The best toy trucks appeal to children’s love of wheels and moving. As most kids want to move none stop, trucks appeal to their desire to move and carry items on the go. Almost every child has some sort of toy vehicle even if it’s a truck for toy horses or toy cars, but which is the best option? We did all the research and found all the best options on the market to save you time.
Best Toy Trucks for Toddlers
Toddlerhood is usually when the vehicle obsession starts, so we have a lot of options for toddlers.
Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck
Does your child watch Paw Patrol on repeat? If the answer is yes, get him or her the PAW Patrol – Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck. This is not just any truck but a brilliant red truck with tons of fun features to entertain the little people in your life. An exceptional toy to teach children about the dangers of fire and all the work that goes into eliminating destructive flames.
The toy comes equipped with a 2-foot tall extendable ladder, a mini fire cart, and water cannon launchers on the front and the back to put out fires. It also includes a mini fire cart, a lookout cab, and a working claw arm to rescue pups stuck in a fire. The toy requires 2 AAA batteries and is one of the best toy trucks for 3-year-olds.
Help Me Decide
The PAW Patrol – Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck is bigger than all the other toddler trucks. Compared to the Transport Carrier Truck w/Dinosaur Toys and the Disney Pixar Cars Launching Mack Transporter, the Paw Patrol Rescue Fire Truck is longer and taller because of the extendable ladder. The plastic is durable both indoors and out, and the water spouts are just plain fun to launch!
John Deere Sandbox Vehicles
TWO for the price of one! With the John Deere Sandbox Vehicles, your child is getting the best of both worlds – a toy dump truck and toy tractor to play with. Haul things in the dump truck with the movable dump bed and load up on things in the tractor with the movable front loader.
These kid-powered trucks are fun and encourage imaginative play. At 6 inches long, the trucks are perfect for travel and small hands, making them one of the best toy trucks for 2-year-olds. These would be tons of fun for your child in the sandbox, dirt pile, or at the beach. Maybe they can even help pick up small toys! Finally, you can pass down the love for John Deere by gifting these to the younger ones in your family.
Transport Carrier Truck w/Dinosaur Toys
For some kids, dinosaurs and trucks make the best combo ever which is why Transport Carrier Truck w/Dinosaur Toys is the best option. The price is beyond excellent considering the set comes with 6 dinosaurs, 6 mini cars, and a monster truck. Compartments in the truck hold either the dinosaurs or the cars depending on your child’s needs for transport or carry all twelve!
The toy transport truck doesn’t require batteries as your child can push the truck from room to room. Though the truck is black, each of the dinosaurs and cars come in bright colors ready to entice children to spend hours playing. Also, the truck includes a handle for easy carrying from one location to another for quiet play for hours.
Push and Go Friction Powered Car Trucks
Little guys 18 months and older will have a blast pushing around the CifToys Push and Go Friction Powered Car Trucks. The set comes with three trucks all in vivid colors and fun styles. Watch as babies giggle with delight as the cars use friction to move across the floor.
The trucks teach cause and effect, colors, and one of the best inventions ever: the wheel. The set includes a mixer truck, harvester truck, and a sweeper truck which you can use to teach about the different uses for vehicles too. No batteries necessary and the trucks come made of ABS plastic for long life.
Help Me Decide
The CifToys Push and Go Friction Powered Car Trucks are the only toddler vehicles that are friction powered, so they can move on their own. These trucks are smaller-sized for toddler hands and feature brighter colors. The set of three is a better deal compared to pricier options like the PAW Patrol – Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck or the Schleich Pickup Truck with Horse Trailer.
VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck
The VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck is the best toy truck for 1-year-olds. This electronic and entertaining truck features a workable bucket, smart responses, melodies, and more. Simply drop the “rocks” into the bucket of the dump truck and pull the truck along with the attached string for a fun on-the-go time!
Cars Launching Mack Transporter
If your kid really loves Disney’s Cars, get him the Disney Pixar Cars Launching Mack Transporter too though it won’t be able to carry the monster trucks up above, it can carry smaller cars from the movie series. Even better, it comes with the signature eyes and personality of a talking truck, though sadly this one does not talk.
Stuff up to 15 die-cast cars or trucks (sold separately) into the flatbed of the truck to get to the races in time to beat the champion. A ramp helps to load the cars and launch them straight onto the race track. It comes in flame red perfect for children between the ages of 4-7 years old to enjoy exciting imaginative play for years.
Schleich Pickup Truck with Horse Trailer
Boys are the only ones who think trucks make the perfect toys, girls have things to haul too! The Pickup Truck with Horse Trailer allows girls to take their toy horses to a show or back to their stall with a colorful horse trailer. The truck comes in a vivid magenta but with a boy figurine, so it’s perfect for boys who want to play with horses and trucks too.
The set includes a Friesian mare, Raja, a removable roof and stickers for decorating, and several other pieces for a fabulous horse trainer simulation. This toy has the potential to teach children about animal care and horses with a well-designed trailer with slots for two horses and even food and storage. Add on to the set with more toys by Scheich for added fun.
Green Toys Flat Bed Truck & Race Car
Children over the age of one can push the Green Toys Flatbed Truck & Race Car around for minutes or hours depending on their level of appreciation for trucks. If they don’t like trucks, don’t worry. The set includes a bright red car to fit perfectly on the flatbed of the blue and gray plastic truck.
The flatbed tilts to let the race car roll out for a flashy entrance or load back up on the truck for a nap. It also comes without external paints or dyes, so you know your child has a safe toy made of recycles plastic to benefit the earth. Furthermore, the large wheels allow the truck to roll with ease.
Best Big Truck Toys
Every kid knows that big toy trucks are fun toy trucks!
Matchbox Garbage Truck
For kiddos who love buys trucks with functions try the Matchbox Garbage Truck. The 15-inch large-scale truck can load, dump, and roll with a lever to raise bins to dump into the truck with hand activation. The truck looks authentic just without the dirt which I’m sure your son or daughter will add in no time at all.
A working horn in the cab lets on-coming traffic know this truck is on the way too for a little added action. It’s a creative toy ready to teach children how to take care of trash and recycling with a little trash can included. Between the lights and the working dump function on the back, this toy will engage kids in real-world play for hours.
Help Me Decide
The Matchbox Garbage Truck has the most capacity to carry things when compared to the other dump trucks on our list. This is one of the few side-loading trash trucks out there. Plus, compared to the Mack Granite Liebherr Crane Truck, the Matchbox Garbage Truck is much, much cheaper.
Mack Granite Liebherr Crane Truck
The Mack Granite Liebherr Crane Truck cost a weight chunk of cash but let me tell you, I know firsthand that German toys last far longer than any other toy. This is a toy truck your son can pass down for generations, so this toy can become a family heirloom especially thanks to the realistic details.
The high-quality ABS plastic includes a break-proof polycarbonate cab door, a sliding panel door, and a swiveling 360-degree crane. While the toy doesn’t make noise, you can purchase a light and sound module if you want to annoy yourself. A fabulous truck for both indoor and outdoor play for children 4 years old and up.
Best Tonka Trunks
Tonka Steel Bulldozer
The Tonka Steel Bulldozer features a front blade that really works to push and move dirt, sand, rocks, and everything else out of the way.
Enjoy this truck in rough terrain with deep-cleated tires. This tow truck is guaranteed for life, so your child can play with this for years and even pass it down through the generations. Bright yellow and black allow this plastic truck to look more realistic for better play.
Tonka Toughest Mighty Dump Truck
If the last truck was out of your price range, try the Tonka Toughest Mighty Dump Truck as it’s more affordable and constructed with sturdy steel. Kiddos will love the moveable dump bed and parents will love the built-to-last guarantee for life. The brilliant bumble bee colors make this an easy toy to find even outside covered in dirt.
You probably remember the Tonka name from your childhood and collecting snails, dirt, or rocks in the truck’s bed. The truck includes an easy-to-carry handle on top so little guys can transport the truck anywhere he goes. Includes extra-large wheels so the truck can roll through any sandbox your children play in.
Best Toy Dump Truck
CAT Construction Fleet Dump Truck
This CAT Construction Fleet Dump Truck from CatToysOfficial features working parts so that your little one can really load up dirt (and whatever else) and drop it off somewhere else. It’s made with durable plastic so it should last for years to come, whether played with inside or outside. As for size, the dimensions are 10 x 5 x 7 inches and the truck weighs 1.4 pounds.
Best Construction Truck Toys
Friction Powered Flatbed Truck w/Excavator Tractor
If your child loves construction, they’re guaranteed to love this Friction Powered Flatbed Truck with Excavator Tractor! Pull around all the things with the flatbed truck and dig, shovel, and build with the excavator tractor. Lights and sounds, such as honking, ignition, and reverse sounds, add to this fun toy construction experience.
Best for ages 3 and up, this construction duo encourages imaginative play and better hand-eye coordination. The flatbed truck and excavator tractor would be great for play inside or outside, especially where there is sand, dirt, and other things to load and haul around!
Help Me Decide
The Friction Powered Flatbed Truck with Excavator Tractor is more realistic than the outdoor-friendly Green Toys Construction Vehicles. It’s also friction powered, so it can drive on it’s own, and it has lights and sounds. This truck gives more bang for the same buck.
Green Toys Construction Vehicles
Green Toys also makes a three-car set, but this one focuses on construction trucks. As the name suggests, these toys are made of recycled plastic to give back to the world as it teaches your tot with a fun toy. The set includes a scooper, mixing, and dump truck for a look into the industrial uses of vehicles.
Each truck comes with adorable little construction worker dogs to man the trucks. The trucks come with moving parts and tons of color to engage children in play. Also, the trucks are the perfect size for tiny hands to push around and small enough to fit in the dishwasher when dirty.
Best Monster Truck Toys
Friction-Powered Monster Trucks
Here is a three-pack of mini Friction-Powered Monster Trucks to inspire future monster truck drivers. Kids will enjoy the graffiti-style drawings on the body of the truck along with the oversized wheels in bright colors.
The wheels come with grippers to create the most friction for pulling back and watching the cars race, also the wheels prevent collisions. With three in the set, two or more kids can enjoy a demolition derby right at home with 360 degree rotating stunts and body waves. No batteries needed for this toy meant for children 3 years and up.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks
If your child loves monster trucks, they will adore the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. The set comes with four varieties of monster trucks for children three years old and up. Each toy is made for small hands at about 4.75 inches each which also makes them ultra-portable.
This set includes the following monster trucks: Wild Streak, 4-Wheel Hive, Chassis Snapper, and Hissy Fit. Each car includes giant rolling wheels, a big attitude, and personality to help up to four kids enjoy a day at the races. These do not include friction and they only roll around but still provide tons of fun.
Help Me Decide
The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are styled after real-life monster trucks and feature metal for more durability and a longer life of play. This quality is reflected in the price, because the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are more expensive than the bigger, brighter Friction-Powered Monster Trucks.
Best Realistic Toy Trucks
John Deere 1:16 Big Farm Chevy 3500 Service Truck
If your goal is to provide a toy your child can learn from, try the John Deere 1:16 Big Farm Chevy 3500 Service Truck. This is a working truck ready to fix cable lines, or other issues high up in the air with an extendable ladder service box with opening doors. It also comes with a removable welder, lubricant pallet, and a tow truck hitch on the rear for a trailer.
This toy can lift, carry, and store everything a worker needs to fix problems for people without this marvelous truck. It’s so authentic and realistic three-year-old boys will have a blast simulating real life. Includes 3 AAA batteries for lights and sound to add a little glitz to their playtime.
Help Me Decide
The John Deere 1:16 Big Farm Chevy 3500 Service Truck is the best combination of a fun play truck and a realistic truck. Compared to the F150 Pickup Truck Car Model, the John Deere Tractor & Ford Pickup Truck, and the UPS Pullback Package Truck, it’s the only model with lights and sounds. It also has the most accessories.
F150 Pickup Truck Car Model
The F150 Pickup Truck Car Model is a 1/36 scale of a real F150 pickup truck. This diecast car works perfectly to entertain older boys ready to give up gigantic toddler trucks. Instead, they can enjoy a super authentic truck set to ignite your son’s imagination.
Authorized by F150, this is the best model truck on the market. Your child can enjoy opening the doors and checking out the realistic interior features of this pull-back Ford truck. Even features rubber tires! If you’re not into the F150 design, choose from 12 other car and truck models. Best for ages 3 and up.
John Deere Tractor & Ford Pickup Truck
The John Deere Tractor & Ford Pickup Truck is a realistic tractor and truck combo that may feel nostalgic to you as your little one plays with this set. Designed at a 1:32 scale, this combo includes a 2017 Ford F350, detachable 5th wheel trailer, and a John Deere 5075E tractor. The set is fairly small (17.25 x 3.2 x 4.5 inches) but is sure to be a fun 3-in-1 truck toy for your kiddo.
UPS Pullback Package Truck
If your little one loves unique trucks or recognizes the UPS truck when it’s delivering packages to your home, then they will love this UPS Pullback Package Truck. This UPS truck is officially licensed and even features authentic details! For more fun, there’s a pullback feature so your child can watch their truck zoom by.
The full size of this UPS truck is 5.5″L x 2″W x 2.5″H, which is smaller than some parents thought it would be, so keep that in mind. It’s also said to be pretty durable!
Help Me Decide
The UPS Pullback Package Truck is the smallest realistic truck, but it’s a unique pullback truck that’s a great addition to an existing die-cast car collection.
Toy Truck Comparison Table
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.
| Mack Granite Liebherr Crane Truck | 8.8 | 9.6 | 136.05 |
| Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck | 9.2 | 9.6 | 100.00 |
| Tonka Toughest Mighty Dump Truck | 7.5 | 9.6 | 75.50 |
| Matchbox Garbage Truck | 9.8 | 9.6 | 64.00 |
| Schleich Pickup Truck with Horse Trailer | 9.7 | 9.6 | 59.99 |
| Cars Launching Mack Transporter | 8.7 | 9.4 | 49.99 |
| John Deere Tractor & Ford Pickup Truck | 9.7 | 9.4 | 49.94 |
| Green Toys Construction Vehicles | 7.4 | 9.8 | 41.95 |
| Hot Wheels Monster Trucks | 9.8 | 9.6 | 34.99 |
| Green Toys Flat Bed Truck & Race Car | 3.9 | - | 30.65 |
| Tonka Steel Bulldozer | 9.8 | 9.6 | 29.75 |
| John Deere 1:16 Big Farm Chevy 3500 Service Truck | 9.0 | 9.2 | 27.34 |
| Push and Go Friction Powered Car Trucks | 9.5 | 9.6 | 24.99 |
| Transport Carrier Truck w/Dinosaur Toys | 9.6 | 9.0 | 22.95 |
| Friction Powered Flatbed Truck w/Excavator Tractor | 9.5 | 9.2 | 19.99 |
| CAT Construction Fleet Dump Truck | 9.9 | 9.4 | 18.10 |
| UPS Pullback Package Truck | 9.2 | 9.2 | 17.89 |
| F150 Pickup Truck Car Model | 9.4 | 8.6 | 13.99 |
| Friction-Powered Monster Trucks | 9.8 | 9.2 | 12.98 |
| VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck | 9.9 | 9.6 | 11.89 |
| John Deere Sandbox Vehicles | 9.9 | 9.6 | 10.99 |
FAQs about Toy Trucks
Which are the biggest toy trucks?
One simple rule to remember is that the smaller the second number, the bigger the truck! A 1:12 scale truck toy will be much larger than a 1:36 scale truck toy.
The largest toy truck on our list is the Tonka Toughest Mighty Dumptruck, which is a whopping 2o inches long and 12 inches tall and 11 inches wide. And while the CAT Construction Dump Truck Looks large, it is only half the size of the Tonka truck.
The Bruder Liebherr Crane Truck is also quite large, at 26 inches long and over 10 inches tall. With the crane extended, it can get up to 50 inches tall, which is about 13 inches taller than the Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Firetruck, even with its 24-inch ladder fully extended.
Finally, the Matchbox Garbage Truck is nearly 16 inches long and 10 inches tall, which is quite big for a toddler, and the spacious area for trash or other treasures is a unique feature.
How long will my child play with a toy truck?
This depends on your child. Some boys never get over their fascination for toy trucks and end up with a real-life collection of Ford trucks in the driveway. Most though, outgrow a desire for toy trucks around the age of 8-years-old or earlier. The great news is most are built to last and can pass down to younger siblings or friends.
Though if you try to get rid of their favorite before they are ready, you might meet some opposition. Do not get rid of their favorite until they are ready. Instead, focus on getting car-themed decor if they still show an interest in vehicles but just don’t want to play with toys anymore.
Can my child learn anything from playing with a toy truck?
Absolutely! Toy trucks are utility vehicles that help keep the world running on tracks. Take the opportunity of giving a truck as a lesson in the use of vehicles and how they correlate to your son’s life. Trucks provide so many services and even offer career paths for extreme truck lovers.
Talk about all the trucks involved in bringing a bowl of cereal to the table, deliveries, mail, transport for animals, people, supplies, and all the other advantages trucks provide to make our lives so much easier. What would the world be like without trash trucks to take away all of our garbage? Let’s not find out but make sure your kids understand their necessity!
Toy trucks and cars also teach fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and even beginning STEM skills! That’s a lot of learning from a little truck. The best toy trucks will not just serve as toys but as learning tools too.
Should I pick a truck that does something or a simple truck?
The best toy trucks include a variety of trucks. Some kids need the noise and the action to enjoy a truck but some kids prefer a simple truck to push around the floor in circles. Most toy trucks on this list are affordable enough to buy more than one so you can find what your child enjoys and provide options for different play options, especially when friends come over to play.
Final Thoughts
The best toy trucks provide fun, rolling wheels, function, and an opportunity to learn something about the world.
The Matchbox Garbage Truck Large provides all of these features in a portable toy that’s easy to store. It’s larger than many other options on this list, and the ability to hold trash or Legos or even snacks is a fun and unique feature that means it could become a favorite for your truck-obsessed kid.
Both boys and girls need to learn about the many functions of trucks which is why they love to play with toy trucks, as a way to simulate real life. Learning the value of a truck to carry away trash provides real-world knowledge to engage children in a life-long appreciation for the utility of trucks all with role-play with friends.
