Ride On Toys

Kids are dreaming about driving until they hit 16 and finally get the keys in their hands. Well, if you have a child on your Christmas shopping list who can't wait to get behind the wheel of a car - any car - you might consider getting him or her a ride-on toy.

Perhaps the most famous of the ride-on toys is Power Wheels. These child sized cars go up to 5 miles per hour and feature such cars as the Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevy Corvette. However, there are all kinds of ride-on toys available for kids of all ages, including rocking horses and wagons.

Safety
Most of the ride-on toys are pretty safe. However, it always pays to play it safe. Some pedal toys like bikes and trikes don't have automatic breaks, so safety should always be a concern.

Here are a few safety tips that go for powered ride-on toys as well as others:

• Make sure your kids don't ride their ride-on toys on hills, slopes, steep dive ways and near bodies of water.
  
  
• Ride-on toys should only be used on flat, hard surfaces, like concrete.
  
  
• Always supervise children when they are near the street. Ride-on toys are low to the ground and very difficult for driver's to see. Teach kids never to go into the real street with them, and never allow them to ride on them without supervision.
  
  
• Kids should never push the vehicle while another child is driving it. 
  
• Make sure your children always wear close-toes shoes whenever driving or riding in a ride-on vehicle.
  

Recommendations:
There are a lot of powered toys, as well as other ride-on toys, that would make a great gift and that children would love to find under the Christmas tree (or on the driveway!). Here are a few of our favorites:

• John Deere Power Loader ($199.99 on amazon.com). This ride-on power loader for children ages 3-7 is motorized and comes equipped with a functional front loader that your child can use to scoop up anything he or she desires. It goes up to 4 and half miles an hour and also has a reverse gear. It also comes with safety features, like a high-speed lockout in case new drivers get carried away. It comes with a rechargeable 12-volt battery.
  
• Pooh-Choo Ride-On Toy ($24.99 on amazon.com). A ride-on toy designed for younger children, this adorable little train features Winnie the Pooh. When your little conductor presses on the horn, bubbles come out of the smoke stack. This toy is recommended for children over 2.
• Power Wheels Dora the Explorer Jeep Wrangler ($239.99 on amazon.com). Dora the Explorer fans will feel just like Dora as they cruise around in this brightly colored purple and red Jeep that goes up to 5 mph and 2.5 in reverse. It even comes with a working FM radio so kids can listen to tunes while they cruise around! Recommended for children 3-6 and holds up to 130 pounds.

Ride-on toys are a fun, great Christmas idea for your little driver. They come in a variety of price ranges and designs for both boys and girls. Power Wheels that come in an assortment, including luxury cars, Jeeps, and convertibles, and other ride-on toys like rocking horses and trains making choosing a ride-on toy for your child easy and fun!