Buying The Perfect Ride On Toy

Hints & tips for buying a great present.

Christmas is fast approaching & you may be considering buying a ride on toy as a Christmas present. Here are some hints & tips to help you buy the perfect ride on for your little driver.

There is a huge selection out there so decide which key features you are looking for to narrow down the field. The factors below are the main things to consider when making your decision:

1. Age range – All ride on toys will have an appropriate age range on them.

12 months plus are usually light weight, low ride ons. The aim at this age is that they can place their foot flat to the floor so they sit securely on the seat and begin the exciting challenge of making the toy move!

3-5 years – These are larger and often have pedals. There legs do need to be long enough to reach the pedals and they need the strength to push hard enough. However, the younger children under 3 still absolutely love these larger toys and can still climb aboard. It may be worth considering one as a long term investment that will see them through until they are at least 5 however, don’t expect them to be pedalling before 3.

2. Height – It’s also important to factor in your child’s height when looking at the age ranges. All toy descriptions include the height so it’s worth not just relying on the recommended age but also checking this as they do vary considerably.

3. Cost – Shop around! There are often great deals to be found so compare & contrast.

4.Demand – Don’t leave ordering too late as the toys often can go out of stock particularly Little Tikes.

5. Storage – Consider where you will store the toy as some of them can be quite large. If left outside the toys will become weathered and fade. Whilst it’s tempting to get the biggest, also try to be practical.
6. Durability – Ride Ons do need to be pretty tough as they do often get banged and knocked. Wooden ride on toys do look fantastic but they don’t last quite as long. Plastic ride on toys are stronger and if they do need to be sold on, pre loved ride on toys are extremely popular. This is also another tip, to look out on preloved pages for a toy in great condition!
7. Value for money – Ideally you would like the toy to last as long as possible as they can be quite an investment. It’s sometimes worth selecting a toy that initially is a little too big but then will last for a good few years. If your child is 2 this is especially worth considering.
8. Planning – If you are buying a ride on toy that needs building we strongly recommend not to leave it until Christmas Eve to construct! Some, particularly Little Tikes, are quite tricky and can take a while. There are lots of You Tube videos you can watch to help you with your build. But if possible, try and construct way before the big day!
9. Benefits – There are lots of battery operated vehicles which look fantastic and are fun however, we believe foot to floor push alongs have enormous additional benefits:

• More affordable
• The children don’t outgrow them as quickly
• They can play more independently with them
• They keep active, developing coordination, balance and muscle strength.
• They don’t need charging.

So, we hope these bits of advice help. It’s brilliant fun choosing your perfect ride on toy and we guarantee you’re little driver will be absolutely thrilled on Christmas morning!