Toy trains are one of the highlights of childhood for children all around the world. There's something magical about the magnetic ends that stick together, the track pieces that click into place, and the little village that can be built all around the set. However, choosing a toy train set can feel a bit overwhelming at first since there are just so many different options available. Our team did some research on the best toy train sets available to help make the process more manageable for you. Read on to find the one that'll bring that pretend-play magic to your little one's life. Hot Bee Electric Train Toy A Realistic Train Toy that Really GoesThis train set is perfect for your real-life train lover as it's got authentic looks, sounds, and even odorless smoke.Best OverallFind on Amazon If you’ve got a real train enthusiast on your hands, this authentic, battery-powered train is sure to be a hit. It looks like a real steam locomotive, and it even has lights and pretend steam to make the experience as realistic as possible. This toy train is made for children three and up, and it can be enjoyed even into adulthood. The engine locomotive is followed by four unique cargo cars, and the set comes with both curvy and straight track pieces for them to drive on. Pros: The tracks are easy for kids to put together on their own The train and its detailed features are perfect for both play and holiday display The pretend steam is made from water only, so you don’t need to worry about releasing potentially smelly or dangerous chemicals into your home Cons: This toy train is more breakable than others, though it’s still a great option for kids who understand the importance of treating special objects gently Batteries (2 AA) are required for use and are not included with your purchase Thomas and Friends Motorized Train Set Get Ready for an Adventure with ThomasThis Thomas the Train set is filled with fascinating pieces and friendly characters for your little one to explore.Best VarietyFind on Amazon Thomas the Train is a big deal for tons of little kids. If your child is a fan of Thomas, giving them a train set that’s themed around this fun and helpful character is sure to make their day. The set comes with motorized Thomas and Percy toys, and other Thomas characters can be added at any time. One of the best parts of this toy train set is its tracks. The tracks are made from durable plastic and they’re easy to put together. They also come with a super fun set up that includes Henry’s Tunnel, the Vicarstown Bridge, signs, a boat character and waterfront, and more. Pros: This set is fun for kids of almost all ages (3+) Track switches are included, so your little engineer can get creative with Thomas and Percy’s routes If your child watches Thomas, they’re sure to recognize the set from the Island of Sodor on the show Cons: This toy train set may not appeal as well to children who are not familiar with Thomas the Train Play22 Wooden Train Toys Trains, Trains, and More TrainsThese classic wooden trains are the perfect addition to almost any track.Best Classic SetFind on Amazon If you’re all set on tracks but your little engineer needs an update on trains, this is the perfect set for you. It’s a classic set of wooden toy trains with magnets on the fronts and backs for easy connecting. The set comes in a sturdy wooden box for easy organization and storage, as well. This set of wooden toy trains has an impressive variety, as it includes an engine, a coal tender, a cargo container, and more. Some of the pieces are even labeled so that your little one can learn more about the intriguing world of trains. Pros: These trains meet all safety requirements and are certified lead-free, so you can rest assured that they’re safe for your child to play with and explore The pieces will work well on any wooden train tracks, whether you have them already or prefer to buy them separately The set is available at an extremely affordable price Cons: These don’t come with tracks, as mentioned above Orbrium Toys Deluxe Wooden Train Set A Toy Train Set with Everything You NeedThis train toy is filled with plenty of opportunities for play, as it has trains, an intricate track, a bridge, a train station, and more. Plus, it's much more affordable than you'd think it'd be.Best ValueFind on Amazon If you’re looking for an entire toy train set on a budget, this is the perfect product for you. It includes beautiful wooden trains, sturdy tracks, and tons of fun background pieces, all at an affordable price. The trains in this set are wooden with magnets on the fronts and backs for connecting. The tracks come in both curvy and straight pieces and even include a bridge. The background pieces include a train station, trees, people, a railroad crossing, and more. Pros: This wooden train set meets all safety requirements, ensuring it’s a quality toy for your child The train station is able to be driven in and out of for an incredible pretend play experience Cons: This wooden train set only comes with three trains, but you can always add more in the future Brio ‘My First Railway’ Wooden Train Set Toy Trains for Tiny TotsThis train set is perfect for your tiny engineer as it's designed for ages 18-months and up.Best for ToddlersFind on Amazon If you’ve got an extremely young train lover in your home, this is the toy train set for them. It’s designed for children who are just 18 months old and up, so your little toddler can start building tracks and driving trains right away. This toy train set is made by Brio, a leading manufacturer in the world of wooden train sets. It includes a train track with extra-large bases for easy building, a bridge that makes music as it is crossed, and trains that make rattling sounds when they are shaken or driven. Pros: This train set will attach to other Brio sets in the future, so it can grow with your young train lover The wooden train toys have magnets in the fronts and backs for easy connecting A farm train set is also available that matches this set, and is suitable for children as young as 18 months, as well Cons: These come at a higher price point, though the quality and added safety are worth it to many parents of young children Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to buy extra tracks and trains from the same brand to build to my set in the future? One of the best things about toy train sets is that they can be added to in a multitude of ways. If you choose one of the plastic sets, you’ll want to stick with expansion packs of the same brand. If you choose a wooden train set, though, you’ll be able to add pieces from any wooden train toy or track brand. You can also add other small toys, such as cars, toy people, animals, trees, and more to make your child’s toy train experience even more fun. Do the tracks need to be put together in a specific order or pattern? Another great feature of toy train sets is that they’re extremely open-ended. Your little engineers can put together tracks in any way they please. Some days, that may be a complete circle or figure eight, while other days it may be the longest line they can possibly create. It’ll always be up to the builder how the track turns out.