Best Ride-On Toys

Give kids toys with wheels and most will go, go, go! Try these fun ride-on toys.

Busy kids can buzz all over with this foot-to-floor ride-on toy, complete with wiggly antennae and a working horn. Caster wheels make it easy to maneuver even for very young children (suitable for ages 18 months to 4 years).

Here's a ride-on toy for your littlest boy. This dump truck helps babies transition from crawling to walking, then converts to a ride-on toy. When your child is ready, the seat converts to a walker handle and the gravel guard becomes a ride-on handle. The wide rear axle provides extra stability. Attach the steering wheel for lights, sounds, and vibrating action.

The classic ride-on toy has been reintroduced for a new generation of kids, but still has the same cute face and jaunty red hat you might remember. Kids bounce in the ergonomic saddle to make the inchworm move forward.

This bouncy, wheeled hopper is a fun alternative to a trike for a young toddler (18 to 36 months and up, to a maximum of 45 pounds). The curved seat helps her feel safe and secure and the caster wheels let her turn in any direction she likes. Plus, Fropper is foldable so you can carry it with you to the park. Or try the Okiedog parent handle so you can push or pull the Fropper while your toddler rides.

This is just one of several brands of "balance" or "walking" bikes to hit the market recently. Many, like this one, are made of sturdy, stylish wood. Parents are turning to these pedal-free bikes to help young children master balance in preparation for learning to ride bigger bikes. Also check out the Skuut (compare prices) and Kettler (compare prices). A hybrid model is the Hobby-bike, which includes a removable drive system (pedals, chain, etc.) so that kids can advance from learning to riding.

Once you see this clever ride-on toy in action, you won't be able to resist its charms. It's easy for kids to operate—just rotate the steering wheel to make it go—and moves fast enough to exhilarate kids. (But not fast enough to terrify parents.) There are no pedals, gears, or batteries, and it's strong enough for Mom or Dad to give it a whirl!

This hot wheelie is a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard—the wheels can rotate 360 degrees and the deck pivots too. Kids can speed up or turn just by transferring their weight from side to side. (Be sure to pair this gift with a helmet if your child doesn't already have one.)

How's this for a hybrid: The California Chariot is a cross between a scooter, a skateboard, a bike, and a … shopping cart? So says the manufacturer, referring to its ease of use. But if this is a shopping cart, it's certainly not your grandmother's grocery buggy. The unusual design allows for both a smooth ride and speeds topping out at 18 miles per hour. Quick—send your kid out for a quart of milk!

Part skateboard, part inline skate, part something-altogether-new! Orbitwheels are simply wheels you wear on your feet, no straps or buckles required. They are suitable for a variety of surfaces and with practice, rides can master lots of cool tricks. They're also lightweight enough to stuff in a backpack or locker when riding time is up.

The super-popular Razor scooter gets a hot new twist this season, with a patent-pending mechanism that actually shoots sparks when the rider activates it. Available in blue, red, and clear/black, the Spark Kick features the same folding system and rear brake as the original Razor kick scooter. For kids ages 8 and up.

Your feet never touch the ground with this three-wheeled scooter. To get started, push both feet out as far as you can and then pull them in. The scissoring motion will propel you forward. You can also push each foot independently for rollerblading-style action, or plant both feet firmly on the decks and shift your body like a slalom skier. It's an intense cross-training workout for kids ages 8 and up—and adults too.

Whatever ride-on your child chooses, make sure she is protected with a helmet. One way to encourage helmet wear is with these cool helmet covers. There are over 30 designs available—everything from princess crowns to dinosaur spikes to dozens of different animals and insects. Tail Wags covers fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, skate, and equestrian helmets.