It is no secret that kids grow up incredibly fast and before you know it, they can walk, talk, play and learn new things. Although there are a lot of methods that you can use as a parent to keep them interested and entertained, in some situations they have to be simply left alone to play and explore. This way, they become more independent and built specific skills that can even lead to understanding what they like to do most.
If you are out of ideas when it comes to buying your kids new toys, we have good news. There are still a lot of things that can make them happy. Riding toys are a great option for any kid. More than that, the market is filled with small cars, motorcycles, bikes and other mini vehicles that are designed for toddlers, as well as bigger kids.
Riding toys have a lot of advantages. Children from 1-year old to 10-years old can be entertained in a practical way using these products. Their balance, coordination and focus can be easily increased this way. Also, it is one of the ways in which they can build their muscles starting from a very young age, which is great for their overall health.
If you are looking to buy riding toys for children, you probably wonder which the most suitable model for every age is. In this article, we have selected some of the most popular products available on today’s market and highlighted their pros and cons while reviewing them. To make it easier for you and to cover all your needs, we created 5 different categories. So if your kid is 1, 2, 5, 7 or 10 years old, as well as in between these ages, you will be able to detect the best model in this list. Check the best 5 riding toys below.
If you are looking for a small car for your toddler to help transition from crawling to standing up and walking, then this is the perfect product for you. It is designed for toddlers between 1-3 years old and it is one of the best small cars for developing gross motor skills. It has a nice design, with colorful parts and a lot of interactive features. It has 17 accessories and functions such as a horn, clicking sounds, sliding beads, a reflective mirror that flips, moving gears, a clicking spare wheel and many more. Its dashboard has two keys and a great design. It comes with an actual wheel that they can use to turn the car around. Kids will also find a back support that helps them push the car.
This ride-on toy has under seat storage, which is great if the child has favorite toys that have to be with him all the time. The product doesn’t require much assembly. Also, it is easy to ride. It measures 21.5 x 1.50 x 16.30 inches and has a weight capacity of 42 pounds. This car has a comfortable seat and no space for the legs. However, it is nearly impossible for the child’s legs to get stuck between the wheels, so it is safe to ride. This is an inexpensive product that your child will be able to use for at least two years.
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Another interactive, complex and fun ride-on toy is this small train that your kid can hop on. It has a beautiful design and a lot of features that both you and your child will love. It is designed for children between 1-3 years old, but it is ideal for 2-year olds, as that is the time when they can really interact with this creative mini-train. It can be used indoors, where the child can become the youngest conductor. It is also great for walking, as it can be easily pushed. Thanks to its various features, such as the walkie-talkie, the storybook, the clocks and gears, the toddler can play for hours on end, using its imagination. This train can turn into a pull-along wagon, as it the caboose can be converted.
Another great feature of this product is its sound capabilities. It can produce over 100 sounds and songs, as well as phrases. It has piano buttons that reproduce colors and weather concepts. This model comes in blue, pink and red, so it is suitable for boys and girls. It is comfortable to sit on and it has very small wheels that are safe to use. If you want to buy an affordable ride-on toy and you know that your kid is crazy about trains, then this product is great for you. It measures 9.9 x 34 x 17.8 inches, weighs 6.46 pounds and requires minimum assembly. It requires 3AA batteries which are included only for demo.
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Bigger kids have different needs and need larger and more complex toys. If you want a ride-on toy for a 5-year old, you have to get him a more durable, sturdier and more interesting car. At the same time, 5-year olds don’t need as many stimulants, such as sounds, colors and games, as they have already developed some physical skills by that age. What they really need is to feel in control. This ride-on toy simulates a real car more than smaller ones. However, it gives parents the ability to supervise them and control their activity. This product is great for kids between 18 months and 5 years old and has a weight capacity of 50 pounds. It is practical, durable and stylish.
This is basically a small truck that has a drop-down tailgate. It comes with a removable floorboard that makes it suitable for smaller children, too. Its wheels look like real off-road cars’. It is equipped with a gas cap and a steering wheel that is easy to control. On top of that, it has a horn that makes a loud sound. The front grill of this truck makes it look realistic. There is a door on the driver’s side that opens and closes easily and brings the whole experience even closer to real-life driving. Parents can control the small vehicle, thanks to the back support that facilitates pushing. Although this is a great product that comes at a low price, it needs assembly, which could be a minus for some parents.
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If you have a Mercedes that your kid adores and begs to sit on the front seat just to enjoy the car a little longer, then you can spoil him with a mini-Mercedes that is as realistic as it can get. Although this car is pricier than other ride-on toys that have a childish design, it is totally worth its price. This car is glossy, shiny, has a perfect design that resembles the real-life cabrio car and comes with a lot of features that you kid will absolutely love. This product offers more than just a fun time; it also has an educational purpose thanks to its variety of features.
The S63 ride is inspired from the AMG model. It has two 12V motors and 3 speeds. It has a forward and reverse shifter, an MP3 player and integrated speakers. More than that, it has SD and USB connectivity, so your child can play any type of music or sounds using a smart electronic device. More than that, the sound is adjustable thanks to the volume controls. Also, it features FM radio. From a safety point of view, this car comes with an adjustable seatbelt, front and rear lights and a horn. The great thing about it is that it has a remote control that allows parents to control the child’s ride wirelessly. If you are looking for a high-end ride-on toy for your kid, this is the perfect option.
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Are you eager to reward your kid with a mini-car that looks a lot like a real one? Are your children passionate about automobiles? Then this is the perfect gift for them. This is an Audi car that is inspired by the R8 model. It comes at a lower price than the Mercedes model, but it is still quite an investment. This car has a remote control, as well as manual operation, which means that it can be driven by the kid or operated by the parents from a distance, wirelessly. It has an adjustable seat belt for safety, LED headlights, dashboard lights, as well as day time lights. It starts using a regular car key, by comparison with the Mercedes model that has a start button. Also, it has forward and reverse functions, as well as right and left turn functions. The horn makes a trumpet sound, which is quite cool.
The mini-R8 is powered by two 15000r motors and is made of PP and ABS plastic. It is a certified car that is safe for children. Although this car comes with MP3 audio, it doesn’t have a built-in radio or USB connectivity. It can be charged using an adaptor and it takes between 6 and 8 hours to fully charge. The remote control works on batteries and it needs 2 AAs, which are not included. The car has a maximum weight capacity of 33 pounds and it measures 48.4 x 27.5 x 19.6 inches.
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Even though most parents aren’t really comfortable letting their children explore the surroundings on their own and especially riding toys, bikes or tricycles outdoors, this kind of activity is beneficial in a lot of ways. First of all, you should know that ride-on toys are designed to serve the needs of toddlers starting 2-3 years old, but some manufacturers even create toys that can be ridden by smaller kids. So, if you were thinking that such products aren’t suitable for your child’s age, you might come to a different conclusion after reading this article. Second, allowing your child to do take over a toy, to explore the environment and to drive something on its own, means contributing to its desire to be independent. In a world where children are more and more dependent on their parents, it might be refreshing to know that there are ways to change that even from the smallest ages.
What you must absolutely remember is that no matter how much exploration a child does indoors, this will never have the same effect on its personality, independence and confidence as when exploring the outdoors. The unknown is extremely attractive for children, especially after the age of 2. Try getting a child on a ride-on toy and see how amazed they will be that they can control this small vehicle and that they can move on their own, without the help of parents. Regardless of your fears as a parent, you should not forget that children learn best from their own experiences and mistakes. Riding a toy helps them discover a lot of things, helps them get a sense of the space that surrounds them and enhances their natural desire to discover. It is extremely important to encourage your child to explore, as this will trigger their critical and analytical thinking.
Not only a ride-on toy will enhance a child’s confidence, but it will help it develop in a healthier way. It is a proven fact that independence from small ages helps them become confident adults, as they have already been put through a lot of diverse situations. When a child drives a mini-vehicle, they feel proud and have a sense of accomplishment. More than that, they develop social and emotional strength.
From a physical perspective, their motor skills, strength and spatial intelligence are triggered, too. Therefore, even if you see that your child refuses to get on a mini-car, truck, train etc., encourage them to do so by showing them how other children are having fun. Also, you could try to get on it yourself. Few children say no to this kind of experience and those who do, eventually become very excited once they accept it. The truth is that ride-on toys are safe and imply almost no dangers. Some can even be operated remotely by parents, so that there is zero danger implied.
Children have a lot of needs, but one of the most important need they have is to play. They learn by playing, they develop healthy bodies, as well as creativity and imagination. Today’s toys are way smarter than what other generations used to have, so we have to take advantage of them. However, we also need to put an emphasis on toys that imply physical movement, so that they can learn how to orientate, coordinate and maintain their balance. Children who play this way from an early stage in their life are rarely afraid of traveling by car, riding a bike or even driving when the time comes.
The five riding toys in our list are great products that stimulate a healthy development, not just because they have wheels, but also because they include a lot of other fun features. They have interactive buttons, various functions that imitate real-life vehicles and many more. The good thing is that most of them don’t even require assembly and they can be used right after unboxing them. Choose the best model for your child’s needs by analyzing all of these features.
