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Satisfy their need for speed with remote control sports cars, off-roading monster trucks, and picks from Lego, Disney Junior, and more. Rc Drift Car
Remote control cars can be a thrill for kids of all ages (and, let’s be honest—adults, too). They give younger kids the chance to operate their very own machine for the first time (no license necessary) and practice fine motor skills while they’re at it. Bigger kids can get deeper into the hobby, even building their own RC cars capable of serious speed and stunts.
To select the best remote control cars for kids, we spoke with experts and surveyed 875 parents to learn what toys their kids love to play with and why they enjoy them. Our list considers several key factors that make remote control cars a good option for kids, including age appropriateness, battery type and life, and durability. We included options for every age and budget so everyone in the family can satisfy their need for speed.
This 360-degree rotating vehicle moves forward, back, left, and right and even does tumbling flips. The Orrente Remote Control Car has two motors and LED lights for bright, exciting play in the light or dark. Designed with anti-crash durable tires, this kids' remote control car is great at the beach and over grass—and just about as all-terrain as it gets.
The Orrente car comes with two batteries, but they have a short life (about 22 minutes of play each). On the plus side, they are rechargeable, so you don't have to constantly buy batteries when they lose their juice.
Suitable for ages 2 and up, this classic race car is made with impact-resistant plastic and smooth edges for safe play. The remote control has a 50-foot range, giving your little one plenty of room to race and experiment. Four big buttons are intuitive and allow kids to manipulate moves effortlessly.
This Brio remote control car does require a lot of batteries (seven AA). To help save energy, it is equipped with a sleep mode that turns the car off after five minutes of inactivity—a very helpful feature for little ones with short attention spans.
Two kids can play together with this set of two remote control cars—one police car and one race car—with removable action figures. The cars also have visual and sound effects, including honking sounds, police sirens, and flashing headlights.
The controllers resemble a steering wheel, and small hands can comfortably hold them. While there are only two directions the cars can go (forward and left turn), this means fewer buttons for young children to learn.
Even if no one in your household knows a thing about real-life monster trucks, this toy version of the Monster Jam beast is going to be a huge blast. It’s a whopping 2 feet long but surprisingly light and easy to control—so while the size will impress and entertain older drivers, little ones (ages 4 and up) can get in on the fun.
Parents will also appreciate that the truck operates on a rechargeable battery, with a USB cord tucked into a compartment. The remote does require two AAA batteries that are not included, but once powered, its range is up to 250 feet.
The tires are styrofoam, so they may puncture easily with sharp objects. On the plus side, they feature treads that allow it to maneuver over lots of different terrain types (just not actual water, despite that oceanic name).
With this 324-piece Lego kit, kids (and adults) can build their own remote-controlled stunt race car. This vehicle means business: It’s capable of popping wheelies and executing serious turns. The Lego car requires some advanced focus for hobbyists ages 9 and up.
The grippy tracks are just what this Lego remote-controlled car needs to maneuver on smooth surfaces like sidewalks or hardwood floors. Unfortunately, it may have poor traction if you take it off-road.
Older kids and hobbyists will love this high-speed remote control truck that can reach up to about 25 miles per hour and has amazing off-roading capabilities. Independent suspension, metal shocks, large tires, and newly designed treads help this powerful truck grip and drive over concrete as well as grass, mud, and sand. The nylon chassis is durable and collision-resistant. Rechargeable batteries are included for more than 40 minutes of play (20 minutes per battery). The controller has a range of 263 feet.
According to the manufacturer, the motor has the power to perform 21.500 revolutions per minute, which may lead to overheating after long periods of strenuous use. The motor is equipped with a heat dissipation mechanism to prevent this, but allowing the truck to rest after 15 minutes of continuous play is recommended.
This elegant toy is a 1/24 scale model of a Lambo Aventador SVJ. The car responds smoothly to its easy-to-control remote with a range of 80 feet. Simulating a powerful race car engine, this remote control toy goes up to 4 miles per hour with an independent suspension system to reduce friction and create a smoother ride.
Like a real Lambo, this remote-controlled version drives best on smooth surfaces. We recommend tile flooring, hardwood flooring, or even smooth pavement for the ultimate Lambo experience.
The Rock Crawler is specially created for kiddos (and adults) who love off-roading. Thanks to its monster truck-like design, dual motors, high clearance, strong non-slip rubber tires, and shock absorbers, this remote-control vehicle can tackle the most treacherous terrain, including grass, mud, and sand.
In order to tackle off-roading terrain, the truck has only one speed (and it's not fast). But it comes with two rechargeable batteries that provide 45 minutes of playtime (each).
This simple 7-inch toy is easy to use right out of the box for kids ages 3 and up. The remote control has kid-friendly buttons, and all the pieces are easy for little hands to grip. Operate the SpiderMan remote control car with four controller functions: forward, backward, right, and left.
We recommend taking Spidey's Web Crawler for a spin on smooth surfaces like tile, hardwood, concrete, and more. The RC car sits low to the ground, so it may not get the best traction on carpet and other thick or rough terrains.
To choose the best remote control cars, we researched and reviewed more than 20 RC cars and spoke to experts, including a pediatric hospitalist and parents. For each product, we carefully considered key specifications, such as age recommendations, size, and battery life.
For remote control car suggestions and guidance on how to use them safely, we spoke with the following experts:
Various remote control cars are suited to a range of age groups, but Dr. Diamond recommends following the manufacturer's age recommendations. She adds that using toys like remote control cars requires fine motor ability, “so incorporating them into play, in moderation like all things, could benefit this type of development.” And it’s a good idea to experiment; “It often becomes clear if a toy is developmentally appropriate and engaging after some time trying it out,” she says.
Remote control cars are generally safe for kids if age-appropriate and used according to instructions. Keep in mind that small spinning wheels can get caught on hair, so make sure your kiddos keep their remote control cars away from their long strands.
Compared with screen content, remote control cars exist in the three-dimensional world—and this may be developmentally preferable for kids, depending on the context. “It’s important to think about how toys and games are used, if it’s a social activity, with what frequency, and what the game or toy might be promoting as part of play,” Dr. Diamond says. “I think, in general, playing physically with remote control toys often tends to be the more developmentally engaging activity, but so much depends on context.”
Good-quality remote control cars for kids can cost between $30 and $150, depending on the type of vehicle, special features, type of battery it uses, and recommended age. A small basic remote control car for toddlers will be on the lower end of the price range, while well-known brands with complex designs (think, Lego), can cost over $100.
Construction Set Alesandra Dubin is a professional product reviewer in the parenting and lifestyle space. She’s also mom to boy-girl twins and has eight years of in-home, hands-on, kid-tested experience.