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.
- Steel construction
- Adjustable seat
- 10-inch front wheel
- 3-side seat with belt
- Sturdy structure
- Certified safe material
- 10-foot track
- 2 non-slip steps
- Single rider design
- Lightweight
- One-year limited warranty
- Real foot pedal acceleration
- Flip-open convertible seat slide
- Highly detailed graphics
- Real Thomas and Friends sound effects
- Multiple award winner
- Sleek design
- Strong durable construction
- Sleek automotive design
- Smooth quiet ride wheels
- With two cup holders
- For small play areas
- Easy-grip handles
- Low saddle
- Rear bumper
- Delightful music
- Multi-directional extra front wheel
Review Methodology: At Mom Loves Best, we strive to provide you with a thorough analysis and assessment of the best ride-on toys available. Our team of experienced professionals carefully researches, tests, and evaluates each product based on key decision-making factors such as safety, performance, durability, and age-appropriate design. We compare products, measure their performance, and rank them according to our hands-on experience and data collected. Our in-depth reviews highlight the unique features that set each ride-on toy apart from its competitors and provide first-hand evidence to support our recommendations. As a result, you can trust our findings to make informed decisions when choosing the perfect ride-on toy for your child.
The Best Ride-On Toys of 2023
Whether you want something functional or fun, you’ll find a great selection here.
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.
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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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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.