Your kids, boys and girls are your major source of joy, and you constantly want to make them happy in return. One way to make kids, especially toddler happy is to buy a toy for them. However, not all kinds of toys will make the toddler happy, but you may not have an issue choosing the right one if your child or toddler has already shown interest in toy trains. Your kid has probably shown interest in toy vehicles and looking for reviews on the best trains on the market. If this is correct, then you are in the right place.
You will hardly encounter any issue when it comes to finding varieties of train sets from different brands to choose from, but it is important to also state that the swelling number of train sets on the market may make it difficult for you to make a simple decision. For this reason, we dedicated our time and resources to research into the best train sets product on the market so as to provide you with a list of the best train sets for toddlers on the market.
This post will also provide you with other useful information as well as a comprehensive guide to making an informed decision. Read on for more information on how to choose the best train set for toddlers.
[azonpress template=”table” asin=”B08GQZ7TCB,B004B8FIZO,B07GBRTW48,B07GCD7XFV”]Types of Train Set for Toddlers
There are different types of toy trains, but the most common ones are plastic, wooden and the table train sets. The plastic train sets are the most common types of toddlers. This train is mostly because they are kid-proof, inexpensive and can withstand all the mishandling of your little one without hurting or posing a threat to his/her wellbeing.
The wooden variants, on the other hand, are train sets made of mostly wood. Train sets are ideal for kids that are above the age of three for their own safety. The train is usually more expensive than the plastic models, and the train comes with many amazing features such as locomotion, sounds and much more. This type of trains may also last longer than their counterpart.
This brings us to table train sets. These train set types of trains are design to run on a table, which they usually ship with. However, using the tables that shipped with the trains is just a formality since most of the product that falls within can also run properly on the floor. But it is important to note that you may lose some parts of the train if you run them outside the protected corners of the table.
Toy trains may either be locomotive or immobile. The locomotive variants are ideal if you want to purchase a toy that will keep your child entertained and engaged. This is primarily because the trains come with amazing features that your child may probably never get tired of them. Meanwhile, the immobile models are designed to serve as a beautiful addition to your kid’s collection. They are not designed to move down the rails, but they can be stationed in a corner of the nursery to add beauty and color to the room.
Finally, all the above-mentioned train sets are either powered by batteries or electricity. A few other train sets are also referred to as kid-powered may require a push from your little one in order to go down the rails. The best type of train sets for your kid will be heavily dependent on your personality, and your kids need.
The Key Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Train Set for a Toddler
No one knows what train set is best for your little one like you do, and at the end of the day, the final decision with regards to the best train set will rest completely on you. Even with this, this section will furnish you with a few factors to consider when making your decision. We believe that this will not only help you make the best choice, but it will go a long way in making the decision process as effortless as possible. Here are the key things to consider when choosing the best train set for a toddler:
- Child-proof
This is the most important factor you should consider when buying a train set for your little one. It is best to go for a train set that features components that are safe for your kid. A train set that has a swallowable or a sharp end may not be the best choice since kids are mostly allowed to play unsupervised.
Consider going for a lightweight train set that can be easily lifted by your kid and one that will cause no harm when dropped on him/her. The safety of your child is a priority, and for this reason, you should consider going for a train set that is not likely to bring harm directly or indirectly to your child.
- Quality and Durability
The quality of the train set you are about to buy is another important factor. It is advised to go for a high quality, and durable train set considering the fact the train set will have to withstand hours of playtime as well as manhandling from your little one. Kids love to play, and your toddler may use the train set for a few years as he/she grows up if it is of top quality. A low-quality train set may break or tear thereby posing a risk to your child’s wellbeing.
- Material
As already mentioned above, you have an option to pick from a number of materials with the most popularly used of them being plastic, and wood. The best train set for you will be based on personal preference and what you think your kid may love. However, it is important to state that wooden models of train set may not be ideal if your little one is below the age of 3 or if he is not yet able to get a good grip of things.
If your kid falls within this category, you may want to look at train sets made of plastic and/or silicone. However, it is advised to ensure that the plastic is BPA-free since kids love to nibble on everything they come across.
- Color
Train sets for toddlers come in different attractive colors for your little one. Try choosing the color that he/she loves best. However, if you are not sure the color that works best, then consider going for a color you love best or one that will blend seamlessly into the furniture and accessories of your nursery.
- Your Kid’s Favorite
If you are aware of your kid’s favorite show be it Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob SquarePants or the likes, then it may be a great choice to go for a train set that features a design, which represents the character of that show. Your little one may be overjoyed to finally have something that represents his favorite character nearby.
- Fun features
Another important thing to consider is how much fun the toy will bring to your little one. Whether the train set will make your kid happy or not will be heavily dependent on the amount of engaging and interesting features it packs. For instance, your little one may find a locomotive train more engaging compared to those that are immobile. This is mostly because it moves from place to place and makes amusing sounds.
- Size
You should also check out the size of the toy before purchasing the train set. This is especially important if you have limited space in your nursery. While some train sets are relatively portable and compact, other train sets will require a great deal of space in other to be properly displayed.
- Price
Just like many other train sets on the market, there are low end, mid-range, and high-end train set. The best train set for your little one will be dependent on the resources you have set aside for the purpose. However, it is advised to go for a train set that offers the highest quality and value for your budget category.
Here is a list of the best train sets for toddlers:
1
VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset
The VTech Go! Go! train set is one of the best train set for toddlers on the market. The train set is both entertaining and educational thus may help in developing your little one’s IQ as he plays with the train set. This benefit is attributable to the interactive role features that include but not limited to an electronic train station, a tunnel, bridge, and a conveyor belt hill. The train set is ideal for kids that are one year and above.
The train set is beautifully designed with many colors that may help improve his/her knowledge of colors. The train set will also help your child to become conversant with alphabets, words, phrases, foreign languages, and even time as they play with the train set.
The toy also features a SmartPoint technology that allows the train set to react in a specific way when the train gets to a certain point on the rail.
It does this with music, phrases and amazing sound effects. The train toys features a midrange price, a top quality, and durable plastic and it can be used by kids that are age up to 5 years old. It is not too big, and it is relatively lightweight since it weighs about 10 pounds and has a dimension of 3.9 x 5.1 x 7.9 inches. It features about 32 track pieces (15ft) if you prefer an endless assembly.
Interestingly, the pieces are compatible with other models of train toy from the company, and would be a perfect replacement if you have previously purchased a VTech Go! Go! train. You also have an option to separately purchase an additional train to further increase the fun your kid will derive from the toy. However, some users complain about the long cleaning time due to its large size and many track pieces.2
Brio My First Railway Beginner Pack Wooden Toy Train Set
This is another amazing toddler train sets from a renowned toymaker. The train set is made from top quality European beech wood, and its parts may be compatible with other Brio wooden train sets in case you have one that needs a replacement part or if you just want to merge the two.
The wooden train set features a sturdy design with many bright colors. The wooden train sets also features many tracks- ramps and a bridge. The wooden train sets is both entertaining and educative, and it is ideal for kids that are aged 18 months and above. The engine of the brio starter train is battery powered for more efficiency and performance. The train set is portable and relatively lightweight. It weighs 2.3 pounds and has a dimension of 20 x 20 x 4 inches. The train set can be easily stored in a small bin when the train set is not in use.3
Fisher-Price GeoTrax Remote Control Timbertown Railway
The fisher-price remote control train set brings a feature to the table that will be loved by most kids – the ability for your kid to control the train set as he/she wants. This feature is amazing and may keep your little one with this toy set hours daily doing as he deems fit with the train set. The Fisher-Price GeoTrax Remote Control Timbertown Railway is both entertaining and educating, and the train set is ideal for kids that are aged between 2-7 years old.
The train set features an ergonomic design, 15 pieces of rail tracks designed in different colors, an operational crane, a mountain, a tunnel, and much more. The train set is made from durable plastic that is easy to assemble and easy to clean. Its track pieces are also easy to connect to one another.
Furthermore, the train set is easy to play with, and the train set ships with a DVD to further provide your little one with fun ideas on how to play with the train. The train set is battery powered and may require 6 AAA batteries (three for the steam engine and three for the remote control) to function properly. The train set toy can either be used by remote control or by hand. However, the train set is important to state that the train set does not ship with the required batteries and you may need to fix that yourself.4
WolVol Kid Starter Colorful Tracks Train Set
The WolVol Kid Starter Colorful Tracks Train Set is another amazing option on the market. The train set features a simple, beautiful and colorful design thus making the train set ideal for smaller kids. The train set features sound and light to further entertain your little one. The train set is made from a quality and durable plastic that makes the train set easy to assemble, easy to use and easy to clean.
The train set is cheaper compared to many similar train sets on the market. It is lightweight and portable as the train set weighs 1.6lbs and has a dimension of 15” x 10.1” x 3.6”5
Kids Destiny Wooden Train Set
If you are looking for an amazing train set that packs lots of features for your little one at a budget-friendly price, you should consider checking this one out. The kids’ destiny train set is made of top quality and durable beechwood, and the train set features bright colors. The train set ships with 50 pieces set including 4 vehicles, 6 signs and people, 14 buildings and trees, and 26 track pieces to keep your child entertained all day long.
The toy train set is specially designed for kids aged 1-5 years old. Interestingly, the parts of this train set are compatible with that of brio in the case you previously purchased the train set, and you now need a replacement part. The train set will also be amazing to march the components of the two thereby creating a longer path for your kid. However, some users have complained that the large layout of the train set leads to extended cleaning time.
