Kids love Big Farm Toys (literally & the specifically the line of toys by ERTL), a line of toys centered on “American Farm Replicas since 1945” created by ERTL, an American toy company based in Dyersville, Iowa. In general, kids seem to love farm toys and anything related to farm animals, (especially horse toys) farm trucks, stable toys, etc. — generally speaking, kids love toys that spark their imagination and enable them to dream and fantasize about a more pastoral life. It’s not a conscious choice but it just seems to work out that way.
It’s interesting to me because we live in such a chaotic world but kids instinctively enjoy toys that reflect a simpler time. I think it’s important for parents to delay introducing overly-complex toys and gadgets and especially video games and screen-based toys, to enable them to develop their creative minds. Sometimes less is better, especially when it comes to children.
Green Toys : Tractor Vehicle | 100% Recycled Plastic & Made in the USA
I truly believe that children are far better off with simpler, yet still engaging toys such as these wonderful Big Farm Toys. The reason why is that they allow kids to use their imagination to create scenarios and stories in order to keep themselves and their friends entertained. A lot of modern toys turn kids into passive participants rather than encouraging children to be in control of the experience via their innate creative talents.
Anyway, that’s just my humble opinion. I’m truly happy to share these fantastic Big Farm Toys and other inspiring farm toys that I think you’ll love — hoping you’ll find a toy that your child will cherish for years to come. My goal is to surprise you with cool toys that will spark excitement.
Inspire your Child to Create A Farm | Take-Along Show Horse Stable
This is one of the many wonderful farm related toys by Melissa & Doug.
✓ Fun Idea : Select a few different farm related toys and inspire your child to create a larger play farm to spark their imagination. Pretend play is an important stage of child development.
✓ I recommend reading this indepth article entitled : The Impact of Pretend Play on Children’s Development: A Review of the Evidence by the American Psychological Association
Big Farm Toys | Gift Ideas for Kids
There is an abundance of toys to entice children of any age, but not all are well received. Big farm toys, however, seem to always be a favorite. There are nursery rhymes, books, and even movies that center on these beloved farm friends. If you shop at a store that carries toys or products for babies and children then you’re sure to find something with a barnyard animal on it.
Farm and barn toys are great for inspiring pretend play. Children often learn how to say their first animal sounds imitating farm animals. The fact that most children are often drawn to farms and barn animals seems only natural as to why parents and grandparents might gravitate towards this category. This is especially true in families that are accustomed to farm or ranch life.
Tips for Toy Shopping
As the old adage goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. It may come as a surprise when a child doesn’t take to a toy that seems appealing to most. The truth is a child may have no interest in a particular toy for many reasons. This can be disconcerting for parents that anticipate their child will like a toy they have purchased or gifted, especially if it’s expensive. If a child doesn’t take to a toy right away, do not be dismayed. They may take interest later.
If big farm toys are what you have in mind for someone on your shopping list, here are some considerations before you buy:
- Start small. Introduce a modestly-priced farm toy that is simple and doesn’t make sounds to see how well your child likes it.
- Look in their toy box. Take note on the types of toys they already have and what they play with as well as the ones they don’t. Stick to toys that are similar in type to the ones they play with frequently.
- Consider the child’s skill level. Some toys can help enhance and improve certain skills. If you’re shopping for a child that is delayed or struggles in specific areas of development such as fine motor skills, it may not be the best choice.
- Consult with parents, guardians, or family members for ideas on what to look for and what to avoid. There may be a specific toy the child has been wanting. If they are into big farm toys, they may already have a collection that can be expanded with additional sets.
- Consider what you’re willing to spend. Despite your best efforts to pick that perfect gift, there is never a guarantee that a child will love it. Set a budget you’re willing to spend on a toy that won’t break the bank or your heart if the recipient isn’t overly-enthused about it.
Kid-Size Tractor | Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force Tractor
Farm toys are fun and engaging, but they also provide a look into our culture. We rely on farmers to provide food along with many other goods. It’s a way of life that runs deep for some and why it’s often passed down from generation to generation. Getting children excited about farming and agriculture in general can be crucial to the continued development of the industry that rely on so heavily. It’s a fun and interesting field for young minds to observe in action and mimic in pretend play.
Big Farm Toys for Life on the Farm
There is much to go hog wild about for a young aspiring agriculturist, even if they live nowhere near an actual farm. Whether they’re pretending to herd cattle, run a horse ranch, or harvesting crops having essential equipment makes the experience more life-like and fascinating for the rancher at-heart. These toys will provide hours of fun as any ranch-hand can tell you there is plenty to do on the farm. The Big Farm toys are a great addition for little farms as well as to the collector.
Big Farm Toys are manufactured by ERTL and they are so-named for a reason. This brand delivers realistic farm products you would likely find on a real farm that are scaled to size for a kid-friendly version.These farm toys are not your typical little plastic play toys that are quickly outgrown. They are made to scale with the largest of the collections measuring 1/16th the size of its equivalent. The 1:16 John Deere 7430 tractor, for instance, replicates the actual 15.7-ft long tractor measuring at 12 inches long and a little over 7 inches in height.
Most of these products are designed for compatibility with other toys that are within the same scale. This allows budding farmers to use accessories interchangeably with many of the toy vehicles. These toys are constructed with high quality, durable materials that will outlast play time. Attention to detail has not been overlooked in their products with many little features that stand out from other typical toys. The Big Farm assortments can appeal to younger and older children as well as adults that enjoy collecting them.
What’s so great about toys that look like real models? These are not only fun and cool to play with, but they can actually provide great value for young learners. Children are often fascinated by watching large farm equipment like tractors and harvesters at work. Many of the big farm toys featured here are constructed with working components that function just as the real ones do. Kids can get a hands-on perspective on how these big machines work and offer a great learning opportunity to what life on a farm might be like. These toys are inspiring for young farming enthusiasts that are eager about a life in agriculture or ranching. They’ll have fun playing until the cows come home.
Big Farm John Deere / 7330
7330 Vehicle with Front Bale Mover and Bale.
Features:
- ERTL’s Big Farm is just like the real thing, only smaller!
- High quality plastic toy vehicle
- Durable enough for indoor and outdoor play!
- Realistic lights and sounds
- Bale mover with adjustable forks, one large round bale. Cab access for steering
One very important piece of equipment that every farmstead needs is a tractor. This John Deere tractor has many realistic features with lights and sounds. The hood of the tractor opens to get a view of the engine and the rear cab window opens for access to the interior. There’s a 3-point hitch equipped on the tractor that is compatible with other ERTL 1:16 components. They can easily hook up their 1:16 trailers for hauling an extra load. This set comes with a John Deere Front Bale mover and includes a bale wrap for little farmhands to haul out to pasture.
ERTL John Deere | 1:16 — Big Farm Skid Steer Set
Features:
- Lights and sounds
- Big Farm potential at 1:16 scale
- Includes bucket and pallet forks, two large bales, for cement blocks and pallet
- Batteries included
- Ages 3 years and up
Ranchers often have large items that need to be transported which is best achieved with specific types of machinery. This 1:16 John Deere Skid Steer Set is equipped with realistic features like lights and sounds, in addition to many moving parts to provide a real life-like experience. The steer set comes with interchangeable front attachments to carry out the duties a ranch hand needs to get done on the farm. These include a bucket to scoop up loads such as the 2 large square bales and pallet forks to lift the 4 cement blocks on the included pallet.
ERTL Big Farm Toys | 24 Pack Of Small Square Bales
Features:
- High quality plastic toys
- Durable enough for indoor and outdoor play!
- 24 Pack of square bales
- Accessory to ERTL Big Farm Vehicles (sold separately)
Farmers need to feed their livestock and this pack comes with 24 high quality square bales that can be distributed on little farms. Encourage their imaginations as they carry out duties on their farm or ranch. These square bales are the ideal size for compatibility with other 1:16 scale Big Farm toys. Little farmers can scoop up the square bales or load them up on one of their hay trailers to their destination.
ERTL | 1:32 Harvesting set — Peterbilt Model 367
Features:
- Working grain box, opening rear gate, opening rear grain door
- Removable tarp and adjustable mirrors
- Grain bin requires assembly
- Includes: Peterbilt Model 367 Grain Truck, Auger and Grain Bin
This harvesting set gives little cultivators a real look at what a day in the life of a harvester is like. The Peterbilt 367 has functioning components much like the real deal with a grain box that lifts and opening rear gate as well as rear grain door. The tarp on top can be removed to give little hands access inside. The grain bin and the auger add the perfect touch to complete the set. Whether they are growing up on a farm and want a harvesting set of their own or simply enjoy everything about the agricultural life, this set is a great start.
ERTL Big Farm Toys | 1:16 John Deere S670 Combine
Features:
- ERTL’s Big Farm is just like the real thing, only smaller!
- High quality plastic toy vehicles
- Durable enough for indoor and outdoor play!
- Realistic lights and sounds
- Working unloading auger, includes “grain” pellets which can be unloaded from the combine into a wagon.
The Big Farm toys are designed to replicate their real counterparts in a smaller scale that is built for kids; however, there is nothing small about this John Deere combine! Weighing close to 10 pounds, it really measures up to live up to the name Big Farm. It features a rotating grain head that moves as the combine moves when pushed forward or in reverse. It has a spinning auger that rotates outward and unloads grain pellets. The steerable rear wheels make it easy to move off-road. Kids will love operating this John Deere combine in the house or at the playground.
Classy and Stylish but a little on the delicate side —
I will say that based on a fairly high percentage of customers, this toy is too delicate for kids to play with without care and attention. I recommend this for older kids who are more responsible or put it on the shelf for display. You’ve been warned.
ERTL — Big Farm Toys | Case IH 8240 Combine Vehicle
Watch the VIDEO below and see how beautifully designed this farm toy is.
Features:
- Working unloading auger
- Removable dual front wheels
- Rear ladder slides out and drops down when the middle rear body panel is open
- Feeder housing will raise and lower
- Left side front ladder rotates
- Lights and sounds
- Steerable rear wheels
- Adjustable rear hitch
- Adjustable auger
- Detachable grain head and real rotates when combine is pushed forward and backward
- Requires (3) “AAA” batteries (included)
- Age grade 3+
This combine has all of the realness of one that dad or grandad has on the farm, yet fashioned for child’s play. It features a movable auger and reel on the grain head that rotates when the combine is pushed along with steerable rear wheels and removable front wheels. It can actually unload popcorn seeds through the auger from the grain tank. Little ranch hands can feel as if they’re harvesting their own crop. It’s a great compliment for a farm set.
Bruder John Deere | T670i Combine Harvester
Features:
- Made in Germany
- Manufactured from high-quality ABS plastics
- Realistic details and functions encourage imaginative play
- Scale 1:16; Suitable for playing indoors and outdoors
- Ackerman steering with pendulum compensation (direct steering drive with red handle)
drawbar coupling - Grain tank with “self-folding”” covers can be opened”
- Grain tank emptied via drain tube and manual spindle drive (red handle), spindle detachable for cleaning
- Cutting unit with level compensation includes pendulum suspension and is detachable
- Cutting unit features: reel and centring screw powered by friction drive
- Age : 4 years and older
This functional combine harvester is the cream of the crop with many cool realistic features. The covers on each side open along with the folding cover on the grain tank. A manual spindle driver allows little farmhands to operate the functioning auger that unloads. They’ll enjoy watching small materials getting unloaded from the grain tank through the drains just like the ones in the fields. When the combine is pushed the grain head turns. It also features a rear axle to allow little drivers to steer from the top of the combine. A trailer attachment is included to easily transport the detachable grain head.
ERTL Big Farm Toys | 6210R Tractor With Grain Cart
Features:
- ERTL’s Big Farm is just like the real thing, only smaller!
- High quality plastic toy vehicles
- Durable enough for indoor and outdoor play!
- Realistic lights and sounds, removable front loader, front weights and an open cab for steering
- Frontier Grain Cart features extra large tires, 2 piece folding working unloading auger as well as opening grain box door
Young farming-enthusiasts can get down to business with this John Deere 6210R tractor. It comes with a removable grain cart equipped with a front hitch that can be attached to other 1:16 scale implements. The tractor features lights and sounds much like the actual 6R series tractors. The cab of the tractor opens for steering and features front weights. The grain cart features a 2-piece functioning auger for unloading as well as an opening grain box door. It also features a movable jack stand for free-standing when detached.
Ertl Big Farm Toys | 1:16 John Deere 200D LC Excavator
Features:
- 1:16 scale all plastic construction
- Rubber moving tracks
- Engine and back-up warning sounds
- Working lights
- 360° body rotation
- Fully functional boom arm
- Working bucket
- Opening cab door
- Requires 3 “AAA” batteries (included)
- Recommended for children 3-years and older
There are many realistic, moving components equipped on this excavator for a thrilling experience. The boom arm lifts and lowers with a pivoting dipper stick and bucket that allows little hands to scoop up or dig to their heart’s content. The rolling tracks on the excavator provides traction and durability you would expect in these off-road vehicles. Additional features like lights, sounds, and cab doors that open provide the realistic feel kids love. It was built to last for endless adventures on their farm or in the sandbox.
ERTL Big Farm Toys : Peterbilt Model 367 —
Vehicle With Grain Trailer.
Features:
- ERTL’s Big Farm is just like the real thing, only smaller!
- High quality plastic toy vehicles
- Trailer can be hooked and unhooked from the truck.
- Durable enough for indoor and outdoor play!
- Realistic lights and sounds
- Features opening doors, movable mirrors and an extra set of tag wheels!
When little farmhands have a big load this Big Farm Peterbilt vehicle with grain trailer delivers. Great attention to details provides a semi truck that looks and feels like the real thing in a durable toy for kids. It has lights and sounds and functions for indoor and outdoor play. The grain trailer has an opening tarp that lifts up for access, grain doors that open and close, and movable jack stand. The cheater wheels can be adjusted and steerable front wheels to get truckin’.
ERTL Big Farm Toys | Peterbilt Model 367
Features:
- Based on the real thing. Realistic design.
- Designed for younger children
- Peterbilt Straight Truck with Dump Box
- Features lights and sounds, opening cab doors to access the steering wheel, steerable front wheels, Big Farm rear hitch
- Features a tilting dump box and opening rear door
- Requires 3 AAA batteries (included)
Dump trucks have long been a favorite of young kids and this one is sets the bar high with realistic lights and sounds. The steerable front wheels and open cab door allowing access to the steering wheel lets little drivers maneuver the straight truck for hours of fun. The dump box tilts and features an opening rear door so they can actually load up and dump out various materials.
ERTL Big Farm Toys | Peterbilt Semi Vehicle with Lowboy Trailer
4-feet long when assembled!
Features:
- Light and sounds
- Opening cab doors
- Adjustable mirrors
- Steerable front wheels
- Removable hitch for easy loading and unloading
- Adjustable side riggers for those wide loads
- 4-feet long.
- Compatible with most 1:16 Big Farm vehicles. Requires 3 (AAA) batteries which are included.
- Ages 3 years+.
This semi vehicle has so many cool and realistic features that will rev their little engines. The cab doors open, mirrors can be adjusted, and it has working lights and sounds. The 1:16 scaled semi vehicle is constructed with high quality plastic materials that are durable to withstand the tests kids will put them through on and off road. The hitch for the lowboy trailer is removable for easy loading or unloading of their other trucks or farm equipment.
ERTL Big Farm Toy
Peterbilt Rollback with John Deere 4020 Tractor
Features:
- High quality plastic toy vehicles
- Straight Truck features include: Lights and sounds; opening cab doors to access the steering wheel; Steerable front wheels; and big farm rear hitch. Flatbed trailer features include a sliding and tilting trailer bed
- Flatbed trailer features a sliding and tilting trailer bed
- Peterbilt Model 367 Straight Truck with Flatbed Trailer and John Deere 4020 Narrow Front tractor.
- Straight Truck features include: lights and sounds; opening cab doors to access the steering wheel; steerable front wheels
- NF axle, single wheels and adjustable big farm rear hitch.
Tractor features include lights and sounds, NF axle, single wheels and adjustable Big Farm rear hitch
Get from point A to point b with this Peterbilt 367 Delivery Truck that comes with a Farm All tractor. The truck features steerable front wheels for hauling large loads on the flatbed trailer. The trailer features adjustable chock blocks to keep the tractor from rolling during transport. The trailer bed tilts and lowers to unload farm equipment. The tractor has lights and sounds as well as the Peterbilt truck with additional realistic details including adjustable mirrors and opening cab doors.
How Do You Pick Just One Big Farm Toy?
Well, you don’t. Pick two, or three. Although, this is not practical for a lot of people on a budget, over time, think about building a collection for your child. Start with one.
So, you have a decision to make…Which of these farm toys will your child love most. Fortunately, these are all well-made toys that inspire children to play and imagine.
There are many toys that come and go during a child’s various stages of life. Big farm toys, however, are a timeless favorite. Even adults can appreciate the many collections of farm toys out there that may bring out their inner child or reminisce on fond memories. These are toys that can be enjoyed and loved from one generation to the next, inspiring young minds to accomplish big things.
