Best Ride-on Toys for 1 & 2 Year Olds

By: Mary

Toddlers love toys that they can climb on and go for a spin.

So what better gift for toddler than one of the best ride on toys for kids who love excitement and fun!

At ages 1 and 2, your child is full of curiosity and ready to explore.

They’re either walking or trying really hard to start walking. And they’re really keen to be mobile both inside and outside.

We’ve taken this into account when looking for the best riding toys for toddlers.

Some of our top picks also double as a walking toy, which gives your child added benefits and gives you extra value for your money.

So come on in and have a look. We’re confident you’ll find an awesome ride on toy that your toddler will have tons of fun with!

Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a link on our site and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

A Word from a Psychologist

Written By: Psychologist Natasha Tanic

  • Ride-on toys for toddlers are an excellent gross motor activity ideal for independent play
  • Ride-on toys help strengthen the child’s muscles, balance, and coordination

Why are Gross Motor Toys Important?

Toddlers love engaging in gross motor activities. Whether they use them indoors or outdoors, ride-on toys are excellent for encouraging movement, muscle strength, and gross motor development.

Kids can push them around or run ride-on toys independently, mastering their balance and coordination and gaining more and more confidence in their own skills. 

Such toys encourage physical activity that is essential for a child’s healthy development and mental health. 

Our Top Three Ride-on Toys

Our top pick: Little Tikes 3in1 Car

Second place: John Deere Ride-on Pedal Tractor with Wagon

Third place: John Deere Sit ‘N’ Scoot Activity Tractor

Top Ride On Toys

Little Tikes Go And Grow Lil’ Rollin’ Giraffe Ride-On

If you are looking for a great ride on toy for your one year old, then this adorable Little Tikes Go And Grow Lil’ Roller Giraffe Ride-On should fit the bill.

This scoot toy is designed to look like a giraffe and comes with decals to customize your giraffes spots.

It features a three wheel design with two smaller wheels in the front and one large double thick wheel in the rear.

It has an adjustable seat so that your child should be able to use this giraffe ride on until the age of 3 or 4 depending on their size.

This Giraffe Ride-On measures 15.5” X 22” X 16” and will hold children up to 50 pounds. It can be used indoors or outdoors as long as its rode on a smooth surface.

Several parents shared that their one year old toddler who is just beginning to walk also likes to push the Giraffe rather than ride on it, and also use it as their favorite seat while watching television.

Parents are struck by the adorable face on this little ride-on Giraffe!

Best of all, this ride-on giraffe is made Little Tike tough, so you will likely be able to hand this him down to younger siblings once your child outgrows it.

If you are looking for a simple and affordable scoot ride-on toy for your one year old then this Go and Grow Lil’ Roller Giraffe ride-on toys may be well worth your consideration.

Why We Recommend The Little Tikes Go And Grow Lil’ Rollin’ Giraffe Ride-On

  • This cute Giraffe provides hours of ride on fun for your 1 year old son or daughter
  • Riding this ride-on will help strengthen your child’s leg muscles
  • Parents find this toy easy to assemble
  • Helps your child develop better balance
  • Well constructed
  • Easy for your toddler to get on and off
  • Allows toddlers to get healthy exercise

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Pewi Ybike Ride On Toy And Walking Buddy

If you are looking for a great combination walker and ride on toy for your one year old who is just beginning to take their first steps, then this Pewi Ybike Ride On Toy and Walking Buddy certainly is a toy worth considering.

Although this ride-on toy is a bit strange looking with it’s wide set wheels and round circular handle, it is sure to be fun for any one year old toddler.

This Ybike comes in red, pink or blue and is perfect as a birthday or Christmas gift for your toddler.

This toy has a lightweight aluminum frame and a molded banana style seat with foam padding for added comfort. It has an easy grip handle and 360 degree non-marking caster wheels.

It measures 22” X 18” X 18” with the seat standing 10 or 11 inches from the ground and will hold children up to 44 pounds.

When used as walker, your son or daughter stands holding onto the handle and pushes the Ybike in front of them to give them something to hang onto when making those first initial steps.

As a ride on toy, your child sits on the seat, grips the handle and propels the toy with their feet.

However, the design of this ride-on toy and walking buddy is also useful as a chair if your child sits backwards on the seat and uses the round handle for a backrest.

You may find that your 1 year old never wants to gets off this toy during their waking hours!

This well made ride on toy and walking buddy is the ideal ride-on toy for most one year olds providing them with several different ways to use it for added value and fun!

Why We Recommend The Pewi Ybike Ride On Toy And Walking Buddy

  • Fun and easy to use for your child
  • Dual use as a walker and ride on toys
  • Rolls well on smooth surfaces
  • Wheels are spaced away from your child’s feet
  • Well constructed
  • Easy to assemble
  • Grows with your toddler lasting a couple of years
  • Strengthens your child’s legs

Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug, Pig (Small)

If you are looking for a fun and durable ride-on toy for your 1 year old then this Wheely Bug Pig by Prince Lionheart is a good choice.

This ride on pig comes in sizes both small and large, but since we are reviewing ride-on toys for one year olds, we are featuring the small pig in this review.

The pig is mounted on a wooden frame and works well on smooth flooring and low pile carpeting, as well as paved driveways.

It has a faux leather looking body that is easy to wipe off and has 360 degree casters that allow your child to turn in every direction. The handle is a semi circle that is sturdy and easy for children to hold onto.

This cute little pig measures 15” X 9” X 8.75 and will grow with your child for a long period of time.

Kids love riding and pushing this pig, and parents like the fact that their child can use their feet to scoot this pig along smoother type surfaces. Some parents do state that the seams in the wheels may be a bit rough on wooden floors.

This padded ride on pig is comfortable for your one year old son or daughter to sit on and will hold up to a good deal of toddler abuse.

If your toddler is not a fan of pigs, then don’t worry because this ride on toy is also available as a ladybug, a mouse, a tiger, and a hedgehog.

This adorable little pig is sure to capture your child’s imagination and they will enjoy riding this toy until they are ready for a peddle type ride-on like hot wheels or a trike.

Why We Recommend The Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug Pig

  • Offers your child hours of riding fun
  • Made from high quality materials
  • Helps to strengthen your child’s legs
  • Helps your son or daughter improve their balance
  • Grows with your child
  • Easy for your child to maneuver
  • Durable
  • Parents like this pig is easy to clean

VTech 2 In 1 Learn & Zoom Motor Bike

Vtech are well known for making their fun educational toys and this VTech 2 in 1 Learn & Zoom Motor Bike is no exception.

This brightly colored ride on motorbike is perfect for children age 1 and converts from a three wheeled motorbike that is safe for young toddlers, to a two wheeled motorbike as your child gains confidence and skill.

The motorbike is propelled by your child’s own feet and has interactive panel features with lights, buttons, rollers and gears for your child to explore.

It has a motion sensor that activates over 70 songs, sounds, and phrases as the bike moves, making it very entertaining ride for your toddler.

This motorbike also introduces colors, safety and road safety tips. You can select the Sing and Learn Mode or the Ride on Mode.

The bike does require 2 AA batteries (included) for everything to function.

Parents really enjoy seeing their child’s excitement when they are playing with this bike and also shared that the motor sounds encourage their toddler’s laughter.

Parents also really like that this Learn & Zoom Motor Bike is simply to assemble and once assembled its sturdy and dependable with lots of fun activities for toddlers to enjoy.

The VTech 2 in 1 Learn & Zoom Motor Bike is sure to become one of your child’s favorite toys for a long time to come.

Why We Recommend The VTech 2 In 1 Learn & Zoom Motor Bike

  • Provides hours of fun for your little one
  • Parents like that this ride on Motor Bike is easy to assemble
  • Lots of fun activities for one year old children to engage in
  • Over 70 songs, phrases, and sounds for your child to listen to
  • Grows with your child
  • Helps your child improve their balance
  • Children love the music and motorcycle sounds
  • Sturdy
  • Versatile

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Scooter

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Scooter is a colorful and fun ride on scooter designed for children age 1 and over.

This Laugh & Learn scooter has Smart Stages technology so the content changes and grows with your child as they get older.

There are 3 phases that helps your child learn.

The first phase is Explore and is perfect for one year olds. This phase introduces your child to songs, fun sounds and phrases, and the names of colors and shapes.

Phase two prompts your child to identify shapes and colors and phase three encourages your toddler to engage in pretend play.

There is an interactive dashboard, has clicking keys, a horn that honks, and shape buttons to explore, all making for a lot of fun and versatile play.

This scooter is not only fun to ride, propelled by your child’s feet it also plays 50 songs and phrases and has 3 buttons that introduce numbers, colors, shapes, opposites and more.

This scooter has a motion switch that activates learning content as your child scoots along. It does need 3 AAA batteries (included) to work.

Parents like that this scooter makes a fun riding toy for their child and gives them a number of activities to keep them happy and occupied.

The Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Scooters is a great ride on toy for one year old kids who are eager to explore the world around them.

Why We Recommend The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Scooter

  • A lot of fun for your child
  • Plays 50 different songs and phrases that your toddler will love listening to
  • Parents find this scooter easy to assemble
  • Can help your child to develop both fine and gross motor skills
  • Well built and sturdy
  • Smart Stages technology gives your toddler three different levels of fun
  • Can help your child learn about numbers, colors, shapes, and opposites
  • Grows with your child
  • Makes learning fun

VTech Sit-To-Stand Alphabet Train

Part activity center, part walker and part ride on toy, this two piece VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train is sure to provide your one year old child with years of learning and fun.

This toy offers your child three modes of play; sit and use the activities on the side of the engine, use just the engine as a walker for taking those first steps, or attach the car and turn the walker into a ride on toy.

The activity portion of this train has some fun learning activities.

There are 13 double sided letter blocks your child can stack or can place in the square hole and watch the blocks shoot into the carriage (or second car).

There are piano keys that introduces numbers, songs, and stories, and a built in alphabet book that has pages that really turn. This train uses 3 AA batteries (included).

There is a volume adjustment and lights and the train measures 10” X 31” X 7”.

If you’re looking for a ride on toy that offers versatility for your child’s play and growth, this Alphabet Ride On Train may fit the bill.

Why We Recommend The VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train

  • Small children find this train fun to play with in a variety of ways
  • Has plenty of activities to keep your child interested and happy
  • With 3 modes of play, this ride-on train is extremely versatile for your child
  • Train will grow with your child, lasting them two or three years before they outgrow it
  • Sturdy enough to make both a great walker and ride-on toy
  • Parents like the fact they can turn down the volume when they grow tired of the songs this train plays
  • Great for role playing and pretend play, encouraging your child to be imaginative
  • Perfect for independent play, keeping your toddler engaged for hours

What Else Is Available

Toys Cars & Garages

Mattel.com

Target.com

Ride-on Toys

Walmart.com

Fisher-Price Little People Music Parade Ride On

If you are looking to provide your 1 year old child with a great ride on toy that will turn your toddler into a one man band, then this Fisher-Price Little People Music Parade Ride On toy will fit the bill beautifully.

This musical ride on toy comes in pink, purple, and yellow.

The toy features 5 marching tunes, and introduces your child to various instrument sounds, such as a trumpet, drums, sax and tuba.

There is even a set of piano keys on the front of the ride on so your child can play their own tune.

There is under the seat storage, and wide wheels for added stability.

Your child will have a great time pushing on all of the various buttons and listening to the various sounds.

There is a handle on the back of this ride-on, so it functions as both as a walker and a ride on.

The ride on toy works on both carpeting and hard floors and it requires 2 AA batteries (included).

Your child will love tucking some of their favorite small toys into the storage section and giving them a ride, and may even use the push handle to give their dolls and stuffed animals rides on this ride on.

If you want to encourage your child to explore music, then this Music Parade ride on toy is a great way to get them excited about exploring the world of music while feeling independent.

Why We Recommend The Fisher-Price Music Parade Ride On

  • Kids have a ball pushing buttons and listening to the marching tunes for this ride on
  • Great for imaginative play, such as pretending to be on parade and other fun activities
  • This ride on is a fun way to start to instill music appreciation in your toddler and introduce them to musical instruments
  • Functions both as a ride on and as a walker
  • Well built and sure to last until your child out grows the ride-on
  • Kids love the storage space on this ride on and enjoy putting various toys inside
  • Help to improve your toddler’s motor skills and strengthen their leg muscles
  • Encourages your one year old to be active
  • Idea for outdoor and indoor play

Frequently Asked Questions About Ride-On Toys

What are the Benefits of Ride-On Toys for 1 & 2 Year Olds? 

Ride-on toys for 1 and 2 year old toddlers promote gross motor skills such as coordination, strength, balance, and agility.

They can also encourage safe risk-taking, allowing your child to step out of their comfort zone and gain greater independence.

Do Ride-On Toys Promote Independence in Young Children?

Ride-on toys can be shared with siblings and friends for even more fun.

However, many 1 & 2 year olds enjoy playing with their ride-on toys alone.

Encourage your child to enjoy their ride-on toy independently (under your supervision) to boost their autonomy, self-confidence, and self-pride when they figure out how to maneuver the toy. 

Which Ride-On Toys are Best for 1 & 2 Year Olds?

Young children prefer bright-colored toys with sounds, lights, and music.

Such ride-on toys provide more than just riding fun – they also have an excellent educational value. 

Photo by Jsh.

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