Old-Fashioned Fun
Buying Guide | Ride-On Toys for Toddlers
As your little one begins to find their feet, a new phase of discovery lies ahead. By 18 months old, your fledgling toddler may be taking their first steps, and by the age of two, they will have likely upgraded their skillset to exploring the world around them more independently, so finding a toy that can help them exert this newfound curiosity is a great idea.
And we have just the thing: a fun and functional ride-on from our friends at Vilac and Wheely Bug. Not only will these designs keep your toddler entertained, but they’re also a wonderful tool for developing their gross motor skills (the ones that involve movement and coordination). So, why not park their old toybox favourite — or hand it down to a younger sibling — and take playtime to the next level?
Image by Vilac
16 Aug 2023
Why Choose a Ride-On?
These active toys are not only a wonderful gift idea, but they'll also put your little one’s newly learnt skills into practice. "Ride-on toys are great for promoting balance, directional movement and spatial awareness," says Julia Minchin, children's toy specialist and UK distributor for one of our ride-on brands, Wheely Bug. "Many toys focus on fine motor skills and dexterity," she continues, "but focusing on gross motor skills is equally vital." The advanatge of our Vilac and Wheely Bug ranges are that they exercise both skills equally — clever, right? — for instance, gripping and turning a steering wheel, pushing off with their feet and even climbing on board.
And whilst you might not be ready to let them out of your sight just yet, ride-on toys act as the perfect companion for early-years exploration and unaided play, even if you’re only a couple of steps behind. Remember, if you need to clear some space to make room for their new ride-on, think twice before throwing away any old toys. Your local charity shop will happily accept donated toys as long as they are clean and in good condition.
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"The perfect ride-on toy works off a simple formula: stability, safety, comfort and visual appeal."
Julia Minchin, co-founder of Hippychick
Finding their Favourite
If you’ve decided that a ride-on toy will be the next addition to their playtime inventory, here comes the fun part: choosing from our collection of characterful designs. French maker Vilac has been delighting children with its beautifully crafted toys since 1911, and they are a firm favourite of ours here at Childrensalon. Its signature vintage racer will be pole position for parents wanting a ride-on that looks as good as it drives. Great for imaginative play, it features a fully functioning steering wheel, racing number and even a silver petrol cap. The smooth wheels also mean that your little one can glide across any hard surface making minimal noise.
If your toddler is more into animals than automobiles, then Wheely Bug is for you. Its colourful ride-on toys come complete with a comfortable padded seat (which is also easy to clean) and handy castor wheels for full 360-degree movement. But what we love most about these designs are the spring-loaded feelers. From cow horns to bouncy bumblebee antennas, these sensory delights guarantee a fun scooting experience with added wiggle factor. Playtime doesn’t get cuter than that.
Images by Wheely Bug and Vilac
