Push, Pull and Ride-On Toys for Toddlers: What to Offer, and Why to Skip the Baby Walker
How we write: we have not run hands-on product tests. These guides explain what to look for at each stage and why, so you can judge any toy yourself. We never publish invented prices, ratings, or reviews; check the retailer for current details.
Once a child is on the move, wheels and strings become irresistible. Push toys, pull toys and simple ride-ons are some of the most-recommended active toys for toddlers, and the most important advice in this area is about something to leave out: the wheeled baby walker.
Skip the wheeled baby walker
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says baby walkers send thousands of children to hospitals every year, and that most of those injuries happen from rolling down stairs. A child in a walker can also reach higher, toward hot drinks, stove handles, heaters and poisons, and can fall into a pool or bathtub. The AAP says walkers do not help children learn to walk and can actually delay walking. Because a child in a walker can move more than 3 feet in one second, the AAP says walkers are never safe, even with an adult close by. It has called for a ban on wheeled walkers, which are already banned in Canada.
- Safer alternatives the AAP suggests: stationary activity centers with no wheels, play yards or playpens, and a high chair with toys on the tray.
- Check that there are no walkers wherever your child is cared for, too.
Around 1 to 1½ years: push and pull
Seattle Children’s notes that 1-year-olds like to dump, push and pull, turn, knock down and stack. The CDC’s milestones for 18 months include walking without holding on and playing with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car, and the CDC suggests giving toys your child can push or pull safely.
- Push-and-pull toys on a short string, for children who are already walking steadily (Seattle Children’s).
- A simple doll stroller.
- Push or pull cars and large trucks that are not metal.
- A simple train of one or two cars.
Around 2 years and up: wheels they power themselves
By 2, Seattle Children’s says, toddlers enjoy active play and push themselves on wheeled toys. For older toddlers it lists:
- Toy versions of adult tools, such as a vacuum, shopping cart, wagon or light wheelbarrow.
- Ride-on toys that move when the child pushes with their feet, with no steering device.
- A small tricycle with a helmet, from about 2½ to 3 years.
- A small rocking horse.
Nemours KidsHealth says that by age 3 many children can pedal a tricycle, and it lists push and pull toys and riding vehicles among age-appropriate active toys. It recommends toddlers get at least 30 minutes of adult-led and at least 60 minutes of free active play each day, in a safe environment.
What to check before buying
- Strings: the AAP advises removing loose ribbons or strings from toys to avoid strangulation, and Seattle Children’s specifies pull toys on a short string. Store pull toys away from sleep spaces.
- Sturdy build: the AAP suggests sturdy plastic, since thin plastic can break into sharp pieces. Seattle Children’s adds no sharp points or edges, no parts that could trap fingers or toes, and nothing brittle.
- Small parts and batteries: wheels, axles and caps must be larger than your child’s mouth. Avoid toys with easily removed button batteries or with magnets.
- Noise: the AAP advises avoiding loud toys to protect hearing.
- Age label and recalls: read the label, show your child how to use the toy, and remove any recalled toy right away (AAP).
Where to play
Wheels and stairs do not mix. Keep push and ride-on play on flat floors or paths, away from steps, pools, driveways and streets, and stay close. A helmet goes with the tricycle from the start, so it becomes part of the routine.
Safety first: always follow the age grading on the package and supervise play. For children under 3, avoid small parts (see our safety checklist).