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.
