Regardless if you have a racecar driver in the making, ride along cars for kids are fun toys that you can get for your little one. It also helps boost their motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and sense of balance. Those made for toddlers can also encourage your little one to get up and walk more. It’s a very interactive toy, with some allowing your kid to grow in it.
Quick overview
Table could not be displayed.Ride along cars can either be battery-operated or simply mechanical. Usually, those made for toddlers don’t have any electronic parts. It’s just a simple ride along that they can propel using their feet. Meanwhile, those made for older children are battery-powered and can be driven like a real car.
And just like any other toy, you have to be careful with what you’re going to buy. Safety is always the main concern for these types of toys, so always be meticulous. Always look for certifications that the ride-on cars are made of non-toxic materials and that its construction will not pose harm to a child.
Below, I reviewed five of the best ride on cars made for toddlers and older kids:
1. Power Wheels Hot Wheels Jeep
If you’re looking for the best ride-on cars for 5-year-olds, the Power Wheels Hot Wheels Jeep is a good option. This is a miniature version of the Jeep Wrangler, which is one way to introduce your little one to the joy of driving.
This is a battery-powered ride along car that works on a 12V battery. It has a maximum weight limit of 130 pounds as well as seat dimensions of 18” x 8”. It’s perfect for kids age 3 to 7.
One thing that makes this ride on the car really cool is its Hot Wheels colors and graphics. It’s also a spot-on small version of Jeep Wrangler. Your kid can drive this at a maximum of 5 miles per hour and a maximum reverse of 2.5 miles per hour.
Aside from that, the doors of this toy car open and close easily. This is a two-seater ride on car with an easy-grip steering wheel as well as programmed horn sounds and other tunes.
Lastly, it has chrome wheels and accents that make it look less like a toy. It’s also available in a Jurassic Park or Sunny Day versions aside from the Hot Wheels Blue.
Pros
- Sophisticated design
- Two-seater capacity
- Pre-programmed sounds
Cons
- Not for toddlers (not a big deal)
Check on Amazon
2. Power Wheels Thomas & Friends Train
If you’re looking for an indoor ride a long car for your toddler, you should check the Power Wheels Thomas & Friends train. This train ride comes with a track where your child can safely ride along. And since it can be used on the tracks, your little one is less likely to drive away.
The train itself is battery-powered using a 6-volt battery that can propel the ride for a maximum of 1 mile per hour on the track and 2 miles off track. It has a simple push-button operation with a fun Thomas style. The dashboard also comes with a button that plays Thomas sounds and phrases.
Meanwhile, the 18-feet track is easy to assemble. If you want your kid to enjoy riding inside the house, the train is also useful out of the tracks.
This has a 40-pound limit, which should only be used indoors. It’s made to be toddler-friendly and safe since most moving parts are covered. There are convenience footrests, too, to suit a single rider.
Overall, this ride along train car will give your little one hours of entertainment. The battery lasts a long time, though it can be a little tricky to get the battery out for charging.
Pros
- Can be used on and off-track
- The battery lasts long
- Comfortable footrests
Cons
- The battery is hard to remove
Check on Amazon
3. Kiddieland Disney Plane Ride On
Another great option for the best ride on cars for 3 years old is the Kiddieland Disney Plane Ride on. With this, your child can hear Dusty sing his favorite songs while they ride. It has a press and slide operation that gives realistic take-off and landing sounds.
Aside from that, there are buttons that trigger the sounds and flashing lights of the plane. It also has a steering wheel and a honk so your little one will have a lot of fun. The best part is the front propeller that can be turned on for a fun ride.
This ride-along car has a maximum weight capacity of 50 pounds on its one-seater design. The best part is that this toy car comes fully assembled so your toddler can ride on it straight from the package. To operate the electronic feature, you need three AA batteries, which are included in the package already.
If you’re worried about safety, you’ll be glad to know that this rode on the car doesn’t have sharp edges. Also, even if your child tries to stop the spinning propeller, it will not hurt them seriously. It’s only battery-powered, and the edges are smooth.
Pros
- Equipped with lights and sounds
- Comes with fully assembled
- Realistic take-off and landing sounds
Cons
- No volume control
Check on Amazon
4. Fisher-Price Smart Stages Scooter
For the little toddlers that are just getting started to walk, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Scooter is a good choice. It sports the Smart Stages technology with content that aims to support your baby’s development.
This scooter offers three levels of play where your child can sing to tunes, sounds, songs, and other phrases programmed in the ride. It has over 50 learning songs and phrases that will promote speech development to children.
Instead of a steering wheel, this has two handlebars where your toddler can grip. Below the handlebar are play buttons that will trigger the sounds programmed into the ride on car. It also has a motion switch that will activate the learning content as the toddler scoots around.
One thing that I like about this scooter is how hidden the wheels are. It will prevent running over your toddler’s feet. Overall, this is a great introductory ride for every kid.
The only thing I noticed is that this thing doesn’t turn. But since it’s made for very young users, it’s not much of a big deal. Your baby will love it nonetheless.
Pros
- Programmed with learning content
- Three levels of learning
- Hidden wheels
Cons
- Does not turn (not a deal-breaker)
Check on Amazon
5. Little Tikes Push and Ride Walker
Lastly, I recommend the Little Tikes Push and Ride Walker. It’s suitable for babies that are 9 to 36 months old. This has a very simple construction with no electronic parts. That means easy maintenance and endless fun.
The back of this ride-along car has a spoiler that lets your little one push it around. It also acts as a walker to encourage your little one to stand up and walk. Toddlers can also sit on the low seat and scoot around the house. It also has a backseat space where your baby can place it stuffed animal toy.
Overall, this ride on car is 22 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 17 inches tall. There are two easy-grip handlebars so your baby can maintain its balance while scooting. This is a great toy that will help improve the skills of your growing baby.
Minor assembly is required, but it’s not really that hard even if you’re not a handyman. Just note that this doesn’t steer, which is just right for a ride on car for babies. Your little one can’t steer it anyway. It’s a little starter trike that’s safe to use and easy to maintain.
Pros
- Doubles as a walker
- Backseat space for dolls
- Low seat to accommodate babies
Cons
- None, so far
Check on Amazon
How to choose ride along cars for kids
When it comes to ride on cars for kids and toddlers, I’d like to make it simple. You must consider the following points:
Age rating
The very first thing you should check is the age rating of the ride on car. It’s usually divided by toddler, 5 to 7, and 7 and up ages. This is to guarantee that the build, design, and weight limit of the toy car will suit your child.
Those made for toddlers and babies have extra safety features that prevent injuries. Also, toddler ride-on cars are much simpler than those made of older kids.
Battery-powered or not?
Next, decide if you want a battery-powered ride-on or one that your kid can use to scoot around. I don’t recommend ride on cars that have a battery-powered operation for babies, aside from the sounds and lights. Very young kids can’t adapt to the demands of a battery-operated system. Also, the fact that battery-operated options are speedier, it’s not safe for babies.
However, if your kid is at least four or five years old, it’s usually safe to get them a faster ride on like the two Power Wheels options I reviewed above.
Speed
Although ride on cars for kids are not really fast, each one still has varying speeds. Battery-operated types can run for up to 2 miles per hour while those made for younger kids are at 1 mile per hour max. The younger your child is, the slower the ride-on car should be. Besides, the best choice for babies is non-battery-powered types which they will operate using their feet.
Battery life
If you’re opting for an electric ride along car for your child, check how long each battery charge will last. You’d want a decent runtime so you wouldn’t have to charge the thing over and over again. A few days would be understandable, especially if your child is using the car all day long.
Design
Design is very critical when it comes to enticing your child to use the toy car. Look for a ride on car with attractive colors, buttons, sounds, lights, and other elements that make it stand out among other toys.
Miniature versions of real cars are a joy to have for older kids. But for toddlers, what you need is to titillate all the senses. Colorful ride alongs with sounds and lights will never disappoint.
Learning content
If you want to make the most out of your purchase, you might as well get one with programmed learning content. It could be a collection of songs, tunes, or phrases that your child can recite. This feature will help develop your baby’s speech, motor skills, and creativity.
Safety
Lastly, look for a ride along with safety features like smooth edges, hidden wheels, hard-to-reach battery locations, and no tiny parts that could break off easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What age is appropriate for Power Wheels?
A: Power Wheel cars that run for two miles per hour are suitable for kids age 5 and up. Such speed isn’t safe for toddlers and can be difficult to control. Still, you can find Power Wheels ride ons that are slower and safer to use for a younger market.
Q: Can two year olds ride toy scooters?
A: Kick scooters are not suitable for two year olds. It requires balance and a stable gait. A child that’s older than three is usually prepared enough to ride a scooter. You should still supervise your child while using such ride ons.
Q: Is it safe to use Power Wheels indoors?
A: If you have a large home and you don’t mind getting your floors scratched, you can let your child drive a Power Wheels ride on inside. Since these cars for kids are bulkier than other options, it’s not wise to let your kid use it indoors.
Conclusion
Ride along cars for kids are fun and interactive toys that you can get for your child. Just make sure that you get a safe and well-made option that will grow with your toddler. The five options I reviewed here will surely suit your little one.
What do you think of these ride on cars? Share your thoughts with us below!