Some of the official stuff I've seen recently has been hallow and empty in back. Are there any good figures for little kids? I'm open to third party figures as well.

 

I gave a family friend's 4 year old the Smash Changer Optimus Primal from ROTB. He likes it a lot.
He also liked the Playskool Rescue Bots Academy Optimus Prime. I think he enjoys these figures and they're probably the most fun for this age group.

 

Rescue Bots

 

The Rescue Bots line is currently on stores and online as the "Classic Heroes Team" line, and some of the older stuff can still be found as well. You can also check your local thrift stores for them! I see a lot show up.

But yeah. Rescue Bots. Check 'em out.

 

Thanks guys! Will check out Rescue bots.

 

Seconding Rescue bots. For maybe 5+ (but maybe younger?), look up Cyber Commander Optimus or the Optimus and Megatron "Heroes and Villains" two-pack on Amazon.

Also seconding Rise of the Beasts Smash Changers if you can still find them. Big chunky spring-loaded auto-changers.

 

If the child has made you mad recently, I would highly recommend ROTF Mixmaster.

 

No Rotf leader Optimus

 

The legacy infernac series is pretty good for 4-5 year olds. The thick plastic is very durable so far. The arms can come off and be put back. Valuable feature in my opinion. But wouldn’t recommend it for any younger since it does contain small parts

 

My grandson (2 years old) has a fair number of Rescue bots and such (the simple 1-3 steps type) but he'll grab whatever I have out and with some supervision, he being thought to be gentle as much as possible and so he's playing with lots, but those he knows that they are going to be out away as part of granddad's stuff. But he'll pick some in the display on my office and swooshes them around carefully enough.



He loves to be able to do the transformation himself and now ask for help with the mainline stuff that he realizes that he can't yet... But already he shows that he prefers the more mature looking stuff.

 

Well Armada is a pretty good series. Nice chunky durable figures with easy transformations and gimmicks to keep the wee ones busy. Some of the larger figures you may need to step in for a few steps but nothing really bad. Usually just means something like Starscreams legs need a little more muscle to get them to click into place proper.

Highly recommend Demolisher for his easy to transform nature and durable nature, as well as Cyclonus who's super easy to transform and has a fun gimmick.

 

Cyber Battalions figures are easy to suggest for that.

 

Masterpiece Megatron

 

The playskool Go-bots are pretty good baby toys. They are hyper durable. I can attest because I still have one some how. Probably don't get any of the Electric toys because they definitely corroded on the inside and make sure to clean them for rust.

 

If your toddler likes sound gimmicks and crashing things into walls while playing, Animated Bumper Battlers are also a nice choice. They're very cheap to find, and common as heck.

 

Why are so many people assuming this poster is buying vintage figures for their toddler...?

@OP, of your sprout likes TF One, give a look at the Energon Power TF One Optimus as well. Super simple, chunky big figure that's designed to stand up to play with younger kids.

 

Spychangers are also pretty good. They're the size of Hot Wheels cars with simple transformations.

 

Would anyone recommend that Ultimate Power Flip Optimus Prime from One for kids roughly 5-8? Up until now I'd been buying stuff like the One-Step Changers or even Earthspark Tacticons, and the RoTB Smash-Changer Optimus has provided good service thus far.

 

That seems to be the primary demographic for it, so probably! Give the $30 Energon Power Optimus from the One line a look too. That's just a big, simple, chunky toy that could easily be someone's first real (non auto-morph) Transformer, and it has quite a bit of poseabiliy over Power Flip.

Power Flip does more but is also putting everything on its (robust amount of) gimmicks, and lacks knee poseability (but keeps hips). Either one should be fine. Energon Power may be a little less fiddly/overwhelming?

 

Thanks for the response. Looking at the Ultimate Energon Optimus, it does indeed seem to have a few factors in its favour over the Power Flip. Cost-wise, the former is roughly $60 and the latter $100 in our local currency. I was leaning towards the Power Flip since I think the lights and sounds might amuse the little ones, but on the other hand as you said the Energon Optimus is simpler while still having enough heft to feel robust.

I may go for the Energon one after all.