Toddler entertainment and engagement is one of the biggest challenges for parents or caregivers. Ride on toys for have always been a go to source of fun for children for many decades now.
Managing a toddler’s growing need for attention, the need to do something new and exciting, is physically and emotionally draining for a parent, especially the primary caregiver. In this age of technology, it is very easy for a toddler to be addicted to screen time. This is where ride on toys come to your rescue. They provide the 3 major things a parent needs for their child: Engagement, Physical Activity and Joy. They are great for both indoor and outdoor use, giving your child the feel of independence and a head start to learn about safety.
Let’s help you get started on the Best Ride on Toys of Toddlers based on design, safety and other features, spanning across all ages, interests and enthusiasm.
Features to consider while purchasing a ride on toy:
1. Size
Toddlers move a lot and tend to hurt themselves in small spaces. Ensure that the ride on toy you are looking for has enough space for the child to sit, without it being a snug fit.
If it’s a ride on car, ensure that the knees don’t touch the steering. They should be able to get on and off the toy without your help.
2. Durability
Toys for toddlers need to be strong enough to handle the rough use done daily. Ride on toys are on a higher price end, so its always better to look for something that will last you for years without having to worry about repair or replacement costs.
3. Safety
Most of toys tend to hurt toddlers. Ensure that you check the safety certification before you buy a ride on toy. Toddler’s safety needs to be the top priority here. Main thing to look for is a broad base and the toy needs to be close to the ground for maximum stability.
4. Balance
Most ride on toys have a learning curve. Balance is the key element of safety. Ensure the weight of the ride on toy is equally distributed to avoid the child from toppling over.
5. Adjustable parts
Your toddler will grow fast, and you don’t want to be spending for a new toy at shorter intervals. Buy one that has adjustable seats and handlebar extensions that grow with your child.
Top Ride on Toys for Toddlers 2021
Best Ride on Toys for Toddlers: Reviews
1. Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Tough Trike
Why do we like it:
Upon research we discovered that kids love cruising in the Harley-Davidson style tricycle. It is durable and the tyres are rugged and can handle all kinds of surfaces. The secret storage compartment under the comfort-ride seat adds to the fun. The base is broad, wheel base is stable, foot pedals are big and the handlebars have an easy grip, making it our top choice for the ride on toy for toddlers.
- Design: A tiny little Harley-Davidson look alike, this ride on toy has a secret compartment to store snacks, toys and other gears. Kids use their own pedal power and explore their surroundings
- Safety: The tricycle has a wide and a stable wheel base, easy-grip handlebars and big foot pedals. The toy is very stable and very less chances of the child tipping over when in speed. The tires are rugged and durable. The seat is big and comfortable too.
- Age: Manufacturer recommended is 24months-5years. But upon research we realised it has more to do with the height of the child. We recommend you buy this if your child is atleast 3.5ft tall.
Pros
- Wide and comfortable seat
- Rugged tires
- Big foot pedals
- Easy grip handle bars
Cons
- Too big for an average toddler
- Some reports of missing parts
2. Little Tile Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Car
Why do we like it:
The Little Tile Cozy Coupe has been a house hold staple for over 40 years now. They are sturdy, cute and fun for all ages. The new Cosy Coupe is better than ever with their removable floor board, making it a new found love for the toddlers and parents.
- Design: This cute ride on toy has added a removable floorboard feature, making it suitable for tiny toddlers to feisty 5 year olds. It has a handle on the back for parent-controlled push rides, high seat back, cup holder in the rear. Toddlers can now engage in pretend play with the new moving ignition switch and gas cap open and close option. The front wheel spins 360 degrees , making it easier to manoeuvre those hard corners.
- Safety: Parent controlled handle and easy roll on rugged wheels make this ride viable from 18 months of age. The front tires rotate 360 degrees, this ensures smooth movements around corners.
- Age: Manufacturer recommended is 18months-5years.
Pros
- Removable floorboard
- Rugged tires
- 360 degree rotating front tires
- Parent controlled handle bar
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Some reports of missing parts
3. Step2 Up and Down Roller Coaster Ride On
Why do we like it:
The Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster Ride On is the perfect of ride on for kids who enjoy a little adventure. This will be their very own theme park, suitable for indoor or outdoor setup. It is a epitome for physical activity, sensory exploration, confidence and social skills.
- Design: This is a single rider design making it the perfect toy to have fun as well as teach the concept of patience and sharing. This has a 3 piece track that ensures 10ft of safe and uninterrupted fun. It encourages physical activity while the child pushes the car back to its starting point.
- Safety: The car is well rested in recessed well for stability while the child climbs on it. The stairs are wide and have strong grip allowing easy platform access. Moulded foot rest, handrails and high back are included in the coaster car for a secure ride.
- Age: Manufacturer recommended is 24months-5years.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy and Durable
- Attractive Design
Cons
- Gets boring after a while for an active toddler
4. Little Tikes 4-in-1 Ride On
Why do we like it:
Little Tikes 4-in-1 Ride-On is an advanced and better version of a stroller for toddlers. Unlike a stroller, it is bigger and is suitable for kids between the age group of 9 months to 3 years of age. It has many unique features that will make your walks with your child smooth and comfortable.
It has a canopy on top to provide shade to the baby. The footrest on the bottom is designed for smaller babies to keep their feet while strolling, when the baby is older the footrest can be removed and there are paddles present on both sides for their first cycling experience. It can be adjusted to fit 4 stages of the baby’s development.
The height of the seat can be easily changed to fit your baby’s requirements. The high back chair supports the baby and the safety belt keeps them tucked in at all times. There is also storage space to keep your phone or water bottle while pushing the baby. You can also carry toys, balls etc to the park in the back storage space.
- Design: Has multiple convenient features to customise the design and fit it to a growing child. You can remove many parts such as the footrest or the high back chair to fit it to your child’s requirement.
- Safety: The trike has a safety strap for smaller babies that can be removed when they are older. The removable high back chair provides support and extra safety from falling for younger babies.
- Age: The cart is suitable for kids from 9 months to 3 years of age
Pros:
- Great replacement for strollers which become useless as soon as the child gets a few months older.
- A large number of parts are removable and adjustable which allows you to customise them according to your child
- Has multiple storage spaces to keep your phone or toys while pushing the baby.
- The canopy on top provides shade for younger babies
Cons:
- Requires heavy assembly
- The seat of the cart is not cushioned for younger kids
5. Kiddieland My First Minnie Ride On
Why do we like it:
The Disney Minnie Mouse My First Activity Ride On is perfect for active toddlers. It is a sturdy and interactive ride on toy suitable for age 1-3 years. Toddlers are bound to love this for its multiple features. Toddlers can even use the back support bar to stand up on their own and push the toy around. The sound and light effects make it much more than just a regular ride on toy.
- Design: This is one of the best interactive ride on toy in the market. The horn, flashing lights, sounds of the engine, movable steering wheel, gear shift, ignition key, educational clock face and a peek a boo window are the key features of this ride on making it to our top 5.
- Safety: It has a wide base and sturdy wheels making it safe from tipping on the sides.
- Age: Manufacturer recommends 12months-3years. But upon research we discovered that it can be used till the child turns 5.
Pros
- Interactive fun
- Sturdy and Durable
- Attractive Design
Cons
- Graphics are not always as shown in the images
- The stickers peel off easily
6. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy
Why do we like it:
This is a ride on toy that grows with your baby. Whether your baby is sitting, walking or running, the Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy is a music and light joy ride for your little one. It keeps your crawling baby engaged with colourful blocks, hand-eye coordination and other fine motor skills. For toddlers who are learning to walk, this is a great push along toy. The wide wheel base and easy grasp handle offers steady support. This has more than 50 songs, tunes and phrases. A complete package of entertainment and learning for your growing baby.
- Design: Apart from being a ride on toy, it has 3 shape block to sort, shapes can be fed to the puppy too. The wide base and easy grip handle offer steady support for a toddler learning to walk. For toddlers riding on or pushing it with their own feet, the puppy ears wiggle and the collar lights up. Child can also learn from a selection of 50 songs, phrases and tunes.
- Safety: The wide wheel base and easy grasp handle offers steady support. The colour blocks are big enough for the toddler to mouth them without choking.
- Age: Manufacturer recommends 9months-3years.
Pros
- Interactive fun
- Sturdy and Durable
- 50 songs, tunes and phrases
- Grows with the child
Cons
- The tiny gaps in the puppy neck may hurt the child
- Wheels only move forward and backward
7. KIDZONE ELECTRIC RIDE ON CAR
Why do we like it:
Kidzone electric bumper car is a remote-controlled and auto-operated kids car. The car has a 6V battery which is rechargeable through the charging port in front of the car. Your kids will love the car as it moves in all directions and engages multiple senses. The kid can control the movement through the joysticks present on the car and you can also control it using a remote control. It also comes with emergency brakes.
The car is designed to be fun and safe. It has colourful flashing lights surrounding the car along with safety seat belts for the rider. The car also has anti-flat tyres and a soft circular bumper that surrounds the car to prevent it from bumping harshly into any surface. This also protects your wall paint from chipping due to frequent collisions with the car.
- Design: Has smart and safe design. Keeps the kids entertained with its flashing light and joystick control. It also has a parental control that can override the joystick control.
- Safety: It has ASTM certified for meeting safety standards. The car has a maximum speed of 0.75 mph which is slow enough to protect the kid from injuring themselves. The car has a hard shell along with a soft bumper that cushions any bump or hit during riding.
- Age: Suitable for kids between the age group of 1.5 to 6 years
Pros:
- ASTM certified for safety
- Can be easily charged
- Does not require any assembly
- You can add numbers to your car and race with other cars
- Parental control
- Can handle the weight of up to 66 pounds
Cons:
- The car is big and requires storage space
- Can only operate on smooth surfaces
- Requires to be recharged after 1-2 hours of operation
- Makes noise that might be bothersome for the adults around the house
8. RADIO FLYER SIT TO STAND TOY
Why do we like it:
Radio Flyer Ride On toy is a multiple purpose toy that will entertain your child and cultivate their fine motor skills and encourage physical movement and activity. Your child can sit and move the toy with the help of their feet which strengthens their leg muscles. As the child grows they can use it as a push walker to gain more confidence in their walking.
It has 17 different sensory activities to engage toddlers and aid in their development. The activities include a horn, a clicking spare tire, various moving parts and colourful buttons to attract curious minds.
- Design: The strong and sturdy design can handle up to 42 pounds of weight. Can be used in 3 different ways, a push toy walker, a seated ride-on toy and a sensory toy. It also comes with storage space to keep the baby’s toys organised.
- Safety: The cart has anti-tip properties that keep the cart stable while riding. The weight of the cart is 2.04 pounds which are heavy enough to be sturdy and handle the weight of the child properly.
- Age: Suitable for kids between the age of 1 to 3 years
Pros:
- Promotes sensory and muscle development
- Has storage space to keep toys and other stuff
- Has colourful interactive parts to hold the child’s interest
- Does not require any assembly
Cons:
- Does not have a height-adjustable seat so it might not be suitable for everyone.
9. XJD 3-IN-1 KIDS TRICYCLE
Why do we like it:
XJD 3-in-1 tricycle is designed to easily transition from a tricycle to a balance bike. The two rear wheels can be moved closer together and can be joined to form a balance bike for advanced riding. You can move the rear wheels closer according to your ability to balance. This allows gradual progress instead of a sudden switch from a tricycle to a bicycle.
The trike also has an angle-adjustable handle as well as a height-adjustable seat that can be customised to fit your child’s height and comfort. The seat can be moved up to 6 cm. The pedal present in the bike also helps in gradually transitioning from trike to bike mode.
- Design: It has a carbon steel frame that can handle maximum weights of up to 110 pounds. The handlebar is at a height of 19.6 inches and the minimum height of the seat is 11.8 inches which can be raised to 2.3 inches. This is suitable for kids of a height between 29 inches to 37.4 inches.
- Safety: It has fully covered wheels to prevent injury from getting the child’s leg stuck between the spokes. It has a carbon steel frame that can handle maximum weights of up to 110 pounds. The steering limit of the handle is 60 degrees to minimise falling while riding.
- Age: 10 months to 3 years old
Pros:
- Perfect to learn balancing and steering before getting a bicycle
- Height adjustable seat to fit your child’s height
- Easy to assemble
- Comfortable PU leather seat
- Skid-free and durable EVA foam wheels
- The trike weighs 7.18 pounds
Cons:
- The placement of the paddle is odd and could have been better
- Requires initial assembly
10. KID KRAX MINNIE MOUSE ELECTRIC RIDE
Why do we like it:
Kid Trax Electric Minnie Mouse Ride is powered by a 6V battery that is chargeable. It can move at the maximum speed of 1.5 MPH with the help of a single button. The seat is spacious and has a low height which is perfect for kids. The car also has a spacious footrest so that the legs are not dragging on the floor while riding.
The car has dimensions of 27.5X17X20 inches which makes it perfect for kids in the age group of 18months to 3 years.
- Design: The colourful and attractive Minnie mouse design to entertain the child. The car weighs around 7 pounds and can handle a maximum weight of up to 44 pounds.
- Safety: The bike has strip tires with rubber traction which grips the floor properly and ensures a safe ride. The maximum speed limit is also 1.5 mph only which is great for a fun but safe ride.
- Age: 18 months to 3 years
Pros:
- Comes with a battery and charger
- The car comes with a 1-year limited warranty and the battery has 6 months of limited warranty
- Easy to assemble
- Has attractive and colourful Minnie mouse design
Cons:
- Does not have a height-adjustable seat
- Requires initial assembly
- Needs to be recharged frequently
11. YBIKE WALKING RIDE ON TOY
Why do we like it:
Ybike walking ride-on toy is a 2-in-1 innovative walker. The minimalist design can be used as a walk-behind walker as well as a seated bike. The walker can move in all 360-degree angles giving maximum movement to your child. This will promote muscle strength especially in the legs and upper arms. Your child can enjoy it both indoors and outdoors.
The award-winning design is meant to promote important developmental skills such as cognitive ability, muscle strength, balance, coordination, three-dimensional perception and more. The dimension of the walker is 9.29X6.81X6.97 inches. The size is perfect for anyone between the age group of 9 months to 3 years.
- Design: It is made up of sturdy aluminium with plastic parts and has a total weight of 4 pounds. The lightweight walker can handle up to 44 pounds of weight. The caster rubber wheels of the walker ensure a smooth ride and prevent scratches and marks on the floor.
- Safety: The bike has a durable aluminium frame with a plastic seat which keeps the weight light while making it sturdy. Parental supervision is needed for younger kids during riding the bike. It is important to ride the bike on a smooth and flat surface, avoid any inclined surface to avoid any injury.
- Age: 9 months to 3 years
Pros:
- Comes in 3 colour variant
- Lightweight and simple design
- Spacious and comfortable seat
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- No parts of the bike can be customised to change according to the baby’s growth
- Requires initial assembly
- The design might be too simple to keep the child engaged
12. Skip Hop Kids 3-in-1 Ride On Scooter
Why do we like it:
Unicorn designed to grow with your little one for three stages of fun. This wonderful toy offers an entertaining way to encourage fine motor skills, early childhood development and balance. It is designed for early walkers and motivates the little ones to push and pull the wagon. The storage tub converts into a seat for the ride on experience. And the best conversion of all is when this becomes a scooter, all you need to do is remove the seat and let your child explore the world of balance and coordination.
- Design: This is designed for a three way play for all stages of toddlerhood. Stage 1 – early walking. The child can push the wagon around for exploring the surroundings. The interactive buttons add value to the experience. Stage 2 – Ride-On. Use the lid of the storage space as a seat and ride along. Stage 3 – Scooter . Simply remove the seat and let your child scoot around.
- Safety: This is sturdy but only for indoors. At all the 3 stages.
- Age: Manufacturer recommends 12months-3years
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Interactive design
- Grows with the child
Cons
- Buttons don’t work at times
- Not safe for outdoors
Conclusion
Now you have all it takes to select the best ride on toy for your child. A good ride on toy will not only offer fun and entertainment but also teach them valuable physical and social skills which help them with a holistic approach. Only thing you need to watch out for are toys with small parts, toddlers are always interested in mouthing things.
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