Fasten Your Seatbelts for the Best Toy Cars

Your mission to find the perfect toy car can get a little tedious if you don't know what exactly you're looking for. So, let's teach you all there is to know about these mini vehicles with this comprehensive buyer's guide section.

Are Toy Cars Good For Children?

Other than the fact that toy cars are exciting and fun to play with, let's look at two reasons why they make for a great children’s toy. Mind you, we are talking about benefits for children here and we will surely not use it as an excuse to get a toy car for ourselves.

Developing Motor Skills

Motor skills include body movements that require the muscles to coordinate and move. When your kid is playing with a toy car, they are engaging their arms, neck, hands, and legs to play around.

Not to mention, playing with a toy car also develops hand-eye coordination and dexterity which are vital for young children. As your little one grows up, they will start to run around the house with their mini cars. This physical exertion will further prove to be beneficial for them.

Advancing Cognitive Skills

Cognitive, or brain-based skills, are also developed when your child takes hold of their toy car. Imagining situations where they race their toy and create original stunts gets their creative juices flowing and engages their brain.

Things To Consider When Buying Toy Cars

Compatibility

Now, this one isn't a necessity but it's always a good option to buy toys that complement and are compatible with each other. For example, if you're looking to buy a toy pickup truck or trailer, make sure that it is big enough for your other cars to fit in. If you're opting for battery-powered toys, you should also make sure that the batteries are included in the package or you’ll have to purchase your own.

Durability

Toy cars are notorious for being cheaply made, especially if you're in the market for plastic car toys. While metallic cars are more expensive, they are much more likely to last longer. However, plastic cars are lighter and safer which makes them great for young kids. Regardless, it will be wise of you to look through consumer reviews and see what previous buyers have to say about the longevity of your new toy car.

Buying Tips for Toy Cars

Realism

Granted, your three-year-old won't mind if their new toy car isn't decked out with attention to detail, but there is something satisfying about a realistic-looking car model. It’s something your kid will appreciate growing up and may encourage an interest in cars.

A wise piece of advice here: if you are looking to buy realistic cars, make sure to seek out well-reputed brands that have proper licenses.

Gift-ability

If you're looking for a toy car as a gift for someone, you should make sure that it comes in quality packaging. Hot Wheels and unbranded cars make for a good general gift, but if you really know the person, try getting a model of their favorite car!

How Much Do Toy Cars Usually Cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere from a single dollar to hundreds of dollars for a single toy car, depending on its type and exclusivity factor. In fact, some collector's editions even go for hundreds of thousands of dollars!

However, if you just want a car for general play, you should consider buying it in sets. Most of our top picks also come in sets as this provides the maximum value. A brand name like Hot Wheels or Matchbox will also carry a premium tag.

Toy Car FAQ

Let's pump the brakes and end things off with this brief FAQ section that will clarify a few common questions about toy cars:

Q: What makes a toy car go faster?

A: Just like your everyday car, a toy car's speed dynamics are also all about physics… and some maintenance. You can use a can of compressed air to blow away any dust clogging the tires to increase speed. Other factors like the toy's weight and design will affect the speeds it can reach.