Parents’ Guide to Choosing a Safe Ride On Toy

As someone who loves to cycle and owns a small collection of bikes ranging from BMXs to vintage cruisers, I was overjoyed when my little boy started showing interest in them as well. Whenever I’d bring one of them out of the garage, he’d always try to get on it and of course, failed. So, before my toddler got hurt by a large bike falling on top of him, I decided to get him his very own kids ride on toy for his third birthday. And for the next couple of years, the tricycle was perhaps the most exciting plaything in our home. As a proof, our front door still has the dents and scars from the many bumps when our kiddo tried to bring his tricycle outside.

From traditional tricycles and scooters to battery-powered mini dirt bikes and go karts, a ride on toy will surely serve as your kid’s favourite companion for many years. And kids ride on toys can have plenty additional benefits other than being able to produce a wide smile on your little one’s face every time. For one, they can help young children improve their motor skills and sense of balance, and help develop eye-hand coordination. What’s more, a set of wheels can also instil a love of physical activity and be a great way to spend some time outdoors.

Of course, as a parent you’ll want to ensure your precious angel stays safe at all times. So, when you’re purchasing a kids ride on toy, always make sure it’s designed with safety in mind. The first thing you should do is to check whether it’s well balanced as to not tip over on turns. Also, pay attention to the material it’s made of. If it’s a wooden tricycle for example, make sure it’s free from any splinters which could hurt your child. On the other hand, if the toy is made of plastic or metal, make certain there are no sharp edges where the child might accidentally cut himself/herself.

For children aged 1-2, it’s best to start with the simplest one – a push ride on, also called a scoot ride on. These toys have a wide seat for support and allow kids to scoot around on their own speed using their feet. When getting a push ride on toy, make sure that it has a lightweight design that will be easy to push around. There are also motorized ride on toys for younger children which might be easier to move around because they only need steering. In any case, you should need to supervise young children closely so they don’t ride into an object or overturn the toy on a rough surface.

For kids ages 3 and up, you can feel free to consider some big boy/girl options. Like for instance tricycles and scooters. Besides being lots of fun, these ride on toys can be a great opportunity to safely train little one for some big-kid rides like bicycles and skateboards. For tricycles, make sure that it’s the appropriate size so that your child can easily reach the pedals when seated. Also, always look for a strong construction with a low centre of gravity and a wide base which will prevent tipping over when your toddler makes a sharp turn. For scooters, always look for adjustable handles and make sure there are two front wheels for extra stability until your kid is old enough to ride the real thing.

Whatever ride-on toy you pick, I’m sure your kid will be jumping for joy at the thought of owning his/her very own set of wheels. The only thing you as a parent need to do is make their experience as safe as possible.