Image: MomJunction Design Team
Toy cars are exciting and thrilling items to play with for children of all ages. Whether it is a best-selling remote control car with sirens and lights or a plain old manual model that needs to be pushed around, cars quickly capture children’s fancy. Bringing home the best toy cars for a 1-year old can help promote motor skills, improve movements and develop hand-eye coordination.
You can introduce a wide range of tried-and-tested toy cars to your child, from sedans and hatchbacks to trucks and machinery automobiles. We have listed some top toy cars for one-year-old to help you choose the right products.
Top Picks
20 Best Toy Cars For 1-Year-Old
1. Best Sturdy: Top Bright Toddler Toys
The toddler’s car toy set is meant for children from one to two years. It has four colorful race tracks supported on a wooden plank. This toddler car toy set from Top Bright comes with four small racing cars with sturdy wheels that move on axles. The colorful tracks are a visual treat to the child’s eye, and the moving vehicles develop their tracking abilities. You can easily store the compact and sturdy design cars in a small corner. If you want to find out more about this safety-tested toy, make sure to check out this review cum testing video.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Non-toxic paint
- Meets ASTM safety standards
- Encourage brain development
Cons
- Plastic built could be flimsier
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 10,670 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
2. Best For Motor Skills: Bright Starts Oball Rattle & Roll Sports Race Car Toy
The ball rattle and roll car is a fun toy car for babies of three months and above. This sensory car toy from Bright Start is a fun-to-play push car that helps develop motor skills in your child. The bead-filled tires create a rattling sound that excites the child to crawl and chase the car following the sound. Designed with attractive colors, it helps grab the attention of the kids.
Pros
- Easy grasp
- Flexible and soft vehicle
- Great baby shower gift
- Vibrant colors
Cons
- Description on the box is not correct
"My experience with this toy car has been mostly positive. The ease of grip and cleaning was noteworthy, and the rattle sound captivated my little one. It rolls well on varied surfaces, and the holed top is a hit, though little fingers may get pinched."
3. Best For Multiple Skill Development: Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Pull-Back Vehicle Set
The set of four vehicles is easy for young children to lift and roll. This pull-back vehicle set from the trusted brand Melissa & Doug includes a truck, a school bus, a family car, and a police car. Each vehicle is designed with a rev-up mechanism that makes it easy for toddlers to push the vehicle without much effort. Chelsea from MommysTrying, a YouTube channel that reviews toys and dolls, says, ‘’These Melissa & Doug toys are soft. They’re small enough for your little one’s hands to maneuver on their own. And the best part about these Melissa & Doug cars is they work well on different surfaces–hardwood floors, carpet floors, tiles–and they do just fine going over floor transitions as well.” This set is ideal for babies aged nine months and above. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Promotes multiple skill development
- Giftable
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
Cons
- Wheels may not be highly durable
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 8,919 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
4. Best Durable: Amy & Benton’s Toddler Cartoon Wind up Cars
These press-and-go cartoon vehicles in attractive, eye-catching colors are designed to spark a child’s imagination. This toddler toy set comes with four-piece cartoon wind-up cars and cute cartoon animal drivers, including calf, dog, squirrel, and cat, exciting for children to play with. The Amy & Benton mini vehicles are constructed from non-toxic ABS material, and the edges are designed smoothly for child safety.
Pros
- Eye-catching colors
- Durable
- Miniature cars for babies
- Great for early development
- Energy-saving
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Too small in size
Quick tip5. Best For One-Year-Old: Disney Baby Bright Starts Toy
Introduce your child to Disney characters through these push-along cars designed like Mikey, Mini, Sully, and other favorite characters. These cars from Disney are designed to develop a one-year-old’s motor skills. Crafted in O-ball shape, they are easy to hold. The netted design on the roof of the car has big circular holes that offer an easy grip.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Durable
- Easy to grab and grip
- No batteries required
Cons
- May not be durable
Quick tip6. Best For Developing Vision: Sassy Pop n Push Car
A pop-and-push car features a round-shaped body with no edges. This cute little car from Sassy has contrasting colors to stimulate your baby’s developing vision. The colorful beads on the roof make a rattling sound that allows the baby to understand sounds. The pull-back wheels move forward when released, encouraging the child’s movements. It is a suitable car for babies of six months and above.
Pros
- Helps develop motor skills
- Encourages crawling
- Safe to play
- Durable
- Colorful and engaging
- BPA-free
Cons
- Might have gearing issues
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
About 2,643 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to the product.
7. Best For Imaginative Skills: VTech Smart Wheels Cool Vehicles
The rolling toy cars from VTech are made for children aged one year and above. It is battery-operated and requires two batteries for each car. Designed to entertain your kids, they light up to play music, sounds, and phrases. This music car toy is perfectly sized for little hands and helps stimulate the learning abilities of your child.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- Develops imaginative play skills
- Age-appropriate
- Easy to assemble
- Teaches letters and more
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Might be relatively louder
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,489 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
8. Best For Sound: Kidzlane Pull Back Cars
The pull-back cars from Kidzlane are a set of four cars that make funny sounds with every push. These toddler cars help enhance the motor skills of your baby at an early stage. The set includes a police car, a fire truck, an ambulance, and a school bus. These safety-tested self-propelling pull-and-release cars encourage crawling, and their smooth tires help prevent scratches on the floor.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Toddler tested
- Encourages childhood development
- BPA-free
- Giftable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Might be relatively noisy
9. Best Environment-Friendly: Moontoy Toy Cars
Available in a pack of three cars, these pull-back cars are crafted for 12-month and above kids. These cartoon-shaped trucks have an animal-shaped front of leopard, crocodile, and bull that opens their teeth when pushed. The vivid colors of the Moontoy monster truck help engage your child’s eyes and hand movement. They are constructed from non-toxic thick plastic with soft edges to help prevent any injury.
Pros
- Develops imagination
- Environment-friendly
- Early education toy
- Great Christmas gift for toddlers
- Sturdy and durable
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Short distance movement
10. Best Lightweight: Bright Starts Race Car Vehicles
Featuring O-ball geometrical holes, these toy cars are easy and fun to pick up and play with. These push-back cars from Bright Starts come in attractive colors to help develop color recognition skills in your child. They are made of strong and durable plastic, and the tires roll easily. The O-ball three-piece set is suitable for babies of six months and above, and provides hours of fun.
Pros
- Easy to grasp
- Easy to clean
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Durable and sturdy
- Fun-to-play
Cons
- Make a squeaky noise while rolling
"As a mother of a picky child, I have seen a myriad of toys come and go, but these cars have been an instant hit with my little one and his friends. They offer durability, proving to be a reliable toy for young toddlers. Their compatibility with other playsets is a bonus."
11.Best Hand-Eye Coordination:Zhihuan Baby Boy Toys
Zhihuan offers an interactive and educational fun car to train your baby’s hand-eye coordination. It does not work on batteries hence saves on energy. These are crafted with soft and flexible rubber material with durable construction. The tires come with bright color beads that make a rattling sound while moving to attract the baby’s attention. This soft rubber toy vehicle is suitable for children aged one year and above.
Pros
- Trains baby’s interactive ability
- Anti-collision
- Soft car toys
- Non-toxic plastic
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Small balls can be a choking hazard
12.Best Non-Toxic:Top Bright Wooden Car Ramp Race Track Toy
The replacement car set has 12 pieces suitable for two-year and above boys. These racing cars from Top Bright include eight small cars and four big cars made of non-toxic, child-safe material and tested for safety according to US standards. The car track set has bright and attractive colors to help the child to form color perception. All the cars are numbered to help the child read counting. This set allows your child to learn while playing.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Made of high-quality wood
- Easy storage
- Giftable
Cons
- Smaller in size than expected
"I bought these replacement cars for my little one's wooden ramp. They're a snug fit and delightful addition to my two-year-old's playtime. I like how sturdy they are. They have been a useful purchase for my son’s playtime."
13.Best For Visual Stimulation:Zmzs Rattle And Roll Car For Toddlers
The Zmzs three-piece car set is designed in three different styles to promote your child’s fun and educational development. They are rattle and roll cars designed from good ABS material. These toy cars are not harmful as they use BPA-free plastic. Their heads move left and right to promote visual stimulation.
Pros
- No batteries required
- Promotes baby’s hand-eye coordination
- Ideal baby gift
- Non-toxic
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Rattle balls may be a choking hazard
"My niece finds these colorful little cars delightful to play with. They are built perfectly for tiny hands to grasp and are soft and engaging with a rattle that encourages crawling. While they are sturdy, some parts can still detach, posing a risk. So, I would suggest keeping an eye on them during playtimes."
14.Best For Motor Skills:Playgro Light and Sounds Police Car
The baby toy police car from Playgro flashes light at the beat of the music. This interactive police car toy encourages the baby to coordinate their vision with a sound that helps develop their motor skills. The baby toy car plays five tunes and songs that encourage the child to understand sound and music.
Pros
- Develops imagination
- Positively influences development
- Lightweight
- Colorful car toy
Cons
- Might be noisy
"This little car charms with its selection of sounds and siren lights. My little one enjoys pushing it around. It appears durable, withstanding the enthusiastic play of a child. However, the overlapping noises from the wheels and siren can interrupt the audio feature. Also, it gets triggered with the slightest touch, which can be bothersome. Still, I would recommend it."
15.Best Travel Toy:Huanger Soft Car Toy Set
The Huanger soft toy car set has nine pieces that come with an activity playmat to create a safe area for playing, making it the perfect travel toy. These toy cars are designed with clean and durable fabric to resist wear and tear. The illustrated character on each car represents a different theme to develop a child’s cognitive skills. It represents various shapes, sizes, numbers, and characters to stimulate learning abilities among children. This toy vehicle set can be a great birthday gift for one-year-old boys.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Safe for toddlers
- Portable
- Easy storage bag
Cons
- Smaller in size than shown in the picture
16.Best Unbreakable:Yiosion Musical Police Car
Yiosion offers an adorable police car that can be a perfect gifting choice for one year old and above. The car toy has musical and light-up features to help babies develop their motor, hearing, cognitive, and imaginative skills. It is designed safely so that the child can play without parent supervision. The durable construction of the musical vehicle helps prevent it from breaking even after being dropped several times.
Pros
- Early educational toy
- BPA-free
- Phthalate-free
- Non-toxic
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- Might be a little noisy
"This interactive police car engages my toddler with its catchy sirens and music. It intrigues his curiosity and encourages active play. Also, it is quite durable and can withstand my child's active play. While I wish it moved around longer, it is still a decent toy."
17.Best Easy Grasping:Kid O Push And Pull Toy Car
Crafted from high-quality ABS material and rubber wheels, these toy cars will not spoil your floor or furniture. Available in bright colors, these push-and-pull toy cars come as single pieces and are easy to push. The ergonomic design with a curved handle allows easy grasping, and rolling of the car becomes easy. These toy cars from Kid O are suitable for children of 12 months and above. Made from BPA-free material, these toys are safe for your kids.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Lightweight
- Develops motor skills
- Comes in different colors
- Phthalate-free
- Lead-free
Cons
- Wheel axles might make a squeaky sound
"This toy has a clean design that lacks flashiness but excels in functionality. Its durability can withstand rough play, from crawling adventures to bathtime explorations. Overall, a pleasant addition to my child's toy collection."
18.Best Early Educational Toy:Cute Stone Friction Powered Cars
The push-and-go set of three toy cars can slide long distances at a push of a button. They feature a flashlight and ten melodious musical sounds. The size is suitable to fit the tiny hands of your kids. These friction-powered cars for toddlers from Cute Stone come in vivid colors and animal designs to promote early learning skills.
Pros
- Good grip
- Early educational toy
- Easy to clean
- Safe toy for toddlers
- Durable ABS material
- Promotes crawling
Cons
- Cannot be used on carpets
19.Best For Flashing Lights:Joyin 2 PCs Police Car and Race Car
Joyin racing cars can make real sound effects to help children build their imaginations. The shape of the car allows easy grip and hold to help them improve their motor skills. This value pack of toy vehicles features one police car and one racing car. The expert-approved battery-operated cars have functions of flashing lights and siren fun sounds.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Durable
- Educational toy
- Portable pocket toy
- Meets US safety standards
Cons
- Not environment-friendly
"I recently tried this set of interactive toy cars, and my little one loves them. They navigate well on different surfaces and respond to touch with sounds, providing delightful sensory feedback. While they are engaging and come with various features that captivate my toddler, they tend to be quite noisy. However, the interaction makes up for it."
20.Best Smooth-Glide:Rokkes Toddlers Pull Back Cars Toy
The adorable town vehicle set features a police car, a taxi, a fire truck, and a school bus. It is a complete kit with four cars, an activity play mat, and a storage bag. This set is perfect for children of eight months and above. The smooth wheels glide easily on the floor and help promote a child’s motor skills.
Pros
- Supports child development
- Safe for children
- Child-friendly design
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free
Cons
- Might not be durable
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 8,919 positive reviews on Amazon.
How To Choose The Right Toy Car For A 1-Year-Old?
Here are a few points to consider before you choose the best toy cars for a one-year-old.
- Age: Look for toy cars that perfectly suit your kid’s age range and have features that are not hazardous to the baby’s health.
- Safety features: Ensure the baby car toy is made from safe, BPA-free material and has no sharp edges or small parts. They should meet all the safety standards designated by US authorities.
- Creativity: A one-year-old child shows curiosity as they are in the initial growing stage. So look for toy cars with creative features, such as numbers, illustrative figures, or attractive colors.
- Physical activity: The pull-and-push toy cars help develop motor skills in your child, so prefer buying these cars instead of battery-operated ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I store toy cars?
The simplest and easiest way to store these toy cars is to pick a toy storage box, label it, and dump all the toy cars in it. If you want to get more creative, you can design a shelf that resembles a parking lot to store and display these toy cars.
2. Do toy cars need any racing tracks?
No, your toy cars don’t necessarily need any racing track for your little one-year-old to enjoy them. You can get them simple toy cars that are ideal for one-year-olds to grab with little hands and push or pull back to play with them.
3. How does friction affect the speed of a toy car?
Friction affects the speed of a toy car in many ways, right from the texture of the surface, the grip of the wheels, the angle of the slope, and the direction. The more friction between the wheels and the track or road the slower the toy vehicle will move and vice versa.
4. What are the benefits of playing with toy cars?
While your little one might seem to enjoy playing with toy cars, they are also beneficial in developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive skills. Playing with toy cars also promotes interaction and allows the child to socialize.
5. Are toy cars safe for one-year-olds?
Toy cars that are age-appropriate, made with soft and smooth edges, with no loose parts or tiny parts, are safe for one-year-olds to play with. However, letting them play under adult supervision is advisable to avoid any possible risk associated with toy cars.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our children’s toys and gift reviewer Priti Bose used her experience to select these products for you. The toys listed here have interactive designs, vibrant colors, easy grip, and operation. In addition, the specifications of each toy have been highlighted to help you have a seamless shopping experience. Priti has also included a helpful buying guide section to help her readers choose the right toy cars for one-year-olds.
The Bottom Line
Toy cars can promote various skills in one-year-olds, including motor skills and hand-eye coordination while stimulating their senses. When buying a toy car for your little one, look for a model with several bright colors and other features that can engage your child. Also, ensure it is safe for your child. Our top pick is the Top Bright Toddler Toys, as it comes with a race ramp to attract your child’s attention. Next in line is the Bright Starts Oball Rattle & Roll Sports Race Car Toy, which offers the added advantage of engaging the auditory sense of your child. We also recommend the Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Pull-Back Vehicle Set for its safe and sharp edge-free design.
Infographic: How To Buy The Right Toy Car For A One-Year-Old?
Once one-year-old babies walk, they are curious about everything around them. Therefore, giving them a toy car would be wonderful as they can chase and play with it. However, there are certain points you should remember, as presented in the infographic below, to ensure you choose a safe and appropriate toy car for them.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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