15 best ride on toys for kids, toddlers and babies in 2023

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Though it may seem like your one-year-old (or toddler, or young child) may have everything a toy shop can offer, think again.

Ride-on toys are all-the-rage — in fact, they’re some of the hottest toys on the market — and they make excellent gifts if you’re looking to do a bit of splurging.

Some are designed for outdoor use, while others are meant for the playroom. Not to mention, ride-on cars and toys are available in several varieties (not just cars!) and happen to be one of the most exciting big-button gifts to open (trust us, we have nieces).

Whether you’re looking to get to some holiday shopping early or simply want to read about some of the most adorable four-wheelers and more, New York Post Shopping combed through the toy catalogs to outline our top 15.

Plenty of our picks are from Amazon, while others can be found at leading retailers like Masionette, Neiman Marcus and more. Read on for one of our cutest guides yet.

  • Recommended Age: 24 months to 5 years

Starting off as-cool-as-can-be, the Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Tricycle Tough Trike Bike is a sweet ride that just so happens to be a top-rated Amazon grab, featuring nearly 32,000 rave reviews. Its sturdy frame and wide-wheel base ensures it’s comfortable, while its storage compartment is nifty while riding.

  • Recommended Age: 3 to 8 years

OK, real talk — my nieces adore the Best Choice Products 2-Seater Land Rover Ride-On Car Toy with Remote Control (not to mention, it’s a dynamite Barbie-inspired toy!) It’s wonderful if you have two little ones hopping in for the ride, and its remote control is a nice add-on to ensure you’re in control.

  • Recommended Age: 9 months to 3 years

How adorable is the Fisher-Price Baby Walker Learning Toy: Walk, Bounce and Ride (seriously, it kept staring at us online and, well, now it’s in our guide). For less than $75, it’s a unique take on the traditional ride-on pony, featuring handlebars, a motor skills-based playtime area at the front and a lever to double as a walker.

  • Recommended Age: 12 months and up

Ideal for your nautical-themed nursery (or, made perfect for the little one who loves all things boats), the Hape High Seas Rocker is one of our top recommendations. Namely, it has an aesthetically pleasing wooden design, spacious seat and a photo-ready silhouette we can’t help but love.

  • Recommended Age: 3 years and up

For the three-year-old who’s into construction, pick up the Kettler Kid’s CAT Pedal Tractor with Trailer. It’s a step up from traditional building playsets and we love how it comes with an attached trailer to move toys to and fro. Overall, it’s worth the splurge

  • Recommended Age: 12 months and up

What’s great about the Pottery Barn Kids Musical Horse Plush Nursery Rocker is that it doubles as nursery decor and has the option of shipping with a personalized touch. Rest assured your little one will love using it before nap time.

  • Recommended Age: 12 months to 3 years

For the little one who loves trains and railroad-themed playsets, grab the Mattel Power Wheels Thomas & Friends Ride-On Train with Track. It’s a full-on luxury gift that’s less than $200, and it’ll be sure to spark creativity and motor skills, too.

  • Recommended Age: 18 months to 3 years

For a top-of-the-line, ride-on pick, we recommend the Ride-On Mercedes Benz Fire Truck. Paired with a firefighter hat ($15), your little one won’t just have fun riding — they’ll have fun playing dress-up.

  • Recommended Age: 12 months to 3 years

This isn’t our first time mentioning the Baghera Speedsters Ride-On Car. It’s sold at a variety of high-end retailers and has one of the cutest, retro-chic looks ever. Not to mention, its steering wheel and comfortable seat will be loved by your little one, for sure.

  • Recommended Age: 18 months and up

This guide would be incomplete without a mention of the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. Remaining in nearly every parent or caregiver’s garage or shed, this outdoor four-wheeler is ideal for trips along the neighborhood block.

  • Recommended Age: 3 years to 5 years

If it’s time to treat your little one to a balance bike, the Janod Scooter Balance Bike has a stylish look — available in mint or pink — that we recommend purchasing. Its well-made charm isn’t just for practicality; it helps encourage balance and coordination before your child is ready for a grown-up kid’s bike.

  • Recommended Age: 12 months and up

Calling all dinosaur lovers. The Rockin’ Rider Terry the Triceratops Rocker has to be one of the coolest ride-on toys ever. Paired with some wooden Montessori dinosaur stacking toys ($12), you’ll be on your way to becoming the best gift-giver.

  • Recommended Age: 12 months to 3 years

The VTech Prance and Rock Learning Unicorn is New York Post Shopping-tested and approved (thanks to our reviewers, the little nieces, who always hop on this toy in the playroom. Its vibrant, cotton candy-inspired colors and musical capabilities make this a rockstar gift, too.

  • Recommended Age: 3 years and up

Whenever ice cream is involved, the day simply becomes better. We’re glad we stumbled upon the Hello Kitty “Eats and Treats” Sweet Food Truck Ride-On Toy, a splurge-worthy option that functions as a cute little playhouse. Pro tip: pick up some pretend ice cream toys ($13) for an even better experience.

  • Recommended Age: 3 years to 6 years

For the little one who’s into trucks and only trucks (you know who they are), the Kidzone Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss Ride-On Truck has that it-factor we can’t help but love. If its cool and edgy wheels aren’t enough to sell you, its remote control and light-up design surely will.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.

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