Editorial Review

Just like the real front loaders you might see working along the highway, the Mighty Front Loader was designed to dig, dump, and haul. With its large working bucket, deep-cleated tires, and heavy-duty steel construction, this solid truck is guaranteed for life and built for endless hours of fun in the sandbox or yard. Two handles let you control the angle of the work bucket so you can dig or dump sand and dirt, or move rocks around. Or you can set the bucket in a middle position when you want to haul things for a while without holding the handle. The cab and engine sections swivel, making it easy to steer the front loader to where the work is. The large wheels (4.5-inch diameter) have been mounted over strong steel axles, tested for up to 50 pounds. Realistically styled, the front loader measures 22 inches long by 8 inches wide by 9.5 inches high. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Tonka Toys are Tough!
This is a GREAT toy for a rough little boy which is exactly what we have here! My son received this for Christmas a year ago & it still looks great & works great! That is saying lots!! He can destroy a lot of toys quickly b/c he is all boy!! For example, he received a truck for his birthday a month ago which was supposed to be a good rugged truck well it has been pronounced dead & retired to the trash already after just a month, but not his Tonka toys! But then we always buy the metal ones for him! I dont think you can go wrong with this toy! We are actly buying him a few more in this same line for this Christmas b/c they are so rugged!

The best construction toys
After much research I'm back to the old steadfast Tonka for my 3 year old.

These are the best construction toys for kids. I gave it a 4 for the plastic parts. I still have my Tonka loader in perfect condition from 1970, it has a metal loader bucket and mechanism. Although you could argue that the plastic bucket might be more safe if it gets plowed into anything other than dirt or it won't get scraped up from digging and corrode if left out in the elements too often. I like all metal.

But these are still just great construction toys. The competitors use too much plastic in places where they'll actually break. They feel like they're going to fall apart unless sitting foreven on a shelf.

Kids will push anything to it's limit, at least smaller kids. So expect any flimsy plastic, realistic looking parts to get broken, unless it's building blocks or something like that.

There's a difference between hard plastic and softer plastic in terms of durability. Most of the competitor trucks feel like hard plastic. The harder plastic snaps frm fatigue. The bucket on the loader is a bit softer, it's more pliable so it shouldn't snap from moderate abuse

I'd also stay away from the Tonkas that look more realistic but are all plastic, a harder plastic, and battery operated. Although alittle more realistic looking, those aren't really made for digging or pushing or anything but pretending to dig on a carpet inside only. Perhaps for older kids who play more realistically than forcefully. I've seen some with all of their realistic brittle plastic loader parts just broked off where they attach from over use from preschoolers.

These look much more durable, and they are. My sons still look pretty darn good and they've seen much use.

Buy it
These are the BEST toys in the world for kids who love transportation.I got this on special with the free dump truck and they have been all over the house, yard and even went on display for show and tell in grade K.All the kids love it.

If this is on special with the free dump truck as it is several times then don't hesitate get two and save it for a birthday gift.Both girls and boys love 'em.Great buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Construction Vehicles    3. Preschool    4. Push and Pull Toys    5. Die-Cast   

Reviews (4)

Must have for Scooby Doo fans!
The mystery machine may be made of plastic, but it is pretty sturdy. My 4 year old son can vouch for that! He absolutely loves this van! The back of the van flips open so you can trap the 2 glow in the dark monsters in the cage, and it has a door that can lock them in! My son loves it that he got his 2 favorite characters (Scooby Doo and Shaggy) with this van. The front doors of the van open so the characters can go inside. This is a wonderful toy for any scooby doo fan!

Disappointed in toy
Although my son loves the Mystery Machine, it is made of CHEAP, CHEAP, plastic.Shaggy's arms keep falling off, the scooter is already broken, and the ghose cage is always coming apart.If I had known it was going to be like this, I would have never ordered the van.

Alans scooby
My 2 year old son got this toy for christmas and he loves it. He has not put this toy down. My 3 year old daughter loves it as well, so much Im going to order her one as well. Out of all the toys they both got this one seems to be the top pick for both. My son has really put this toy through the test, it is very sturdy. We think it is great!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action Figures    2. Animals    3. Dogs    4. Vehicles    5. Play Sets   

Reviews (3)

Great Truck!!!
We bought this truck for our 1 year old son yesterday. He loves it. He has been pushing it around all day. It is very durable and my future grandchildren will probaly play with this. It is totaly worth the money. Plus it is big enough that you can put your child in it and push it around. With adult supervision only. I am also going to use this for my sons second birthday party, I am going to put the cake in the back of it because it is a construction theme.

Nice Truck!
We bought this for our 16 month old son's Christmas present, after much deliberation. We bought this truck, instead of a softer, all plastic one for several reasons.
The metal(steel?) bed has rolled edges, and very few corners. It's coated with some kind of enamel, so it should last awhile.
The rest of the truck is made of some kind of really heavy plastic; I can't imagine a child being able to break it if they tried. The tippy part of the bed is suspended above the truck, to leave about an inch of space, making it almost impossible to pinch little fingers. It's big enough for my almost three year old to sit in, and I can hardly wait for Christmas!
~Incandesia

Awesome Truck!
Boy, what a great investment this was!We bought this along with the front loader and wow, does it get used a lot!My little one just loves filling up that front loader and dumping stuff into the back of this dump truck.The dump truck then goes all over the place delivering whatever is in the back, and comes back for more.He goes through sand, mud, you name it and looks great.These trucks clean up very easily and don't marr hardwood floors.It's pretty cute seeing how many things he can do with this truck - it just provides hours of fun for him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast    3. Trucks   

Editorial Review

Mighty indeed! This Tonka backhoe is aptly named. Riding high above the ground (11 inches) on large, rugged tires (4.5 inches indiameter), it's constructed of heavy-duty steel and durable plastic. Realistically styled after a full-size backhoe, it has a long steel arm for digging deep or scooping up rocks and dirt. The backhoe can swivel a full 360 degrees on the truck bed, making it easy to load dirt into other trucks or get to those hard-to-reach rock piles. There's a sure-grip handle on the side of the arm for lifting and lowering, and another handle at the base of the arm lets the "driver" extend or retract the work bucket for scooping and dumping. The backhoe sits on strong steel axles that have been tested with a 50-pound load. With a lifetime guarantee to back it up, the Mighty Backhoe is built to withstand all the rough play your kids can dish out. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (14)

But .....its not a backhoe.
It looks like a cool toy, but it really isn't anything like a backhoe you would normally see on a construction site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backhoe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cat-backhoe-loader07.jpg

Built Strong for Hours of Play
We purchased the Tonka Mighty Backhoe and the Tonka Mighty Dump Truck for my son for Christmas this year.As a child, I had numerous Tonka trucks, and I can remember how much fun I had playing with them.Although plastic has replaced some of the parts that used to be steel, these trucks are still built strong for hours of fun play, either indoors or outdoors.As for the backhoe, it has a strongly-built cab and handles for the child to hold on to while operating the backhoe.This is an improvement from when I was a child.The backhoe bends in two places, so picking up small objects is very easy.The wheels are made of a sturdy plastic.I highly recommend this fun toy.Combine it with another Tonka vehicle to give your child hours of construction fun.

My 3 year old grandson loves favorite trucks
I bought the backhoe, dump truck and the back loader and recently purchase the crane for him.He takes them everywhere he goes. His father takes him to see the real ones at work and he know what each one is called.

They are very durable.Great trucks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Construction Vehicles    3. Preschool    4. Push and Pull Toys    5. Die-Cast   

Editorial Review

Mighty is right! This Tonka crane, constructed of heavy-dutysteel and durable plastic, rides high on large, rugged tires.Realistically styled, it has a long, steel arm with a bucket attachedfor scooping up and relocating rocks or dirt. With its deep-cleatedtires and heavy-duty steel construction, this solid vehicle isguaranteed for life and built for endless hours of fun in the sandboxor yard. The bright-yellow cab section swivels, making it easy to steerthe crane to where the work is. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A frustrating toy
My son loves all the Tonka vehicles, but this one frustrates him.The crane mechanism comes out of the slot easily.It also tips over easily.It doesn't balance very well when lifting something.It is also awkward to move and store due to the crane part.

A little disappointed
I am a big fan of the metal Tonka trucks. My son has the dump truck (which he loves) and the backhoe (which he also loves). I bought the crane thinking it would be a great addition to his backyard fleet. For the most part it is, however if your child is rough and tough like my 3 year old, you might encounter some problems. For one thing it kept tipping over when he would try to operate it and then the bucket came off and had to be retied on. He still plays with it but I was a little disappointed in Tonka on this one.

Choose the backhoe, front loader or dump truck instead...
This is a great looking truck that really excited my 4-year old at first.It quickly became frustrating for him because the arm would collapse and the string would come undone and get jammed.We have the other 3 trucks in this line and absolutely love them. Skip the crane! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Construction Vehicles    3. Preschool    4. Push and Pull Toys    5. Die-Cast   

Editorial Review

The name Tonka means "big 'n' chunky" to many people, and this dump truck doesn't disappoint. Even the plastic chassis and front end are sturdy, and the tipping truck bed--itself nearly a foot long--is a solid slab of yellow steel. The tires are almost 5 inches in diameter and can ride confidently over any random pile of lesser toys. This is not a vehicle with a great deal of sophistication--the truck bed tilts, and that's it--but it is one that encourages, and can take, a lot of rough use. Included with the truck are a sturdy plastic construction helmet with the Tonka logo and two tools, a shovel scoop and three-pronged rake. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Features

• Construction Helmet
• Tools
• Special Gift Pack includes:
• Tonka Mighty Dump Truck

Reviews (8)

over aged tonka lover
i got it used and kinda rusty (...)it is stronger than nails i play in my garage with it & hall gravel in it its a good sizei over flow it with rocks & unhapply end up crashing it sometimes dosnt scratch this monsteri have had plastic trucks before they did not hold up very well i recomend it for all little kids your not 2 old for till u cant engoy it no more

Tonka Tough
It is a very durable toy.My boys (ages 3 & 5) have pushed each other around in it for a year or more. It has taken trips through the rock garden and weathered a few rain storms too. With a little care and cleaning it looks a great as the day we got it.Not to mention the hat is really neat!The tools last quite a long time for staying outside all year. Most other sand/dirt toys last a month and then crack and break into a million pieces.

Built Strong for Hours of Fun!
I remember when I was a child and I received a Tonka dump truck for Christmas.Now that I have my own son, I've carried on the tradition and purchased one for him.Tonka has always been known for their strong and durable toys, and this mighty dump truck keeps up the tradition.Although no longer completely made out of steel, the plastic is still stong and durable and holds up very well.The colors are bright and inviting, and the main parts (i.e. dumper and cab) are still made from steel.I highly recommend this excellent toy.I hope my son gets as much joy and fun from his new mighty dump truck as I did when I had mine. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

best toy
My son got this for Christmas when he was 19 months old.He loves it.It is the best.I would highly recomend this to anyone.Hours of fun!

Fun Flash the Fire Truck
This is a great toy for kids. I bought this for a friend's son and he loves it! He is fascinated with the lights and sounds. This is a durable product and it entertains the kids for hours.
For the person who gave this one star, it was inappropriate to buy this product for a 14 month old child. There is a reason for the recommended age on all toys.

Another great FP toy!
I had to write this review after I read a previous reviewer who gave this toy 1 star. My advice to that reviewer: READ THE AGE RECOMMENDATION! Don't call and complain to Fisher-Price that your child's hand got pinched when you buy a toy that is for 18 months up for a 14-month-old.

I am always impressed with the durability and imagination-inspiring design of FP Little People toys. You will never be sorry when you purchase them. I still have sets from the 70's when I was a child!

... Read more

Editorial Review

The Sonic Speedracer Raceway brings the excitement of high-speed racing and car stunts to the preschool set. Packed into a sturdy plastic play set with a carry handle, the raceway unfolds into a large figure-eight race track, complete with a winner's circle, service pit, and a variety of accessories that add a nice realistic touch. The entire set is oversized and simple to use. At first, preschoolers may want to just push the two include race cars around the track. But with a little practice--and maybe a little help from mom and dad--they should have no difficulty revving up the self-powered race cars so that they can perform stunt jumps across the tracks. Adult assembly is required, but no batteries are required for operation. ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Quite Possibly the best toy we ever bought!
We got this race track for our sons (17 months and 3) for Christmas. They learned how to work it themselves very quickly. It's now May and they still play with it almost every day!!

Great fun for parents too!
My 2 1/2 yr old daughter had to have this after playing with it at her cousins house. She loves this toy. She is such a girly girl that we would have never guessed she would like a racecar set. Does not need batteries, you just put the stickers on and a few other pieces and let your child have fun! She loves to play with it with her dad! Very sturdy, folds up and has a little handle to carry it around. The onlynegative is it is pretty large even though it folds up.

speed stars raceway alot of fun even for older childern
My son is 7 just loves this raceway, even though I belive the ages are 7 and under he stills has hours of fun with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Play Sets   

Reviews (1)

Great trucks, and a great value!
These trucks are the perfect size for my three year-old construction fanatic.The "mighty" Tonka trucks are too big for him, the "jr. basic" Tonka trucks are too small for him (though they were excellent for him in the sandbox a year ago), and the "jr. force" Tonka trucks are too flimsy for working in our tough Oklahoma dirt!These trucks have a steel body and plastic wheels and accents.The description does not contain their dimensions, so here they are...the grader is roughly 17Lx8Wx7H, and the dump truck is roughly 14Lx6Wx7H.The price is excellent, the quality is very good, and my son loves them!What a deal! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast    3. Construction Vehicles   

Reviews (1)

hours of playtime!
We purchased a bunch of the Polly Pocket items and my 3yr old triplets are in love with them.My son won't put down this car, so I had to order another one for the girls to share!They loved that the dog has clothes too, and nothing else has kept their attention as long as these have.I recommend all the Polly Pocket toys.It helps them learn coordination too, because they learn how to put the clothes on, etc.It is also helping them use thier imagination and role playing.Awesome toys!I also sent one to my 4yr old niece who is also discovering the fun of Polly and her friends! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Dolls    3. Pretend Play   

Subjects:  1. Vehicles   

Reviews (36)

The wheels on the bus.......
Adorable music, lights and sounds from this toy-keeps the kids glued to it for long periods of time.

Time for school!
My three-year-old son loves this school bus.He likes to load the kids on the bus and make the bus driver talk and sing songs.He has learned empathy by helping the little people with disabilities (with the wheelchair) on and off the bus.It is good exposure to the idea that not everyone is the same.However, it was shocking to have to describe that to a, then, two-year-old.One of the first questions he had that I really had to think about the best way to answer.Other good features are the stop sign and two doors that open and close.

One of my kids' favorites
We bought this for our now three year old, who loves it, but is having to get used to sharing it with his 1 year old sister.This toy gets played with often throughout the day - every day, so I definately think it was a good purchase.I like that it it teaching my daughter fine motor skills when she puts the people in their seats.We've had it for almost 2 years now, and it has held up very well, and doesn't show any wear.The music and voice is a little annoying, but my kids love it.I am suprised with the age reccomendation though. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For many toddlers and preschool-age children a highlight of the week canbe watching the garbage truck stop in front of the house and lift the bins highinto the air in all their noisy power and glory. This big, brightgreen-and-yellow garbage truck from Bruder Toys will provide hours of creativeand imaginative play. The six-wheeled plastic truck measures approximately 2feet long, 6 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. The truck comes with two small,realistic bins in yellow and blue. The two bins hook on to the tailgate, whichlifts with a lever. Other turning knobs dump the trash and compact it. This toycould be used as a recycling truck given the recycling symbol on the side, whichmakes it a great educational toy to introduce environmental consciousness. Extrabins and a larger Dumpster may be purchased separately. --Lair Showalter,mother and elementary school teacher ... Read more

Features

• Movable parts
• Plastic frame, 6 wheels
• 2 trash bins

Reviews (11)

Very dissapionted
My three year old loved this truck.But after only two weeks the entire back end broke off.Cheap plastic hinges!I would not recommend this truck if your child wants to play with it.

cool garbage truck
this garbage truck rocks! it actually dumps garbage into the loading section. it crushes the garbage with the compactor. the cab tilts, the loading section tilts, and is realistic, but not very durable. a couple of weeks after i bought it the side dial for the compactor broke off because it needed some work twisting it. but is still a cool diecast garbage truck.

Too fragile - buyer beware
We looked for a trash truck that our 4 year old boy could play with. On the surface, the Bruder looked the part. Not as cartoon-looking as some, the fact that it looked like a real trash truck but had few obvious breakable parts made it seem like an ideal choice.

Actual play testing though shows this product isn't very well-built, at least not enough to withstand normal wear and tear. This truck wasn't subjected to being thrown down the stairs, jumped on, etc. It's been just played with, but it started coming apart quickly.

The hinged door in the back of the truck is a poor design. The plastic hinges on the truck are too thin, and break easily. The plastic hinges on the door start to bend after multiple open/closes, and the plastic weakens and breaks off.

The hinged front compartment and rear sections are difficult to operate, and stick easily. Items put into the cab (like the essential green army man who drives the truck) easily get caught in here and are very difficult to remove.

Worse though is the key point of this toy, the ability to latch the trash can to the lifting/dumping mechanism. This is way to complex for a child, and the intricacy in getting a solid connect is difficult even for an adult.If it's not hooked up right, the can falls off when you try to lift it; very frustrating.

Some little pieces (rear view mirror, etc) broke off easily and early on, but we kind of expected this. The parts were simply too small and fragile to last long. I don't hold this part against the design; part of the attraction was that it looked like a real truck, and I don't think there's an easy way to add small details without some fragility.

While this is orignally was one of my sons favorite toys, he can't really play with it the way he'd like to. While he still enjoys driving it around the house, he can't pick up the trash and dump it without an adults help, and that's a shame.

For the price, I expected so much more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Push and Pull Toys    3. Vehicles   

Editorial Review

The soft corners and indestructible design of the Little Tikesgiant construction vehicles make them ideal for aspiring junior roadworkers. These tough trucks can handle all sorts of abuse, from haulingdirt across the playground to taking those accidental spills down thestairs. Over 12 inches long, 7 inches high, and 9 inches wide, thissturdy bulldozer speeds around on oversize, hard-plastic tires, and ithas a working scoop that can really dig out, lift, and carry a load.--Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This toy is tops!
My son recieved it for his 2nd birthday and a year later still loves it. We keep it as an outside toy where he can dig and load dirt with it. Its nice and chunky for little hands and has a handle you push to make the loading part lift up. I imagine this toy will last forever.

Loads of Fun
My two boys(5 and 6) have both the loader and dump truck and they have put about 1,000 miles on tires and they keep going.They enjoy playing in the dirt with these toys..They are kept outside and have lasted along time(3 yrs)..Even when left out in the rain, they have kept together with no problems.

Little tikes diggers and trucks
I am a grandmother of a little boy and little twin girls, all 3 years old, and a Little 2 year old girl. All have fun digging in the sand or dirt with the Loader and Dump truck. I own almost all of Little Tikes Cars, Trucks, and "Diggers" and they provide hours of fun, are safe, and last forever. I have found that both boys and girls love digging and driving. It has given me much pleasure to watch them play. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Construction Vehicles    3. Preschool    4. Push and Pull Toys   

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast   

Editorial Review

Perhaps the cutest construction vehicles to ever take to theroad, the tough oversize trucks from Little Tikes feature well-roundedseams and corners and a rugged plastic build, perfect for the smallhands and boisterous attention of enthusiastic young road workers. This12-inch-long, 9-inch-high, and 9-inch-wide dump truck, cast in brightyellow and black, gets around on fat plastic tires and has a bed thatreally lifts up to dump its load.The truck's simple design also makes a quick hose-off easy after a long day in the sandbox. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Our toddler's favorite toy
We bought this truck for my son's first b-day. At first he just piled it with toys and dumped them out. He slowly figured out how much fun it was to hold onto the back and push it around the house. It's truly his favorite toy. His friends (up to age 4) also all love this truck. We're going out to buy another one because they all fight over it!

Our son is 19 months old and we've never had a problem with him getting hit in the head with the back of the truck the way other reviews have described. I'm not saying it's not possible to get hit. He just figured out quickly the correct way to push it and play with it.

This truck is plastic and seems indestructible. Because it's plastic, it's lightweight and easy to maunever around. We think it is a great truck for both toddlers and preschoolers.

wonderful toy,except!!
My son pcked this out at a local store.After a couple of weeks, the truck did not make the sound it was supposed to.I called little tikes and a check is on the way for a new one.My son loves this toy and makes the sound every time he sees.Little Tikes brands are the best made toys around!!!

Back of truck hits children in face
When my son plays with his dump truck ,the back comes up & hits him in the face, because there is no way to latch it while kids are pushing it around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Construction Vehicles    3. Dump Trucks    4. Preschool   

Reviews (6)

Rugged Riggz Are Great!
My son got this as a Christmas gift just after he turned 2.He is 3.5 now and still loves it! The motorcycles hold up really well, but they can be tricky to put on the flatbed.So, he really plays with them separately.The truck and trailer, however, are his favorite toys and he plays with them all the time.He can get the trailer onto the truck very well on his own and carries his hot wheels around on it all the time.It is virtually indestructible.Buy it for your 2-year-old!

Absolutely great toy!
My 2-year-old loves this truck and the motorcycles!It's very durable, and even has endured my toddler trying to ride on it.Love the no-scratch tires too!This is a VERY, VERY nice toy and a great gift idea for any little boy.

fantastic non-chokable motorcycle toy! woowee!
Honestly, the truck that hauls the toys gets mostly ignored but the motorcycles OVERJOY my son. I bought them when he was a bit over 18 mos - he loves motorcycles and it's almost impossible to find a well designed motorcycle toy for the under 3 set, so this toy is definitely worth it.
No chokable parts, very durable and chunky enough that it probably won't get lost under the fridge, couch or low table (which as we all know can cause a mini-meltdown). It's great that you get two motorcycles, one for each grabby toddler hand, hahahahaha. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great for young and old
My son has this truc. It is very cute and durable. He's 2 but my nephews who are 12 and 15 love it too!! It links together easily and comes apart easily. Al so hooks to other trucks of the same style!! Excellent truck!

Great truck for rough boys!
I have two boys, 4 and 1 who equally love this truck!They have several in the series of "Rugged Riggz" and they are all great!They play very hard and rough and this toy withstands it all!The wheels are rubberized so they don't scratch my coffee table.You can take the trailer part apart and mix and match with the others in the series.A definite MUST have for those of you with boys and truck-lovers like me!!!

Great Rugged Truck
My son loves this truck - it is durable, works great on carpet, wooden floor and he enjoys playing with it in his sand box as well! Well worth the money spent on it!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles   

Reviews (1)

Awesome firetruck!
Boy, is this truck a must-have!I've searched and searched for this particular one and finally found one.It's huge!I've never seen one this big and it's just fantastic.Talk about hours of fun!The ladder extends and provides tons of fun - rescuing animals from buildings, etc.It goes great with the wooden train set - it's just a blast every day in our house.A great, great toy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast