Best Train Sets for 4 Year Olds
My 4 year old has had a wooden train set since he was a toddler. We still get it out now and he'll play with it for ages, building different tracks and bridges, so I can recommend a wooden train set for this age group. I have featured a wooden train set below. However if you're looking to buy a more sophiscated train set for a 4 year old it may be worth investigating some of the other ideas below too.
Lego Train Sets
For a train set with some building thrown in why not consider a lego train set?
For a 4 year old, there are two types of lego train set you could get. There is the lego duplo wh are the bigger pieces and the lego city trains which contain smaller pieces. I will
For a 4 year old, there are two types of lego train set you could get. There is the lego duplo wh are the bigger pieces and the lego city trains which contain smaller pieces. I will
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Lego Duplo Train Set
 
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Lego Duplo sets are aimed at 2 to 5 year olds. At the time of writing my youngest son has just turned 4 and I think a lego duplo train set would be perfect for him. In fact I think he's brother who's 8 would also enjoy playing with it.
There is lots of fun to be had building the track as well as building the accessories that go around the track. There is a crane that really works and you can use to unload cargo into t train. The 134 pieces include a bridge with a tunnel, 160cm of track, duplo figures and lots more. |
Lego City High Speed Passenger Train Set.
 
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You could also consider buying the lego city high speed passenger train set. It is aimed at ages 6 to 10 but there are reviews of younger children using it. I think the majority of 4 year olds would need an adult to set it up for them. It features a motorized locomotive with 8 channel, 7-speed infrared remote control. There is some detail in the set with small platform with 2 seats, map of train services, warning sign, lights and a crossing. There are cool little things you can do to faciliate imaginative play like lift off the roof of the front car to place the driver inside at the cool dashboard and open the passenger cars to access the seats and tables.
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For my own 4 year old boy, I would definitely go with the lego duplo set and think it would last a long while. But maybe if you are a train enthusiast and would like to play with your child the lego city high speed passenger train would be a good option.
Wooden Train Sets
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As I said at the beginning of the article, my son still spends a long time playing with his wooden train set. He has many pieces and likes to construct lots of different configurations. He enjoys playing imaginatively with his set afterwards and using them as part of a big city that he builds for his games. (I love their imagination at this age!)
So if you choose a wooden train set for a 4 year old, I would recommend one with quite a few different pieces like the Melissa and Doug train set opposite. |
Trackmaster Thomas
 
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Trackmaster Thomas is another make of train set that are great for Thomas the train lovers. Trackmasters are aimed at children from 36 months plus. If you have a decent amount of trackmaster track you can build track in different designs which is easy for 4 year olds to do on their own. The trains are motorised. The points can be changed so the trains can go different ways.
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On the playset featured above, kids have to reset the track so that Thomas can keep going round. There is also an autoset features which will do it for you if you just want to watch Thomas on his journey.
Chuggington Train Sets
 
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This train set has lots to keep 4 year olds occupied. You stack the track up and have fun pressing the leavers to keep sending the trains whizzing down the track. You can build the track in different configurations which is great to keep kids occupied especially as they get a bit older. It's great for a 4 year olds hyper imagination. They can create all kinds of stories to go with the trains whizzing down the track.
There are lights and sounds as well as spinning signs and popping cones. |
Grown Up Train Sets
Some 4 year olds may be ready for a more grown up motorised train set such as a Hornby. These type of train sets will most likely take a bit of assistance and participation from an adult. But it is maybe a nice way to spend some quality time playing with your child. Here are a couple of options.
Power Trains Auto City Loader
 
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The Power Train set featured is excellent value for 18 pieces of track which you can connect together, a motorised train and accessories including a tunnel and auto loader set.
4 year olds can change the track around into different configurations and there's plenty of accessories for imaginative play too. You can buy other sets to connect to this one and expand your track and add more play opportunities. |
Hornby
 
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Hornby is a name most adults will recognise and associate with train sets and quality. Hornby sets are normally aimed at kids from around 5 years, but if you have a mature 4 year old it could be an option. They will probably require quite a bit of adult supervision to put the set together so it's maybe a project parents and their children can work on together. Bear in mind that Hornby is essentially a model train so once the track is put up, the idea is to enjoy watching the trains go around.
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It's probably not a set I would buy for my own 4 year old as I think it is too mature for him. So if in doubt I would wait until he's a little bit older.
The set above is excellent value for a starter set.
The set above is excellent value for a starter set.
Other Options
If you can find a good set, Tomica trains and playsets are excellent for this age group. They are battery powered trains but they tend to come with playsets that 4 year olds can imaginatively engage with. Unfortunatley they are a little difficult to get hold of at the moment.
Top Tips on Buying a Train Set for 4 Year Olds
If you are buying a train set for a 4 year old whatever set you buy I would consider the following:
1.) Try and choose a set where you can build different layouts to keep child's interest. Train sets which offer options for trains to go in different directions, over and under bridges, down and up hills and ramps, on different levels all help to hold a 4 year olds interest.
2.) Maybe take your 4 year old in question to a toy shop so he/she can look at different train sets and see what they like and are interested in before buying.
3.) Look for sets which offer the option of imaginative play as well as building and running a train around a track. So maybe there are figures and buildings included with the train set which they can use for creative play. This is one reason why Tomica train sets are often good choices.
4.) If you are buying a train set for your 4 year old to grow into, take into account they an adult may have to help them build and play with the train set at first. This can be a good bonding experience but if you want 4 year olds to play on their own, these kind of train sets are always the best choice.
1.) Try and choose a set where you can build different layouts to keep child's interest. Train sets which offer options for trains to go in different directions, over and under bridges, down and up hills and ramps, on different levels all help to hold a 4 year olds interest.
2.) Maybe take your 4 year old in question to a toy shop so he/she can look at different train sets and see what they like and are interested in before buying.
3.) Look for sets which offer the option of imaginative play as well as building and running a train around a track. So maybe there are figures and buildings included with the train set which they can use for creative play. This is one reason why Tomica train sets are often good choices.
4.) If you are buying a train set for your 4 year old to grow into, take into account they an adult may have to help them build and play with the train set at first. This can be a good bonding experience but if you want 4 year olds to play on their own, these kind of train sets are always the best choice.
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