Ride-on Toys

Ride-on toys: Great analog fun

There's no shortage of fun when it comes to ride-on toys. Whether you're looking for battery-powered wheels, good old-fashioned kid-powered ones or a traditional static standby like a rocking horse, you'll find choices for every age range. There's some obvious crossover here with tricycles, push bikes and regular bikes with training wheels. For information on those, see our separate report on kids' bikes. Here we discuss powered and non-powered four-wheel riding toys as well as rocking horses.

If a new toy needs to be something the whole family can enjoy, the PlasmaCar (*Est. $70) by PlaSmart gets good reviews from professional testers and users. It works by simply rotating the steering wheel back and forth to make it go. It's quick, too; the PlasmaCar can reach speeds of 6 mph -- just fast enough to give kids a thrill without risking injury. While it's designed for children ages 3 and up, experts at the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and About.com say kids of all ages enjoy the PlasmaCar. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Some parents wish it came in bigger sizes to make it more comfortable for taller youngsters. The sturdy ride-on can accommodate up to 220 pounds when used on smooth surfaces and up to 110 pounds on rough or uneven terrain, although some parents say it doesn't work well on asphalt. The PlasmaCar can be used indoors or out and maneuvers well around tight turns. It comes with a six-month warranty.

Battery-powered riding toys

If your child likes a little rumble with his or her ride, the Power Wheels lineup from Fisher-Price is the way to go. Power Wheels has something for everyone ages 1 to 6, whether it's a jeep, a truck, a sports car or a motorcycle -- there are 44 battery-powered vehicles in all. The Kawasaki KFX with Monster Traction (*Est. $200) earns the most praise. Styled like a scaled-down Kawasaki ATV right down to its twist throttle, the KFX can handle rough terrain including grass, dirt, uneven ground, hills and pavement. Several users say it's pretty loud when used on hard surfaces, but covering the wheels with rubber straps -- one website sells these as an add-on -- seems to help. Some particularly enthusiastic owners even retrofit Power Wheels with new wheels and real rubber tires. The Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX has forward speeds of 2.5 and 5 mph and a reverse function, and owners say the included 12-volt battery holds its charge well. All Power Wheels toys come with a one-year bumper to bumper warranty.

For older kids, powered toys from Razor earn the highest marks. Top-rated Razor rides include the E100 (*Est. $110), an electric scooter for ages 8 and up; the eSpark (*Est. $145), an electric scooter that emits sparks from the rear tire; and the Pocket Rocket (Est. $250), an electric-powered replica of a racing pocket bike. None of these are reviewed as often as Power Wheels products, however. As with all ride-on toys, it's important for children to wear a helmet while riding powered toys, some of which move at a much faster pace than a bicycle. For product suggestions, see our report on bike helmets. For more details on Razor and similar two-wheeled toys, see our separate report on kids' scooters.

Ride-on toys for toddlers

Riding toys for toddlers are more classic by design, requiring young children to scoot along with their feet. These can provide hours of fun and foster imaginative play.

The most popular ride-on for toddlers is the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, which has undergone some cosmetic updates as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Along with a smiling face, the Cozy Coupe now has cupholders, a high-back seat, wheels that spin 360 degrees, a removable floorboard and a handle in back for push-rides. According to abundant user reviews, youngsters love the Cozy Coupe's functional accessories that include a steering wheel, working horn, and doors that open and close. The foot-to-floor riding toy has won awards from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Parents-Choice.org for fostering imaginative play and standing the test of time.

Parents say the Cozy Coupe is very difficult to assemble, however, and the instructions are hard to understand. Several reviewers at Walmart.com, Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com complain that parts aren't labeled and don't fit well together. Still, most say their children love the toy and give it lots of playtime. Several reviewers also comment on the toy's durability. In addition to the Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Edition (*Est. $50), Little Tikes offers princess, fire/rescue, police car, taxi cab and pickup truck versions.

Rocking horses are another classic toy that never goes out of style; the latest models make noises for added realism and fun. The Radio Flyer Liberty Spring Horse with Sound (*Est. $150) has motion-activated sounds that include a whinny, a snort, a gallop, a walk and the "Home on the Range" tune. It gets positive reviews from parents posting at Walmart.com and Amazon.com, where they say their children love the toy and play with it regularly. Most say the sounds are pleasant, but they also like that they can be turned off. Several owners warn that the Radio Flyer rocking horse is very large and takes up a lot of floor space. This toy is designed for children ages 2 through 6 and has a 60-pound weight capacity.

The Little Tikes Giddyup N' Go Pony (Est. $180) offers a modern twist on the classic rocking horse: The plush equine moves forward on wheels as a child bounces up and down on its back. Handlebars on the horse's head make for easy steering. It also makes realistic noises, including a gallop and a whinny. The Giddyup N' Go Pony can accommodate kids up to 160 pounds, and can be used indoors and out.