Little Tikes Big Dog Truck

It’s been a while since there’s been a toy in our house that really grabbed and held the attention of my son. Our little guy, M, is almost 22 months old. Our playroom sometimes looks like a toy catalog exploded in there! He and his sister (4 years old) will go from toy to toy, and not one really involves him, and actually causes a commotion between the two of them, like this one does. So, with that said, this toy is getting a 5-star rating from us.

When I first opened the box, I was doubtful that this would be a size appropriate toy for M. He’s a big toddler, weighing almost 33 lbs and over 36 inches in height. However, when it was assembled, he doesn’t seem to mind at all. Compared to another ride-on toy he has, it’s actually slightly taller. It took him a few minutes, but after we showed him how to use it, he was off and running.  He did laps in the playroom with it, and then later, we moved it upstairs to our living room.  It moves quickly well on carpeted floors or tile.

Myles can sit on this toy, and even take along a favorite book for the ride.

The Big Dog Truck can be pushed from behind (holding onto the yellow part), pushed with the gray handle up and in a locked position, or used as a ride-on toy. M does not like using the gray handle for pushing it at all. In fact, when we tried to put it up for him, and show him that was the way to push it, he cried.

The toy will expel the three included “boulders” (gray balls) with a push down of the handle (the smokestack) on the right side of the toy. The little boulders come out the back side of the toy, and then can be replaced either by lifting the gray lid, and putting them back in, or by vaccuming  the balls up by rolling over them with the front of the toy. This is where the toy intrigues even my 4 year old. She insists it’s not a truck, but a vacuum, and wants to vacuum up everything she sees. One thing to note, though, if your child puts other toys in the center compartment of the Big Dog Truck, it will impede the included balls from being dumped out of the back. And, if you have an older child, she may just see one of her beloved bath toys in there, and be worried that it’s going to be stuck in there forever. This may mean that you have to deal with a minor preschool meltdown, but I wouldn’t know this from experience or anything.

Myles pushing the “nose” of the toy to create sounds

It wasn’t until we actually had the toy out for three days that we added batteries to it.  (It requires 3 AA batteries.)  This made for another level of excitement from M!  It plays several sounds, and the red light on the front lights up and flashes.  He’ll even get up off the toy and dance while it is playing music.  Based on the recommendations from the manufacturer, even though M is a big toddler, this toy will also last, up to a weight of 50 lbs!  With children who lose interest in toys quickly, moving on to the next, it’s great to know that this one will last in our household.

Side view of the Big Dog Truck

Although I did receive this item to review, it is priced reasonably, and since it lasts up to a child weight of 50 lbs, I think it is a great value.  It helps to develop both gross and fine motor skills, and keeps the attention, at least for a few minutes, of my children, both the toddler and the preschooler.  Well done, Little Tikes!

Check out the Big Dog Truck from Little Tikes!

Disclosure:  I received the Little Tikes Big Dog Truck in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions in this post are 100% my own.