12 Best Remote Control Cars for Toddlers
Updated 05 January 2021
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Racing around remote control cars is great fun for kids, but the controls can sometimes be overly complicated or difficult for toddlers. Luckily, there are options designed specifically for smaller hands, with simpler controls and features designed to keep the car on the road no matter how erratic the steering.
With cute designs, familiar characters, police cars, tractors, stunt cars, hot rods, and even tools for taking them apart, we’ve found 12 amazing remote control cars perfect for toddlers. It’s important that you can trust that these toys won’t let kids down, so our pole position selection is based on real recommendations from real people leaving any cars with fake online reviews in the rearview mirror.
If your budget is super tight then be sure to also check out our list of remote control cars you can find for less than $100.
1TOMY John Deere Remote Control Johnny Tractor Toy, Green
One of the best remote control cars for toddlers, the John Deere Remote Control Johnny Tractor, serves as a great introduction for tots. It features a controller design that is similarly shaped to the more advanced remote control cars, but it is also brightly colored and sized with tots in mind. On the controller are only two buttons for simple manipulation of the toy. The always-smiling Johnny is also instantly appealing to young children thanks to its vibrant design. This tractor can also handle slightly rough treatment, and it is made in a way that toddlers can push it along rather than use the controller if they wish to. With the RC controls, the toy can go forward or rotate. This even features an auto shut-off function to preserve battery life.
What we love
- Multiple ways to play as toddlers can use it as an RC or as a push-toy
- It moves at a reasonable speed for tots to control with ease
What We Don't Like That Much
- There's a chance the wheels can turn or move at random
2Haktoys Remote Control Stunt Car (Red or Blue) Radio Control Invincible Tornado Truck Rechargeable with Flashing Lights and Quiet Play Mode Tumbling and Spinning Action RC Car for Kids
The Haktoys Remote Control Stunt Car is available in two color styles: red and blue. Also, this Invincible Tornado RC car features bold and brightly colored LED lights highlighted through the translucent wheels to thrill any toddler. It can perform numerous feats such as 360° coiling, flips, spiral spins, and plenty more cool tricks rather than just go forward and backward. A high point about this RC is the controller design. To start, it is a wonderful size for tots to grip without parent assistance. Alongside that, there are only two switches to use to drive the car and perform the stunts. It also features a flexible antenna design so that it is safer for children. Although there is music to be heard, it does feature an on/off switch.
What we love
- LED lights are bright enough to be easily be seen in dim lighting indoors and outdoors
- Features several cool stunt features for toddlers to learn how to control
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might not be ideal for rough play as there's a chance the front axle can loosen up
3Liberty Imports My First RC Cartoon Car Vehicle 2-Channel Remote Control Toy | Music, Lights & Sound for Baby, Toddlers, Kids (Police Car)
The My First RC Cartoon Car Vehicle from Liberty Imports is a simple, child-friendly RC toy to introduce tots to the thrill of racing them around. It hits all the important areas for toddlers such as featuring a bright, colorful design, a friendly character, and a cute small controller that's easy to grip. With a two-channel operation that goes forward and reverses left, children can enjoy the friendly-faced police officer character as they race off to save the day. This police officer is even removable so kids can play with it in various ways. For more pretend play value, the car sets off realistic police siren sounds and flashing headlights.
What we love
- Adequate amount of range for toddlers to safely explore
- Made with good durability to withstand frequent use from young children
What We Don't Like That Much
- The sound effects can be loud and there is no volume control
4B. toys – Rally Ripster – One Button Remote Control Light-Up Toy Car for Babies & Toddlers 1 Year +
The Rally Ripster is a fun, vintage-looking toy made in a bright and cheerful style that toddlers will love. This isn't just your standard RC toy. When the car gets moving, tots can rejoice to see the gears inside turn and listen to the beeping sounds. This is also a toy to use in the dark since the toy will light up in a variety of fun colors, giving kids a disco party. For guiding the car, the included controller features one large button to make it go forward and turn. If the car happens to run into a wall, it will turn automatically so toddlers don't have to grab and move it. The radio signal can work across the room, giving kids more freedom to stand further away.
What we love
- Light-up function allows kids to play with the lights either on or off
- Appears to be made from sturdy material as it can survive drops and running into walls
What We Don't Like That Much
- It may take time for some toddlers to understand the one-button controller
5VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Speedway RC SmartPoint Racer Police Car
The SmartPoint Racer Police Car from VTech is one of the best remote control cars for toddlers thanks to the child-friendly design. It features an adorable mini police car made to completely entertain tots. This electronic car is a smart design as it responds to SmartPoint locations with various sound effects and phrases. There is even a light-up button that triggers fun sounds and music. Its controller is just the right size for toddlers to grip with ease, and it is a two-button system that goes forward and backward. This toy can also become educational for kids as it teaches the letter "P" and its name. Kids don't have to use it as an RC either to get the impact of it as it can be used on its own like other Go! Smart Wheels toys.
What we love
- Remote control is a good size and the buttons are easy for tots to press
- Features an assortment of fun sounds, music, lights, and phrases
What We Don't Like That Much
- The switches are sensitive and when hit, may render the car unmovable
6Joyin Toy Cartoon RC Race Car Radio Remote Control with Music & Sound for Baby and Toddler Cars, School Classroom Prize, Easter Basket Stuffers ,Children Holiday Gift Toy for 2 Year Old
The Joyin Toy Cartoon RC Race Car Radio Remote Control is an adorable beginner RC for tots that can gain their interest in more ways than one. For starters, there are vibrant colors used throughout to readily claim their attention. Secondly, there are removable action figures for added fun. Since the characters are interchangeable, toddlers may even play without the RC function. With that said, this comes with a controller that resembles a car wheel, and it's straightforward to operate with only two controls. Beyond that, the car itself makes some cool honking sounds as well as play radio music. Even the headlights flash to give the vehicle more excitement.
What we love
- Comes with four figures for kids to play with inside and outside the car
- It seems able to run smoothly over both carpeted floor and hard flooring
What We Don't Like That Much
- Could go a little faster
7Little Tikes YouDrive Hotrod W/ Flames W/ Easy Steering Remote Control, Multicolor
The Little Tikes YouDrive Hotrod gives kids a cool, sleek vehicle to play around with so they can feel like a race car driver without any complicated controls. This car features an exciting flame design, and it even has real-working headlights for a fun, realistic experience. With this RC, toddlers get a matching black and yellow remote controller to use. It is shaped like a wheel and is balanced between being compact for tots, but not too small that it can get lost. This design shape is because the steering is motion-based. As there are only two buttons on the controller, stop and go, kids have more precise control over how it turns.
What we love
- Toddlers have total power over how the car turns thanks to the motion-based steering system
- The car appears to be well-designed to hold up against accidental drops and bumps
What We Don't Like That Much
- The controller may run down batteries fast, so they may need replacing often
8Little Pretender Toddler & Baby Remote Control Car | Garbage RC Truck | Remote Control Car for Boys & Girls Ages 18 Months to 5 Years
The Little Pretender is a cute garbage truck RC toy that can inspire the imaginative side of kids as they embark on a thrilling role-playing journey. There are real-life sounds and lighting effects to stimulate them. All tots need to do is push down on the driver's head to reveal the recording. This even has optional background music. Controls are just about seamless as there are only two buttons on the controller. Shaped like a wheel, the controller is also simple for little hands to grip. It features a comfortable 50ft range and moves at a comfortable, safe speed that is exciting for kids yet steady enough for them to control.
What we love
- Nice sized controller that is easy for kids to maneuver with
- Able to turn and go straight at good speeds
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might need to replace the batteries often
9Disney Junior 7.5" Minnie Mouse Roadster RC Remote Control Car Pink 27MHz, Toys for Kids , Pink With Stars and Polka Dots
The Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Roadster RC Car is one of the 12 best remote control cars for toddlers that feature a beloved, classic character. With its authentic design, tots will love racing Minnie around in her hot pink, decorative roadster. The character and car are so impressive that kids may even play with it without the RC function. Speaking of the RC, the controller itself even features the bright pink coloring known to the character as well as Minnie herself in the center of it. The controls are highly simplistic too, so that toddlers can adapt to them immediately. It is made in a two-button function to go straight or spin. Kids can even play with it right out of the box as it comes with batteries for both the car and the controller.
What we love
- Features an appealing authentic character design and bright colors to attract toddlers
- Remote control is a good size for tots to hold and is easy to operate
What We Don't Like That Much
- It isn't so simple to make the car turn, so tots may have to pick it up to turn it around
10EpochAir Remote Control Car - Rc Stunt Car for Boy Toys, 360 Degree Rotation Racing Car, Rc Cars Flip and Roll, Stunt Car Toy for Kids
The EpochAir Remote Control Car is a high-powered, trendy RC toy for tots to race around. It includes a decent-sized remote that younger children should have no problem with holding and controlling. Even the car itself is compact and light in weight for easier traveling. There is a forward/backward button and a rotate button on the controller so they can understand how to use it fast. This car can perform some cool stunts thanks to the 360° front wheel flip turns and the 90° upright walking. Made from high-quality plastic, the car is built to withstand harsh use thanks to the anti-collision bumpers. For even more fun, a single remote controller can control four cars at the same time.
What we love
- Controls are relatively easy for kids to learn and understand
- The car can flip itself right-side up if it's knocked over so tots don't have to
What We Don't Like That Much
- It may drain batteries fast
11Hautton RC Cartoon Toy Race Car, 2 Pcs 2-Channel Remote Control Airplane Electric Radio Toy Vehicle with Removable Pilot, Music and Lights, Educational Learning Toy Gift for Baby, Kids, Children
The Hautton RC Cartoon Toy Race Car is one of the 12 best remote control cars for toddlers that come in a pair for fun play with family or friends. Each of the vehicles are vibrantly colored and come with their own matching steering wheel-shaped controller. The vehicles themselves resemble airplanes more than anything else, but they function just like any other race car. Controlling these vehicles is straightforward for tots as it is only a two-channel operation that moves the airplane cars forward and backward. To make the play even more fun, this makes airplane noises, the tiger animal companion makes sounds, and the headlights turn on. Kids can remove the figures and play with them separately if they want to.
What we love
- Since it comes in a pair, it is easy to use for companion play to develop social skills
- With the removable figures, it is fun for toddlers to play with outside of the RC mode
What We Don't Like That Much
- This does require a lot of batteries for the vehicles and for the controllers
124-in-1 Take Apart Toys with Electric Drill Converts to Remote Control Car Garbage Trucks Waste Management Recycling Truck Toy for Boys
The 4-in-1 Take Apart Toys is a unique approach to the standard RC toy. This comes with a battery-powered drill that kids can use to transform their truck into four different vehicles. It looks as cool as a recycling truck as it does as a rescue truck. This serves as a good tool to practice hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and pretend-play skills. Besides being used to change the vehicles, the power drill also serves as a remote controller that makes the truck go backward, forward, left, or right. Simply change the switch from power drill mode to remote control mode. The truck has realistic sounds and lights, and it can be played in RC mode or as a push toy.
What we love
- Good versatility as the truck can be changed in several ways
- One tool serves as both the drill and the controller to make things easier for kids
What We Don't Like That Much
- Toddlers may need help with following the instructions