Ride-On Toys Review

Young children absolutely love ride-on toys. As soon as they're able to master the coordination required to make them go via foot to floor power, to pedal them, or to negotiate the steering and foot pedal on battery powered ride on toys, they're off and running - err, driving, that is.

They can't get enough of them. Ride-on toys are like a ticket to independence for toddlers, and since many also look like or mimic the vehicles adults drives, they love to pretend they're "driving" just like mom and dad.

Floor to Foot Power
There are such a variety of ride-on toys these days that it can be hard to decide what to choose. Certainly, for very young children, like toddlers, a foot to floor ride-on toy is the best option. Toddlers can have a car all their own and become mobile via their own foot to floor power, so you don't have to worry they'll go too fast or injure themselves. There are blue foot to floor ride-on cars for boys, pink for girls, and even princess cars and ambulances, but my personal favorite is the adorable airplane. There are even foot to floor ride-on toys that look like a mouse, a dump truck, and a hummer.

Pedal Power
As the child becomes more coordinated and learns to pedal, three wheel ride-on toys like traditional tricycles or Big Wheels are the perfect next step. But there are lots more pedal ride-on options, as well - airplanes, red and green tractors, forklifts, construction loaders, tractors with front loaders, dump trucks, front loaders, and even farm tractors with trailers to haul dolls or blocks or dirt or whatever suits their fancy at the time. There are also some very stylin' pedal automobiles - like the Mercedes, red Ferrari, and red BMW convertible and an entire line of sports team themed pedal cars.

My personal favorites in this line are the vintage look car pedal toys. The ™65 Ford Mustang in dark blue or bright red; the ™65 Ford Shelby GT-350; the 1932 Ford Roadster - either in pink, red, or in black with flames; and the 1932 tow truck, fire truck, or police car all look incredible, and any parent who is a fan of vintage cars or antiques will want one of these for their child. Of the entire line, the American Retro Limited Edition Burgundy Roadster impressed me the most with its appearance.

Battery Operated
And finally, after a child has reached 3 years of age, you may want to consider a battery powered ride-on toy. It's important, however, that these in particular be operated only with adult supervision and that your child has the skills necessary to comprehend the effects of moving the steering wheel a particular way and the stop and go foot pedal mechanism before you let them get on one of these. Chances are, if your child has had one of the pedal versions, he or she will have a good grasp of steering already and then you just need to explain the foot pedal.

The variety of battery operated ride-on toys is just as extensive as the pedal powered ride-ons. You can choose from many styles of cars, trucks, motorcycle, crotch rockets, ATVs, go karts, Jeeps, race cars, and dune buggies. There are modern sports cars - like the Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche, and many more - as well as a classic car and even a baby "bug" (i.e., Volkswagen Beatle).

Obviously, the battery operated models are also going to be the most expensive, but if you watch for sales, you can save a bit on these, too. If you're looking for one really great gift for your child this year, a ride-on toy makes a fabulous birthday or Christmas present he or she will never forget!