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Kids and trains seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. There is something magical about trains for kids (and the young at heart.) Maybe it’s because we don’t travel as much by train anymore. Or, perhaps it’s the adventures that happen when we watch movies or shows featuring trains.
If you have a train lover on your gift-giving list, there are many ideas to get on board for this holiday season.
Sure, you can take advantage of low fares on Amtrak or even book a train trip for your kiddo, but once they get home, they need some of that railway magic, too. If you’re looking for train gift ideas that can be easily wrapped and put under the tree, look no farther than our favorite train gifts!
1. KidCraft Farm Train Set
KidCraft builds some of the most durable and imaginative train sets available. We love this farm train set because it combines kids’ love for trains and animals. The set includes 75 pieces, including a farm, the train, a waterfall and much more!
Get free shipping on this KidCraft Farm Train Set, which will last your child for years.
2. Melissa & Doug Wooden and Magnetic Train Cars
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The Melissa & Doug 8-Piece Magnetic Train Set is the perfect starter collection for children. It requires no setup except for attaching the cars with the built-in magnets. We also like that they are big, bright and colorful. This set is idea for kids ages 3 years and up.
3. Masterpieces Works of Ahhh, Choo-Choo Train Painting Kit
Encourage a child’s imagination with the chance to design their own train cars! This Wood Train Cars Painting Kit includes 3 cars, including an engine, 5 acrylic paints, 1 metallic silver paint, 2 paintbrushes, stencil, and a decal sheet to complete the designs.
Parents can also download a free painting app on a tablet to allow artists to design their cars before they actually paint.
3. Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Engine
He’s probably the most popular train next to the Little Engine That Could! This Thomas The Tank Engine from Fisher-Price is a must-have for fans of the iconic animated series and trains in general.
4. Lionel’s The Polar Express Ready-to-Play Train Set
We love a gift that combines the magic of Christmas, a classic children’s story, and a fun gift. This Lionel Polar Express Train Set has everything a child would want to find under the tree. Relive favorite scenes from the animated movie as your wide-eyed child conducts the Polar Express on Christmas morning.
5. Melissa & Doug Round the Rails Train Rug
If the little ones already have some trains and can’t face more tracks cluttering up your floor, then you need this Round the Rails Train Rug from Melissa & Doug.
Just unroll this rug that is decorated with plenty of tracks for kids to enjoy their trains on. Then, when they’re done, you can either leave it on their bedroom floor as decor or roll it up and tuck it away until the next journey. You also get three wooden, magnetic train cars with the rug!
6. Personalized Train Night Light
Maybe the child on your holiday gift list has plenty of train toys. You can still give him or her something they’ll love with this personalized train night light from Etsy shop EtchThisOut.
The night light is laser-engraved with a train engine, and your choice of name is just beneath it. You can choose the font for the name. There is also a remote that offers 16 different color light options.
7. Ticket to Ride Board Game
Older children (ages 8 and up) will Ticket to Ride, a multiplayer game that’s a race for everyone to build their own transcontinental railroad across the United States. Part card game, part strategy, this fast-paced game can usually be played within 30 to 60 minutes.
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8. Lego High-Speed Train
Lego sets are a great gift because they’re a 2-in-1 present. First, the child can build this high-speed train. Then, they can play with it after construction is complete!
This kit has 284 pieces and includes stickers to decorate the train.
9. The Big Book of Trains by DK
This book is for the train lover with too many questions about their favorite hobby that grown-ups can’t answer. The Big Book of Trains by DK has stunning images and so many historical details about trains that your favorite train lover will carry it everywhere with them!
10. Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tabletop Railroad Playset
Trains are built to travel, and your favorite engineer should be able to bring their favorite playset along for the ride. The Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tabletop Railroad Set easily packs up to hit the road to grandma’s house or wherever the family is going over the holidays.
The set has 17 pieces, including train cars, buildings, animals and more. It all folds neatly into a carrying case for fun on the rails anywhere.
Marie is a freelance writer and content creator with more than 20 years of experience in journalism. She lives in southwest Ohio with her husband and is almost a full-fledged empty nest mom of two daughters. She loves music, reading, word games, and Walt Disney World. You can find her writing about her personal health journey at marierossiter.substack.com and connect with her at marierossiter@gmail.com More.
