Best Train Sets for Kids

Most Comprehensive

A fun train set with lots of components that stimulate youngsters' creativity.

Provides hours of imaginative fun thanks to the adorable town theme and numerous colorful characters and accessories. Train set comes with a sturdy table that features two separate tracks. Easy to assemble.

Talking Thomas and Percy Train Set

Pricey. Wood veneer on some of the parts is prone to peeling and tracks don't always fit properly.

Best Bang for the Buck

Thomas & Friends

Affordable Fun

There's a lot for kids to love about this affordable set, including an exciting theme, movement, sound, and colorful components.

Kid-approved Thomas and Friends theme with Thomas and Percy engines that "talk" when they meet along the tracks. Motorized. Compatible with other Thomas train sets. Great for preschoolers.

Track pieces tend to come disconnected. Some wish customer service was more attentive.

This well-made train set offers countless possibilities for imaginative play.

Well-stocked with lots of components, including freight and cargo trains. Track is made of durable wood and can be assembled in 4 configurations. Works with other wood track systems.

Track pieces don't always stay together. Train tends to derail. Challenging.

KidKraft

Figure 8 Train Set

Best for Younger Kids

A fun train set that comes with multiple pieces to encourage adventure and creativity in younger children.

Made from birchwood plastic that is durable and rugged even during rough play. Has fun images that help create imaginative fun. Has multiple vehicles that can utilize the figure-8 track. Easy to build even for younger children.

Polar Express Battery-Powered Train

The set may slide if built on harder flooring.

Lionel

Classic Brand

A Lionel train set is a must-have for aspiring engineers, and this one has a lot to offer.

Sports the iconic Polar Express design that's perfect for the holiday season and to wind around the Christmas tree. Motorized and makes realistic train sounds. The track can be assembled in 3 different configurations.