If your child loves trains you are probably searching for the perfect train gift! However, it can be hard to search through all the toy trains, books and train-themed toys that line store shelves.
That's why we've scoured all the train gift ideas to pick out a few select items so you won't feel overwhelmed by all the options!
And I mean, what's not to love about trains? Trains go places, they make cool noises, come in all shapes and sizes and best of all, there is always an adventure waiting at the end of the line. So hitch up one of these train gifts to the holiday or birthday engine and your youngest engineer will never want to get off the ride.
Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Best Toy Trains and Sets
Every train-loving kid needs a set of train tracks and a couple of train cars. Keep it simple. Kids don't need elaborate, expensive train sets to have fun and engage in quality pretend play. Oh, and don't forget the caboose and locomotive!
Toy Train
Find it: Amazon
You can't go wrong with this colorful, basic wooden toy train. No bells or whistles–kids will make those noises on their own! Train-loving kids somehow manage to carry toy trains around everywhere they go, so even when they're not zooming around the railway at home, you can bet these train cars will be going on adventures.
Signal Station
Find it: Amazon
My kids don't have a lot of specialty items for their tracks but they do have a signal station. Not having too many fancy accessories for train tracks encourages kids to use their imagination and engineering skills to create their own buildings and stations with blocks, which is why we also think unit blocks make the very best gift ever!
Basic Wooden Train Tracks
Find it: Amazon
This is a good, economical, basic train track set that is compatible with all the expensive major name brand train sets. Plus, the reviews are great, so save your money for more train cars to zip around the tracks. Plus, simple sets allow more scope for the imagination!
Local Train Set and Cars
Find it: Amazon
Here's the thing - Thomas is cool and all that, but if you really want to make an impression at a play date, you must have Wooden Railway NYC Subway Cars. 
Not a NYC fan? (I'll pretend I didn't hear that.) Try a NJ Transit Locomotive
, Chicago 'L' Train
or a SEPTA Regional Rail train car
.
Best Train Accessories
When you're deciding on the best train gifts for kids, think about how much much fun a few basic accessories can be! Here are a few items that will keep the tracks running smoothly, whether it's the right train clothing, or train sounds.
Train Whistle
Find it: Amazon
Young engineers need to alert passengers when they are leaving or coming into the station! How do they do that? With a train whistle, of course!
Train Stickers
Find it: Amazon
All the DK Sticker books are great, no matter what the theme. The more than 60 train stickers are actually reusable (depending on the surface they are adhered to) and some even glow in the dark. Sticker books are excellent on-the-go boredom busters, too!
Conductor Hat
Find it: Amazon
Kids need to look the part when they are engaging in pretend play. Are they going to be the conductor or engineer, today?
Train Puzzles and Games
When kids already have their tracks and train cars set up in the middle of the living room, the perfect train gift might just be a game or puzzle.
Jumbo Floor Puzzle
Find it: Amazon
This alphabet train floor puzzle is 10 feet long so kids really use their whole body while putting it together. That's great for young brains! The puzzle is constructed from thick cardboard so it won't fall to pieces in little hands, and features fun illustrations which also teach the alphabet
Rivers, Roads and Rails
Find it: Amazon
This game requires kids to use their visual perception skills to match cards together and create an ever changing network of rivers, roads and rails. It's like a puzzle and board game in one! The game can be played competitively, or cooperatively.
Ticket to Ride
Find it: Ticket to Ride | My First Journey Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is an immensely popular game in which players collect train cards to criss cross the country via railway, and claim routes. The best part? Grown-ups will enjoy playing the game, too. The original game is best for ages 8 and up, while a new version, "My First Journey" is modified for ages 6 and up.
Best Train Gift Books
When you get tired of reading the same old, boring train books (Thomas, anyone?), these books make the best gifts for kids who love trains and their parents! Which one will be your child's new favorite?
Train by Elisha Cooper. This gorgeously illustrated book is such a pleasure to read. It follows various trains across the country on their journey. Cooper's trademark attention to detail makes this book a real treat. I love how it opens up wide so the trains really stretch across the pages. Ages 4 and up.
Old Tracks New Tricks by Jessica Peterson. Here's a refreshing change from all those tedious Thomas the Train books. A trio of tracks with friendly faces teach their friends how much fun being creative can be. Delightful. Ages 4 and up.
Locomotive by Brian Floca. Oversized, with loads of detail, stunning illustrations and no shortage of addictive train noises, this book follows an 1869 transcontinental journey. It's one of the few books out there that is good for both preschoolers and older kids, and is immensely satisfying for kids with a train obsession. Ages 4 and up.
How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton. This is a humorous look at what it might be like if kids kept trains as pets. What things would you need to take into consideration when taking care of a train? Does it like warm baths? A gentle goodnight story? An afternoon snack? This book will answer all those pressing questions–and more. It's also an oversized book, which is great for kids who like to sprawl out on the floor to examine their picture books independently. Ages 4 and up.
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker. This is the followup companion to the best selling Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. An animal crew loads freight on a train before it takes a special night time journey. Ages 4 and up.
The Best Book of Trains by Richard Balkwill. This is a short, non-fiction book that has been poured over by both my kids. Its main appeal lies in the photographs of numerous kinds of trains. It includes all the train facts you can possibly memorize as well as a history of locomotives and diesels. Ages 4 and up.
Genevieve says
Great list - thank you! I work at a bookstore and a friend asked of train books and I only knew of three (two of which you mentioned) - the other ones are all new to me! I appreciate the info, and now I can forward this list to my friend!
Erica MomandKiddo says
There are sooooo many great train books! I'm glad you found something new.
Natalie says
We absolutely love Ticket to Ride here. As for the train books, I'd add classic Tootle to the collection. And my husband just tried to convince me that our daughter "needs" an electric Lego train set - he still has some components for it from his childhood.
tanya says
Just found your blog via pinterest and love the book lists! its like an early christmas present - now off to my local library to request a whole gaggle of new books! thanks so much
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yay! You can never have too many train books.
PramgaticMom says
LOVE your pairings! Would you consider Polar Express for your list? Not sure what to pair it too though.
Erica MomandKiddo says
That would be a great one. You could pair it with a bell, or a stuffed bear, or a train.