You have probably seen all of the commercials and advertisements for electric ride-ons and you are probably wondering if you should get one for your child. Many people are conflicted about these toys, and both sides have valid points. Before you decide to jump on the electric ride-on bandwagon, you will want to educate yourself on the pros and cons of these toys so you can make an educated decision.

Many people like the idea of getting their child an electric ride-on toy. They figure their child will have a lot of fun, feel like they are growing up, and will have a lot of fun cruising around like the adults do. They think that this is a great way to provide their child with a good time and allow them to feel independent and older. The kids love riding around in a vehicle that has its own power. They feel almost as if they are on a ride at an amusement park, only better because they are in control of this ride. Electric ride-on toys can come in such styles as cars, motorcycles, tractors, and more. They usually look just like smaller models of the real thing, one more factor that makes them so appealing to children.

Other people tend to think that getting a child an electric ride-on toy isn’t such a good idea. Children of today tend to be a little more on the lazy side. Years ago, kids used to spend hours outdoors running the neighborhoods and playing with their friends. With changes in technology, the children of today seem to spend more of their time sitting in front of the computer or playing a video game on the TV. They start learning these electronics at extremely young ages and a lot of the times they trade in exercise and playing for trying to achieve high score on their favorite games. This is contributing to more children suffering from obesity and it keeps them from socializing with their peers in a healthy way.

The parents who tend to steer away from the electronic ride-on toys would rather their children spend their time outdoors being physically active. When your child is out in the sunshine you want them to be physically active, especially since physical activity has so many health benefits for children. Another problem with the electronic ride-on toys is that a child will be able to keep themselves pacified on their own. They don’t feel the need to ask a friend to play because they can have a great time alone. While this may sound like a good thing, it really isn’t. It’s important that your child socializes with their peers. This is how they learn such important life skills as conflict resolution, sharing, and communicating.

Electric or muscle driven?

There are times when an electric ride-on toy may come in handy and be a good thing. One example of this would be if your family were going to be going on a camping trip that involved riding dirt bikes or quads. It would be fun to let your little one zoom around while the adults did. Another example may be getting together with other children that had their own electric ride-on toys. You could take them to a big park and let them enjoy each others company while they drove around together. However, you have to think about how often these opportunities will present themselves. You would probably do better getting your child a toy that they can ride at home, at a friends house, or anywhere you choose to take them to ride. A bike, wagon, pair of skates, or a skateboard will provide your child with hours of fun as well. Yet, they will be doing something that will help to promote a healthier lifestyle while they are using these items.

If you are thinking about getting an electronic ride-on toy for your child, you will want to think about what ways it will help your child to play in a positive way, and what ways it may hinder them. Ultimately, you want to make the best choice for both your child and yourself. If you decide to purchase an electronic ride-on toy for your child, you will want to make sure that your child meets any requirements and you watch them at all times while they are riding on it. Remember, there is no substitute for adult supervision when it comes to your child playing on any electric device.Similar Posts:

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This ride-on toy was one of the outdoor toys people could see 0n the 2010 American International Toy Fair in New York City (source Z Recomends). More than 30 toymaker offering balance bikes in the range of $75 to $450. Just a few examples:

Wishbone Limited Edition Bike

Unlike any other balance bikes, the Wishbone bike evolves with a child’s different stages of development. It starts at age 1 as a trike, converts to a running bike as the child grows, and by four to five years old, the ‘wishbone’ frame is flipped, making the Wishbone Bike one of the largest balance bikes on the market. Amazon $299.00

Smart Gear Smart Balance Bike – Classic Style

This wooden Training Bike offers the most effective, fun and safe way for a child to learn to ride. Amazon $89.99

Product features:

• Eco friendly wood harvested from a replenish-able source, formaldehyde free glue, non toxic paints and lacquer, carton is made from recycled paper with water based ink printing
• Children learn to balance and ride while boosting their confidence, no pedals
• Adjustable seat height to grow with your child

LIKEaBIKE Mountain – German Walking Bike

LIKEaBIKE is the perfect introduction to the world of cycling. It’s specifically designed to complement the motor skills of young children, teaching balance and control at a much earlier age than traditional cycles with training wheels. Give your child the earliest opportunity to explore its environment and discover new worlds with LIKEaBIKE. Amazon $315.00Similar Posts:

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With so many different bike styles and brands on the market today, it can be hard to choose the right type of bike for your child. There are some things you want to look for that will help you narrow down your options.

While it is fun to surprise your child with a bike for their birthday or Christmas, you will find that taking the child along with you to shop is a fun experience for both of you. It will also allow the child to test out the bike before you spend your money on it. While it may seem like a good idea to buy one that your child will grow into, they really need one that already fits them well.

Have your child sit on the bike with their hands on the handlebars. The balls of both feet should be able to touch the ground while they are in this position. Pay close attention while they slowly get on and off the bike. They should be able to keep both feet firmly on the ground and still have approximately one inch of clearance from their crotch to the bar in the middle of the bike.

The brake system on a bike is very important. Bikes for younger children have them on the peddles and can be activated by pushing the peddles in reverse. Make sure your child is strong enough to do this. You don’t want them trying to place their feet on the ground to get the bike to stop.

Bikes designed for older children feature the brake controls on the handle bars. You need to make sure they are able to reach them with ease while on the bike. You also want to make sure they are able to grip them tight enough to get them to work properly. If you are looking at getting your child a 10-speed or a mountain bike, make sure they are able to work through all the gears.

You can help keep your child safe while riding their bike if you take the time to get them one that is built for their needs and abilities. It is more important that the bike is well suited for your child than the brand, the color, or even the cost.Similar Posts:

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Another great thing about MOOV is that your child will be able to put together any of these toys all without the use of any tools. If your child loves to build things, then you already know how hard it can be to find a kit for them that will allow them to create and build many different things with just that one kit. With this kit they will be able to build different things by themselves, or with your help. When you build something with your child, it can create a great bonding moment for the two of you.

If you are looking for a special gift for your child, MOOV will be a great choice. Imagine the look on your child’s face when they open their new MOOV kit. It will provide your child with hours of enjoyment. They will be able to build bikes that they can ride around the neighborhood, or box cars to drive around the yard. If your child really wants to get creative, then they can also come up with their own creations! You have your choice of three different kits, this will allow you to get the best kit for your child.

The starter kit comes with two wheels and over 125 components. It comes with everything your child will need to create a bike, a snow scooter, or a crane. This kit is designed to allow your child to put these toys together by themselves and without the need for any tools.

The advanced kit contains three wheels and over 150 parts. Your child will be able to build seven different models with this one kit. It comes with everything that your child needs to build a bike, a chopper, a dino bird, a helicopter, a crane, a scooter, and a snow scooter.

The street kit is the largest MOOV kit and it comes with more than 175 parts, it also includes four wheels. The street kit will allow your child to make a trike, a carver, a bike, a chopper, a racer, a scooter, a crane, a helicopter, a dino bird, and a snow scooter. As with the other models, these toys can be assembled by your child easily and with out a need for tools of any kind.

When you purchase the award winning MOOV kit for your child, not only are you giving them a gift that will keep on giving, but you are also helping them to use their imagination, improve their fine motor skills, and create wonderful toys for themselves that they can be proud of.Similar Posts:

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Many ride-on toys are motorized. Whether electric or gas powered, these types of outdoor toys are generally more expensive than a simple wagon or peddle-propelled car. However, electric ride-on toys teach kids many valuable things, including pressure control (how hard they push the peddles), coordination (steering and accelerating at the same time), and many others.

Many parents are hesitant to purchase motorized toys for their children because they think they are dangerous. While certain ride-on toys can present danger to young children, the majority of them are just as safe as many other childhood toys. If you’re worried about your kids hurting themselves with ride-on toys, just make sure you teach them how to use the toy before they even begin. And, unless they are older, I suggest not letting them play unsupervised, at least until they get used to the “vehicle”.

Bikes, tricycles, and scooters are often considered ride-on toys as well. It is a proven fact that learning to ride a bike helps with the overall development of a child’s body as well as mind, so it’s always recommended that you teach your kids to ride bikes as soon as they are ready. If you don’t think your little guy is quite ready for a bicycle, I suggest buying a tricycle so your child can get used to peddling and steering before they have to learn balance. Scooters are generally easier to learn on than bikes, but harder than tricycles, so keep a scooter in mind as well.

Skateboards, pogo sticks, sleds, etc. are other ride-on toys. However, these toys have much more potential to be dangerous and harmful, so they are not recommended for young children. I suggest avoiding all of the more dangerous toys until your child is old enough, and/or they have mastered bike riding and are ready to move on. Now, we all know that children are impressionable and want most of what they see, so it can often be hard to keep dangerous toys out of children’s minds. The best way in my opinion is to simply keep your child sheltered from such toys until they are ready to use them. Also, once they are ready, make sure you instruct them properly. There is a lot of potential for a child to get hurt using ride-on toys, so proper instruction is vital, and parental discretion as far as which toys are appropriate or not is important as well.Similar Posts:

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There are several different styles of tricycles to choose from when you decide it is time to purchase your child’s first trike. Children as young as a year and a half can ride tricycles. However, children won’t be able to properly use pedals until they get a bit older. For young children, you may want to buy a tricycle that is propelled by the child’s feet pushing along the floor.

If you plan to have your child ride their tricycle on driveways, sidewalks or other traffic areas, you may want to consider getting a tricycle that sports a steering bar on the rear. This allows a parent or older sibling to help a young child steer the tricycle or push them along in the event they become tired.

Buy a Tricycle for “your” child!

Take your child with you to the store where you intend to buy a tricycle. You will need to determine what size tricycle your child will be able to ride. If your child is old enough to control a pedal tricycle, you will need to make sure your child is able to reach the pedals.

Shorter children may benefit from extension blocks that are available to attach to the pedals. However, extension blocks can cause the tricycle to be awkward and difficult to control for the child. Your child should be able to reach the pedals with a minimal amount of stretching. Some stretching should be allowed, though, due to the rate at which children grow. Make sure that your child can still reach the pedals when they turn the handlebars. Your child is too big for a tricycle if their needs come close to touching the handlebars at any time.

Safety first…

Make sure the tricycle is low enough to the ground so that you child will not tip over when they turn sharply or drive down hills. It is never too early to teach your child proper safety, so consider investing in a helmet and/or pads for your child.

Tricycles that offer accessories or add-ons can be a nice choice especially for young children. A basket to bring along a favorite toy or a horn can add to your child’s riding enjoyment.Similar Posts:

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1. Climbing Frame: These come in a variety of sizes and some have added swings or slides. You can purchase a toddlers size activity gym that comes with a slide and crawl through tubes or there are frames with platforms, nets and bridges for the more adventurous older children.
2. Bicycles are a very popular form of outdoor play and are suitable from a young age to adulthood. You can purchase tricycles and push bikes for toddlers. School age children can ride bikes although they may require stabilizers. Older children may be interested in mountain bikes. Always ensure that they are wearing a helmet for their safety.
3. Scooters have become very popular just recently amongst children. Again you can buy smaller sized scooters for younger children and older ones can buy versions with flashing wheels and stylish colours. Again focus on safety and ensure that your children are playing in a safe area.
4. Trampoline: Pre-school trampolines can help young children learn and develop through play. When buying a trampoline for the family you need to think about who will be jumping on it in a couple of years time. You can buy them in a variety of shapes such as rectangular or square; they also take a maximum weight.
5. Football: The football is probably the all time favorite toy for boys and girls during outdoor play. You can buy accessories to go with footballs such as boots, kit, protective gear and signed balls. Goals with nets are also available. For younger children you can buy soft balls for their protection. Just a standard football, though, can provide a group of kids years of fun.

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One area where this is particularly true is riding toys. Tricycles, bicycles, kids-cars, and scooters used to be only purchased in brick and mortar stores. Consumers could look over the store, get to know the staff, and know they were dealing with a company that was real and had plans to stick around.

The problem with buying riding toys on the Internet is that many people offering them for sale are actually resellers who have no maintenance department to offer the consumer service after the sale. Additionally, many of these so-called companies are here today and gone tomorrow.

Your score of $200 off may suddenly become quite expensive when you realize you can’t get any spare or replacement parts. The riding toy you purchased may require some assembly – did your supplier provide a number to call for help when you get stuck? Has your supplier even put one of those toys together?

So, what’s a consumer to do to ensure they find the best prices while not sacrificing support? Simple, do your homework.
Look at the company’s website – you’ll learn a great deal from their own marketing. Sure they sell the hottest go kart on the market and the price is great, but do they also have a section on spare parts, replacement parts or frequently asked questions? And do the frequently asked questions only discuss the initial purchase or do they also discuss how to maintain that go kart

Look at the website to see if they have phone numbers for after-sales support. Do they have a maintenance or service department or even somewhere you can send/take your new riding toy when it needs repairs? Call the numbers before you make a purchase to determine if they are only customer service representatives “waiting to take your order” at the other end of the phone and not someone who can actually help you when your toy breaks.

Look over the website to see what else they sell. Do they sell everything or just riding toys? If there’s one page of riding toys and twenty pages of dolls, do you really think they sell spare and replacement parts or have a service department?

Don’t skip the terms of service and warranty pages. Those pages can tell you a great deal about a company. If their website doesn’t have information like that – it would be smart to look elsewhere. When you find those pages look for their policy on damage – what happens if the item is damaged in shipment, what if there is some sort of defect, what if a part is missing or incorrect.

Also look for the warranty. Is it clear, or is it vague? Does it clearly explain the length and coverage of the warranty? Does it explain how to make a claim? If time limited, is it clear when the time starts being counted (at shipment, at receipt, or at payment)? Are any parts excluded, i.e. tires/wheels, seats, etc? Do they charge for some repairs?

Read the terms of service/warranty page carefully. This can turn that really cool riding toy into the world’s most expensive lawn ornament if you’re not careful.

There are many companies on the Internet that sell well-made riding toys, have people on staff that can answer questions beyond how to make the purchase, and provide excellent warranties. Doing a little homework will have your family enjoying that riding toy while you have that peace of mind that comes from knowing the company you bought it from will be there when you need spare or replacement parts or service.Similar Posts:

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