Decent quality toy trucks/cars/diggers?

[April Dawn]

My son is obsessed with things that go. He's 16 months old and this started out of nowhere a couple months ago. The garbage truck is the highlight of his week. Seeing a fire truck go by the park makes his day. We stop and watch construction sites when we need an outing. You get the picture. So, I am planning my Christmas shopping and I think he needs some toy trucks! He has a couple of small wooden trucks and cars. But I think he needs some big colorful ones - maybe a dump truck he can fill up in the sandbox, and a couple others. Can anyone recommend some that are good quality? I don't want cheap junk that will fall apart the first time we use it.

And as an aside, why in the world are trucks and construction equipment so exciting to toddlers? We read SO many truck books in a day and I have no idea how he's not bored of them yet (I sure am! )

[hopefulfaith]

Wait until the construction Playmobil obsession starts.



At 16 months, I think I had Tonka trucks for my ds. There was a Little Tykes ranch hauler he was obsessed with, I remember. I want to say it was Little Tykes or Fisher Price we had until we moved into Playmobil.

[mamadelbosque]

We have one Bruder truck that ds1 got for xmas last year, and its held up quite well. The big metal tonka trucks are also pretty tough, as are little tikes stuff... but, to be perfectly honest, I think my DS1's favorite truck is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Green-Toys-DTK...6588076&sr=8-1 Its super tough, and just awesome.

[mama_y_sol]

We have had our Tonka trucks for over 6 years. They have held up through two rough kids, and are still going strong.

[Italiamom]

I can't speak for longevity here, as my one and only is about the same age as yours. But these are nice:
http://www.greentoys.com/green-toys-vehicles.html

We have a few of their other toys, and I like them. Recycled plastic, BPA/Phthalate free, not outrageously expensive... I've been considering the truck. And then I consider that DS only wants to play with things that are not toys, and figure the money might be better spent elsewhere.

Still, a kind of cool option...

[Megan73]

Your DS will eventually want an entire FLEET of diggers, dump trucks, fire trucks, etc. I've bought them all used - Little Tykes, mostly, because they're really, really sturdy - at thrift stores for $1 or $2.

[LynnS6]

Bruder! Hands down.

http://www.activetoys.com/

If you sign up for the mailing list you get discounts. In reality, I bought most of my Bruder Trucks on Ebay and through discount stores.

ETA: If you do videos, the are whole sets of construction videos. My favorite are Hard Hat Harry.

[StrawberryFields]

I think nice Tonka trucks are good for outside play especially. I wasn't too impressed with the longevity of our Bruder truck. My ds is not rough with his toys at all, but the one we bought him for Christmas last year (a backhoe with a truck/trailer) already has several broken pieces. And it's an inside only toy, too! It's just too delicate for my tastes.

[zebra15]

Ds is 10 so I like to think I'm an expert in this area.
If you scour ebay you can find the vintage little tikes haulers. Those are excellent and pricey but they last and last!
Again the internet is your friend for the METAL tonka trucks, these too are huge and stand up to anything.

Regular hot wheels for 99cents can take a beating

Stay away from anything with extra moving parts or that is suposed to do 'something'.

[lonegirl]

My brother still has his metal Tonkas from when he was a kid (he is 34 now). DS has a Tonka Dump truck...they take a beating.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by mama_y_sol

We have had our Tonka trucks for over 6 years. They have held up through two rough kids, and are still going strong.

We also have a metal Tonka truck. Durable!

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by lonegirl

My brother still has his metal Tonkas from when he was a kid (he is 34 now). DS has a Tonka Dump truck...they take a beating.

If they are in good shape, they may be worth some money. Friend of ours has some really old ones in the boxes! Someone saw them and said "You do realize you can get alot of money for these?" Our friend doesn't have any kids and won't have any.

[34me]

I love theese http://www.sprigtoys.com/products/ec...eco-trucks.php Although I have to admit we have the big Tonka Trucks too.