Start 'em Early: Best gifts for gearhead tots and teens

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The way I see it, there are two basic ways to shop for kids: you can get them what they want, or you can get them what you want them to want. Rarely does an item selected via one method show up ont the list generated via the other. 

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This list of car-related gifts, however, is meant to appeal to both those adult car-lovers who find themselves shopping for children, and to children themselves.

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The recipient will have fun playing with or using the gift, and the giver will be satisfied knowing they’ve done their part to pass the torch to the next generation of passionate gearheads. 

Here are 11 gift ideas for kids and teens who are nuts about cars (or should be!), suggested by age. 

Ages 0 to 1

Little Tikes Ride-On Cozy Coupe

Some Millennial parents may remember learning the rules of the sidewalk in this ride-on unit from their own childhood. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is light and durable with storage in the rear and realistic-ish features like an “ignition switch” and gas cap. Rated for ages 18 months to 5 years. 

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Little Tikes Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary — $128 on Amazon

Car Seat Toy

Before they learn how much they love cars, they’ll likely learn how much they like to ride in them. Make the experience fun from day one with a carseat toy that straps to the seat and will safely amuse your bebe while you drive. 

SKIP HOP Farmstand Avocado Stroller Toy — $15 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Ages 2 to 3

Paw Patrol Save the Day Driver

Beware! There’s no going back once your child has discovered Paw Patrol. You will have its theme song in your head until they graduate grade school. However, it’s almost worth it based on how much joy the cartoon mutts bring children.

Your two-year-old will flip out when they unwrap Ryder’s ATV-snowmobile-hovercraft hybrid, which has functioning turn signals, handlebars, horn, and rearview mirrors. There’s also a button which prompts Ryder to introduce the whole squad. They’ll never get tired of that. You definitely will. 

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VTech Paw Patrol Save the Day Driver — $30 at Walmart

Wooden Toy Car Set

Everybody’s first car – like very, very first car – is a wooden car. And unlike the actual automotive industry, the tech hasn’t changed much here. They’ve got a wooden body, wooden wheels and, most importantly, are large enough not to be swallowed by a child. 

Melissa & Doug Car Carrier Truck & Cars Wooden Toy Set — $25 at Canadian Tire

Cartoon RC Race Car

“Remote-control car” is on basically every boys’ (and many girls’) wish list. This is the intro model. It’s a plastic Holy Stone RC that moves forward, backward, left and right, and also honks, plays music, and flashes its lights. Suitable for 18 months and up.

Holy Stone RC Race Car — $28 from Amazon

Age 3 to 6

Hot Wheels Mega Car Wash PlaySet

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Now they’ve got nice things, it’s time to demonstrate how to keep them clean. This car wash playset from Hot Wheels imitates the real experience with a functioning conveyor belt, a fan drier, actual water features, and a car which changes colours as it passes through. 

Hot Wheels Mega Car Wash Set — $67 from Amazon

Take-apart car with tools

For mechanics and hobbyists in training, there’s this DIY take-apart race-car kit that includes a AA-battery-powered drill and plastic screws with which to assemble it. Once built, the toy can make car-like sounds and flash its lights. Rated ages 3 to 8. 

DIY Take-apart Car Toy — $33 from Amazon

Ages 7 to 11

Mille Bornes Board Game

If your child has entered the board game phase of their development, you might as well play something nostalgic. Remember this one from your childhood? Mille Bornes is an originally French but now pretty Americanized card game that imitates a 1,000-mile road race. You can still get the classic French versions used online though. 

Mille Bornes — $26 on Ebay

LEGO Technic Top Gear Rally Car

LEGO makes a great gift for any kid. Full stop. When they’re ready to graduate from the $20 60-piece sets, consider something from the Technic family, like this Top Gear Rally car. Bonus: it is controlled remotely via app after it’s built. 

Lego Technic App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car — $185 from Toys R Us

Ages 12 to 14

Forza Horizon 4

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Forza is generally one of the more realistic options for racing video games, giving players the chance to get to know some of the world’s most exclusive and powerful cars. Forza Horizon 4 loosens the reins a bit, giving players the same real-life cars, but in a more ‘playful’ open-map setting. It’s a few years old, but still tons of fun. 

Forza Horizon 4 — $80 at EBGames

Ages 15 to 16

Driving Lessons

If they’ll be driving your car, then buying your teenager some lessons from a trained and not-related instructor may be as much of a gift for yourself as it is for them. 

Driving Lessons — approx. $60/hr

Their First Car: Pre-owned Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is among the best first cars thanks to the fact it’s small, safe and, perhaps most importantly, affordable. Something in the 2010-ish vintage should do the trick. Here are some other safe and reliable options under $10,000 .