Which walker/ ride on for 1 year old?

[kristac]

I can't seem to make a decision for DS2's 1st birthday. DS2 is not walking yet- just scooches around on his bottom (very quickly!!) instead of crawling. He is not really interested in pulling up, etc. I'm sure he will be soon though and I like to get a toy that is in it for the long haul. He does have some outdoor ride on toys as well- this one would be for inside only. We have mostly hardwood with 1 room of berber carpeting.

Again- Wood VS Plastic

Wood/ Metal: Pros- Higher Quality, Beautiful, Haba is made in Germany, heirloom, Radio Flyer had regulators to control speed, no sounds/lights
Cons- Cost, may scratch/ ding walls?, Haba and Radio flyers are just for pushing-not ride-on (scoot with feet), Metal fire engine for riding only. storage for heirloom

Plastic: Pros- Cost, mulitfunctional
Cons- likely MIC, possible sounds/lights

Haba: ~$120


Radio Flyer: $80


Wheely bug: $60


Chicco train- $40 no batteries required- this one's seat is taller as well so it may last longer?


Little Tykes- ~$40


Steel Fire Engine $40 I don't know who this is made by/ where??


More Pics in 2nd post- I'm over my limit.

[kijip]

My friends have the HABA one and love it. It can be passed down to other kids and even grandkids as well, which is kind of sweet. I love the radio flyer look as well.

[mominmarch]

Someone gave us the wheely bug one for my DD's first birthday and I recommend against it. My DD is the 95% for height and now at 15 months, her feet still do not touch the ground. And walking holding onto the bar and pushing it -- it really isn't stable.

One Step Ahead had the best walker we have found (we had three total) for inside... we have all hard wood too. This one is "heavy" and incredibly sturdy, added blocks, and a cinch to put together. Well worth the money we found. I don't think they have it anymore, but I will keep googling for it. I might have a pic of it too.

For outside, we just got a fisher price plastic one which withstood rain and was great for sidewalks.

[brittone2]

My friends have the HABA one and love it. It can be passed down to other kids and even grandkids as well, which is kind of sweet. I love the radio flyer look as well.

We have this one and love it. What I like about it (and the RF Walker Wagon) are that they can be repurposed as a stroller/shopping cart type of thing, etc. DS is 4 and gives DD rides in it (although technically HABA says they aren't supposed to ride on the seat ) and DS will use it with stuffed animals as a stroller occasionally.

You want heavy and sturdy for a push toy. I worked as a pediatric physical therapist pre-kids so I'm kind of particular about the sturdiness of push toys. I really like the Haba and the RF.

For ride on toys, DD has an "outside bike" that is 4 wheels, plastic, and was $3 at a yard sale. It works just fine for her. (DS used it as well when he was small). DD has an "inside bike" that is a RF tiny trike (the old model which has been discontinued) that was found at a yard sale for $5. My 4 year old still thinks the little RF is fun in the house.

[Joolsplus2]

Someone gave us the wheely bug one for my DD's first birthday and I recommend against it. My DD is the 95% for height and now at 15 months, her feet still do not touch the ground. And walking holding onto the bar and pushing it -- it really isn't stable.

.

Are you sure you have the Small wheelybug? We got ours for dd at about 9 months and she pushed herself around with it as a walker so much, that when she learned to walk at 15 mos, dh thought it was time to sell it, he didn't even realize it was a ride-on toy , and her legs fit fine as soon as she was walking, she was riding it, but it's definitely the small size. (which her very tall big sister still rides around on at age 8...)

[Joolsplus2]

We have the Radio Flyer, too... it was never very popular as a 'learn to walk' toy... it mostly holds toys in the living room (though today it's getting pushed around like crazy for some reason... it goes in and out of vogue, but the wheely bug gets used almost daily).

[carolinamama]

We have the Radio Flyer walker wagon. DS has used it quite a bit, but I wouldn't say every day. It was sturdy when he was just learning to walk and controls the speed. I can honestly say it will make it through all of our kids and then some. Now it is holding legos so ds can push them around the house to build where he wants at the time.

The Haba one looks very nice too.

[traciann]

A friend has the little tikes truck one, and my dd really liked it. I liked it that it is multifunctional...they can push or ride.

[maylips]

We bought the radio flyer for DD for Christmas and it has been awesome. She learned to walk with it - pushed it around for months - loves to ride in it now (if we push her around). She's learning to back up with it and turn now, which is neat. And she even takes off the sides and practices putting them back in.

I highly recommend it. The Haba looks cool too -- the Radio Flyer is just cheaper!

[bubbaray]

I know its not on your list, but we have this one: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/push...?Ne=1&N=26+140

It also comes in primary colors: http://www.littletikes.com/Toys/push...?Ne=1&N=26+140

Both girls have loved it. Their daycare has the same one.