Choosing a first ride on toy for a young child can be fun, but also challenging. There are so many different brands and styles of sit and ride toy, it’s often difficult to know what would best suit your child’s age and stage of development. Here, we will answer some common questions about choosing the right toy, then review what we think are some of the best choices for young children aged around 1 year old and above.
Considerations when Choosing a First Ride On Toy
The most important thing to think about is your child’s age, height and weight. Ensure the toy isn’t too big for them, so they will be able to push it around by themselves. It’s equally important to check it’s not too small as they might risk damaging the toy, making it unsafe.
You should also look at any additional features the toy has which your child might enjoy. Things like sound effects and flashing lights are always popular with young toddlers, and some might even help children learn something new, such as counting or colors. If your child is particularly interested in a cartoon character, you might like to choose them a toy featuring their favorite character. We’ve included some Cars, Disney and Thomas options here, although there are plenty of others available too!
Ride on toys are ideal for helping children develop strength and large motor skills. They are also a great way to get kids active, and are equally fun to use indoors or outdoors.
The Reviews: Best Toddler Ride On Toys
In this section, you will find our reviews of some of the best, most popular ride ons for younger children. There is sure to be something here to suit your little boy or girl’s tastes!
Thomas Power Wheels
This battery powered ride on is perfect for all young train lovers! It can reach a maximum speed of 1 mph on the included track, or 2 mph when used off the track. The track measures 18 feet, which means it can be used indoors in the playroom in most cases. The toy can hold up to 40 pounds, so it’s recommended for children aged between around 1-3 years old. The track is ideal for younger children because all they have to do is press the button to go! When they get older, children can ride the train off the track and steer it around wherever they like.
The Thomas Power Wheels has a great battery life, meaning kids can play on it for hours if they want to. Extra pieces of track are available to purchase separately, so you can extend the track if you have a large enough play area. The toy also features a horn button which can be pressed to play sounds and phrases – sure to be loved by little ones. This is one of the best electric ride on toys for young children to use in the house.
Fisher Price Little People Ride On
This Fisher Price ride on is great for helping toddlers learn about musical instruments. It can play the sound of several different instruments, including the trumpet, drums and tuba. Children can also use the piano keyboard to compose their own pieces of music! The toy also plays five different pre-recorded tunes, which kids are sure to love riding along to!
This is one of the best ride on toys for 1 year olds, and it comes in a choice of colors, including pink and purple – perfect for little princesses! The seat of the toy lifts up, allowing kids to carry their treasures around wherever they go. The toy has loads of fun buttons on the dash, which is sure to keep kids entertained over and over again.
Little Tikes Go and Grow
This Little Tikes ride on has an adjustable seat which means its perfect for growing toddlers. It’s ideal for indoor or outdoor use, and it has an extra large rear wheel for added stability. The trike can hold up to 50 pounds, meaning it’s sure to provide years of fun.
The Little Tikes tricycle is ideal for helping children build their motor skills. They can push the bike forwards or backwards using their feet, and the steering is controlled by the handlebars. The Little Tikes giraffe comes with the stickers not attached, meaning you and your toddler can decorate the bike as you choose! This company make some of the best ride on toys for 2 year olds, and this one is no exception.
Kiddieland Minnie Mouse Ride On
This Minnie Mouse ride on toy is ideal for any little one who is a fan of the popular character. It plays fun music which is sure to delight toddlers as they scoot around. The horn also works, and there are blinking signal lights. This makes the toy a great choice for children who love watching cars, as they can pretend they’re really driving!
The Minnie Mouse ride on has loads of fun, interactive elements to keep toddlers entertained as they ride. There’s a clock face with moving hands, which can be used to learn how to tell the time. There’s also a shifting gear stick and the steering wheel turns. The Minnie ride on even features a turning key, so there’s plenty for little ones to do when riding on this fun, interactive car.
If you love Minnie you might like to also check out this article all about Minnie Mouse Toys for Toddlers.
Disney Cars Ride On – Cruz
The Disney Cruz ride on is perfect for all young Cars fans. It features an ignition key which can be pressed to hear fun, realistic sounds. You can hear the engine revving, as well as accelerating and braking noises. The Disney Cars ride on also plays a range of fun sounds and great music, which is perfect for racing around to!
If your little one prefers other characters, there are also Lightning McQueen ride on cars available. The toy is just the right size for children aged between around 1-3 years old, and it can also be pushed from behind using the handle. The vehicle has loads of great details which make it look just like the character from the movie. Overall, it’s a great toddler ride on for any little boy or girl who loves the Cars movie series.
Best Pick: Our Favorite Baby Ride On Toy
If you are looking for a battery operated ride on, the Thomas the train is definitely a great choice. It’s ideal for children as young as one, which isn’t the case with many other electric ride along toys. For parents looking for a push toy, the Minnie Mouse is a good pick. It has loads of extra fun features to keep children entertained whether they are riding the toy or just playing with it. It can help teach your child something new too, like telling the time.