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Best Ride-On Toys of 2023

Updated
These are the best ride-on toys to keep toddlers and kids riding.

The ride-on toy has had a presence in every generation, from the earliest rocking horse to the latest scooter.

But purchasing the wrong toy for your child’s age and abilities could cause injuries or stress.

We know what a challenge it can be to try to choose between countless ride-on options. So we’ve spent a lot of time studying and comparing the best ride-on toys for kids. We selected and reviewed 13 ride-on toys that are entertaining, well-made, and safe for toddlers.

Help your little one feel like they’re going places with a ride-on toy they’ll never want to get off.

Our Top Picks

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Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Radio Flyer Classic Red 10' Tricycle for Toddlers Ages 2-4, Toddler Bike
Best Classic Tricycle
Radio Flyer
  • Steel construction
  • Adjustable seat
  • 10-inch front wheel
Product Image of the labebe - Baby Rocking Horse, Ride Unicorn, Kid Ride On Toy for 6 Month-3 Year...
Best for Young Toddlers
Labebe Unicorn
  • 3-side seat with belt
  • Sturdy structure
  • Certified safe material
Product Image of the Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster Ride On
Roller Coaster Ride-On
Step2 Roller Coaster
  • 10-foot track
  • 2 non-slip steps
  • Single rider design
Product Image of the Kid Trax Toddler Marvel Spider-Man Electric Motorcycle Ride-On, Kids 1.5-3 Years...
Best Motorcycle
Kid Trax Electric Motorcycle
  • Lightweight
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Real foot pedal acceleration
Product Image of the Thomas & Friends Fast Tracks Ride-on
For Future Train Engineers
Thomas & Friends Train
  • Flip-open convertible seat slide
  • Highly detailed graphics
  • Real Thomas and Friends sound effects
Product Image of the The Original PlasmaCar by PlaSmart - Pink | Purple - Ride On for Ages 3 Years...
Best for Older Toddlers
PlasmaCar by PlaSmart
  • Multiple award winner
  • Sleek design
  • Strong durable construction
Product Image of the Step2 Whisper Ride II Ride On Push Toy Car, Blue – Ride On Car With Included...
Push Car for The Park
Step2 Ride On
  • Sleek automotive design
  • Smooth quiet ride wheels
  • With two cup holders
Product Image of the Little Tikes Rocking Horse Blue, 33.00 L x 10.00 W x 17.50 H Inches
Best Rocker Horse
Little Tikes Horse
  • For small play areas
  • Easy-grip handles
  • Low saddle
Product Image of the Kiddieland Disney Mickey Mouse Plane Light & Sound Activity Ride-On
Best Airplane
Kiddieland Mickey Mouse
  • Rear bumper
  • Delightful music
  • Multi-directional extra front wheel


The Best Ride-On Toys of 2023

Whether you want something functional or fun, you’ll find a great selection here.

1. Radio Flyer Classic Tricycle

Great Classic Tricycle

The Radio Flyer is a tricycle design untouched by time. You may have even had one when you were a child. We can assure you that our children loved their Radio Flyers and used them constantly.

The trike is built for kids ages 2 to 4, and you can raise the adjustable seat as your child ages.

The wide handlebars are easy for kids to grab, and they also make it more difficult for the tricycle to tip over. The back serves as a rear step, making it easier for your child to get on and off.

The steel construction is highly durable, but we’ve found that it’s best to store or cover the bike on rainy days to avoid rust. With two color options, you can offer your child some choice in the buying process.


2. Labebe Unicorn Rocking Horse

Best Ride-On Toy for Younger Toddlers

This unicorn-themed rocking horse is designed with safety in mind for kids aged 1 to 3 years. The seat is surrounded by three sides, making it more difficult for young children with less balance to fall off. It also has a safety belt for extra security.

The horse is made of a plush fabric that’s comfortable for your child and stain resistant. The structure is made of solid wood — great for carpet or hardwood floors.

This ride-on toy for the youngest of users comes highly recommended by parents and toddlers alike. Our favorite feature is the 3-point harness. We also love that you can choose from various super-cute variations, including a dragon, swan, wooly mammoth, llama, narwhal, and many more.

At a little over 13 pounds, this ride-on toy is sturdy. However, it is also a bit heavy for your child to move around by themselves without help.

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3. Hurtle 3-Wheeled Scooter

Long-Lasting

Do you want something that lasts for years? The Hurtle 3-Wheeled Scooter is suitable for one-year-olds, but the handlebars adjust to three times the size, so it can be used until they’re pre-teens!

It has three wheels for superior sturdiness, and they light up with bright colors, adding a touch of fun. The extra-wide brakes make it easier for young ones to stop on a dime.

Finally, there is a flip seat if your child is still learning to balance correctly. Just pop them on and have them shuffle alongside you. Your little one will also be happy to hear that there are eight color choices!


4. Step2 Roller Coaster Ride On

Roller Coaster Ride-On

This 10-foot roller coaster ride-on toy is great fun for families with extra space in the house or backyard. The track is easy to assemble by simply snapping the pieces together — no tools needed. It also includes two non-slip steps for your child to climb to the top of the track easily.

The car is equipped with a high rail on the back, a handlebar, and a footrest, so your little thrill-seeker can hold on tight. The holding area is recessed at the top of the track, so the car won’t move until your child is ready. If you don’t want to use the track, the car can be used as a ride-on toy by itself.


5. Kid Trax Marvel Spider-Man Toddler Electric Motorcycle

Best Motorcycle

This lightweight electric bike by Kid Trax is built like a motorcycle and comes in a Spiderman design. The extra-wide wheels ensure that your child is always stable and secure. To move forward, it is capable of up to 1.5 miles per hour speed, is equipped with an LED headlight, and has foot pedal acceleration.

It’s made of plastic, so it’s easy to clean, and you don’t have to worry if it’s accidentally left out in the rain. It comes in an already assembled package so little ones can enjoy riding on the go. This bike is designed for ages 18 to 30 months and can hold up to 44 pounds.


6. Thomas & Friends Train

Best for Future Train Engineers

This model toy is a battery-powered train. It comes with a track that will allow your child to ride around on a set route, but the toy can also operate off the track.

It’s shaped like the famous Thomas engine, making it an instant hit with most toddlers. Your child sits on the seat and holds onto the handlebars. On the track, the train goes 1 mile per hour. Off the track, it can reach 2 mph.

The battery is chargeable, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck without a replacement. It’s suitable for ages 1 to 3 or children weighing up to 40 pounds.


7. PlasmaCar by PlaSmart

Designed for Older Toddlers

This ride-on toy has a unique design that eliminates the need for pedals or batteries. Half-tricycle, half-scooter — it moves forward using gravity and tension from the wheel system.

It is designed for children from ages 3 right up to adults! It can support up to 220 pounds. Our pre-teens still love riding around on these fun little vehicles.

It’s available in six different colors, and there’s a design every kid will like. The tires will work inside and outside and, when used correctly, can even be driven in reverse. This toy can travel with you to the park or be used in the basement on a rainy day.


8. Step2 Ride On Push Car

Push Car for the Park

Push cars are all the rage right now, and I can easily see why. They offer many of the same benefits as a stroller, especially if you live within walking distance of parks, restaurants, or shops.

This push car comes in two color options and has two cup holders for your tot and storage space under the “hood.” The handle on the back, which allows you to steer the car, also has a cup holder for mom or dad.

Once the child is sitting, they can buckle in for safety. They can also steer the wheel and honk the horn to feel more engaged in the ride. Compared to a stroller, your child will be able to see more and feel like a “big kid,” even though it’s suitable from 18 months.


9. Little Tikes Rocking Horse

Best Rocker Ride-On

This super little rocker is designed for kids from 12 months old. It is a favorite amongst day care centers and preschools because of its simple, easy-to-clean, and durable design.

We love that it can grow easily with your child, unlike rockers with safety straps that are more confined, and babies and toddlers love it! This rocker will last until age 3, with a maximum weight load of 50 pounds.

To ride the toy, all your child has to do is sit in the seat and rock back and forth. Your child can go as fast as they please. The rocker’s design reduces the risk of them tipping backward or forward.

If you have carpet, they can even scoot around the house on it.


10. Kiddieland Mickey Mouse Plane

Best Airplane Ride-On Toy

If your child is into Mickey Mouse and music, this airplane toy will be an exciting addition to their inventory. It’s designed for children ages 12 months to 3 years. For younger kids, a handle on the back can be used to guide them or push them when they’re tired.

Your child can push buttons to play music, shift gears, and cause the propellers to light up and rotate. They use their feet to push off the ground and move the toy forward. Because the toy is made of plastic, it’s easy to keep clean.


11. Mega Bloks CAT Build 'n Play Ride-On

Designed for Imaginary Play

This ride-on vehicle is a great way to introduce your child to the world of building and construction. This toy can also be used with other Mega Bloks Cat building toys.

Designed for children from ages 12 months to 3 years, Build ‘n Play Ride-On will help your child’s hand-eye coordination while giving them a fun source of exercise. The seat lifts to offer storage for the blocks they can use to load the excavator.


12. Little Tikes Coupe Fairy

Fairy Delight

This cozy coupe car is designed for kids who love to feel independent. It’s made to adapt to your child’s growth, from 18 months to 5 years old or up to 50 pounds.

You can keep the floorboard installed for younger children and push them from the back using a handle. As your child grows, remove the floorboard so they can push and steer themselves.

The opening doors on either side give them easy access to the vehicle. The tires are durable enough to be used on most surfaces outside. For trips to the park or to the beach, it even has a small storage area in the back.

If your little one doesn’t want to drive a fairy princess car, there are plenty of other colors and designs available.


13. iPlay, iLearn Hopping Horse

Best Ride-On Toy for Animal Lovers

If your child loves animals, they will love this bouncing toddler ride-on horse. The toy inflates to become a four-legged hopper (hand pump included). Your child can bounce around the house or yard with big ears to hang onto.

The inflatable portion is made of high-quality, eco-friendly rubber that doesn’t contain phthalates. The seat height is 14 inches and is suitable for children from 2 years old.

When and Where To Use Ride-On Toys

If you live in a small space or a dense urban landscape, you might think ride-on toys aren’t feasible for your family. However, there are many scenarios in which these toys can be useful — both in and out of the home. Here are a few examples:

  • Taking a walk: Some toddlers quickly tire of being stuck in a stroller. Many ride-on toys come with a handle that allows you to push them like a stroller while giving your child more of a view.
  • Long days: If you’re going somewhere that requires your toddler to be on their feet all day, a ride-on toy can help. Some can hold bags, coats, cups, or snacks when not used for seating.
  • Rainy days: It can be challenging to help toddlers get their energy out on a rainy day. Whether you have room for a ride-on train or just a stationary rocker, the best ride-on toys will provide a solution to cabin fever.

The beauty of ride-on toys is that they can be used outdoors or indoors.

And these toys can also give your child a chance to unleash their imagination. They can pretend they are in their own world riding their favorite unicorn or that they’re sitting in a fire truck on the way to save some lives.

How to Choose the Best Ride-On Toys

Ride-on toys are designed to meet a variety of heights, weights, and abilities. Some are battery-powered, while others are powered by your child’s leg strength.

The variation means there is a good fit for almost every family. However, it also means you might want to have a few things in mind when you go to purchase one.

Pedals or No Pedals?

Most of these toys move forward as your child pushes their feet across the floor. However, some ride-on toys also have pedals. This option is a great way to prepare your kids for bicycle training later on.

When looking at toys with pedals, ensure your child is the proper height for that particular toy. You may want to bring your child to the store to make sure their feet are flat on the ground when sitting on the toy.

If their feet don’t quite make it to the ground, it’s probably better to wait for them to grow a bit more before buying.

If your child’s legs don’t reach the floor, they might not be able to control the toy fully, which can lead to accidents or injuries (1).

Interests

Ride-on toys come in a wide variety of themes. You can find police cars, animal tricycles, and even construction equipment.

If your child is interested in a particular profession or activity, try to find a related toy to add to their excitement and extend their creative play.

Outdoor or Indoor Use?

There are ride-on toys that work well for families who live in cities or rural areas. Consider the kind of ground your child will be riding on.

If the toy is going to be outdoors, it’s a good idea to find one with tougher tires and materials that won’t rust outside. If it’s going to be used inside, you may want to consider the size of the toy and whether it will move well on carpet or leave marks on the walls.


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Headshot of Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Reviewed by

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN is an oncology nurse navigator and freelance medical writer. Mary has 4 years of experience as an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. including emergency/trauma, post-anesthesia, and deployment medicine.