Bikes, tricycles and wooden ride-ons: why give them away and where to find them
Today we talk about wooden ride-ons!
After learning to walk and run, children gradually begin to find it extremely fun to ride astride what seems most suitable to them, such as a large soft toy, the swings in the park… or dad’s back!
For this reason, ride-on toys are always very popular with children and can be a great gift idea especially for the little ones.
Designed to stimulate the imagination and inspire creativity – on a ride-on the child must necessarily travel with the imagination – ride-on toys are also the perfect tool for developing motor skills and training balance while having fun.
Why prefer bikes, tricycles and wooden ride-ons
On the market there are models of ride-on toys among the most varied, but the most interesting ones and which I would also recommend from an ecological and material quality point of view, are the wooden ride-on toys.
The positive sides of giving a bike, a tricycle or a wooden ride-on are obvious:
- tricycles, bikes and wooden ride-ons are mechanical toys therefore, having no motors or electrical parts, children have to power their movement with pedaling or pushing (and making them play by motor activity is exactly what we want, right?)
- stimulate imagination and ingenuity because, being simple toys that don’t light up, that don’t make noises or sounds and that don’t move by themselves, children are “forced” to naturally create the game in their heads (and stimulate imagination and creativity is just what we look for in a toy, right?)
- wood is a quality material, warm, alive and natural, therefore wooden bikes, tricycles and ride-on bikes are decidedly more ecological and baby-friendly than plastic ones
- they last a lifetime, so all the little brothers and sisters can play and ride on them, if they get there.
- they are aesthetically beautiful (i still have to find someone who doesn’t like them)
- they have a style that never goes out, so they are excellent as a gift idea.
Bikes, tricycles and wooden ride-ons for children: here are the models we liked the most
Searching online and in various shops specializing in wooden toys for children, you will find many different types of tricycles, bikes and ride-ons.
While all remaining of good quality and workmanship, the wooden ride-on models that you will find change in style, shape and colors. Depending on your needs and tastes, you can choose between:
- first steps carts that transform into nice ride-ons,
- the timeless rocking horses
- the classic tricycles and quadricycles,
- the first two-wheel push or pedal wooden bikes
- the cute wooden bikes that look like scooters
To help you choose, I have selected some wooden ride-on models , one by type.
Classic rocking horse
Let’s start with the classic wooden ride-on, that is the rocking horse. I chose one from Hape because the wooden toys of this brand are among the best that can be found on the market both in terms of quality and safety. HAPE is in fact one of the major manufacturers of toys in sustainable, creative and eco-compatible materials.
This in particular is a very simple but timeless wooden rocking horse model particularly suitable for small children who want to have fun riding but are not yet ready for ride-on toys with wheels.
First steps and ride-on cart
This is a cart for first steps that transforms into a nice wooden ride-on. It is especially suitable for small children (around 12 months) who are starting to walk and will soon be able to use it as a push-to-ride toy.
This model in particular has the style of a toy car but there are also other styles and colors of the same brand. It presents several possibilities for both sitting and standing play. The wheels are well rubberized, silent and do not slip. The reviews on Amazon are very positive.
Hape wooden quadricycle
The wooden quadricycle (also in this case I liked this Hape model) is a ride-on with four wheels, therefore a safe and suitable toy for small children.
This quadricycle in particular, with a clean but captivating design, is robust and stable and allows the child to carry out his first independent explorations in total safety. Since it has no pedals and the child has to push it , it develops the child’s muscle strength, balance and fine motor skills. It can also be used at home thanks to the wheels covered in TPE which guarantee silent operation.
Wooden pedal tricycle
If you prefer a pedal tricycle, this one from Bikestar – a well-known German company that has won over parents from all over Europe – is one of the models I liked the most.
It is a sturdy and stable tricycle, with an ergonomic design that supports the child’s natural posture. With great attention to detail, it has rounded corners and edges and non-slip rubbers to be used in complete safety both outside and at home.
To avoid buying a tricycle first and then a two-wheeled bike, here is a very interesting “two-in-one” model !
It is a very beautiful and ingenious wooden tricycle that transforms easily and with little effort into a two-wheeler and vice versa. This combination is particularly suitable for children who still walk a little wobbly and who have yet to finish developing their sense of balance and are not yet ready for a two-wheeled pedal bike.
Wooden Bicycle with Freewheel and without Pedals
The wooden balance bike without pedals can be offered to children aged 2 and up and is certainly the funniest game for learning to balance on two wheels and coordinate movements. Having to push only with his feet, with this type of bicycle the child will gain greater confidence in his abilities because he will be able to decide for himself when to brake or accelerate.
This model in particular is from Legnolend – a rather well-known brand of wooden toys – with puncture-proof rubber wheels and an adjustable saddle height.
The wooden bike/scooter
If you like wooden ride-ons with an innovative design, here is an irresistible model! It is a two-wheeled wooden bike whose color and vintage style are very reminiscent of the 1960s scooters.
Ideal for learning to ride a bicycle without wheels and managing balance, it has inflatable wheels and a height-adjustable saddle.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.