Ride-on toys are a favorite of toddlers and parents alike. There’s nothing sweeter than watching your little one zooming around the front yard or pushing themselves around the living room floor on a ride-on toy. Besides providing hours of play and fun, ride-on toys are also beneficial to their development.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ride-on toys can help toddlers with their physical development. Additionally, they note that using ride-on toys can also help improve self-regulation and peer-interaction skills that are used while kids are playing together.
So what should parents look for in a safe and effective ride–on toy? “Parents should look for a toy that is designed especially for toddlers,” says Wendy Hunter, MD, a pediatrician based in La Jolla, CA and host of “The Pediatrician Next Door” Podcast. “A good ride–on toy needs to be well-built and durable to withstand the wear and tear of a busy toddler. A good choice should also be easy to clean since toddlers can be messy and easy to use to promote a child’s independence.”
She notes that an added bonus is to find a toy that includes an educational feature like shapes, colors, and buttons toddlers can move or push.
But checking for safety features is one of the most important elements to look out for, such as: a low center of gravity, seat belts or a harness, and rounded edges to minimize injuries. One place you can check to make sure your toddler’s toy is safe is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which was created to protect consumers and families from dangerous toys.
“Be sure to review the product to make sure it is made from non-toxic materials and is child-safe,” says Dr. Hunter. “Also, check the weight limit recommendations and choose a toy that is the right size for your toddler.”
Ahead, the best ride-on toys for toddlers, according to pediatricians and caregiver reviews.
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Best Scooter Ride-On Toy
Micro Kickboard Mini 3in1 Deluxe 3-Stage Ride-on Micro Scooter ($120)
This ride-on-scooter is a 3-in-1 toy that can grows with your little one from age 1 to age 5. “Pediatricians love ride on toys that grow with the child. Kids grow so quickly!” says Dr. Hunter. “This mini scooter doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s a reliable, sturdy ride on that our kids seem to love.”
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Best Bike Ride-On Toy
woom ORIGINAL 1 Kids’ Balance Bike ($249)
Your little cyclist will learn how to steer, balance and stop with the woom ORIGINAL 1 balance bike. “The Woom is lighter than other balance bikes which makes it easier to use and is also important when you have to carry your toddler and the bike back home. It grows with your child, is easy to clean, and is very durable,” Dr. Hunter says.
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Best Overall Ride-On Toy
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy ($60)
This ride-on puppy toy is too cute for any kid not to love, plus it allows for three ways to play: sitting, walking, and riding. “There are lots of fun ride–on toys, but this one can be used as a push-toy and a ride–on, and kids can use it as soon as they are able to sit,” says Dr. Hunter. “The shape sorter helps develop motor skills. An added bonus, it plays music. The puppy is adorable and makes them feel like they have their own pet!”
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Best Ride-On Truck
Little Tikes Dirt Diggers Garbage Truck Scoot Ride On ($50)
“My young patients love trash trucks!” says Dr. Hunter. “This ride–on has an attached trash bin that dumps into the back of their truck for great imaginative play.” The best part? Young tykes can honk the horn just like a real garbage truck and the seat flips open for storage.
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Best Fuzzy Ride-On
Radio Flyer Rolling Elephant Ride-On ($40)
Looking for a softer, fuzzy ride-on toy? This elephant is covered in plush material and corduroy. The 360 degree wheels are built for both indoor and outdoor surfaces. Plus, there’s no assembly required so you can put this one right under the Christmas tree.
What reviewers say: “Ellie the elephant is just absolutely darling! She is so soft and cuddly. I love her more muted colors. Radio Flyer did not skimp on quality with this toy… the materials and detailing are amazing. My favorite part of Ellie are her ears… they are soft, floppy, and the inner part is made with a corduroy fabric. My two year old daughter can ride around our house with ease. The wheels on this toy will turn a full 360 degrees, making it easy for a toddler to go where he/she wants to go. Our home has hard wood floors, area rugs, and tile… Ellie can zoom across them all! Your little one will love this toy and it will look cute sitting in a nursery or playroom. Radio Flyer provided me with a free sample to test and try out.”
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Best Ride-On with Sound
Cocomelon Healthy Habits Kids’ Ride-On ($35)
If your toddler is obsessed with “Cocomelon,” they will love this ride-on toy. It comes with built in sounds and songs from the show that your toddler can jam and sing to, plus extra toys to play with.
What reviewers say: “My children love this Cocomelon ride-on toy! Whether they want to ride on it or just play beside it, it is so much fun for them. They enjoyed the little groceries that came with it and being able to pretend play.”
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Best Convertible Ride-On
LLparty 4 in 1 Rocking Horse Ride-On Toy with Detachable Balance Board and Footrest ($60)
For toddlers working on balance, this rocking horse ride-on is a great option. It has a removable balance board and foot rest for them to rock on until they’re ready to ride on their own.
What reviewers say: “I bought this for my son who is 9 months. He loves it. He doesn’t walk yet so needs assistance to rock. He makes delightful sounds while riding and smiles from ear to ear. I am sure he will enjoy more as he grows.”
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Best Ride-On For Walking Practice
Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike with 4 Wheels ($50)
Toddle trying to nail walking? This ride-on has 4 wheels and a walker-like design to assist them with their steps. Plus, it was designed so your toddler’s feet are always able to touch the ground as they ride on it.
What reviewers say: “Purchased for 1yr granddaughters birthday, who is just starting to walk. Great size for her. The color and design is perfect. Super easy to assemble and very stable.”
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Best Stroller Ride-On
Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kids Tricycle with Removable and Adjustable Parent Handle ($130)
This ride-on doubles as a stroller for parents. The tricycle part is removable, so your toddler can ride around on their own when it’s time. It also has a safety harness that you can strap your toddler into for a safe trek.
What reviewers say: “We purchased the Joovy Tricycoo for my son’s first birthday but couldn’t wait until then; we opened and assembled the tricycle as soon as we got it. It only took us about 20 minutes (during our son’s nap) to assemble using the easy to follow instruction manual. He absolutely loves it and prefers it over his stroller for any outing! I love the fact that the tricycle will grow with him and that he can use it for multiple stages. Great product.”
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Best Wiggle Ride-On
Lil’ Rider Ride on Wiggle Car ($54, originally $59)
This ride-on toy is powered by wiggles. Your toddler will be able to practice their motor skills and balance on this wiggle car that has 360-degree wheels and an easy-to-operate steering wheel.
What reviewers say: “Our house is childproof and lots of hard floors. This is amazing for letting my son play inside and burn energy when he can’t ride his bike outside. Super fun and user friendly. My son took to it right away at 18 mos and still loves it.”
