Toy Crane Basics

Help your kids reach new heights in their imagination and their playroom with a toy crane. Toy cranes have been around since the early 1900’s, but did not gain significant popularity until Tonka Toys began releasing their pressed steel toy cranes in the early 1970s. In fact, one of the very first toys Tonka put into product was their 1947 Clam Crane with bucket.

Although most vintage toy cranes are made of pressed or die cast metal, today’s toys are usually made with cheaper plastics and polymers. However, the fun still remains in tact throughout the years as kids can pick up and move their toys from one spot to another. Most toy cranes have some type of pulley, winch, or winder which can raise or lower a hook as it is let in or out. Once the desired object is airborne, the boom of the crane can move up and down or side to side 360 degrees in a circle, giving you complete control of where it’s load is finally placed.

Types Of Toy Cranes

There are several different types of toy cranes, each dependant on the age group the toy targets, the cost of the toy, and style of crane that the toy mimics. It should be noted that most toy crane mechanisms are unsuitable for kids under the age of 5 as the parts can be a choking hazard. Some of the most popular toy crane designs include:

• Stand Alone Toy Crane – Usually found with a fixed base, possibly with outriggers for stabilization, stand along toy cranes are best for older kids as they are usually more complex and much larger.
• Toy Crane Truck – Toy crane trucks are a combination crane and truck. When collapsed the truck can be moved or driven like any other toy truck. However, you can extent the crane and get to work wherever items need to be moved.
• Remote Control Cranes – One of the most popular and engaging toy cranes are remote controlled. Just like in real life, you child will have to delicately plan and drop the cranes hook correctly to be able to move any objects. It can be very rewarding for a child to accomplish a task such as moving one pile of objects to a different area using only his planning and operating skills.

Toy Crane Play Sets

While some toy cranes do not include any objects to be moved, many include kits of construction vehicles and materials that can be used to create an entire work zone. Items may include dump truck, cement trucks, orange cones, beams, and other pieces needed to assemble a finished product. Some toy crane play sets even include a wrecking ball attachment to demolish and rebuild once again.