Toddlers are going to love loading and unloading the passengers on this colorful oversized train. The bright red engine and three blue cars attach with magnets that are buried safely inside the train. This is designed for tots who are not yet ready for more detailed wooden trains with small pieces that demand more dexterity. It is a bit pricey, but a versatile toy that does not need tracks to run on.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2011.

The wheels really roll on this beginners fire engine. It's made of a rubbery material that is flocked with soft red texture and has a black ladder that bounces along on top. This is a toddler toy with not a lot of details. 1 & up. The company makes a variety of small vehicles in bright colors. We especially like the Mascot Cars ($14.95) with a handle built into the body of the car. It's perfect for crawlers and kids who are still close to the ground.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2010.

Buzz and Lotso go racing down the two spiral tracks side by side. Push the starter gate and hear the motors roar. The original spiral speedway toy was a winner with toddlers in a previous format without a movie connection. We don't think toddlers are going to care about the Toy Story 3 connection, but they will probably like the repetition of the action. 2 & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Just in time for hot summer days, a jolly ice cream truck with that happy Good Humor-like sounds that say--come out and buy your ice cream! It has a soft body side and six big buttons on top to make it go forward, back, sideways over bumps, and to sound the call. The big buttons make it easy to activate and it goes slowly enough for crawling tots to chase. It's marked 12 months & up…we'd say it's more like a toy for 2's and up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Push down on the driver's head and this little red car rolls forward as soed the blue face on the front of the car. It will not roll far from baby, but just far enough to encourage him to try and crawl after it. There is an easy to grab handle that will surely be used for tasting and maybe even teething. This is a fun little item for playing back and forth rolling games with sitting up babies. However, note the caution on the bottom of the toy: Baby's hair can get entangled in the spinning wheels so adult supervision is needed. 10 months & up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2010.

A single piece of rubberwood is cut out in a classic little car shape with two finger holes to grasp on top. It has big wooden wheels with treads that will roll over carpet or bare floors. Reminiscent of the handsome wooden toys of another age when sleek and modern was the key and all the rest was left to be imagined by the player. Also from the same maker a Push Along Duck, Cat or Dog.  Perfect choice for toddlers 1 & up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Five little rubbery vehicles with faces on the front are a good fit for toddlers small hands. These can be used flat out on the floor or with the Tonka Fold ‘n Go Garage or the Round About Railway. A fleet of rescue trucks can be added to the action. These are designed for the youngest players. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab. 12 months & up.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2009.

Instead of a remote, these two soft bodied vehicles are activated with big buttons on top. One activates the horn or siren, another moves the vehicle forward and another backwards. Two other buttons move the chassis from left to right or right to left.  A lot of actions for toddlers to remember. But there will be plenty of trial and error and easy to activate motion. A better choice for 3's & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

 

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Chunky soft vinyl trucks have a pull back and go action. Done in bright colors, the trucks scoot forward with a clicking sound.  We love the fire truck. We're often asked for vehicles that are safe for the 3 & under set...these are really great choice.
    The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.
 

SNAP IDEAS: Set up some destination for the little firetruck. Kids like to use their crayons or paint to make a garage out of a small box with cut out doorways. This can become the firehouse.  Use another box and put openings in two sides of a box to make a tunnel. Try to make the truck zoom in one side and out the other. Can you make the little truck run between the legs of a small table? Use lids of small shoe boxes to make a ramp for the truck to go up and down. These little games reinforce the meaning of such concepts as up, down, in and out, in between, etc. Playing together and using language in such informal ways builds concrete understanding of such language and concepts. 

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2009.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2002.