While balance bikes are suitable from 18 months up to 6 years of age, there is an absolutely fantastic variety of mini riding toys for infants and push toys for 1-year olds. So, today we discuss the best ride on toys for toddlers.
Are ride on toys for one-year olds worth it?
Riding toys for 1-year olds is a preparation for a balance bike, whereas the latter teaches your child how to ride his first two-wheel bicycle.
Read More: Best Balance Bikes For Toddlers
So, when we are talking about baby riding toys, we imply that
- It teaches a toddler coordination and balances while sitting and moving.
- It motivates a child to walk quicker.
- It makes his legs and stamina much stronger.
- It teaches your baby to push with their feet.
And the most important two aspects are
- It is a LOT of fun for your child.
- It allows you as a parent to free your hands and have some extra time to prepare something, such as a meal.
Are toddler ride-on toys good for toddlers?
1-year-old ride on toys are really magical for your children and very affordable too. They make their day so much more fun and let them utilize their time while you are busy with chores.
Besides, your baby gets stronger physically which helps him a lot in a later stage.
Are push toys for 1-year olds safe?
Riding toys for babies are safe in general. Some of the toys may accelerate too fast, especially with the wheels easily moving, so you should be cautious if playing outside. However, every baby has a strong survival instinct, and won’t let himself fall while stopping with his feet. Another thing is that ride on toys for 1-year-old children are designed to sit, so they are very stable.
How to choose the best riding toys for 1-year old toddler?
There are so many push toys for 1-year olds on the market. It really comes down to several factors when choosing the best baby ride on toys.
Comfort
Your child needs to sit comfortably on the seat. His feet must touch the ground, so he could easily push the bike with his feet. The length between your child and the handlebar shall be acceptable and well-reachable letting your baby lean a little bit forward.
Design and affordability
Best ride on toys for toddlers come in different shapes, materials, and colors. It is really up to you to decide which one best fits your preferences, most importantly, which one your child prefers and feels comfortable riding.
Safety
Check that the bike doesn’t have any sharp edges, is easy to assemble, light, and has a warranty.
It is also important to pay attention to the maximum weight allowed, how quick the ride-on toy goes, and if it accelerates fast enough.
Note: Let your child always wear a bike helmet regardless of his age. Not only it is a safety measure, but it also builds a healthy habit of wearing a helmet and helps you to protect your child in a long run.
Steering
The steering is not easy for a young child, especially if he is in his first year of life. It is an important skill that comes later at around 18 months when your toddler is ready to conquer the balance bike.
The simpler push toys for one-year-olds are, the better. First of all, it will be much easier for a child to understand how to push it, secondly, he will have much more fun and engage with it faster rather than losing interest in riding from the very beginning. Motivation is important!
So, if the ride on toy doesn’t offer to steer, it may not be a bad idea. We guess it all comes down to your child’s character, skills, and preferences.
What are the best ride on toys for toddlers?
Image | Name | Weight | Age limit | Buy Now |
 | YBike Pewi | 4 lbs / 1.81 kg | 9 months – 3 years | |
 | YBike Pewi Stroll | N/A | 9 months – 3 years | |
 | Hape Scoot | 5.7 lbs / 2.59 kg | 12 months – 3 years | |
 | XJD Mini Trike | 4.1 lbs/ 1.86 kg | 12 months – 2 years | |
 | XJD 3 in 1 | 6 lbs/ 2.72 kg | 10 months – 3 years | |
 | Scoot About Sport | 2.2 lbs/ 1 kg | 12 months – 3 years | |
 | Little Red Roadster | 2.2 lbs/ 1 kg | 12 months – 3 years | |
 | Scoot 2 Pedal | 5.95 lbs/ 2.70 kg | 12 months – 3 years | |
 | Chillafish Trackie | 3.52 ounces/ 99.79 g | 12 months – 5 years | |
 | Chillafish Quadie | 5.73 lbs/ 2.6 kg | 12 months – 3 years | |
 | Prince Lionheart | 5.20 lbs/ 2.36 kg | 12 months – 5 years | |
 | Ancaixin | 4.4 lbs/ 2kg | 10 months – 2 years | |
 | YGJT | N/A | 10 months – 2 years | |
 | Mini Bike | 8.38 lbs/ 3.80 kg | 18 months - 5 years | |
 | Avenor | N/A | 6 months – 2 years | |
 | Bammax | N/A | 9 months - 2 years | |
 | Retrospec | N/A | 12 months - 2 years | |
 | TheCroco | 4.29 lbs/ 1.95 kg | 12 months+ | |
 | Bekiloke | 4 lbs/ 1.81 kg | 10 months – 2 years |
YBike Pewi Walking Ride On Toy
YBike Pewi is a clear winner on the market among hundreds of the best toddler ride on toys. It stands out with its versatile design and multi-directional 360° non-marking caster wheels. That’s right! It doesn’t offer steering like the majority ride on toys, but it has this essential element of wheels being able to take different directions. And this is what exactly makes it so much fun for your little baby easily maneuvering in any possible direction without ever getting stuck. Not to mention the rapid development of motor and cognitive skills, such as balance, coordination, strength, confidence, and spatial awareness.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 9 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 4 lbs / 1.81 kg
- Max weight: 44 lbs/ 19.95 kg
Features:
- Lightweight durable aluminum frame.
- Molded plastic seat with a soft foam pad.
- Easy-grip handle.
- Leg clearance for free movement.
- Multi-directional 360° non-marking caster wheels.
- It may steer too fast, so be cautious when riding outdoors
YBike Pewi Stroll – Walking Ride On Toy with Push Handle
A brilliant addition to the YBike Pewi ride on toy is a push handle. Don’t expect that your toddler will push the bike all the way to the park, at some point he will need to be pushed. Of course, stamina and strength don’t get built in one day. Every child is different: while one can eagerly push the bike all day long, the other can get tired quickly of this activity and asked to be pushed. This is where the push handle comes in handy.
Besides, this Pewi model can be used as a baby walker, toddler ride-on, and has the extra feature of being pushed by a parent. The important point, that it teaches your child to push, balance, and so prepares your precious baby for a balance bike.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 9 months – 3 years
- Max weight: 44 lbs/ 19.95 kg
Features:
- Extendable handle with three adjustable height settings and extension lock
- Quick-release button
- Sturdy molded seat
- Comfortable hand grips
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Non-marking wheels (yay! Let’s ride at home!)
- 110mm large plastic wheels
- Footrest
Hape Scoot Around Ride On Wood Bike
Hape Scoot Around ride on toy prides with its stability. It has two wheels in the front and two wider ones in the back which makes it very challenging for a child to fall while riding. Besides, all four wheels are rubberized to protect the floors and ensure that wheels last longer.
The seat height is optimal for a one-year-old to reach the floor, and a higher handlebar allows your little one to ride it longer as he grows.
On the other note, Hape Scoot has a brilliantly simple and beautiful design.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 3 years
- Floor to seat height: 8.98 inches/ 228 mm
- Product weight: 5.7 lbs / 2.59 kg
- Detailed assembly required
Baby Balance Bikes
There are a few absolutely amazing push toys for 1-year olds and mini balance bikes that is a must to buy for your little one. These balance bikes are the first mini transports for your baby that will teach him to walk, stroll, push, run, and glide. All of them offer a fantastic design and a variety of colors to choose from. Toddler’s age ranges from 10 months up to 3 years of age.
We recommend using these minibikes as a preparation for a real balance bike.
XJD Mini Trike
XJD Mini Trike is one of the cutest cool riding toys for little ones. But it is also the smallest one, it even looks small. With a very low seat height and very low handlebars, it is ideal for little riders. So, the best way to utilize XJD is to start riding it as soon as possible.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 2 years
- Product weight: 4.1 lbs/ 1.86 kg
Features:
- Very cute design
- Soft cushioned seat
- Plastic wheels. Ideal for very small riders due to low seat height and low handlebars.
- Comfortable rubber hand grips
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- 135° steering
- Easy 2-minutes assembly
XJD 3 in 1 Kids Tricycle
Apart from one-year-old babies, XJD 3 in 1 kids’ tricycle can also be an excellent ride on toy for 2-year olds. It has three modes to use, such as a three-wheel mode for babies. Your child either can push the bike sitting on a cushioned seat or walking it in a standing position. It can also be used as a walker. When your baby masters the three-wheel push ride on toy, it is time to learn the balance of converting XJD into a balance bike. Plus, your child always has an option to learn pedaling.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 10 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 6 lbs/ 2.72 kg
Features:
- Comes in seven colors
- Non-slip handlebar
- Adjustable soft PU leather seat
- Switches between three-wheel mode to two-wheel mode
- Removable pedal
- Handlebar angle can adjust to the best position for kids riding
- EVA foam wheels and advanced bearings for smoother
Radio Flyer
Radio Flyer is an amazing brand that specializes in kids’ mini transports offering a huge variety of the best ride on cars for kids, push toys for 1-year olds, bikes, and scooters.
Some of the best ride on toys for toddlers offered by this brand are Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport, Little Red Roadster, and Scoot 2 Pedal.
Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport
Wide front wheels offer that necessary stability and are absolutely safe to ride for little riders. Besides, it steers quite smoothly and is easy for a little baby to understand. The back wheels are located the way that your baby will push the ride on toy with his legs without any obstacles. It is also the lightest ride on toy we have come across so far. Finally, there is a surprise under the seat – a little storage where he can put all his favorite toys and water bottle whenever he’s out exploring.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 2.2 lbs/ 1 kg
- Max. weight: 42 lbs/ 19 kg
Radio Flyer Scoot 2 Pedal
The difference with the Scoot About Sport is actually the whole design and conception. The back wheels are wide, and there is only one big wheel at the front providing pedals that flip out and fold in when your baby is ready for a pedal ride. So, this ride on toy easily gets converted into a tricycle. Mini rear storage for precious toys is available too.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 5.95 lbs/ 2.70 kg
- Max. weight: 42 lbs/ 19 kg
Radio Flyer Little Red Roadster
Well, this is just a really cool toy to have at one year of age. And it will last for years because unlike other ride on toys, this one always will be fun to ride, even when you are ten years old.
The Little Red Roadster includes a sturdy steel body, chrome finishes, rubber tires, working steering, and even a honking horn. When it comes to ride on toys, it should be fun and motivating for your child to get back to riding and pushing it again and again. This way, they get strong and well-prepared for the balance bike. Roadster serves exactly this purpose.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 2.2 lbs/ 1 kg
- Max. weight: 42 lbs/ 19 kg
Chillafish Trackie
Chillafish trackie is quite a brilliant innovative transport toy as it combines a walker, rocker, ride on toy, and even play train if you have got several Chillafish in one place.
You can easily remove wheels and let your baby rock; it also serves a great purpose to teach little babies standing, walking, pushing, and riding. The thing is that by the time toddlers master push and ride skills, they are most likely ready for a balance bike. So, by default ride on toys have a very limited time of use. Although Chillafish manufacturers state a recommended age starting at 12 months, we have got this toy at 7 months when our son started to sit and pull himself up to a standing position. And it was well-utilized ever since.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 5 years
- Product weight: 3.52 ounces/ 99.79 g
- Max. weight: 55 lbs/ 25 kg
Features:
- Comes in two colors
- Adjustable seat height: push out the seat from the bottom, flip it over and you have a slightly higher seat.
- Lowest seat position (to footrail, in rocker mode): 7.8 inch / 20 cm
- Highest seat position (to floor, in ride-on mode): 13 inch / 34 cm
- 360° swivel silent non-marking TPE wheels
- Switch between modes in a few seconds without tools
Chillafish Quadie
Chillafish Quadie is a 4-wheeler ride-on quad that works on your child’s fine motor skills, teaches balance and coordination, and of course, develops riding skills.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 3 years
- Product weight: 5.73 lbs/ 2.6 kg
- Max. weight: 55 lbs/ 25 kg
Features:
- Adjustable seat: 8.3 – 10.2 inches/ 21 – 26 cm.
- Lightweight steel frame.
- There is a hidden storage compartment inside the seat for a beloved toy and delicious snacks.
- Non-marking wheels
- The package includes a sticker sheet to personalize your ride one Quadie.
- Hand-grip on the seat for easy push, pull or carry.
- No brake
Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug
The ride on toy must be functional, safe, and fun. It really needs to have that magic for your child to play with it regularly and so unintentionally build his strength and learn the balance. Prince Lionheart does this job very well.
It features six different animals, such as ladybug, bee, cow, pig, hedgehog, mouse, and tiger. Let your child pick his favorite little creature, sit, and ride.
There are two sizes offered. Small size designed for children 12 months + with a seat height of 8.75 inches/ 22.22 cm, but large size designed for children 3 years +.
For a comfortable seat, the ride-on toy features a comfy sponge layer underneath the soft, durable polyurethane exterior. The leather-like surface is moisture resistant and wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. The Wheely Bug includes a limited one-year warranty too.
Technical specs:
- Age limit: 12 months – 5 years
- Product weight: 5.20 and 7.30 lbs/ 2.36 and 3.31 kg
- Max. weight: 50 lbs/ 22.67 kg
- Not suitable for outdoor use
Ancaixin Mini Bike
- 10 months – 2 years
- 4.4 lbs/ 2kg
- EVA wheels
- Seat height 10 inches/ 25.4 cm
- 135° steering
- 3-step assembly
- 30 days Money back ASSURANCE, 2 YEARS GUARANTEE, and lifetime customer service
YGJT Baby Balance Bike
- 10 months – 3 years
- 5.21 lbs/ 2.36 kg
- EVA wheels
- 135° steering
- Easy assembly
- 3 years quality guarantee
- Cute dalmatian, panda, bee, and cow
Mini Bike
- 10 months – 2 years
- EVA wheels
- Seat height 10 inches/ 25.4 cm
- 135° steering
- 3-step assembly
- 30 days Money back ASSURANCE, 2 YEARS GUARANTEE, and lifetime customer service
Avenor Baby Balance Bike
- 6 months – 2 years
- EVA wheels
- Seat height 10 inches/ 25.4 cm
- 135° steering
- Easy assembly
- 2 years warranty and a risk-free purchase
Bammax Baby Balance Bike
- 9 months – 2 years
- EVA 6” wheels
- 135° steering
Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike
- 12 months – 2 years
- Anti-skid wheels
- 135° steering
- Seat height 8.7 inches/ 22 cm
- 95% assembled
TheCroco Baby Balance Bike
- 12 months +
- 4.29 lbs/ 1.95 kg
- Seat height 9 inches/ 22.86 cm
- 135° steering
- 2-year warranty
- 90% assembled
Bekiloke Baby Balance Bike
- 10 months – 2 years
- 4 lbs/ 1.81 kg
- EVA wheels
- Seat height 10 inches/ 25.4 cm
- 135° steering
- 95% assembled, 1-year warranty, and a risk-free purchase
Things to consider
- Be realistic about your toddler’s skills and abilities. It is important to motivate, not force which sometimes is hard to differentiate for young parents (myself included!). If your child can’t walk yet, it may be a good idea to wait a bit longer before getting his first bike.
- The idea is for your child to push it, not the other way round.
- All kids are different and only you know your child’s temperament. Pick the ride-on toy that is suitable for your baby’s needs.
- Set your expectations low. It is hard to predict whether your child will be eagerly riding the bike on a daily basis or occasionally trying it put in the backyard.
Have you picked your favorite ride on toy yet? Share with us which one it is and enjoy every moment with your baby!
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