truck measures 7.5 x 7.1 x 3.7 inches, making it a reasonable size for children to enjoy without overpowering the playroom. Moreover, it comes with realistic moving parts like a hook, rotating body, and crane arm.
Gift this toy to children ages three years old and up. they will love the bright colored wheels and fun attention to details. They can spend hours building, although you may want to find something to go on the hook to improve the fun and function.
Bruder Tow Truck With Cross Country Vehicle
Big kids will adore the Bruder Tow Truck With Cross Country Vehicle as it is a heavy duty tow truck with a crane ready to lift cars. It even comes with a Jeep to pick up and place on the back of the truck. All this from a toy made in Germany with the highest quality materials like ABS plastic.
The scale of the tow truck with a crane is 1:16, making it a decent size without overwhelming your home. Next, the loading platform can be removed, and the crane is extendable, and it swivels. Moreover, the extendable wheel lift and the loading gear all move as do the wheel clamps.
Kids can feel like they are actual tow truck drivers with a crane moving cars to impound. They can enjoy fold-out support legs and clamp onto tires to move cars off the highway. It even includes a tilting cab. However, the vehicle doors do not open up.
Give this toy to children ages three years old, and they can enjoy playing both inside and outside too. It’s ready for the road and hours of play, spurring on imagination. However, the price is a bit hard to swallow, but it’s a toy like no other available on the market.
Best Crane Building Toys
While both are highly rated building sets, the LEGO Technic Mobile Crane is much pricier than the USA Toyz Snap Trax Construction Set.
LEGO Technic Mobile Crane Building Kit
Legos brand makes fun toys like the LEGO Technic Mobile Crane 42108 Building Kit. Of course, your child needs to build the kit first, and with over 1200 pieces, it’s better for children ages ten years old and up. They will love the whole process of assembling the toy and then using the toy to lift other Legos into the correct location.
Kids can enjoy steering the truck, put out the outriggers, raise the boom, hoist the concrete pillar. The toy comes with tons of benefits lite eight-wheel steering, four outriggers, two cabins, and even a telescoping arm that goes up super high.
Give this slightly expensive gift to the child who loves Legos. Also, using this kit, kids can learn how a crane really works with a ton of attention to detail. It doesn’t have a remote control but does include tons of rewarding challenges, more so than other toy cranes.
Lastly, as a Lego toy, kids can expand and create their own inventions. Definitely try to convince them to put the crane together first following the included instructions. It’s a massive construction ready to challenge older kids to learn impressive STEM skills.
USA Toyz LED Race Tracks and LED Toy Trucks Construction Set
Kids who love race cars and construction toys will love the USA Toyz LED Race Tracks and LED Toy Trucks Construction Set. Not only does it come with tracks, but with tons of accessories, children will adore and rearrange over and over again. Also, the toys light up for added fun.
The Snap Trax set offers light-up cars and just shy of two hundred and fifty pieces to assemble. Kids will love the battery-operated trucks, construction vehicles, a crane, tunnels, drawbridge, arches, gates, dividers, and more. Moreover, the kids get over two hundred track sections to build the speedway of their dreams.
All of the roads snap together easily and bend to create a rounded road ready to offer tons of excitement. It’s also a STEM toy offering engineering and many other skills.
Children will love the tracks lighting up, though, and the lights. Parents will love the learning opportunities but not all of the pieces. Even better, they still get a crane to learn how construction sites work and now in a real setting – the roads! Kids can even make round mini speedway for a little extra fun.
Best Remote Control Cranes
The Fistone RC Tower Crane measures 24 x 14 x 8″ for ages 8 and up. The Dickie Toys Mega Crane Playset is 35 x 14 x 48″ and is recommended for ages 3 – 15. The Top Race Remote Control Crane is designed for children ages 8 and up, measuring 10 x 7 x 14.”
Fistone RC Truck Crawler Tower Crane
Get the Fistone RC Truck Crawler Tower Crane for it’s high quality and tons of pieces. Although it’s a little high priced, it offers a ton of benefits because it’s a STEM toy. Can use the realistic toy for tons of action and motion.
Kids can enjoy the fun tower crane along with the fake wood along with the remote to operate the crane. The Toy has moving parts and a realistic appearance along with flexible rotation. With a 680 degrees workbench, the crane can rotate. Control up to 328 feet in distance.
As an engineering toy, kids can learn from the crane, following instructions, and patience. The RC crane functions by hoisting heavy building materials up and down. Furthermore, it can rotate up to 360 degrees to work like a real crane you would find on a construction site.
Gift this toy to children ages eight and up. They will love the remote control along with other moving parts. It’s a fantastic option for imaginative and cooperative play.
Dickie Toys 48″ Mega Crane and Truck Vehicle and Playset
The Dickie Toys 48″ Mega Crane and Truck Vehicle and Playset is a set of toys including a crane and a truck. Next, the playset comes with a whole lot of movement and options for fun. One of the great advantages of the toy is it’s super tall and comes with a remote control.
Name one kid who doesn’t love controlling a toy from a remote control? You can’t, because kids love toys with moving parts and easy controls. The base includes a tower holding the crane along with a control room at the top and two sides for multiple movements.
The toy requires some assembly and you need to apply some stickers. Once it’s set up, your child ages three and up can enjoy the 48-inch tall crane that’s about as tall as they are!
Next, the crane cabin rotates by 350 degrees at the push of a button, and the dump truck is ready to pull what every your kids drop in. All the attention to detail and fun additions make this a toy an excellent option ready to help kids play for hours. It’s time to turn your playroom into a construction zone.
Liberty Imports 6 Channel RC Mega Tower Crane
The Liberty Imports 6 Channel RC Mega Tower Crane includes a remote control to operate a mega tower crane for hours of entertainment. Kids will love the incredible size of the mega tower that measures 50.4 inches tall and operates like a real crane. Also, it has an incredible 680-degree rotation that children will love for the authentic detail.
It operates like a real crane-like you would see on a construction site. The hook goes up and the down using buttons on the remote control. Next, the slideway can move both forward and backward.
Next, the tower arm can support a lot of weight and rotate, too, all with realistic lights and sounds. Even the height is adjustable with three-stage brackets. Shorten the crane down to 28 inches, 39.4 inches, or all the way up to maximum height.
The controller is 2.4G with smart controls, and it works from a distance of up to 100 feet. Your kids can use it to freak out friends and animals, although we do not suggest this method of use. Grab some AA batteries to use the remote as they are not included.
Finally, the crane comes with a moving arm with a bucket, and it lights up. It’s made of ABS material that’s both durable and environmentally friendly. Give it to children ages six years old and up.
Top Race 15 Channel Remote Control Crane
The Top Race 15 Channel Remote Control Crane is a realistic crane with a remote control ready to start construction in your child’s room. Its a little pricy because it’s not plastic but instead it’s made of metal and steel. Also, the toy measures an impressive 10 x 7 x 14 inches and weighs a full pound.
Also, the crane is fully functional. As an RC crane, it can move forward, backward, left, right, and even up and down. It has anti-slip tire tracks and a heavy metal cable hook too for the up and down function.
Furthermore, it’s a great option for both indoor and outdoor play. Kids can even enjoy this toy in the sandbox for hours of fun constructing in a real work zone. Use the remote control in a 100-foot radius.
The 1:14 scale is ready to run and can hold up to one pound. It does come with a battery for the crane, but you will need batteries for the remote control. You even get a cord to recharge the crane over and over again.
Give this toy to children ages eight years and up. The toy also comes with something to lift with the crane, although kids are inventive and will find fun things to lift with the crane! They will love the authentic color scheme of yellow and black.
Best Crane Toys for Toddlers
The Battat Take-Apart Crane is 33 pieces to take apart and build with a battery operated drill, however, the batteries are not included. An Amazon Choice toy, the BRIO World Crane Wagon Set is a 4 piece magnetic set and can be added to other BRIO tracks and trains.
Wise Elk Wooden Toy Car Crane for Toddlers
The Wise Elk Wooden Toy Car Crane is perfect for toddlers and it’s a learning toy, too. With this adorable wooden toy, you get top quality with moving parts, and even blocks to pick up! Moreover, the toy moves around with its six included wheels.
As it’s made of wood, the toy is a little heavy and, therefore, more likely to stay on the ground. It measures the perfect size for toddlers as well at just under ten inches in length. All with safe, non-toxic waterproof paints, children will adore in bright colors.
However, you should buy this toy because it’s a learning toy. Toddlers can learn about shapes, sorting, colors, cause and effect, and magnets. All of these skills can encourage logic, tactile sensation, creativity, imagination, and more.
The eco-friendly toy doesn’t include parts too small for children ages eighteen months old and older. Both boys and girls will love the fun colors and shapes along with the unique function. Parents will adore the safe toy ready to teach necessary skills to little tots.
Battat – Take-Apart Crane
The Battat – Take-Apart Crane lets kids get hands-on with a crane. Give this well-loved toy to children who like to take toys apart and put them back together. Also, the chunky vehicle comes in fun colors ready to inspire children’s imagination.
With 34 pieces, the toy offers fine motor skills, learning processes, and assembly. Moreover, kids can learn so much from taking items apart and putting them back together, such as patience, hard work, and following instructions.
However, kids will enjoy the battery-operated drill that includes three bits for assembling the different parts. It’s a toddler-friendly toy ready to increase understanding of construction and construction toys.
Once the toys are put back together, kids can enjoy playing with the toy too. It’s easy to clean, too, making it a better option for busy moms as well. Children ages three and up will love to tear apart this toy.
Last, of all, the toy comes with large parts easy for little children to use and move. Also, the crane part holds an attachment ready to grab stuff and get straight to work. It’s a great option for both boys and girls.
BRIO World – Clever Crane Wagon Set
The BRIO World – Clever Crane Wagon Set features two magnetic wagons, a rock load, and a crane that can unload and load with the power of a magnet. So if something is magnetic, it can be loaded!
As for size, this toy crane measures 7″L x 1.5″W x 3″H so it’s perfect for little hands. The manufacturer recommends this crane wagon set for children ages 3 and older.
The price is a little steep for a small crane wagon set, but parents say it’s a high-quality toy and should last for years. Plus, it’s compatible with any of the BRIO railway toys.
Comparing Toy Cranes
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| LEGO Technic Mobile Crane Building Kit | 8.4 | 9.6 | 224.99 |
| Fistone RC Truck Crawler Tower Crane | 7.3 | 9.0 | 99.99 |
| Top Race 15 Channel Remote Control Crane | 8.9 | 9.0 | 99.99 |
| Bruder Tow Truck With Cross Country Vehicle | 7.4 | 9.4 | 76.53 |
| Hape Playscapes Crane Lift Playset | 9.6 | 9.0 | 54.35 |
| Liberty Imports 6 Channel RC Mega Tower Crane | 8.9 | 8.6 | 42.97 |
| Wise Elk Wooden Toy Car Crane for Toddlers | 3.9 | 9.2 | 33.39 |
| USA Toyz LED Race Tracks and LED Toy Trucks Construction Set | 9.9 | 9.2 | 32.90 |
| Battat - Take-Apart Crane | 9.8 | 9.4 | 18.49 |
| BRIO World - Clever Crane Wagon Set | 9.8 | 9.6 | 18.44 |
| DRIVEN by Battat – Micro Crane Truck | 8.7 | 9.0 | 10.00 |
| Dickie Toys 48" Mega Crane and Truck Vehicle and Playset | 8.4 | 8.6 | - |
| Friction Powered Toy Crane Truck Construction Vehicle | 4.7 | - | - |
| CUTE STONE Construction Vehicles Playset | 6.0 | - | - |
Buying Criteria for Toy Cranes
Materials
Most toy cranes are made of ABS or other forms of plastic. However, it’s easy to find high-quality toy cranes made of metal or even wood. Both of these options last longer and offer a longer lifespan for the toy.
Although plastic is more affordable and fairly durable, it doesn’t last as long as either wood or metal, as they are far more difficult to break. If you have a younger child, consider getting a wood toy, for mid-range children, consider metal, as it’s ready to handle rough-and-tumble behavior from children.
Extra Features
Some cranes offer pullies to move the crane arm, but others come with lights, sounds, and, more importantly, remote controls. Kids can do more with the extra features and increase the fun. However, these options require batteries or charging to work.
Another feature of many toy cranes is the ability to build the cranes or take them apart. Kids can learn so much more from toy cranes they assemble themselves. Consider picking an option made of multiple pieces to encourage learning but do plan for storage as these style toys require more cleanup.
Benefits of Toy Cranes
Playing with toy cranes and toy blocks can help kids learn about construction. Children stand to learn multiple skills from a toy crane, and the first is learning about construction sites and all the work involved in creating large-scale buildings. Kids obsessed without how the world forms will love these toys.
Moreover, children who enjoy building can enjoy learning impressive skills from toy cranes. From patience, following instructions, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and more, kids gain all kinds of skills from toy cranes. Have a conversation about the toys as talk can increase knowledge and help kids learn more.
FAQs About Toy Cranes
Can my child play with toy cranes in the sandbox?
Some toy cranes are appropriate for play in the sandbox. It’s best to pick a toy crane designed for outside and preferably a single item, as the smaller toys with lots of pieces can make clean up a nightmare. However, cranes actually increase the fun and usefulness of a sandbox.
Will girls enjoy toy cranes?
Absolutely! Girls need to learn all the same skills as boys and can stand to learn them all from a toy crane or other construction toys. Not all girls enjoy Barbies or dolls and instead want to be more active and play with toys with movement. Definitely encourage a girl to play with toy vehicles and construction vehicles as you would encourage a boy to play with dolls and cooking toys.
Kids are only limited by adults and their imagination, and the latter is not a strong limit, as their imaginations are very strong! Anything they show an interest in can be a toy ready to teach children about the real world, including both boys and girls. Broaden your children’s world with a plethora of toys in every category.
Can my kids use a toy crane to play with toy cars?
Yes! Your kids can use a crane to pick up toy race cars, trucks, and even tractors. Construction toys go well with just about anything like Legos. They fake that they are using a real construction set to make a real building. The options are endless for construction sets!
