Throughout November and December, Life+Kids will be helping readers check off their holiday gift list.
If you see something you like, be sure to click through the link in this post to make your purchase, that way Life+Kids will receive a commission from the retailers listed for any purchases you make (even on products not highlighted in the Guide). It is an easy way to help support Life+Kids!
Do you need help with your holiday shopping? Email your list to terri@lifepluskids.com and I’ll be happy to get your online shopping started.
Life+Kids reader Jenny asks: I want a concrete/cement truck for my 3 year old. The more realistic, the better!
This question made me think of a toy that never made it to our house, but I wish it did. Our friends have a sand digger similar to the one below in their sand box. Every time we visit, someone ends up in the sandbox working the digger. It takes a few tries for kids to figure out how it works, but once they do — watch out. Kids have loads of fun, without even realizing they are improving their motor skills!!
Click here to purchase on Amazon. Or, click here
As I was searching for construction related toys, I ran across this adorable mini sandbox full of construction equipment. Consider the age of the child before buying (because you would not want sand dumped all over the floor!). But, the reviews of this product are stellar and I think it would be a great gift. It would also look perfect on dad’s desk to keep little hands busy while he finishes “one last email.”
Click here to buy now on Amazon. To see all the My Little Sandbox scenes (including princess, outer space, and dinosaurs), click here.
As to the toy cement mixer, I’m partial to the one below from Bruder Toys. It is very realistic. The truck has a hand wheel that turns the drum and actually moves the contents which empties through the chute.
Click here to purchase from Amazon or click here
Of course, for durability, you can’t go wrong with a Tonka Truck. This brand survived my 36 year old brother, and both my children. The Tonka cement mixer below has working lights, motorized rotating barrel, lowering stabilizing rear wheels, and the sand chute even extends down to pour!
Click here to purchase on Amazon or click here
I also really like the Kids Galaxy radio controlled cement truck below. My boys have always loved radio controlled vehicles, and this one seems perfect for the youngest of construction loving kiddos!
Click here to buy now on Amazon. To see all of Amazon’s radio controlled toys for kids age 2-4, Click here
If you would prefer a wooden set of construction vehicles, you should consider the ones below by Plan Toys (a brand I LOVE!).
To buy these on Amazon, click here. To see all the Plan Toys offerings, click here
Finally, don’t forget the ever popular Legos. They have a construction site set, both in the Duplo series (for younger kids) and the regular series for older kids.
Click on the link to buy the DUPLO Construction Site
set directly from Lego. Click on this link to buy the regular Construction Site
set.
Readers, what are your kids favorite construction related toys? Leave them in the comments or email your recommendations directly to terri@lifepluskids.com.
Got a question, or need help with your list? Email terri@lifepluskids.com so I can get your online shopping started.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Terri,
Great blog. Thanks. What charged up Reed most recently was I gave him 3 of those Nerf pistols and 3 sets of safety glasses and of course enough bullets for a year. Totally cool. We had fun running and shooting each other in the yard with a 3rd chum. He was instantly better than me! I didn’t wear the eye gear once and took one in the eye. It hurt. After that I won’t let Reed shoot them around anyone who is not wearing glasses, aka Phoebe.
Best,
Alan
OK first we have had a bunch of the motorized Tonka and in general it doesnt last very well. I love their original metal trucks which you can still get usually TRU has the best deal on them, with a construction hat made to fit little heads.
We love Lego of every shape kind and size. We are currently partial to the City and Creator sets, my boys are 5, 6, and 1.
Our favorite toy ever in 6 years of buying them is the Fisher Price Shake n Go Speedway. We have the original version, but the crash ups last year and the current one look like even more fun than the first one and well worth EVERY penny spent.
Steff