Best Toddler Shopping Carts

Your kids will love playing with these durable and fun toddler shopping carts. With parent-approved picks including metal, wood, and safe plastic to fit a range of budgets, these durable and sturdy options are endless fun!

Toddler Shopping Carts

If your grocery store has kid-sized grocery carts, you likely already know how much toddlers adore them. But there’s good reason to add one to your playroom, too: Pushing around their own cart helps give kids a sense of independence, can open up conversations about different foods, and is just plain fun!

(Not to mention push toys like grocery carts are also great for developing gross motor skills and balance.) Checkout some of my favorite toddler shopping carts in a variety of materials and price-points below.

TIP: Don’t forget to pair your shopping cart with the a set of play food!

Best Metal Shopping Cart: Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart

Some kids really just want something that’s as close to the real-deal as possible. If that’s your kiddo, then this metal cart with classic features like a fold-down doll seat and easy grip handle is a great option at around $60.

Another plus: It has spring-loaded wheels that make it easy to maneuver between hardwood floors and area rugs, if that’s a concern in your home. Reviewers rave about how sturdy this one is!

Best Classic Shopping Cart: Little Tikes Shopping Cart

It doesn’t get more classic than this Little Tikes cart, for under $25, which really does have the perfect basket: It’s large enough to carry all their goodies, but the sturdy walls will also keep small toys from slipping out.

You can even consider opting for the version that has a car attached if your kiddo always wants to bring his stuffed animals along for the ride, too!

Most Fun New Cart: Target Toy Shopping Cart

Ah, a mini-size Target cart the kids can practice with at home? So fun! This one even comes with mini food for a full pretend-play experience.

It also features a cup holder with a warm drink, perfect for the full Target experience.

Best Wooden Toddler Shopping Cart: Hape Kids Wooden Shopping Cart

If you’re looking for a wooden cart, you can’t beat this one from Hape. Priced at under $70, the frame is made from certified-sustainable wood that’s colored with water-based paint, and the wide-set wheels and heavier construction make it a great buy for beginner walkers.

And it’s SO cute!

Best Fold-Up Shopping Cart: Precious Toys Pretend Play Shopping Cart

This affordable cart, priced ta under $30, is packed with features that your grocery-shopper-in-training is sure to love: It’s metal just like the ones in the grocery store, the swiveling front wheels make it easy to maneuver, and there’s even a seat to bring a stuffed animal along for the ride.

Plus, you’ll love that it folds up so you can stash it away when it’s not in use.

Best Play-Food-Included Toddler Shopping Cart: Battat Toy Shopping Cart

If you don’t already have play food in stock, this 60 (!) piece set is the perfect thing to get your home’s pretend play grocery store up and running. The bright-colored cart is super cheery, plus it has rounded edges that make it easier to maneuver.

And, as mentioned, it comes stocked with tons of play food and even cutting boards and pretend knives. All for under $30.

Best Modern Shopping Cart: Step 2 Two-Tier Shopping Cart, $29.99

With a compact design and removable baskets, this sturdy toddler grocery cart works for pretend play food and also pushing around their favorite toys.

I love the mellow colors and the solid baskets that prevent any favorites from falling through the cracks.

Best Tips

• Pair with play food for ultimate fun.

• Let the kids lead the pretend play or join in with them.
• Use the shopping cart and food as a way to talk about food without any pressure for the kids to eat it.

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This post was first published September 2020.