Looking for a way to get your little one to play outdoors? Kids love digging and playing in the sand and dirt, so digging toys are a great way to entice your child to get outside and play. There are hundreds of different types of digger toys on the market, which can seem overwhelming. That’s why I’ve gathered the 7 best digger toys to help you narrow down your options and find the type your child will love the best.
Table of Contents
7 Best Digger Toys (2025 Reviews)
Best Digger Toys
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1. The Big Dig and Roll Big Dig Sandbox Digger
(Best ride on — $$$)
Why it’s great: This digger is perfect for kids who don’t want to get their hands dirty. It has a comfortable seat and handles that control the digger. They can dig or dump to their heart’s delight with this excavator. This toy can even spin 360 degrees, allowing them to dig a trench or moat, or just keep the dirt or sand piled far away from their new hole. The crane reaches up to 33 inches and the scoop is fairly large, making it easy to dig and shovel large quantities of sand or dirt.
Keep in mind: It’s fairly heavy, so it’s not easy to move if you have to carry it to the park and back.
Good for: Kids with a sandbox or a place to dig in the backyard.
![The Big Dig and Roll Big Dig Sandbox Digger]()
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2. Cat Construction 15" Toy Excavator
(Best value — $$)
Why it’s great: This digger is the perfect size for little kids, extra large at 15 inches, and it’s affordably priced. Your child will love owning their own CAT excavator. It’s lightweight and durable, so it’s built to last. It can roll, turn, and dig with just a little help from your child. It’s sturdy enough to handle rough treatment by toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s weather-resistant, making it great for indoor or outdoor play.
Keep in mind: The arm is a little stiff and takes some time to break in.
Good for: Kids who want a larger excavator at an affordable price.
![Cat Construction 15]()
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3. iPlay, iLearn Construction Site Vehicles Toy Set
(Best set — $$)
Why it’s great: This set comes with a variety of construction vehicles, including multiple digging toys, as well as much more. There are over 50 pieces, including vehicles like an excavator, cement truck, and tractor. Plus, you’ll get safety cones, signs, barriers, and other accessories, so your child can create their own construction zone. These vehicles have realistic details that’ll help your little one learn about each vehicle and its purpose, offering hours of fun.
Keep in mind: These are best as indoor toys, although your child can use them to dig in a sandbox, too.
Good for: Kids who want multiple construction and digging vehicles.
![iPlay, iLearn Construction Site Vehicles Toy Set]()
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4. Hape Beach and Sand Toys Monster Digger
(Best for toddlers — $)
Why it’s great: Toddlers love to dig, but they may not have the motor skills, focus, and ability to handle some of the more complex digging toys. That’s why this Hape digger is so awesome! It looks like an excavator but acts like a big shovel. It’s easy for little hands to manipulate to dig or dump sand and dirt. It’s perfect for beach trips or the sandbox at home. It’s sturdy and durable, so it’s able to handle wet or dry sand and dirt, and won’t break easily.
Keep in mind: This is designed for kids 18 months and up, so it’s not super realistic or as much fun for older kids who are really into construction vehicles.
Good for: Toddlers who need a fun toy to use at the beach or sandbox.
![Hape Beach and Sand Toys Monster Digger]()
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5. John Deere Big Scoop Construction Toy Excavator
(Most durable — $$)
Why it’s great: This large excavator is built to last. It’s made of heavy-duty plastic that’s sturdy and durable, and it’s designed to handle larger, heavy loads of dirt or sand. It’s a great size for kids of all ages and is easy to roll, turn, scoop, dump, and maneuver. The handle on the scoop is perfect for little hands, making it easier for them to dig and dump. Your child will love playing with this truck, whether they’re indoors or outdoors. This toy sports the John Deere logo and you can collect the rest of the trucks in the set.
Keep in mind: The arm is a little stiff and takes some time to break in, which can be frustrating for younger kids.
Good for: Parents that want a toy that’s built to last.
![John Deere Big Scoop Construction Toy Excavator]()
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6. Green Toys Scooper Construction Truck
(Most eco friendly — $)
Why it’s great: Green Toys’ mission is to make eco-friendly toys that are fun and safe for kids. This construction truck is the perfect example. It’s made of 100% recycled plastic and it’s BPA-free. It’s even dishwasher safe, so cleaning it up is a breeze. Your child will love the bright colors and the cute little bear driver included with the truck. The scoop is a good size for digging in the sandbox, and you can collect the other construction toys from the company to complete your set. It’s also sturdy and durable to withstand toddlers and preschoolers, who tend to play rough.
Keep in mind: The scoop is pretty small, so it’s best for younger kids.
Good for: Eco-conscious parents and younger kids who love digging.
![Green Toys Scooper Construction Truck]()
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7. Gili RC Excavator Toy, Remote Control
(Most realistic — $$$)
Why it’s great: This excavator is the perfect choice for older kids who love digging. It comes with a remote control that operates the truck. Your child will love being able to steer, turn, and dig or dump with the push of a button. The cab rotates 350 degrees, and the arm is flexible and articulated for a more realistic construction experience. The remote has a 100-foot range and operates various digging functions, offering plenty of fun and entertainment. It also comes with a storage bag to keep it safely stored when not in use.
Keep in mind: This one is a little pricey, but not too expensive considering it’s a remote-control toy.
Good for: Older kids who love RC vehicles and digging.
![Gili RC Excavator Toy, Remote Control]()
Best Overall
The Big Dig and Roll Big Dig Sandbox Digger
The The Big Dig and Roll Big Dig Sandbox Digger is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
FAQs about Digger Toys
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1. Why should I get my child a digger toy?
Kids just love digging, whether it’s dirt or sand. Excavators and other digging toys offer many benefits for these kids. Not only does it give them some examples of real-world vehicles, but it also improves hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills, and allows kids to learn and explore.
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2. What are digger toys?
Basically, any kind of toy that digs could be considered a digger toy, but for this article, we focused on excavators and construction-type vehicles that are great at digging in the sand or dirt.
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3. At what age can my child play with a digger toy?
There are all different types of digger and construction toys, which means there’s something for everyone. Kids as young as 18 months have plenty of options, just make sure to check the age recommendations to ensure you’re getting something suitable for your little one.
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4. What features should I look for in a digger toy?
These toys vary a lot in their features, and one isn’t any better than the other. You’ll need to think about your child’s age, skill level, and interests to figure out which toy is best. It’s also important to consider where your child will be using the toy. If you have to take it to the sandbox at the park for your child to play with it, you’ll want something small and lightweight. However, if you have a lot of dirt or a sandbox in the backyard, you can choose some of the bigger toys.
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5. How do you clean a toy excavator/digger?
This depends on the toy that you choose. Remote control excavators probably need the most care, since they have electric parts. Most likely, this will involve wiping them down and/or spot cleaning them. The plastic trucks and toys are much easier, as you can hose them down or dunk them under water to wash them. Some, like the Green Toys digger, can go in the dishwasher. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended care instructions for the best results.
Conclusion
Digging toys can bring a whole lot of fun to the beach, sandbox, or your own backyard. Kids experience plenty of benefits from using these toys, from increasing their creativity and imagination to motor skills and coordination. There are hundreds of different types of excavators and digging toys, with options for every age range.
The options on this list all have different features, to make sure that you’ll be able to find something that suits your child’s needs.
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