Alexandra Ramirez
1. PlasmaCar
Best Overall Ride-On Toy
5/5 Product Rating
This toy is best used on a hard surface that is flat such as sidewalks, concrete driveways, and doesn’t do well on grass, gravel, carpet or any softer surface.
The PlasmaCar ride on toy has no gears, motors or pedals. It is easy even for a very young one to use but it best suited to children 3 and up.
This durable and long lasting PlasmaCar ride on toy is made from high quality materials that will last years. It is available in many different bright colors and can be ridden indoors and outdoors as well. (Remember not to use it on carpet, but tile or wood floors will work just fine).
– Linda Krantz
2. Step2
Best Overall Ride-On Toy – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
This self-propelled ride on car is easy for little ones to push around with their feet. It features a sleek design and smooth, quiet wheels.
The Step2 Whisper Ride Buggy has two cup holders, one for the little one and one for parents. It also features a long handle that the parents can use to push the little ones like they would a stroller. This handle folds underneath the body of the car for easy storage.
There is extra storage under the hood that the child can carry their special belongings. Maximum weight is 50 pounds making this toy perfect for ages 1-3 years. There is some assembly required that will need to be done by an adult.
– Linda Krantz
3. Little Tikes
4.5/5 Product Rating
Other features include a removable floor and a handle on the back for parents to push them on walks. The little gas cap opens and closes and it has an ignition switch as well.
The Cozy Coupe is powered by your little one. When they climb into it their feet will be on the ground and they can propel themselves around with their legs.
It has tough, durable tires and front wheels that spin 360 degrees so it can pivot. The brightly colored Cozy is red and yellow and has a little face on the front. This is the perfect toy for your little one age 1-3.
– Linda Krantz
Ride-On Toy Buying Guide
There are several things to look at and consider when you are researching different ride-on toys for your child. We have listed all of the important things that you want to include in your research. These points will help you make a great choice for your little one.
- Safety Features – Safety is always the number one concern of a parent. All ride-on toys have a risk of tipping over or bumping into objects. You can minimize the risk of these safety issues by looking at the different safety features that each ride-on toy has. Wider bases that reduce the likelihood of tipping over, brakes on bicycles, and other features that are designed to minimize injuries. Get your child into the habit of wearing protective gear, even if they are riding on a ride-on cycle, especially if they are little and still a little bit unsteady.
- Balance – Make sure that the ride-on toys you are considering have a low center of gravity which will reduce the likelihood of tipping over. Look for wheels that are widely spaced that will provide more stability and will support the child’s weight safely. Read customer comments to see what parents have to say about the stability of the toy. If there is a problem with it tipping over a lot, parents will be commenting on that.
Age-Appropriate is Important
There are ride-on toys that are better suited to certain age groups that others are. You should look at ride-ons that are designed for children the age of your child. Purchasing one that is too young or too old will only frustrate the child. Also look at their coordination and balance skills. A young one year that has just started walking would not be paired up well with a toy that requires them to have a lot of balance. We have provided information below that matches the age of the child with the type of ride-on toy.
- Wagons – These are toys that the child can ride in and be pulled by the parents or older children. If the child is walking well, they can pull the wagon around with their stuffed animals or other important toys in it as well. A young child should not be pulled in a wagon by another child that is not old enough to understand and follow the safety rules when it comes to pulling the wagon. Wagons are good toys for children of all ages.
- Rocking Horses – This kind of ride-on toy is stationary and can be the perfect choice for a young child age 1 to 2 years old. Balance is important to sit on the rocking horse without toppling over.
- Foot-Powered Toys – self-propelled ride-on toys are a great way to introduce more advanced ride-on toys that involve balance and pedaling. All three of the ride-ons that we have featured above are foot powered ride-on toys although a couple of them have handles that can be attached for the parent to push the child on the toy with. Foot powered ride-ons can either be straddled or the child fits inside the toys with their feet inside and open to the flooring or ground below.
Benefits of Ride-On Toys
There are benefits to playing with ride-on toys for children of all ages. We have listed these benefits below.
- Coordination – To pedal a bike properly a child needs to have a degree of coordination. When they are first walking and moving around they may not have the coordination necessary to pedal a ride –on. Tricycles, toy motorcycles and similar toys are all pedaled and good for children 3 or above.
- Exercise – Self-propelled ride-on toys provide your child with the chance to get some much needed and healthy exercise with very little effort. So many children spend their time in front of televisions, tablets, video games and the computer even as young as 3 years old. An engaging, fun ride-on toy can encourage them to play outside and use their arms and legs to move the ride-on toys around. It is exercise that will not feel like exercise to them.
- Balance – Ride-on toys foster an excellent sense of balance. It takes balance to be able to stay on the ride on and move it around with their little legs. Ensure the stability and safety of the ride-on and be nearby in the event they do topple over while they are learning and gaining more balance.
- Imagination – Pretend play is very important for the healthy development of your child. Riding around in a Cozy Coupe or on a motorcycle can inspire all kinds of pretend play. This is great for the child’s mental development.
Conclusion
Having a variety of ride-on toys around for your child encourages creativity, imagination and lots of physical activity. They can start playing with ride-on toys as young as 1 year of age and can continue to play with different types of ride-ons on into the teen years. Of course the ride-ons will be geared toward teens but the premise is the same, as are the benefits.
The information in this buyer’s guide is designed to help you determine the skills your child has and choose a ride-on toy that is age appropriate as well as appropriate for their skill level.
The right knowledge will make sorting through all of the choices much easier and less overwhelming. Choosing a child’s toy should never be overwhelming. The right knowledge gives you the confidence to make these decisions and not have to worry about whether they are the right ones or not.
Resources
- Little Tikes – http://www.littletikes.com/
- PlasmaCar – http://plasmacar.com/
- Step2 – https://www.step2.com/
