As a mum of three, I’ve noticed that each of my children has gone through phases of intense fascination with certain objects or activities. My youngest, now 2, is currently in the midst of a full-blown car obsession. His little collection of vehicles follows him everywhere — in the car, at the dinner table, and even to bed. When we go out, he’s naming all the different makes and models of cars. And it's not just cars; he gets excited when he spots a digger or a tractor, an ambulance, or a police car too!
If you’re a parent of a toddler, you might be nodding along, recognising this phase in your own child. But have you ever wondered why so many toddlers seem to gravitate towards cars, trucks, and anything with wheels?
This fascination isn’t random. There’s actually a fair bit of research explaining why toddlers, particularly boys, develop what’s called an extremely intense interest (EII) in certain categories of toys or objects, like cars. Studies show that at around 18 months old, some toddlers begin to have intense interests. So-called extreme interests are characterised as long-lasting, persisting in multiple environments like at home or in nursery, and are recognisable by people other than the main caregiver. In other words, it becomes clear your little one has become a little bit obsessed and spends much of their time playing, watching, or talking about their interest.
The Science Behind the Car Obsession
So, why cars? One reason may be rooted in cognitive development. According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, toddlers around 2 years old are transitioning from the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years) into the preoperational stage (ages 2-7).
In the sensorimotor stage, children learn about the world through their senses and by physically interacting with objects. Cars are perfect for this because they’re a cause-and-effect toy — push them, and they move. This allows toddlers to experiment with how their actions can change their environment, whether it’s rolling a car across the floor or launching it up a ramp.
By the time toddlers hit the preoperational stage, they begin to develop symbolic representation, meaning they can use objects to represent something else. For instance, they might pretend their car is flying like an aeroplane or that it's zooming down an imaginary motorway. This marks the beginning of pretend play, where their little cars become more than just objects — they’re vehicles for their expanding imaginations.
Schemas and Schematic Play
Another reason toddlers love cars could be linked to their developing schemas. These are patterns of repeated actions that help children understand the world around them. Of the 9 common schemas of play (trajectory, positioning, transporting, connecting, transforming, rotating, enclosing, enveloping, and orientation), cars can fairly easily be linked with the first six listed here, so they become a toy that is used in numerous different ways at multiple stages of childhood. One common schema in toddlers is the trajectory schema, where they are fascinated by how objects (or themselves) move through space. Watching a car zoom down a ramp or crash into another toy helps them explore these concepts.
There’s also the transporting schema, where toddlers love moving objects from one place to another. Cars provide the perfect opportunity for this kind of play — think about how many times you’ve seen your little one load up a toy lorry with blocks or push a car across the room, back and forth.
The Role of Sensory Input
Vehicles are also highly engaging because they stimulate the senses. The sound of the engine, the bright colours, and the movement of the wheels all captivate a toddler’s sensory system. In a world where toddlers are always looking for new ways to interact with their surroundings, cars offer plenty of sensory feedback.
Gender and Cars
Interestingly, research suggests that boys may be more likely to develop an intense interest in vehicles than girls. Evolutionary psychologists have theorised that this could be linked to our ancestral roles, with men historically needing a better understanding of tools and spatial reasoning for hunting. Of course, cultural factors also play a part. Despite my best efforts to raise my children without gender bias, it's still hard to avoid the stereotypical messaging that cars and trucks are “boy toys.” These old-fashioned notions may well reinforce their interest in them. However, this doesn’t mean that girls are immune to the appeal of cars! I’ve seen my own daughter enjoy playing with vehicles, although her play tended to lean more towards pretend scenarios, like driving her animals around the farm, rather than launching cars off ramps like her brothers.
Educational Benefits of Playing with Cars
The best part about toddlers’ fascination with cars? It’s not just fun — it’s educational. Playing with toy vehicles can support a wide range of developmental skills:
Motor Skills: Pushing and pulling cars helps strengthen fine and gross motor skills. Chasing after a runaway car or zooming a vehicle around the room is a great workout for those little muscles.
Problem-Solving: Building ramps, creating crash scenarios, and experimenting with different surfaces teach toddlers basic physics principles like gravity, friction, and acceleration.
Language Development: Toddlers often use prepositions like "over," "under," and "through" while playing with cars, and they start to grasp concepts like fast/slow or stop/go.
Imagination and Storytelling: Cars offer endless opportunities for pretend play. Whether your child is zooming a car to the shops or pretending it's a rocket, they’re learning to create stories and expand their imagination.
The Longevity of Car Play
One of the things I love about my son’s car obsession is how it evolves as he grows. When he was younger, he enjoyed simply watching the wheels turn. Now, he’s experimenting with ramps and crashes. As he gets older, I can see his car play evolving even further, as he’ll likely start incorporating more complex pretend play and social interactions with friends.
Toy cars are versatile, affordable, and — perhaps best of all for busy mums — portable. Pop a car in your bag, and you’ve got a quiet activity for the doctor’s surgery, long car journeys, or even a family dinner out.
So, in conclusion
If your toddler is anything like mine and spends hours engrossed in car play, rest assured that this isn’t unusual. It’s a key part of their cognitive and physical development. Plus, it’s an activity that sparks curiosity, encourages learning, and keeps them entertained.
So next time you catch yourself stepping on yet another toy car (because, let’s face it, they’re everywhere), remember — they’re not just toys. They’re tools for learning, imagination, and growth!
As a mum of three, I know how valuable it is to have activities that engage your child’s interests while supporting their development. That’s why I’ve created Busy Brains Activity Packs — packed with educational play ideas that encourage curiosity and exploration, just like the car play your toddler loves. Each pack is research-based, age-appropriate, and designed to help your child develop key skills in a fun, hands-on way. Best of all, I ship worldwide, so wherever you are, these convenient, easy-to-use packs can be delivered straight to your door!
Comments