Do you know a kid that absolutely loves firetrucks? From the fun of lights and sirens to the attractive bright red color, they are a popular favorite among kids.
Don’t waste your time or money on boring fire trucks. Here are our top choices and some features to look for when you are buying a firetruck for kids.
Best Toy Fire Trucks for Toddlers
The Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck is a very pricey toy from the popular series, Paw Patrol, that has many realistic features, including water cannons; whereas the Green Toys Fire Truck comes with a small price tag but does not include many extras other than moveable ladders.
Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck
Most kids who are fans of fire trucks are also fans of Marshall, the friendly dalmatian who rides the fire engine on Paw Patrol. The Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck comes with a 2′ tall ladder that makes play fun.
In addition to the fire truck and ladder, this comes with a Marshall figurine, a mini fire cart, and 4 projectile launchers (water cannons). It offers realistic play and even comes with an instruction manual and a sticker sheet.
This truck is a little pricey but its large size and attention to detail make it perfect for keeping your little one entertained. The cab shoots three water cannons’ and there is another location for shooting in the rear. Another cool feature is the extendable working claw arm. If your child owns any more of the Paw Patrol set, they’ll be happy that there is room for all six pups at different spots in this truck.
Pros
- Working features including a claw arm and an extendable ladder
- Realistic play and water cannons that shoot from the cab and the rear
- Room for all six of the Paw Patrol pups
- Marshall is included with this set
Cons
- We couldn’t find any!
Green Toys Fire Truck
The Green Toys Fire Truck is designed for the young fire truck lover, starting at just 12 months. With large parts that won’t pinch your toddler’s fingers and the added benefit of being free of BPA and phthalates, it’s something you can feel good about buying for your child. It is even made from recycled milk jugs, which is great for the environment.
The hard materials make this perfect for indoor or outdoor use. It is also incredibly easy to clean, just use mild soap and water.
The roof ladder can pivot until it is standing completely up and the ruck has two removable side ladders. There are also molded details, including dials, hatches, and compartments. The truck weighs less than 1 pounds, making it easy for your toddler to carry around.
This is a good choice for younger kids and toddlers, especially if they enjoy pushing the truck back and forth with parents or friends. Older children might be bored with the lack of features, though.
Pros
- Lightweight and perfectly sized for toddlers
- No small parts so can be used by ages 1 year and up
- Made from recycled milk jugs
- Free of BPA and phthalates
- Top ladder moves and removable ladders on the sides
Cons
- Not a lot of features
Best Ride-On Fire Truck
Little Tikes Spray and Rescue Fire Truck
The Little Tikes Spray and Rescue Fire Truck is perfect for parents looking for a firetruck or fun vehicle that their child can ride outdoors. In addition to being easy for your little one to push along with their feet, it has a real working firehose.
The firetruck has a friendly face and easy-moving wheels so your child can push themselves along on the sidewalk or in the grass. It has a weight limit of 50 pounds so they’ll be able to use it for a couple of years.
Many children love the pressurized hose and water tank. The tank is easy for parents to remove and refill as they are playing. Like many Little Tikes toys, it is designed durable. This is good because it is recommended for use from ages 18 months to 5 years.
This fire truck does require some assembly out of the box. It can be a little difficult to assemble, especially because you may need to drill some of the holes yourself to attach the bumpers. The other downside is that the tank is small if your child is constantly going to be spraying, so you’ll be refilling it a lot while they are playing with it.
Pros
- Easy to push along and maneuver
- Ride on design is nice for outdoors fun
- Has a wide age range for years of use
- Designed durable
- Has a working firehose
Cons
- Assembly can be difficult
- Water tank needs to be refilled frequently for spraying action
Best Fire Truck Toy with Sound
Funerica Toy Fire Truck with Lights and Sounds
The Funerica Toy Fire Truck with Lights and Sounds is ideal for kids who will be excited about having a real, working fire truck. In addition to the lights and sounds, it has an extending ladder.
Even though this looks like a working fire truck, something to note is that the sounds don’t include sirens. The four sounds made are engine start-up noise, horn, driving, and work. Unfortunately, none of these replicate the same siren sound as a fire truck. This might disappoint some kids who want an authentic experience while playing.
As a bonus, the company includes five bonus figurines. These are nice for imaginative play and are from the TV show Fireman Sam. The doors on the truck do not open, however, so the firefighters will not be able to sit inside.
The ladder works and there is an imaginary firehose. This also has a basket on the end of the ladder for rescue missions. The wheels are designed to grip so when your child pushes it forward, this truck keeps moving over many surfaces. This is good for teaching about cause-and-effect, as well as how friction affects the way the truck moves across different surfaces.
Pros
- Has lights and makes four different sounds
- Wheels glide over many surfaces
- Has a working ladder with basket on the end
- Bonus figures from Fireman Sam included
Cons
- None of the sounds made are siren sounds like a traditional fire truck
- Truck doors do not open
Best Fire Truck for Older Kids
Chicken Toys Fire Truck Toys with Play Mat
The Chicken Toys Fire Truck Toys with Play Mat is ideal for kids who like to imagine while they play. It is perfect for creating an entire rescue scenario. Because of some of the smaller pieces included, this is recommended for older children (8 years and older).
There are six rescue vehicles included in this set, including different types of fire engines, a police car, and an ambulance. The included mat that comes with this set is thick and well designed. It has a vivid design on top and a non-slip rubber bottom with herringbone lines. This lets it stick to any surface well for playtime.
There are also a few road signs included. These are nice because they teach your child a little about the rules of the road, which is good to be familiar with.
The hard materials of the truck allow them to be washed without fading. They are also pull-back cars, which means your child can race them across the floor when they get tired of playing on the map.
This does ship a little smaller than expected. However, its small size makes it perfect for rolling up and taking on the go so your child can be entertained anywhere.
Pros
- Encourages imaginative play
- Cars all have a pull-back function
- Hard materials are easy to wash
- Mat is well-detailed and thick
- Non-slip underside makes playing possible almost anywhere
Cons
- Smaller than expected
Comparing Toy Fire Trucks
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck | 9.1 | 9.6 | 100.00 |
Green Toys Fire Truck | 9.9 | 9.8 | 24.99 |
Funerica Toy Fire Truck with Lights and Sounds | 8.0 | 8.6 | 23.99 |
Little Tikes Spray and Rescue Fire Truck | 3.9 | 9.4 | - |
Chicken Toys Fire Truck Toys with Play Mat | 6.9 | 8.6 | - |
Kids Toy Fire Truck FAQs
What should I look for when buying a toy firetruck?
The biggest thing to consider when buying a toy fire truck is the type of toy you are looking for. Here are some things to consider:
- Do you want a fire truck your child can ride on? If you are buying a ride on a fire truck, it needs to be durable. You’ll also want to consider a truck that can be ridden indoors and outdoors. Finally, be sure that it can easily be washed.
- Do you want flashing lights and sirens? Firetrucks that make noise can be very engaging for your child to play with. Most of these require batteries and some parents are not a fan of listening to sirens on repeat.
- How durable is it? Many kids are rough on their toys, especially when their new firetruck is racing to the rescue. Be sure it is going to withstand your child’s playing habits, especially if you are spending a lot of money on it.
- How old is your child? Your child’s age range has a lot to do with what they are interested in (and what will be safe for them to play with). Try to follow manufacturer guidelines, especially for sets that have smaller pieces.
What are some of the benefits of playing with toy firetrucks?
Toy fire trucks have many of the same benefits as any other toy that encourages imaginative play. They help your child express their creativity, which is incredibly useful as they learn to problem-solve.
Ride on trucks have the added benefit of encouraging physical activity, especially if you let your child ride them outside.