Ride on toys are an exciting way for kids to get around as they push, pedal and even drive mini versions of their favourite vehicles, from scooters to ride on cars.
These toys provide hours of fun and can help children improve and develop key skills as they become more aware of themselves, their surroundings, and others.
As we approach Christmas, a ride on toy could well be top of your kids’ wishlist. With so many different types of vehicles available, finding the perfect one to suit their age and interests could be like parallel parking with only one wing mirror: tricky.
To help you reach your destination and make this Christmas one to remember, we’ve written this festive guide. Here, we explore the benefits of ride on toys, looking at the types available and which ages they’re most suitable for.
So, hop in and let us chauffeur you through your options and help you pick the ideal ride for your little one to whizz about in.
Why do ride on toys make the best Christmas presents?
Ride on toys make excellent Christmas gifts. As well as providing hours of fun for your little one, they also benefit kids’ growth, physical development, and cognitive improvement.
Here are a few reasons why ride on toys deserve a place under your Christmas tree:
1. They encourage active outdoor play
Finding ways to tempt kids outside can be difficult, especially with so many screens at their disposal. Ride on toys are fantastic for sparking interest in playing outside.
Better yet, some ride on toys, like kids' scooters and kids' bikes, require children to use different muscles and will get their blood pumping. As a result, they offer the added bonus of being a form of exercise.
Read more in our guide: The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Kids.
2. They develop motor skills
Ride on toys are great for developing motor skills (no pun intended!)
Using a ride on toy typically requires a child to perform actions like pushing, pedalling, or steering. Repeatedly undertaking these actions helps refine both gross and fine motor skills.
3. They promote independence
As they get older and develop confidence, kids naturally want to become more independent. Ride-on cars give kids the freedom to navigate their surroundings, take control of their destination and explore. All while improving their spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.
4. They provide long-lasting fun
Many ride on toys grow with the child, meaning your gift will be used for years to come.
Balance bikes with adjustable seats, bikes with removable stabilisers, and scooters with height adjust handles make adaptable gifts that kids can enjoy for years.
5. They encourage social play
Ride on toys are ideal for group play. Whether siblings race electric cars or friends zoom from the swings to the slides at the park on scooters, ride on toys encourage friendly competition, sharing, and taking turns.
Read Are Ride On Toys Suitable For Toddlers? for tips on keeping your little ones safe.
What are the different types of ride on toys?
Ride on toys come in a variety of styles and designs. The best ride on toy for them will depend on your child's age, interests, and abilities. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of toys available and the little rider they’d be best suited to.
Balance bikes
Suitable for toddlers aged two and up, best suited to kids between two and three years old.
A first bike without pedals that kids move by pushing their feet against the ground. Balance bikes are ideal for introducing kids to the world of cycling.
They help children learn the basics of balance and coordination, ensuring a smooth transition to pedal bikes in the future.
The RoyalBaby 16” Pedal Bike with Balance Bike Function is an excellent starter bike that can adapt to your child’s abilities. In just a few minutes, it can quickly adjust between a balance bike and a pedal bike.
Bikes
Suitable for kids aged four and up.
Pedal bikes are the next step up from balance bikes. They’re available in various styles and sizes, from small starter bikes with stabilisers like this RoyalBaby Little Swan 12” Bike with Stabilisers to more advanced models like the RoyalBaby Freestyle 20" Unisex Kids Bike.
Bikes are timeless childhood toys that can inspire a lifelong hobby. They’re perfect for encouraging physical activity in children and building strength, cardiovascular health, and endurance.
Before choosing a bike, you need to understand how to measure the correct bike size for kids. When you’ve done this, check out How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike for teaching tips.
Scooters
Suitable for ages three and up.
Scooting is the preferred method of transportation for many kids. It's easy, safe, encourages physical activity, and helps speed up those school runs!
Scooters are available in different sizes with useful features, like adjustable handlebars for growing with kids, big wheels for tackling uneven terrain, and front and rear brakes for extra safety.
With three wheels, a helmet, and knee/elbow pads, the RoyalBaby Chipmunk Ride-on Scooter is an excellent starter scooter. For older children with more experience on two wheels, the Renegade Big Wheel Folding Scooter is a lightweight option that offers hours of fun.
Electric scooters
Best suited to ages eight and up.
Electric scooters are an exciting upgrade for children seeking a speedier ride, great for keeping older kids off screens, outside, and entertained.
Electric scooters, complete with safety features like speed limiters and reliable brakes, provide the thrill factor with minimal risk. Our rechargeable 12V, 24V, and 48V scooters have different speed limits and functions, so they’re suitable for children of various ages.
For kids aged eight and up, the Renegade 12V 80W Electric Scooter is the perfect entry point to motorised scooting. Meanwhile, the Renegade 1600W Powerboard 48V Electric Scooter is a powerful model best suited to kids aged 14 and over.
Ride on cars
Suitable for kids aged two and up, best suited for kids between two and eight years old.
Ride-on cars are battery-powered vehicles that can be controlled via a remote. They are safe for young drivers and give you peace of mind that you can step in and take over when needed. These toys are excellent for inspiring a sense of independence in a controlled, safe setting.
At Outdoor Toys, we retail a range of models that look just like the real thing. Find miniature Audis, Land Rovers, Lamborghinis, and BMWs, as well as ride on jeeps and tractors.
To see our kids' cars in action, head over to the Outdoor Toys UK YouTube Channel, where you’ll find demo videos featuring the Lamborghini Autentica 12V Electric Ride On Car, Aston Martin F1 AMR23 12V Electric Ride On Car, and more.
Electric quad bikes and motorbikes
Generally suitable for children older than four, with some models designed for older children.
Electric quad bikes and kids' motorbikes are exciting ways to elevate playtime through battery-powered vehicles. Not only will they transform your garden into a racing track, but they’re also great for off-roading in muddy and bumpy terrain.
With the bonus of developing motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and balance, quad bikes and motorbikes are ideal gifts for the little daredevils.
We have 6V, 12V, 24V, 36V, and 48V models, each suited to a different age and experience level. A 6V, stable quad bike like the 12V Cross Country Ride On Quad Bike would suit a younger rider, whereas a 36V motorbike like the Renegade 80R 800W 36V Electric Mini Dirt Bike would be best suited for kids aged 14 and older.
For helpful guides relating to kids’ quad bikes, refer to our YouTube channel. We have step-by-step videos on topics including How to Unbox your Quad, How to Start your Quad. and How to Charge and Fuse Electric Quad.
Petrol quad bikes and motorbikes
Suitable for kids aged 14 and over.
Petrol-powered quad bikes and motorbikes (otherwise known as dirt bikes) are suited for older children who are ready for more powerful vehicles.
These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 20mph, so they require greater control and experience to operate. They are best used in large, open areas under close adult supervision and are not recommended for children under 14.
With realistic engines, petrol vehicles like the Renegade 50R 49cc Petrol Mini Dirt Bike or the Renegade Race-X 49cc Petrol Mini Quad provide grown-up adventures for teens who live life in the fast lane.
Shop ride on toys at Outdoor Toys
At Outdoor Toys, we’ve got the perfect ride on toy for every kind of driver!
From toddler-friendly balance bikes for the budding cyclist to licensed Formula 1 cars like the Aston Martin F1 AMR23 12V Electric Ride On, you’ll find ride on gifts for everyone on our site.
Discover small and large bikes, various scooters, and ultra-modern electric scooters for getting around in style.
Our range of licensed ride on cars includes iconic brands like Audi and BMW. Plus, don’t forget to check out our ride on jeeps with models from Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover and our beloved ride on tractors.
What better gift for kids with a need for speed than an electric quad bike or electric motorbike? With power outputs ranging from 6V to 48V, there’s a vehicle for drivers of every age and ability.
And, for difficult-to-buy-for teenagers who can’t wait to get on the road, our petrol motorbikes and quad bikes are the ultimate presents.
With 48-hour delivery and 0% finance on orders over £99, there’s no better place to shop for ride on toys and make this Christmas one to remember!
Ride on toys troubleshooting and guides
If you need a helping hand to set things up, the Outdoor Toys UK YouTube channel features easy-to-follow videos on a variety of topics like how to align and tension the chain and how to assemble handlebars.
Likewise, if you drive into problems with your purchase, don’t panic! We’ve got videos and guides to address all sorts of issues, including how to store ride on cars, ride on cars going in the wrong direction and replacing the batteries in a ride on car.
FAQs about ride on toys
Are ride on cars safe?
Absolutely! The ride on cars we sell are designed for children of specific ages, and each includes safety features to prevent accidents and injuries, like seatbelts and remote controls. Nonetheless, we recommend that all electric ride on vehicles should be used under adult supervision to ensure kids’ safety.
It’s also important to note the specifications of your purchase, which can be found in the description. Make sure to adhere to the age guidelines, maximum weight capacity, and surface the product is being used on.
Where can a child ride a dirt bike?
In the UK, children can ride dirt bikes on private land, such as a garden, or on dedicated off-road tracks. Dirt bikes are not road-legal, so they can’t be ridden on public roads, parks, or footpaths.
At what age can a child use an electric scooter?
There is no official minimum age limit for children to ride an electric scooter, but they are generally recommended for kids aged eight and up. This is because children this age will likely have better control of the scooter thanks to improved motor skills and spatial awareness.
How do I set up my electric ride on car?
One of the battery terminal wires is removed for safe transportation, so on arrival, you will need to assemble your purchase. Take the white plastic cap off the red battery terminal and attach the loose red wire coming from the small black fuse box. The car should then power on. Most ride on cars will take about 8-12 hours for a full charge. To avoid battery wear, it's best not to leave them charging overnight or for long periods unattended.