The Best RC Cars for Kids

1. Recommended Age

Whenever you buy toys for your kids, taking a peek at the age range is a good idea. It gives you a basic idea of whether or not the toy is appropriate for their skill level and whether they’ll find it enjoyable. Age ranges sometimes indicate whether a safety hazard is present in a product, such as a choking hazard, so make sure you’re choosing an age appropriate item to ensure your purchase is effective and safe.

2. Style

Police cars, race cars, sports cars, all-terrain cars and more – you name it, and you can find a radio controlled version of it. Some kids just want an RC car of any variety, but if you’re looking for something specific, the style of the RC vehicle you’re looking for is an important feature to be aware of. 

3. Size

RC cars can range in size from small to large, which may influence your purchasing choice. Cars for very young kids tend to be fairly large for the sake of safety and easy operation, while cars for older kids and enthusiasts are a bit smaller and more feature-packed, but this isn’t a strict rule. If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, a smaller pick may be better as well. If the dimensions of the car are important to you, always look before buying so you’re not surprised!

4. Colors

“I want a red car, mom. No, a RED car.” Sound familiar? Then you already know why colors are important! Kids have favorites, and the coolest green car in the world still isn’t a red one. If you’re on the hunt for a specific shade for your RC vehicle, don’t worry, there are many. Some even have different color options for the same vehicle, so keep your eye out.

5. Batteries

RC cars are fun because they go, but they won’t go without a source of power. This can lead to a little bit of confusion for new users, so let us explain a bit. A lot of RC kits come with a car that has a rechargeable battery, but will require household batteries to operate the remote. Sometimes, both devices have rechargeable batteries, and sometimes neither do. We’ve indicated where you’ll need to provide batteries in the devices on our list to take the confusion out of this process. 

6. Includes

The items included with RC kits are another point of significant variation. Most basic starter kits come with a car, a rechargeable car battery and a remote control at the bare minimum, but other kits for more involved RC enthusiasts may only include the car model and may require the buyer to supply all else. If your child is already into RC, though, this shouldn’t be a problem – the parts required are generally fairly standard.