Best ride-on toys for growing toddlers

How adorable is this puppy-inspired bike? Balance is a key skill for any toddler, and this little ride-on toy that has no pedals will help develop your baby's motor and coordination skills, as well as their overall agility, encouraging them to use their hands and feet to move the bike. The steering is designed with a limit to how much it can be turned, which is meant to prevent too many falls; the curved seat ensures your little one is supported and comfortable, while the wheels are durable and made from a non-skid material that can be used on all sorts of different surfaces from carpet and hard floors to grass and pavements.

One reviewer who thought the bike had a very solid frame and is well-built, liked that it has quiet wheels and said: "There aren't any pedals for them to get caught up in, it's just a cute scoot and balance bike." Another reviewer commented on the fact that it's very easy to put together and said it's both lightweight and sturdy; they did mention that it is ever-so slightly bulky, but said it fits in their pram basket for taking out and about: "My child loves it and it seems very easy for him to use."

You'll have seen these at all the soft play areas in the UK - little ones take to them like a duck to water, but do keep an eye on your child when they're on the smaller side, as toddlers can topple off very quickly (speaking from experience). They're lightweight to use and the bright colours and cute smiley face give your toddler even more reason to love it. One reviewer who describes it as the perfect toy for toddlers said: "It's easy to carry around because it's foldable and not heavy at all." They highly recommended it and even bought another one for their friend's child who they say absolutely loved it too. Our mum tester said: "I love how easy to fold away and compact it is, making storage easy." They also liked that despite being robust and sturdy, the toy is lightweight enough to carry.

One thing our mum tester pointed out was that they'd have preferred a padded seat. They said: "the seat is hard plastic, which is OK, but an option might be to have a softer padding for the seat. Although, as it’s plastic it seems to be very hardy and weatherproof, as we often leave ours outside in the patio in all weathers." Another reviewer also liked the fact that the whole bike is wipe-clean. Overall, mums found it to be a great toy for building kids' confidence when riding, balancing, and getting on and off the bike. They also appreciated the lightweight portability of the product.

We tested this ride-on toy as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, where it won Silver for Best Toddler Toy. Read our full Scuttlebug Bumblebee Ride On review.

Magic is in the air with this Rock and Ride Unicorn. Your baby will adore riding along to three sing-along songs and 10 different melodies. This toy also encourages mobility, motor skill development and curiosity. One reviewer who bought this for their youngest's first birthday liked that it can be used two ways, and adds that her daughter also loves to hold the handles facing the unicorn and use it as a walker – making it a 3-in-1. They said: "It feels nice and sturdy and is a good seat size. The music and lights are fab too. Best of all the price was great."

Mums and kids seem to really like the variety of fun features and the fact that the toy is easy to use. One reviewer said: "This was very simple to assemble, it has many functions, with lots of learning and dancing to be had, easy to push around and wonderfully fun to ride! No down side to this lovely unicorn ride. I would recommend it." Another reviewer did point out that: "It was a bit confusing when first assembling but managed in the end when we found a 'secret' button," so watch out for that. Another mum bought this for her eight-month-old, who she says already rides on it like a 'big girl', but she does acknowledge that the toy is only recommended from 18 months - please follow the safety advice when using this for your own child.

The Scoot & Ride Highway Kick 1 Scooter from Baby Mori is a versatile and innovative ride-on companion for toddlers that is suitable from one to five years. This 2-in-1 scooter transforms seamlessly from a ride-on with a comfortable seat to a three-wheeled scooter as your child grows. One reviewer points out that in bike position it is very low; they said: "I think it's probably only suitable for little ones up to around two years, if that. However, in scooter mode it's fine for kids up to around five years. My daughter loves it and we bought the bike for sitting on when she was two years as it had no pedals, and she uses it now as her main scooter at three-and-a-half years old."

Crafted with safety in mind, the toy features a stable design, adjustable handlebars, and a durable frame - plus, the pad in front prevents it from tipping over. The intuitive folding mechanism makes it great for portability, making it ideal for on-the-go adventures. With a focus on both fun and development, this scooter encourages motor skills and balance, ensuring hours of enjoyment for your little one.

Does your child love to explore? Whether it's with you on holiday, in the local park, or even in your back garden, they'll love riding around on their own iconic Italian-inspired scooter – just keep in mind if you're out and about with it that the battery, when fully charged, only runs for 45 minutes. One reviewer says, "Bought this at Christmas for my then nearly two-year-old. It's now been three months, and she still absolutely loves it! The battery power lasts very well, and it's a sturdy little Vespa. It's a little noisy, but that doesn't stop her jumping on it daily."

Kids (and parent Vespa enthusiasts) will love that the Mini Vespa Scooter 6V Electric Ride On looks just like the real thing. Little ones will also love flashing the working headlights as they balance and play. The toy is super easy to use: kids only have to push the button and off they go. It has a wide base and training wheels for safety and stability, and runs with a top speed of 1.6mph for 45 minutes on the rechargeable 6V battery. Buyers say the scooter is easy to assemble and that it doesn't take kids long to work out how to use it. One reviewer said: "Bought this for my three-year-old daughter’s birthday and it’s the best thing we’ve ever had so far! So much use out of it. Only downfall is after the first charge, it doesn’t go as fast as it did in the beginning but still lots of fun!"

We love a Wheelybug. They're suitable for ages one to three (or three+ if you go for the larger size) and are handcrafted from wood with a comfy sponge layer for the seat and durable polyurethane covering. Parents really seem to love these for their kids. One reviewer said: "What a lovely, beautifully made toy! Colours are gorgeous, finish is sleek and durable. I especially appreciated the small size. Got it for my baby when he was just over 12 months and didn't walk yet. Wasn't sure if this would be completely safe for him, but I didn't need to worry. He instinctively knew how to sit/move and hold onto the toy." They go on to describe how six months on, their child walks but still really enjoys riding on his bee and chooses to play with it most days. They said: "Despite that, the quality is so good that it looks completely brand new. I think this toy would stay in the family for generations! Highly recommended."

This adorable ride-on toy comes in a variety of designs, including ladybird, mouse, tiger, and cow. It'll encourage exercise, develops balance, and, most of all, allow your little one to have some fun indoors and outdoors. Overall, buyers like that the toy is sturdy and stable but still easy for little ones to move about on, practicing balance and using their bodies for movement. Buyers say that the small version seems too small for a one year old though. One reviewer said: "Ordered smaller version first (yes, I checked the dimensions), however, like many of the reviews it seemed too small for a one year old. No issues returning and reordering the larger version. It arrived quickly, looks really very well made and sturdy." This might be something to consider when choosing between the two if you prefer the toy to last longer.

This ride-on unicorn toy has three ways to play, and so is suitable for your little one as they grow and develop. There are interactive buttons and balls to play with for babies just able to sit up; once your little one starts toddling they can use the unicorn to push and walk with; then once they are bigger and more sturdy, they can ride on the unicorn.

There's plenty of stimulation from lights and sounds - but remember to buy batteries separately for all the extra features to work. Designed to support toddlers at different stages of physical development, the adjustable settings help control wheel speed for safety, which is great when lifting the seat up for walking mode. One customer who bought this for their granddaughter's first birthday said: "She loves sitting on it and pushing herself along. It is helping her learn to walk."

This toy is so much more than just a ride-on toy. With four play modes – sit-down play, walker, pull-along wagon, and ride-on train – this toy is packed with features to keep little ones occupied. It has letter blocks, light-up piano keys, a turning book, plus beads and cogs.

There's so much to keep kids entertained and stimulated with lights and sounds, you'll either love it or hate it given how many sounds it can play; one reviewer said: "We have a love/hate relationship with this. Alexander loves it and spent ages playing with the activity centre, but we considered 'losing' the batteries after five minutes. It's very loud and flashy. He's a bit small for riding it, but it'll grow with him, so it's good value for money."

Wee-oww, wee-oww, wee-oww. Your mini police officer will be excited to patrol around your garden to ensure there isn't any trouble from the neighbour's cat on this ride-on police car. We love this variation of the traditional Little Tikes car. With features such as an ignition switch, petrol cap, and 360-degree steering wheel, not to mention the working horn that doesn't require batteries, this fun toy will keep little one engaged.

One reviewer said: "My grandson absolutely loves this car. The only reason I gave it a 4 for the easy to assemble is because I need his dad's strength to put it together. If I had been on my own, he would have had a long wait. But I'm overjoyed with my purchase, and I definitely would recommend it." We also like that you can remove the floor making it a 2-in-1 ride-on; it can be pushed along safely with the rear handle and your child's feet up out of the way, and with the floor removed, they can use their feet to move the car around independently.

How cute is this little guy? This inflatable ride-on bouncer ensures a soft ride for your toddler with a big chunky head and ears to hold on to. The four rubber feet keep this friendly hippo upright and stable as your little one bounces comfortably along.

It comes with an air pump included and doesn't take long to inflate - just five to 10 minutes; one reviewer said: "Excellent product, which was super easy to pump up with the accompanying hand pump." They described the bouncer as sturdy and liked that it was easy to wipe-clean. Their little one loved it too, and we love that the toy is great for improving your tot's balance and coordination. You will have to supervise little ones though, so they won't bounce off on to the floor; the toy is only suitable from 18 months.