What to Know Before Buying a Ride On Car Toy
When thinking about a birthday gift for your almost-2-year-old son who is obsessed with all things that go “vroom-vroom,” the most obvious choice was some sort of battery-powered ride-on toy car. Before you buy an Electric Ride-On, it’s important that you do your research. Here are the answers to some of the questions you might be asking yourself.
What ages are they made for?
The majority of drivable vehicles have a minimum age recommendation of 3.
How many seats do they have?
That depends on the type of vehicle. Many of the battery vehicles modeled on actual full-size vehicles like the Jeep have two seats, while others like battery-powered ATVs only seat one. If you have more than one kid it might be an idea to get a vehicle that seats at least two to avoid arguments.
How fast do they go?
Toy electric vehicles are not meant to go fast. Most have a variety of speed settings that rarely go above 5 or 6 mph. Again, you can modify your kid’s Power Wheels vehicle if you want it to go faster, but the manufacturers would not recommend doing so for liability reasons.
What kind of surfaces can they drive on?
These toys are generally easier to handle and can go faster on paved surfaces like concrete or asphalt. Most will perform decently on grassy surfaces, but some vehicles are more designed for off-road driving than others. Consider the type of surface your kids will be driving on and make sure your chosen option can handle it before purchasing.
What is the maximum weight they can handle?
This depends on the make and the model, so check the limits on your preferred model before buying to make sure it can handle your kids.
Are they safe?
Due to their low speeds and built-in safety precautions, these toys are generally pretty safe. It’s important to use common sense and not let your kid operate the toy close to a road where they could stray into the path of an oncoming car. You should also supervise your child at all times when using this toy. Ride-on toy cars tend to be pretty heavy and could easily injure a child who is hit with one or if one tips over (unlikely though not impossible).