Image: MomJunction Design Team
If your child loves toy trucks, we have created a list of the best toy garbage trucks to help you choose the right one. Toy garbage trucks mimic a real-life garbage truck. With lights, sound, signs, and flashcards, they come with several attached accessories and features that your kids will enjoy. As much as it’s exciting to watch the process of a toy garbage truck collecting garbage, it’s also educational. It helps build imagination and motor skills and teaches your kids about caring for the environment through garbage segregation and sanitation. So, get a durable one for your child from our list below and watch them enjoy playtime with fascination.
Top Picks
15 Best Toy Garbage Trucks
1. Best With Realistic Sounds: Matchbox Garbage Truck Large
The best-selling Matchbox garbage truck is a toy truck suitable for children aged three and up. This multicolored dumper is 15 inches long, made of high-quality, non-toxic plastic, and can be operated by hand. It makes realistic sounds as it loads, rolls, and dumps, and the push vehicle can be dragged backward to launch forward. The garbage lever is designed to be pushed down to raise the trash bin and dump recyclables. Bring home this toy to encourage your children to step outdoors and engage them in pretend play.
Pros
- Realistic truck sounds
- Push-down horn
- Realistic actions of dump truck
- Hand activated
- Push movement
Cons
- Some parts may not be easy to use and may require adult intervention
Quick fact
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has garnered more than 8,676 positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Best Recycled : Green Toys Dump Truck
Green Toys brings you a trash truck toy that is red and yellow and made with child-friendly and recycled materials and soy ink. It helps in the development of gross motor and fine motor skills while encouraging creative thinking. The workable dumper teaches the child about recycling and how a real dumper truck works. The chunky, threaded wheels keep the truck steady and easily navigable. This video offers a more detailed explanation of this truck model.
Pros
- 100% recycled plastic
- Sturdy
- Well-designed
- No metal axles
- BPA-free
- Phthalate-free
- Easy to clean
- Saves energy
- Reduces greenhouse gas emission
- Safety-tested
- Passes FDA food contact standards
Cons
- May have a chemical smell
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 5,929 positive reviews on Amazon.
3. Best With Light And Sound Effects: Zetz Toy Garbage Truck for Kids
Realistic light effects and sounds attract a child’s attention. The Zetz toy garbage truck’s body features 4D lights that flash in the dark. Further, the automatic, battery-operated rear loader truck can be decorated with sanitation stickers. The tough plastic material can withstand crashes and bumps and does not easily break. According to the reviewers, it improves fine and gross motor skills and promotes waste management.
Pros
- Durable plastic
- Fun sounds
- Automatically changes direction
- Sanitation stickers
Cons
- May seem loud
"While a volume control would have been nice, my kid loves its sirens and colorful lights. It even moves well on smooth surfaces, and the obstacle-recognizing mechanism has kept it scratch-free even after being used for a long time."
4. Best With Bendable Figurines: Playmobil Green Recycling Truck
Teach your children about recycling with this Playmobil Green recycling toy truck. The vehicle lifts a container to dump its contents. The set includes two human figurines that can turn heads, sit, and bend. The vibrant truck color is attractive to small children. You may check this video detailing a tester’s experience for a better understanding of this rear loader truck.
Pros
- Includes accessories
- Bendable mini figures
- Teaches children about recycling
- Pre-assembled
Cons
- Lid may be loose
"My little one is fascinated by this recycling truck—it's among her favorite toys. It boasts functional parts that inspire hours of imaginative play while ensuring a hands-on learning experience. I would recommend parental supervision due to a few small parts though."
5. Best With Side Loader: Bruder Toys Man TGS Side Loading Garbage Truck
The Man TGS side-loading trash truck from Bruder is designed with shatter-proof, transparent plastic windows. The doors and windows can be opened, and the lifting arm is functional. The tilting action of the body loads waste, while the two compactors transport it. The truck’s tailgate can also be opened. The side has a pull-out lifter to grab the bins and a knob that empties them, giving your little garbage truck fan a realistic experience.
Pros
- High-quality ABS plastic
- Side loader
- Suitable for indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Containers may not be durable
"My little one loves watching the garbage truck in action, so this toy one was very well received. Its realistic features, like the grabber arm and compactor, have only added to his delight. The truck has been the ideal find for keeping him entertained for hours."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,552 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
6. Best Interactive: Playkidz Kids 15″ Garbage Truck Toy
The Playkidz garbage truck is designed with realistic sounds and lights to keep the child entertained. It has six large rugged wheels that allow it to roll over any terrain. The entertaining trash collector is compact and teaches children about science and community services.
The child-safe material and neat construction, along with an interactive side button for toddlers, make this realistic truck easy to hand over without adult supervision. In addition, the stickers and graphics on the truck make it look and feel real. The truck measures 16x8x6.25 inches.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Realistic sounds
- Bright and colorful
- Heavy-duty plastic
- BPA-free
Cons
- Back may be tough to open and close
"Its flashing lights and vibrant colors immediately grabbed my little one's attention. Its sturdiness is notable, but certain parts, like the fragile lid on the bin, may require careful handling. Nevertheless, it's an excellent addition to my daughter’s toy collection."
7. Best Well-Detailed : Liberty Imports Recycling Garbage Truck Toy
Liberty Imports supplies a toy garbage truck ideal for kids. It features side loading and a back dumper. Powered by friction and propulsive theory, the realistic truck has a detailed design and teaches children about sanitation. The large size truck comes with three compatible garbage cans, and a rotating handle lifts the bin to empty it into another container. This truck measures 14x7x5 inches.
Pros
- High quality
- Realistic features
- Rotating handle
Cons
- Spring may feel tight
"I often catch my son immersed in role-playing with this garbage truck. He enjoys loading and dumping his crayons and other small items with its realistic emptying mechanism. Overall, it has been an engaging find for my child, who is fascinated by the waste management process."
8. Best For Teaching Sorting: Flanney DIY Garbage Truck Toys
DIY garbage truck from Flanney is ideal for children to play from scratch. The recycling truck comes with four trash cans. Ideal for toddlers, the toy teaches sorting. In addition, the 40 small flashcards teach them how to sort garbage for recycling. The tried-and-tested set includes many interesting accessories and comes with screws and screwdrivers for easy assembling.
Pros
- Great toy for parent-child bonding
- Realistic lights and sounds
- DIY kit
- Teaches sorting
- Allows creative thinking
Cons
- Too many pieces to assemble
"The intricate detailing and quality craftsmanship make this garbage truck a captivating toy for curious toddlers. It is designed to withstand rough play, and I like the inclusion of trash cans, which makes learning about recycling fun."
Did you know?9. Best Fully Functional: Bruder Mack Granite Garbage Truck
The Bruder Mack Granite garbage truck in ruby red and green has a rear loading design and is made of 90% plastic and 1% rubber. It includes one rear loader truck and two garbage cans. The hood opens up, the mirror folds, and the doors swing open. The wheels are rubber-treaded. A lifting mechanism helps the bins deposit trash in the loading section, and garbage is scooped into the container by a side dial and trash compactor. Further, the tailgate opens to push out the trash at the turn of a knob.
Pros
- Fully functional
- 90% plastic
- Hood opens
- Lifting mechanism
Cons
- Plastic may not be of premium quality
"My little one was charmed by the realistic design of this Bruder garbage truck. While an automated lift would have been nice, its captivating detailing and durability more than makeup for that drawback."
10. Best DIY Set: Joyin Jumbo Recycling Garbage Truck
Joyin Jumbo toy truck is a recycling garbage vehicle. It is accompanied by three trash bins and lights and sounds to make it realistic. In addition, it allows for a do-it-yourself assembly, which adds excitement and facilitates learning. This friction-powered rear loader truck with a pull-back feature is 12.5 inches long and 4.5 inches wide. The lifting arm picks up the trash bins and dumps them in the truck.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Non-toxic
- Lead-free
- ABS plastic
- No sharp edges
- Fun assembly
- Screwdriver with three replaceable heads
- Child-safe
- Safety-tested
Cons
- Dumper may be challenging to operate
11. Best For Role-Play:Little Tikes Dirt Diggers Garbage Truck
The Dirt Diggers truck by the trusted brand Little Tikes allows your child to take a ride around your garden and yard and pick up the garbage by themselves. With the horn, your child can even do a beep-beep and let you know they are coming. It is a great way to make their role-play sessions more fun and realistic while boosting the healthy practice of keeping their surroundings clean.
Pros
- Compact design
- Functional trash bin
- Seat flips and opens
- Easy to store
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor play
Cons
- May not withstand rough play
"I've had a lot of fun observing my little one zoom around on this ride-on garbage truck. It's pretty sturdy, and while the bin attachment could have been smoother, my son loves the other features, especially the horn. Overall, It's been a hit for indoor play sessions."
12. Best Sturdy: Wonder Wheels by Battat – Recycling Truck
Improve your child’s motor skills with the Battat Wonder Wheels recycling truck. The waste management toy truck is divided into three compartments: one for paper, one for cans, and one for garbage. The back container pops open and tilts to drop the contents, and the bright, realistic details keep the child mesmerized.
Pros
- Planet-friendly
- Developmental toy
- Movable container
- Realistic
- Made of recycled materials
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Small size
"I came across this toy when looking for a vehicle that could endure the enthusiastic play sessions. With its ample size and robust construction, it's holding up well to the throws and tumbles. Plus, the different compartments have helped spark curiosity and improve agility."
13. Best With Multiple Accessories: Fun Little Toys Garbage Truck Toy
The friction-powered trash truck from Fun Little Toys is a garbage truck playset with several interesting accessories. The toy comes with a truck, 108 pieces of garbage, four recycle cans and curbside garbage cans, and some illustrated flash cards. The skill-building set teaches the child about garbage management, sorting, and recycling. The garbage dumping and recycle truck is designed with three side slots for hanging the bins.
Pros
- Friction-powered
- Promotes recycling
- 100% recycled ABS materials
- Superior quality
Cons
- Cards may not be impressive
"The different colored bins and stickers have made it easy for me to teach my child about separating wet and dry waste. Although mostly sturdy, it required some DIY fixes when my daughter pushed it off the table. Nevertheless, its educational benefits have been immense."
14. Best For Developing imagination: Fivedaogang Toy Vehicles Set
The Fivedaogang vehicle set is a pack of three sanitation trucks, including a watering car, a garbage disposal truck, and a dumper. It also includes eight signposts. The accessories can be rotated or lifted to open lids and the back of the trucks. The vehicles rely on inertia and move with a pull or push motion. This dumpster garbage collection toy set helps develop the child’s imaginative skills and increases environmental awareness.
Pros
- Perfect gift for kids
- Develops imagination
- High-quality plastic
- Non-toxic paint
- Smooth corners
- No batteries needed
Cons
- Small size
"Its ability to combine joy with learning has been impressive. My daughter loves to fill its garbage can with candy wrappers and watch its open/close mechanism empty it into the truck's storage area. However, I recommend storing them carefully to enhance their longevity."
15. Best For Pretend Play: Little Tikes Garbage Truck Toy
Children love dirt, and dirt digger trucks are always a favorite. With many positive reviews, the Little Tikes toy sanitation truck is suitable for indoor and outdoor play. The rolling toy picks up sand and dirt in removable garbage cans, and the truck’s bed tilts to dump trash and moves up and down, allowing the child to pretend-play the whole sanitation process. The durable construction withstands rugged play.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Rugged design
- Rolling wheels
- Helps in child development
- Requires no batteries
Cons
- Stickers may not stay long
"This truck’s user-friendly interface and reliable performance have made playtime frustration-free for my child. Although not packed with advanced features, its entertainment value has made it a solid buy."
How To Choose The Right Garbage Truck Toys?
Here are some pointers to consider when you choose a garbage truck toy for your child.
- Age: It is important to pick a toy specific to your child’s age. This is because a truck for a younger age group could be boring for them, or one for an older group could have parts that are complicated or choking hazards to the younger lot.
- Durability: These trucks will need to withstand some rough play and wear and tear. Pick a realistic model made with sturdy plastic and durable material that is unbreakable, scratch-proof, waterproof, and easy to clean.
- Safety: Toys should be made with child-safe materials. Look for safety certifications and BPA-free materials. For example, ABS plastic is the usual material used for toy trucks. Try to pick safety-tested materials that are recyclable and environmentally friendly.
- Features: There are various types of toy trucks – remote-controlled vehicles, battery-operated trucks, friction-powered vehicles, or manually-powered trucks. A manual truck is a good choice if you want to develop your child’s imagination and motor skills. They also come with different loading types and other attractive features such as realistic lights, sounds, sirens and alarms, bright signages, and stickers. Pick a truck with multiple features to make it interesting for the child.
- Accessories: Garbage trucks come with accessories such as garbage cans, figures, flashcards, sanitation stickers, and more. These increase the value of the toy.
How To Clean Garbage Truck Toys?
Toy trucks are usually made of plastic and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Some could also be washable. If the toys are electric or battery-operated, they should not be dipped in water. Follow the cleaning instructions given in the product label.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is an experienced writer and reviewer of children’s toys and gifts. Her expertise is backed by in-depth research and analysis to provide you with the best products. This article lists the best toy garbage trucks compiled carefully after considering various user reviews. These toys can engage your child and help improve their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. With stimulating lights and sounds, these toys are made of high-quality materials for durability and long-lasting use. You can check out the buying guide for a better purchasing experience.
Children love playing with unique toys that simulate real-life objects, so it’s no wonder that garbage truck toy vehicles are quite popular among them. They come with realistic lights, sounds, and all the possible features of an actual garbage truck. Choosing the right truck model involves considering the age of the child along with the toy’s durability, safety features, and additional accessories that give children a realistic feel. Moreover, these entertaining toys also help develop children’s imagination, creativity, and motor skills.
Infographic: A Quick Guide For Buying Garbage Truck Toys For Your Child
Playing with trucks can help your child have fun and develop motor skills as they hold the toy and maneuver it. A garbage truck toy can also help teach your child the importance of cleanliness. Here’s an infographic to help you find a suitable garbage truck toy for your child. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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