The only thing that stood out about my son’s interest in toys was the inconsistency. His preferences changed every few months for the first year of his life. Now that he is a toddler and not a baby, I can pretty much sum up his favorite kind of toy in one word: cars. Anything that hits the wheels is at least a two-year-old ghost. Fortunately, there are many products that meet this requirement. Toddler boys love to move around and ride things, so cars are the perfect toy for this stage. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. No matter what your price range, there is something out there for you.
Little Tikes Push & Ride Nation
This toy is $24.99 new. It has black wheels, a red handle bar, a blue body, and a yellow tail on its back. Your child can push this toy from behind or sit and ride on it. Your child kicks her away with her feet. My son bought it at a garage sale for only $5. He has had it for over a year and still plays with it every day. If it’s a little girl for you, there’s the Little Tikes Doll Walker in more classic feminine colors.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
These will run you $49.99 new. This is an actual car with red body and yellow roof. Your child will enter through a door that opens and closes. It has a steering wheel and horn, as well as a little trunk space. The gas cap is real, and Little Tikes also sells gas pumps to go along with the car. Your child will move her by sitting and moving her legs as if she were walking. I always called it the “Flintstones car”. If you want to spend extra you can get the red and white Ride & Rescue the cop car for $59.99. For girls, there’s the purple and pink princesses or the yellow and green Dora the Explorer edd. I bought mine at flea markets for only $20. It’s another toy that he plays with every day.
Matchbox Cars
There are many different brands of matchbox cars. No matter what brand you buy, you won’t pay more than a dollar per car. For months my son collected vans, jeeps, SUVs, trucks, sports cars, even a motorcycle and a helicopter. We keep them in a small bucket to go out several times a day. They are fun in the car and on airplanes because your child can drive all over the seats. They are small, fit in pockets and purses, and are great on-the-go. They are easy to destroy, but replace the bow. You can even buy racecar tracks to walk along with them. If you don’t want your whole house, buy a rug decorated with spots of roads and cars that your child can drive.
Radio Flyer Pathfinder wagon
These red plastic wagons are a lot of fun to push, pull and ride. It sells for about $70 new. My son received a birthday gift from his biological maternal grandmother. He couldn’t wait to get the wheels on it and start playing with it! My son hates being locked in his stroller, but loves being carried in his car. There are two seats so two kids can sit opposite each other, and it also has seatbelts. Fold down the seats to bring back the burnt wagon. It has a long comfort mom handle that snaps into place so you can push or pull it.
Train Sets
The Thomas the Tank Engine set is the most expensive, but the Wal-mart set is much more affordable. My son loves putting together and separating wooden tracks, connecting different types of cars together, and taking them all over the track – and home. You can buy a train table to walk with your tracks and luggage. If you can afford Thomas the Tank Engine, they offer a wider variety of train cars and track attachments. I’m not that well off, so I bought a $15 kit from Wal-mart!
Powerwheels
These electric cars go when you push a button or a pedal. Some have the opposite method. Your son can feel like a big boy with his very own real car that is just like mommy’s car and daddy’s cars. They will usually run you a hundred dollars or more, even if you buy second hand. Cheaper cars, like the mini Cadillac Escalade, cost $300! There are also some that seat two people. I was able to find the smallest Spider quad for $65 at Wal-mart. It’s like a mini four car. My son carried her around the house and outside. All I have to do is fight a few times a week. My son’s car should last at least another year, and then I’ll have to buy a bigger one with power!
I bought cars
You might have been to deserted island in the past year or so to not know about the movie car. It has inspired a lot of marketing that will tickle just the car-loving kid. If your child likes cars, he will not only enjoy the movie but also the merchandise. From a small range of toddler chairs to cots, there are enough cars out there to please the kids.
Cars in all kinds of designs. My son bounces the hydraulic car up and down, goes on, and sings. It has monster trucks that talk when you press a button. That one is all made of rubber that revs up and has lights. Dump trucks, fire trucks–there’s a whole world of cars out there! these things are, however, that my son may never be disgusted. They are sure to welcome your little one just the same!
