The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe may be a classic when it comes to ride-on toys lil ones can power on their own, but the bright red and yellow plastic pieces don't suit every mama's style. For those that prefer wood to plastic, and warm tones to bright, we turn our attention to more contemporary designers. Using eco-friendly materials, these toys give tots the rides of their lives without sacrificing one ounce of style! Check them out!
A hot ride for the whole family! Holiday ads may have mama dreaming of a new car with a big red bow sitting in her driveway on Christmas morning, but that's not often reality! Lil ones have a better chance of finding a luxury vehicle under the tree and with so many popular family cars also available in tot-sized versions, there's a good chance it may look just like the one on mom and dad's wish list!
The playground may be filled with scooters, plastic Dora-mobiles, and battery-operated vehicles, but I'll take an old-fashioned pedal car any day of the week. As the weather warms up and we find ourselves spending more time outdoors, lil ones' eyes start to shine when an unusual ride-on toy makes its way through the park gates.
These classic ride-on toys don't just look good on the road, they encourage physical activity from tots, working major muscle groups as they pedal their way through the park. The cars' sturdy steel-body construction and real rubber tires make them tough enough to withstand years of abuse as they make their way over potholes and uneven pavement. And while these beauties may cost more than their more modern relatives, their classic production will keep them in one piece long enough to be handed down to younger siblings who are eager to get behind the steering wheel.
Round up those wagons! As any beach or park-going parent knows, gathering children and all of their stuff for an afternoon of fun is an exercise in balance and coordination. Between pushing the strollers and finding space for all of the snacks, blankets, toys and changing supplies, the likelihood of holding onto everything is slim. Wagons, like the custom one Kingston Rossdale rides and the more traditional ones Sadie Sandler and Eden and Savannah Mahoney have are a great solution for maintaining some organized chaos. Whether you opt for a wooden version like the classic Radio Flyer or a more elaborate one like the HABA trolley with rubber wheels and removable nylon fabric, the wagons can be used to pull multiple kids or their stuff. Parents with some craftsmanship ability can also customize their trolleys, adding things like covers, MP3 holders, speakers and attachable blankets to make the rides as plush as possible. Check out some of our favorite ones below.
Before they are able to walk, children look for their first set of wheels. Many kids' vehicle of choice in the past 30 years has been the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe ($75). First introduced in 1979, the candy apple red and sunshine yellow sports car hasn't changed much in those three decades. While the exterior has slowly evolved into a cartoon-faced front grill, the interior has retained its bench-style seat and easy-to-maneuver steering wheel. In this age of earth-friendly automobiles, the car remains powered by lil ones' feet. The simple style and classic look of the coach has made the Cozy Coupe the most popular car in America – selling 457,000 units in 2008 and beating out all other US car sales (including Toyota, Honda and Ford).
Take a look at the Cozy Coupe's evolution and tell us which model you or your children made memories in.
Don't worry, these bunnies won't munch their way through your garden! We're always looking for non-plastic toys that are sturdy enough to hold up to an active toddler. These Bunny Scooters ($188) fit the bill. Designed by husband and wife landscapers, each scooter is hand-made out of Baltic Birch Plywood and available in the six colors shown here, or natural wood. Tots can scoot through their homes on their own, or with a little assistance until they are ready to perform their own lil bunny hop.
