KidKraft-Train-Set

The Best Train Sets For Toddlers: How To Buy The Best One

Are you looking for a new toy that will entertain your toddler? Don’t know what you should even buy? Why not give train sets a try then! They date way back and their popularity has increased again in the recent years. So not only can you expect good models right now, but you can also expect different features and designs in the future.

But why should you decide to opt out for a train set? To make it short, there are numerous benefits of train sets compared to other toys. They aren’t even that expensive when you take into account how long they can last. We will expand a bit more on that and we will show you what makes the best train sets for toddlers great.


What Here

What to look for in train sets for toddlers
Are train sets an ideal option for your toddler?
​What we recommend
​Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Railway Train Set
Bigjigs Rail Wooden City Train Set
KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set
WolVol Kids Big Train Tracks Set Toy
​100-piece Triple-loop Wooden Train Set
Conclusion


What to look for in train sets for toddlers

​Don’t just buy the most popular or top-rated train set for toddlers. We really recommend you to look for what you need in a train set instead. They come with various designs and accessories. We advise you to check out what makes a train set great. In the next section, we will explain exactly what you should look for in the best train sets for toddlers.

​Quality of the material used

​We all know that the biggest problem when it comes to toys is that they can be easily broken. In order to prevent that from happening you need to buy high-quality products. Which material should you choose though so that you don’t end up with a broken train set after just a few weeks? Here is a list of the most common materials found in train sets:

  • ​Wood
  • Plastic
  • Metal

Out of these options, having the train toys or pieces of the constructions made out of metal is the best option possible. You may have problems finding cheap toys made out of metal. When it comes to train sets you will only find the trains themselves made out of metal most of the time.

​If you’re forced to pick plastic, then choose products that are made out of high-quality plastic. Check the reviews of the model you’re looking to buy for third party opinions. The best option is to have the train set made out of wood while the train toys are made out of metal.

​Train set size

​Once you’ve made sure that the train set you’re looking at has a decent material quality, you should start looking at the size. You should think about where you’re going to place the train set first. Is it going to be in the room with your toddler or in other parts of your house?

​This is important because you should make sure that the room can fit the train sets. Some of them are quite small but other models can make the room feel cramped. For this reason, we recommend you to choose the size that fits your room while not taking too much space.

​For the design of the train set, you should look for the special features that make a train set stand out from others. Is it in a certain shape? Does it have a huge number of trains or environmental areas? Perhaps you will even find a model that is modeled on a certain style, the wild west or even a mountainous area.

​Price

The price is the most important part because there is a wide variety when it comes to train sets, the same goes for prices. It will mostly depend on aspects of the train sets. Aspects as the material it is made out of, the amount of detail put into the toys and the number of items you get.

If you’re a beginner who is buying his first train set, then we recommend you to start off with something simple. Here is a list of aspects that decide the price:

  • Size
  • Material
  • Number of trains and accessories
  • Electrically powered or not

​Some train sets even tend to have a special price because they’re a collector’s edition. You won’t find that anywhere when you search for the best train sets for toddlers. Keep your budget in mind when buying and make safe decisions.

​Extra accessories

​Another thing that is important when it comes to train sets is the number and quality of extra accessories. Some train sets just come with the layout where the rails are, but most of the sets will include train toys. The quality will always vary and the focus will always be put on either the tracks or the toy trains. Because of this, it is wiser sometimes to buy an empty train set with no trains. This way you can buy more high-quality trains sold by other popular brands.

​You will also find other miscellaneous accessories such as other toys. Perhaps you will find a model that has several buildings included. Sometimes there are other parts of the train set that adds a certain theme to the train set. Some of the most popular themes seem to be either urbanized settings or mountain settings. Here are some of the most popular pieces

  • City-oriented pieces such as buildings, bridges, train stations, and tunnels
  • Wild West themed pieces with various depictions of old wooden cowboy buildings
  • Jungle or mountain focused pieces that show natural environments

Are train sets an ideal option for your toddler?

​To be fair, you won’t find train sets in most homes. The reason for this is that train sets have become outdated at one point, but in the recent years, they’re getting more popular. Why should you decide to buy a train set instead of a toy car or another option? Apart from securing a source of entertainment, you’re also going to improve your child as well.

​What do we mean by this? There are several scientifically backed facts that state that toddlers can improve several skills just by playing with train toys instead of other toys. Here are some of the skills that your child will improve with a train set:

​Problem-solving skills

​If a child can become good at problem-solving, he will not only increase his logical thinking and become more dependent on himself. The child will also increase his academical life which is always a big plus. By having good problem-solving skills, your child can become great at a subject like mathematics and he can function alone. With the help of this, you can prevent helicopter parenting by allowing your child to become independent.

​This is all supported by the fact that train sets allow toddlers early on to decide for themselves. This is done in the aspects of playing where they build their own paths when learning how to build train tracks. They can then allow the train to move around their favorite train set. They will also get better at organizing the trains for the fastest and most efficient route.

​Imagination

​Being creative and imaginative is very important and the child should take care of it early on. Having these skills will not only be important at their current age, they will also benefit them greatly later on in life. With imagination, they can develop critical thinking and by being creative they can find ways to deal with boredom.

With all the different parts and accessories found in train sets, your child can become creative and imaginative. By playing with a train set, your toddler will always find new and different ways of setting up the tracks or the trains. They can also make scenarios or even stories which will make them even more creative in the long run. You can increase their imagination by buying different kinds of themed train sets.

Motor skills

​Aside from having good logic skills and being creative, your toddler should also increase their motor skills. Thinking and being good at talking isn’t the only thing they will need in life. Another notable thing they should also learn how to move properly and get more active. This can be achieved with the help of train sets, but how so?

​Most train sets will be composed of several small items that need to be assembled together. Since they will probably encounter a themed train set, they will have to connect tracks and various buildings. They can even choose to combine different parts from other train sets.

​By doing this and playing with small parts they can improve their motor skills and learn how some objects work together. This may seem unimportant at first, but later on, it will help them with basic tasks.Some of these basic tasks include silly things such as getting dressed or eating by themselves.

​What we recommend

​We all know how hard it is to select the right toy for your child. This is especially hard if your child is picky, so why not make a change? In order to make buying the best train sets for toddlers easier for you, we made a list of the best models. If you have no idea which model you should buy, check our reviews below.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Railway Train Set

 Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices

If you’re interested in a quality train set with a large number of parts, then this is the perfect choice for you. This train set comes with more than 100 track sections made out of wood. It also includes more than 30 accessories that add a styled theme to the set. For the trains, you’re getting a six-piece freight train that includes a cargo piece.

​A four-piece passenger train, three-piece flatbed truck with cargo are also included. Assembly is easy with the help of the instructions. You can make up to four different track combinations with this train set. It may not include a table but it does include everything else that you need.

​Features

  • Made out of high-quality solid wood for longer durability
  • Includes a freight train, passenger train, and a flatbed track
  • Has more than 30 accessories that define the theme of this set
  • More than 4 combinations of train tracks can be made
  • Includes instructions that make the assembly process easier
  • Over a hundred wooden track sections are available

Check it out on Amazon

Pros Cons
  • There is a great variety when it comes to the available pieces
  • Train set is easy to assemble as long as the instructions are followed
  • The city styled design is interesting for kids
  • Apart from the pieces you also get a sturdy table where you can set them
  • Some parts of the set such as the bridge and corner rail pieces are made out of plastic
  • Would be better if it had more tracks included
  • You are required to buy the train toys additionally as none come in this set

Bigjigs Rail Wooden City Train Set

Bigjigs Rail Wooden City Train Set and Table Read Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices

When searching for the perfect train set, you should always look for a creative design that allows hours of entertainment. With a city themed train set you can achieve that. This model comes with about 59 pieces and includes a high-quality wooden table. The tracks are made out of wood and the exterior gives a unique metro style design.

Apart from trains and tracks, this train set includes a helipad, bridges, figures, buildings, trees and several other things. The set is safely stored in a single box that comes with easy instructions for assembly. The company promises that most of the major railway brands are compatible with this model.

​Features

  • Made for toddlers aged 3 years and above
  • Consists out of around 59 play pieces
  • Includes wooden rails and a table
  • Styled in a metro/city design with several buildings and other urban features
  • Contains a helipad, buildings, bridges, trees and several other accessories
  • Made with high-quality materials and compatible with most popular brands

Check it out on Amazon

Pros Cons
  • There is a great variety when it comes to the available pieces
  • Train set is easy to assemble as long as the instructions are followed
  • The city styled design is interesting for kids
  • Apart from the pieces you also get a sturdy table where you can set them
  • Some parts of the set such as the bridge and corner rail pieces are made out of plastic
  • Would be better if it had more tracks included
  • You are required to buy the train toys additionally as none come in this set

KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set

KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train SetRead Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices

Coming with about 61 different pieces, this is one of the cheapest train sets available. The designs include a mountain with waterfalls, a fire truck and police station with molded plastic roofs and more. It comes in a compact design that can be stored with ease after playtime is over. Other city themed elements are included in this train set.

​Even with the low price, you’re still getting a good number of trains with it. The only thing missing is a train table, but that can be purchased separately. One of the most notable features about this train set is the mountain, kids love it. Having a center piece that serves as the main attraction is one of the most important things when it comes to train sets.

Features

  • Pieces come in a compact bucket which is covered by the mountain piece
  • Includes about 61 toys and accessories
  • Several City and Mountain elements are present in this theme
  • Train tracks and accessories are mostly made out of wood
  • Rest of the pieces are made out of high-quality plastic
  • One of the best-rated models on the market

Check it out on Amazon

Pros Cons
  • After your toddler finishes playing, the pieces can be easily stored
  • Includes a molded mountain made out of plastic as its main attraction
  • Contains a good number of pieces and accessories
  • The trains aren’t really well made
    Some of the tracks move easily and tend to disconnect during playtime
  • Magnets on the trains also tend to be weak which prevents them from staying together
  • We don’t recommend it if you’re looking for large train sets

WolVol Kids Big Train Tracks Set Toy

Sodura Birch Wood Kids Train TableRead Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices

It is really important to innovate when it comes to toys, this is especially important for train sets. An innovation can be found with WolVol’s train set, a notable feature about this is the traffic light. It is a real traffic light that works, once the blocker is set down the color will change. Trains are battery powered and can be moved automatically.

If your toddler prefers to move the train by themselves, they can just turn the trains off and move them. All the tracks are easily assembled and this set will bring hours of entertainment. The only thing you need is 3 AA batteries for the traffic light and one AAA for the train.

Features​

  • Contains several different elements packed in a city-oriented design
  • Comes with a real traffic light that changes color once blocker is moved
  • Tracks and other pieces can be assembled easily
  • Buildings, bridges, trains, and tunnels are included
  • Trains are battery powered and can move on their own

Check it out on Amazon

Pros Cons
  • One of the rare models to feature battery powered trains
  • Interesting city-oriented design that brings hours of joy
  • We find it innovative with its real and functioning traffic light
  • The number of pieces is quite limited
  • All parts of the train set are made out of plastic
  • A lot smaller compared to other popular models
  • Some customers complained about the train overheating

100-piece Triple-loop Wooden Train Set

Deluxe Wooden Train SetRead Parent Reviews | Check Best Prices

This 100-piece train set from Kids Density includes a large variety when it comes to pieces. Its design is well thought out and the tracks are plenty enough for a lot of trains. The tracks are made out of solid wood while the rest of the parts are made out of plastic. Kids Destiny promises that this set is entirely compatible with most major brands.

There is no specific theme set in the design, but there are several city-like elements. It includes bridges, houses, figures, trains, and trees. Beech wood is used for the tracks which are lightweight and durable. Most of the pieces are colorful which makes it a beautiful option for toddlers. This set passes all CPSC and ASTM safety requirements.

Features

  • Includes more than 100 different accessories and train tracks
  • Tracks are made out of quality beech wood that lasts long
  • Set includes multiple elements such as bridges, buildings, vehicles, trees etc.
  • Absolutely compatible with all the major train brands
  • Contains pieces that are colorful
  • Follows all CPSC and ASTM standards

Check it out on Amazon

Pros Cons
  • Train tracks are stable and stay connected
  • One of the larger train tracks available
  • Although no special theme is present its design is not boring
  • Amazing value for the money
  • You can use trains of different brands with these tracks
  • Great as a starter kit for beginners
  • Several customers complained about not all of the pieces being included
  • Might be too big for some tables
  • There isn’t that much detail in the accessories
    Some of the pieces are made out of plastic

Conclusion

If you don’t know what kind of toy to get for your child, the best train sets for toddlers are the ideal option. There is a great variety in them and you’ll never lack out of themes to choose from. Hopefully, with our reviews on best train set for toddlers, we made choosing easier for you, as we selected some of the top-rated models.

​Remember, this is more than just a toy. Besides hours and hours of fun, you’re also going to improve several aspects of your toddler’s life. Everything ranging from imagination and motor skills to logical thinking. All of this can be achieved with train sets that will make your kids go crazy. If you’re still not sure, then try one out and settle for the more beginner friendly options.