Few things bring so much joy to a child as a ride-on toy. And that's because there’s nothing quite like a little vehicle for a little person. They can put the pedal to the medal, feel the wind in their hair and get a little taste freedom as they cruise around… the living room. Or better yet, the yard. Or the driveway.
The truth is that ride-on toys are an important part of play, as they offer many benefits to children.
- They foster independence, as having their own vehicle to get around in makes them feel responsible and grown up.
- Not only do they encourage exercise, but they get your child outside, into the fresh air. The colors, textures, and noises he or she experiences outside provide further stimulation.
- Pushing and pedaling, adjusting the dashboard—that all plays a role in fine motor skill development.
- They help with coordination and balance as well as body awareness, while also building arm and leg strength.
- They encourage independent play, which gives them the opportunity to explore and get to know the world around them, at the pace that's right for them. This in turn helps develop self-esteem.
- As they master their ride-on toys, they become more confident.
- They are simply awesome for allowing kids to get creative. As Sally takes off in her ride-on tractor, she might make up a story about how she's ploughing the corn fields. And Billy might ride his toy fire truck imagining the people he'll rescue.
It's also worth noting that these types of toys have a heck of a lot of staying power. They can be adapted as your child grows, with the result that they can be used for a longer period of time than many other types of toys.
So, with all of these awesome benefits in mind, let's get to it! We took it upon ourselves to put together the greatest list of ride-on toys for 1-year-olds of all time. That includes:
- Little Tikes Go and Grow Lil' Rollin' Giraffe Ride-on Toy
- Ladybug Prince Lionhart Wheely Bug
- Thomas the Train with Track
- Mega Blocks Ride-on Caterpillar with Excavator
- Step2 Pink Whisper Ride Buggy
- Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Scooter
- VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train
- Power Wheels 'Lil Quads (various models)
- Fisher-Price Bounce, Stride and Ride 3-1 Elephant
- Dusty Plane Ride-on Toy
- VTech Learn and Zoom Motorbike
- Little People Music Parade Ride-on Toy
- 4-in-1 Trike
- Little Tikes Cozy Truck and the Princess Cozy Truck
- Little Tikes Princess Cozy Coupe and the Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Car
That driver's permit may be 15 years away, but it's never too early to give the gift of mobility. Beep beep! Comin' through!
Giraffe Ride-on Toy
There's nothing quite like mounting your giraffe and then riding him around the yard! This badboy has an oversized back wheel, which gives it a little more stability, and a wheel guard, which makes it safe. Perfect for cruising indoors and outdoors, your 1-year-old will get a kick out of customizing this ride-on and scoot toy with the spot decals included.
What we love:
- It's super easy to assemble
- It has an adjustable seat and rubber hand grips
- It's basically perfect as a first ride-on toy
- It is very well-made and durable
What we don't love:
- Some previous buyers say the seat is too close to the handlebars
- One previous buyer says it tips over easily when a child dismounts
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Ladybug Wheely Bug
You've never seen a ladybug quite like this one. This ride-on toy moves in every direction: forwards, backwards and side to side. There's no running into furniture and getting stuck. As a result, this "unlimited mobility" and the possibility of maneuvering around obstacles will keep your 1-year-old busy busy busy. Once your kiddo hops on there will be no stopping him!
What we love:
- The durable exterior hides a spongy layer underneath, so the seat is oh-so comfortable
- It can be wiped down with just a damp cloth
- The colorful design is really appealing to children
- It's basically perfect as a first ride-on toy
What we don't love:
- There's some debate among previous customers about whether to buy the small or the large ladybug. We recommend that you look into it before ordering.
- It works better on smooth surfaces than on carpets
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Thomas the Train Ride-on Toy
Do you have a Thomas the Train fanatic on your hands? Then you might want to must check out this ride-on toy, which is as cool as they come.
You child can cruise around the house on this toddler-friendly toy as the train makes Thomas-like sounds, much to his or her delight. The feature that makes this toy extra special is that it comes with it's own track, so your little one can practice going around and around before venturing into wilder parts, like the kitchen and the dining room. All aboard indeed!
What we love:
- The track keeps kids from getting frustrated, and once they master the toy, they can take it "off-track"
- If the track is a hit, you can buy extensions and make it larger
- The toy can be used both indoors and outdoors
- The battery lasts forever!
What we don't love:
- One previous buyer says that the train is on the loud side
- You have to hold the power button continuously for the train to keep going (although there are hacks to get around this)
- There's no reverse function
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Excavator Ride-on Toy
If you have a budding builder on your hands, this 3-in-1 ride-on toy is the way to go. Not only does it make realistic truck sounds, but the 360-degree pivoting excavator arm is not, we repeat, not merely decorative.
In fact, the details are so authentic, from the front grill to the headlights, there may be confusion as to whether or not this is a real CAT excavator. And as an added bonus, it comes with 10 building blocks, which 1-year-olds can use to build, or pick up and dump with their new vehicle.
What we love:
- The noises can be turned off and the volume can be regulated, which is exciting news for parents
- The excavator arm is a very big hit with kids
- The toy can be used both indoors and outdoors
What we don't love:
- The steering wheel doesn't actually turn. The child needs to maneuver their weight to move the excavator
- There are no controls to move the excavator arm, so it must be moved by hand
- One previous buyer says that the seat wobbles slightly
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Pink Whisper Ride-on Toy
Ooooo, check out girlfriend's new ride! This sleek ride-on toy really has it going on. From the seat belt and storage under the hood to the functional horn and the cup holders (one for child, one for Mommy), the Whisper Ride Buggy is an experience in itself.
What we love:
- The handle bars fold down, making travel easy peasy
- The wheels are super quiet, which is the favorite feature of many previous buyers
- The seat is big enough to fit two toddlers, so your wee one can take her girlfriends for joy rides around the neighborhood
What we don't love:
- One previous buyer says the assembly instructions could be improved
- The steering wheel is not 100% stable, as some buyers have commented
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Scooter
This is more than the perfect little scooter—it's also an educational toy that goes the extra mile. It has 3 buttons which teach your 1-year-old numbers, colors and shapes and it has over 50 leading songs and phrases. What's even cooler is that the content is activated as baby scoots. Nothing like learning on the go!
However, our favorite feature by far is that the content changes along with the "driver", which is to say there are three levels of play, depending on his or her age and stage. Now that's a cool toy!
What we love:
- Since the child has to scoot, this toy helps build agility and muscle strength
- Pushing the buttons helps with hand-eye coordination
- This scooter runs well both inside and outside
- It includes an off switch and volume control (parents rejoice!)
What we don't love:
- The seat does not open into a storage compartment
- One previous buyer says the scooter can tip over, so it's important that the child is at least able to stand before hopping on
- Batteries are not included
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train
Where this toy is concerned, "A" definitely stands for Awesome and "B" for Bang for your Buck. This VTech product has not one or two but three modes of play: floor play, walker and ride-on mode. And as if that weren't enough, it's totally decked out to provide a fun, learning experience to your toddler. From the sound effects and lights to the 100 sing-along songs and stories, this isn't a ride-on toy. It's an experience.
What we love:
- The train is very durable and well-made
- It's just insanely versatile, and it has so many cool functions for entertaining and teaching children
- It evolves as your child grows
- Perfectly combines education and movement
- It has volume control and an off switch (parents rejoice!)
What we don't love:
- If the child doesn't do anything with it, it turns off pretty quickly
- One previous buyer says the stories are kind of lame
- One previous buyer says that the plastic wheels slide instead of rolling
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Power Wheels 'Lil Quads
Fisher-Price makes a series of different 'lil quads, catering to various segments of the 1-year-old demographic with their thematic vehicles, which include Camo, Barbie, Kawasaki, Standard, Dora the Explorer, Princess, Batman and PAWS Patrol. They all come with toddler-friendly features and built-in footrests, guaranteeing a comfy ride. A large button lets them safely take off and come to a stop, and the quads include a 6-volt battery and charger.
What we love:
- These babies drive at a speed of at most 2 mph and perform fantastically on both grass and hard surfaces
- The battery lasts a long time and is very easy to charge
- It is ridiculously durable
- They provide countless hours of fun and entertainment
What we don't love:
- One previous buyer says the steering wheel was too stiff
- The vehicles don't go backwards
- There is no seat belt
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Camo Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Barbie Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the the Kawasaki Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Standard Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Disney Princess Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Dora the Explorer Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Batman Quad.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Paw Patrol Quad.
Bounce, Stride and Ride Elephant
Fisher-Price knows how it's done. This little elephant offers a whole lotta fun for the little ones in your life. We love it because it's one of those "grow-with-me" toys, offering something special and different as your toddler gets older.
He or she will love the three functions: sit and bounce, stand and walk, and scoot and ride. It has songs, sounds, light-up buttons—the works. This ride-on toy is super hands-on and promises a good time for any wee one.
What we love:
- It works on both carpets and smooth surfaces
- It has an "off" button for the music
- It's a cinch to assemble and batteries are included
- It has motion sensors, so when your toddler engages the elephant, the elephant responds!
What we don't love:
- The tires only go straight and do not rotate
- There is no seat belt
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Dusty Plane Ride-on Toy
If you know someone who's a fan of Dusty Crophopper from the Disney movie Planes, then this ride-on toy is sure to be a smash hit. Your 1-year-old can set off on a real flying adventure while honking the horn, listening to Dusty's songs, and enjoying some very authentic take-off and landing sounds. And if the recipient of your gift-giving is a diehard Planes fan, check out our review of the "radio control" Dusty airplane.
What we love:
- The spinning propellers are a big hit with the little ones
- It has a stopper on the back so it doesn't tip over backwards
- One previous buyer says "the sounds are soft enough to not drive you mad"
What we don't love:
- The seat doesn't have storage space under it, like other ride-on toys
- Some previous buyers say it runs on the small side
- One previous buyer says it's front-heavy
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Learn and Zoom Motorbike
Watch out Harley Davidson, Vtech has a pretty rad motorbike that's winning over toddlers across the country. The Learn and Zoom ride-on toy takes interaction to the next level: lights and buttons set the stage for songs, sounds and phrases, so your 'lil one learns on the move. It has rollers and gears which help introduce concepts such as shapes, colors, objects, and even elements of road safety. And how about one more super-cool feature: it can be transformed from a tricycle to a bicycle! That's a whole lot of fun packed into one little vehicle!
What we love:
- This is definitely an attention-getting toy, according to previous buyers
- It comes with volume control
- It's colorful and durable
What we don't love:
- This toy can only be used indoors
- Some say the front wheel does not turn very easily
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Little People Music Parade Ride-on Toy
This little vehicle is very much like a parade, with all kinds of musical sounds, from drums and a tuba to the sax and the trumpet. It even has its own keyboard so your 1-year-old and compose his or her own music. With 5 different marching tunes and engine revving sounds, the toddler in your life is sure to love it (his or her parents, well, that's a different story...)
What we love:
- There's storage under the seat
- Kids absolutely love it, according to previous buyers
What we don't love:
- This toy does not have an "off" button for music, or volume control
- The front wheels only move backwards and forwards, but not left and right
Click here for more info and current pricing.
4-in-1 Trike
Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present to you.... (drumroll please)... the Trike! Also known as "Your Next Best Investment". This 4-in-1 vehicle is utterly awesome, converting from a stroller to a steering trike to a learning-to-ride trike and then to a classic tricycle.
Because of its immense adaptability, you will be using it for a very very a long time. Its adjustable "grow with me" seat caters to kids from 9 months all the way to 5 years old. It has a headrest for neck support, a canopy to protect from UV rays, and a 3-point safety harness. I think we have a winner.
What we love:
- It's very adaptable to make children comfortable at any age
- It truly offers great value with so many options for a great price
- The wheels are rubber as opposed to plastic, and are therefore more durable
- It has a little tray where you can keep a drink, or a sippy cup
What we don't love:
- It needs to be oiled now and again
- Assembly takes a while
Click here for more info and current pricing.
Cozy Truck Ride-on Toy
You're gonna have to be careful with this little truck—it's so realistic, some might mistake it for the real thing!
With two versions to appeal to both boys and girls, this vehicle is astoundingly realistic, from the front grill to the gas cap and the driver's door (which opens and closes) to the working horn. It has a removable floor, so kids can move it on their own or sit back, relax and be guided by a parent. And the rear storage bed is a great feature, so toddlers can take important supplies with them (teddy bears, lovies, snacks, etc.).
What we love:
- These trucks are a major hit with kids
- They move well on all surfaces, from grass and concrete to carpet and hardwood floors
- They are extremely durable and can be expected to last for a long time
What we don't love:
- Previous buyers say that assembly is quite challenging, especially the roof
- The steering wheel is purely decorative and serves no real function
Click here for more info and current pricing on the black one.
Click here for more info and current pricing on the purple one.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Ride-on Toys
These 'lil vehicles are in a class of their own. They've been around for decades, and are one of those "you-can't-go-wrong" kinda products.
The front wheels spin 360 degrees and the durable tires will serve your kiddo well on many an adventure. It has a removable floor and a handle on the back, so kids can ride as well as be pushed, and it has other cool features like an ignition switch, a gas cap, a high seat back and storage in the rear.
What we love:
- Most previous buyers say the children like the toys so much that many refuse to get out
- They are very sturdy
- They are very easy to scoot about in
What we don't love:
- Assembly is apparently a real PITA
- Some buyers say the color they received was slightly different than the one in the photos
- Some buyers say they were smaller than expected
Click here for more info and current pricing on the Princess Cozy Coupe (pink).
Click here for more info and current pricing on the 30th Anniversary Car (red).
Well, thanks for coming along for the ride as we took an up-close look at some of the coolest ride-on toys for 1-year-olds on the market. If you're looking for other toy ideas for little ones, check out this article on toys made in the USA and the best toys for 18-month olds.
Hopefully you found what you're looking for. If so, let us know! And if not, also let us know! Shoot us a message via the contact page and help us improve the list for all of our readers.
