Babies start to become more mobile right around their first birthday. And, man, it is exciting and terrifying all at once! By 12 months they’re well on their way to mastering crawling and pulling themselves up. Your baby may be taking a few steps unassisted or fully walking. Whatever stage they are at, ride on toys for 1 year olds are a great way to help your little one meet their next milestones.
I know, there are so many toys for 1 year olds to choose from! BUT riding toys help children develop their second-year milestones and are a great way for young children to learn independence.
Lucky for us parents, there are tons of great options on the market! You can get something that perfectly fits what your baby is ready for. There is everything from trikes to bikes to rocking horses. Below we will go over why ride on toys are so beneficial and then let you know about a few of our favorites!
The Best Ride On Toys for 1 Year Olds
Maysuke Baby Balance Bike
Traditionally, you give your child their first bike around age 4. It’s about this age they have developed the skills required to balance and pedal. Who needs traditional though? With balance bikes, your baby can start riding right around their first birthday.
This is one of my overall top toys for 1 year olds, let alone ride on toys for 1 year olds. My little guy got it as a gift for his first birthday and has played with it every day since. I especially love the wide wheels that help keep the bike upright.
Fisher-Price Big Action Dig N’ Ride Ride On Toy
This is the ultimate toddler ride on toy, especially if you have got a construction-obsessed little one! It features a bucket arm that really scoops and makes cool construction sounds at the touch of a button. On top of being loads of fun, the working scoop is great for hand-eye coordination.
As for actually being able to ride on this toy, the large wheels make it easy to maneuver this toy over carpet indoors and grass outdoors with ease.
Little Tykes Go and Grow Lil’ Rollin’ Giraffe
The Little Tykes Go and Grow Lil’ Rollin’ Giraffe is a great ride on toy for 1 year olds. This toy has a foot-to-floor design with an adjustable seat. This makes it easier for younger children to sit and play safely. As they grow taller, they can continue to enjoy riding.
The toy has a design that provides stability and safety for use inside and out. This toy will teach your little one to propel themselves, get on and ride independently, and steer. Plus, it’s all on a fun giraffe!
The age range is 12 months to 3 years.
Best Ride On Cars Mercedes G-Wagon 3 in 1 Push Car
If you are dreaming of driving a G-Wagon but can’t quite pull of buying one of your own, consider buying your toddler the coolest replica ever! It has a realistic steering wheel, a working horn, and it plays music sounds.
It can be pushed like a stroller or used as a walker. In either mode, your little one will be the coolest kid on the block.
Baby Balance Bike
The Baby Balance Bike by Ancaixin focuses on helping your baby begin to learn the balance that’s required to pedal a bike later. Babies can start to build the necessary muscles and learn the mechanics of a bike without having to work the pedals. This foot-powered bike is low to the ground and teaches the basics, like balance and movement. This is a great option for a 1 year old friendly bicycle.
The age range is 1-2 years old.
Little Tykes Rocking Horse
This ride on toy has over 10,000 reviews and 5 stars on Amazon. Many riding toys operate like cars, rolling and being steered through a play space, but the Little Tykes Rocking Horse is a great option for a stationary riding toy. This classic blue rocking horse has a wide base and high seat back, making it a good option for 1 year olds.
The handles are easy for little hands to grip. Also, the extended base lets children rock and ride without parental fear of them tipping over.
This is a playspace staple, great for children 12 months to 3 years.
Land of B. Hippo Ride-On with Building Blocks
Why get just a ride-on toy when you could get a ride-on toy with blocks, lights, and sounds instead? On top of this toy being absolutely adorable, I love the chunky blocks that come with it which are perfect for toddler hands. The combo of riding and playing with blocks will keep your little one active and working on important motor skills.
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll n Trike
A great grow-with-me option is the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll n Trike. This toy starts as a fun riding stroller with a canopy and an adult push handle. Then it converts into a steering trike, a learn-to-ride trike, and finally full tricycle.
There are pieces that are adjustable and removable so a young child can branch out from the traditional stroller for a fun ride, and enjoy their tricycle all the way until they’re independent enough to ride on their own.
This trike is good for ages 1-5 years old.
Pottery Barn Kids Ride-On Toy
This little airplane is absolutely adorable, as all things are from Pottery Barn. You can even get it personalized with your child’s name on it. I especially love this idea if you’re giving it as a gift!
On top of being adorable, it has a propeller that spins and a working steering wheel.
Step 2 Push Around Buggy
Talk about a classic ride on toy! It’s a great option because it can be pushed around until your little one learns to scoot themselves around. It is most commonly used for outdoor play since it’s made of durable materials. On top of that, it has a seatbelt. This makes it possible to use as a stroller for fun, short walks.
Don’t forget the fun storage compartment under the hood! You might be shocked to find what your toddler puts under the hood when you aren’t looking.
Little Tykes Push and Ride Racer
For a classic car toy that doubles as a walker, check out the Little Tykes Push and Ride Racer. This ride on toy has a simple design in primary colors. It has a foot-to-floor design so riders push off and power their own car.
The rear spoiler has two grab bars, turning this ride on car into a walker as well. Children can use any side of the car to push up to a standing position and can climb all the way to sitting and riding the car.
The car is for children as young as 9 months up to 3 years.
How Ride On Toys Help A 1 Year Old’s Development
By year 1, babies are typically developing into toddlers. They are learning independence, muscle development, and increasing their mobility. Because they are hitting so many developmental milestones, it’s important to have plenty of different toys around that encourage them. Ride on toys are a great option for helping 1 year olds learn important new skills.
Ride on toys can help a 1 year old develop balance and grow muscles, as sitting on a moving toy helps increase muscle memory and strength. As the child uses a ride on toy, they will learn how to move themselves and the toy around their play space. In turn, this teaches spatial awareness and independence, in addition to teamwork, logic, and reason.
Keep in mind, the majority of children’s toys have a suggested age for use, due to the parts involved and the level of skill required to play with the toy. Always be sure to listen to these suggestions! The best ride on toys for 1 year olds have a grow with me feature, as new 1 year olds may still need to walk with assistance and can struggle with pulling themselves up.
A grow with me toy typically has a handle or can be configured in several ways to allow the toy to adjust as the child gets older and becomes more independent. Some other ride on toy options may be more stationary. These will be the better option for 1 year olds who are still working on their basic motor skills.
About the Author
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ride on is best for 1 year old?
My top choice for ride on toys for 1 year olds is the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll n Trike. It is a great grow with me option that you will get tons of use out of.
This toy starts as a fun riding stroller with a canopy and an adult pushing handle. Then it converts into a steering trike, learn-to-ride trike, and finally full tricycle.
What toys can 1 year olds have?
Some great toys for 1 year olds are ride on toys like trikes, learning toys like the VTech Sit to Stand Learning Walker, and toys that encourage creativity like wooden instruments.
What age can baby ride on toy?
The earliest a baby can use a ride on toy is usually at about 10 months. The majority of children’s toys have a suggested age for use, due to the parts involved and the level of skill required to play with the toy. Always be sure to listen to these suggestions! The best ride on toys for 1 year olds are those that have a grow with me features.
You May Also Like:
THE BEST TOYS FOR 1 YEAR OLD GIRLS – 15 FUN CHOICES!
THE BEST TOYS FOR 1 YEAR OLD BOYS – 25 GREAT OPTIONS
8 OF THE BEST BABY CARRIERS THAT WILL SAVE YOUR BACK (AND ARMS AND LEGS)
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