Rocking toys for toddlers have many benefits. At first glance, they may just seem like a source of entertainment, but they can actually play a role in your child's development.
Kids find the back-and-forth motion from rockers to be soothing, and it also it increases their coordination and balancing skills, not to mention building arm and leg strength. Moreover, they're useful in promoting imaginative play and storytelling, and in enhancing dexterity.
For these reasons, these types of toys are a great purchase for your toddler’s play repertoire.
Before you buy
If you're in the market for a rocking toy, there are a few things to look out for:
- Design
- Quality
- Material
- Price
To learn about all the best rocking toys for toddlers, keep reading!
Quick comparison: Best rocking toys for toddlers
Rocking toy | Features we love | Rating | Click to buy |
---|---|---|---|
Rockabye Owlivia | - Easy to wash and maintain | ||
Little Tikes | - Seat design keeps kids | ||
Fisher-Price | - Interactive: plays music, | ||
Hape High Seas | - Minimalist wood design | ||
Happy Trails Plush | - Handcrafted and sturdy | ||
Best Choice Products | - 3 different educational buttons |
If you want more info on the best options, keep reading for a closer look at each one.
Rockabye Owlivia Pink Owl Rocker
This is an easy-to-maintain rocking toy with a pretty-in-pink design that your princess is bound to love.
Because you can easily sponge wash the material, it’s simple to keep it squeaky clean.
This adorable toy is suitable for children nine months or older and can be enjoyed by kids weighing up to 80 pounds.
This rocker is constructed out of quality solid maple hardwood as well as luxurious fabrics, curated from around the world.
It is so well-made that you can expect it to last for decades rather than years, making this a toy that can be passed down as time goes on.
Furthermore, the rocker features four educational songs that teach the ABCs, 123s, colors, and more - making this an all-around great toy for your toddler.
Pros
- Washable
- Colorful
- Made of quality materials
Cons
- Doesn’t have a wide “rocking range”
- Velcro closure is easy for child to open
Our favorite feature
In addition to improving your child’s balance and coordination skills, we love how toy also teaches your little ones their ABCs and 123s through its fun songs. This rocker plays four different musical numbers, all composed and performed by Rockabye. So original!
Little Tikes Rocking Horse
This is a classic Little Tike item making a comeback in a vibrant color.
Because of it’s small size, it won’t take up much room in your home but will still provide your child with endless entertainment and fun.
It's also made of strong plastic and is durable enough to be used outside—versatility we love.
The unique design keeps your child from falling forward or backwards while they’re rocking.
Furthermore, the easy grip handles make it easy to use for toddlers.
This toy is suitable for children ages 12 to 36 months and has a weight capacity of 50 pounds.
Pros
- Easy to wipe clean
- Has no sharp edges
- Low price point
Cons
- Seam down middle may be irritating to child
- May slide on floor
Our favorite feature
The fact that this toy can be used in small spaces, as well as indoors or outdoors, makes it one of the best rocking toys for toddlers. Having the ability to bring this toy on sunny days, or using it on a rainy day makes it versatile and convenient. We love how it's small enough to be easily transported, yet it's just the right size to give your toddler the fun they crave.
Fisher-Price Rockin' Tunes Giraffe
If you’re looking for an interactive toy for your toddler, search no further! This is a terrific option that is educational and fun - which is quite the winning combination.
This toy responds to your toddler with engaging lights, sounds, and phrases.
Shaped as a giraffe, the mane of this rocking horse is equipped with four colorful dancing lights to immediately catch your child’s attention.
Your little one is encouraged to keep rocking as the more he moves, the more noise and lights he will hear and see.
This toy is light to carry and is recommended for children ages 12 months to three years old.
Pros
- Easy for children to climb on
- Durable design
- Simple assembly
Cons
- Requires batteries
- Doesn’t have a wide “rocking range”
Our favorite feature
This toy's best quality is obvious—it’s interactive! Especially at a young age, it’s vital to ensure that your child is developing her balance, coordination, imagination and motor skills. A toy like this, which not only stimulates the senses but also encourages kids to be active, works wonders for enhancing their mental and physical growth.
Hape High Seas Wooden Toddler Rocking Ride On
Make your child the instant captain of this ship, which encourages dexterity, imagination and storytelling!
This wooden boat toy rocks back and forth, and the fun design is just the beginning of its awesomeness.
Recommended for children ages 12 and up, it can support even bigger kids up to 15 years of age.
This toy was also built for safety and comfort, as the bench seat includes an added back piece that keeps kids safe and comfy as they ride the ocean waves.
Rest assured that as your child is sailing her ship, she's not ingesting any chemicals. This boat is made of non-toxic finishes and child safe materials that will put your mind at ease. The Hape device is constructed out of durable wood that will last for years to come.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy design
- Chemical-free materials make it safe for children
- Unique and attractive aesthetic
Cons
- Some assembly required
Our favorite feature
While there are many reasons to love this item, one stand out: how unique it is! There are lots of rocking toys on the market, and this wooden boat sticks out from the crowd. It sparks creativity. Think of all the stories you can tell your child, and he can tell you, as he braves the high seas!
Happy Trails Plush Rocking Patricia Pony
A rocking horse is a traditional toy that's a no-brainer, if you ask us. And this rocking horse is one that any kid would love to have.
Although the exterior is plush, it sits on a wooden core and stands on a sturdy wooden rocker.
It's designed for cowgirls and cowboys ages 36 months to four years, and it's sure to get them shouting “yee-haw!”
The head and tail on this rocking horse move, making it more interactive for your child to play with. It looks like a real-life horse, too, with mock stirrups and a saddle.
There is minimal assembly required—another quality we love.
Pros
- Simple assembly
- Soft plush material
- Arrives pristinely packaged
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Saddle may shift around
- Smaller design
Our favorite feature
The best part of this rocking toy is how easy it is to assemble. We know that your little one will be dying to “giddy up” and get rocking, so there’s no time to waste fiddling with your toolbox. The process is straightforward and uncomplicated, taking into consideration the schedule of a busy parent and an excited child!
Best Choice Products Musical Educational Rocking Horse
This is a great rocker with a fun and colorful, design reminiscent of vintage-styled toys.
It's made out of durable plastic, so it's easy to wipe clean.
It's also interactive, with a rolling picture story wheel that plays music as the wheel spins ‘round. But wait, there's more! It includes three educational buttons that teach kids shapes, numbers, and their ABCs.
This toy is recommended for children over the age of 18 months, and assembly requires no tools at all.
Conveniently, the seat of this toy is a storage compartment where your toddler can store other small toys. Opening and closing the saddle is a ton of fun for them!
Pros
- Durable design
- Doubles as storage device
- Wipes clean
Cons
- May be small for taller children
Our favorite feature
Besides acting as a traditional rocker, the green portion comes off to reveal wheels on the bottom of the horse, so your kid can scoot around on it. As a result, you get two toys for the price of one, which means excellent bang for your buck.
In your search for awesome toys for your child, you might also consider wagons, scooters and even sandboxes, all of which have similar benefits in terms of sparking a child's imagination.
As for the best rocking toy for toddlers, as you may already know, there are many options, all of which offer something unique.
Hopefully this list has helped you narrow it down to find the perfect one to suit your child’s needs—and his personality!