When purchasing a ride- on toy the most important consideration is the age of the child.

If possible try and have a clear picture in your mind of how and where your child will use the toy. It is strongly advised that you wait until the child is just walking before you purchase their first ride-on. Most children learn to walk around the end of their first year. Sometimes they are ready to walk a little earlier. Every child is different.

It is very important to pay more attention to the quality and functionality of the toy rather than its appearance alone. Adults are often taken in by cute animal characterisation instead of paying more attention to the play value and how their child will interact with the toy.   A child that has just learnt to walk needs a ride-on that he can control. It needs to be stable so that he can ride confidently.

The toy needs to be smooth and easy to move but also tough to withstand the day to day rough and tumble of family life.

Another aspect to consider when buying is comfort:

Comfort does not necessarily mean padded seats. The key word is Ergonomics.   Riding comfort helps the rider ride for a long time without getting tired.  Also important is how easy it is for the child to get on and off the toy and how easy to actually operate the toy.    An animal figure may seem cute and funny but does it add to the child’s comfort?  For a small child all shapes are new, exciting and attractive.

Another adult attraction is sound and lights.  The brightest lights and funniest sounds do not necessarily mean a stable comfortable ride-on.  Sound and light can only ever be complementary.  There are a plethora of sit and play toys available with sound and lights.  With 4WD we decided not to compromise the design with sound and light but to focus on the important issues.

It is more important to us that the child enjoys the mobility of actually riding the toy rather than staring and listening to it.

Here are Some of the other major features a parent must consider before purchasing a ride-on toy for their children.

• Movement and Direction:  Parents should consider the different directions a ride-on toy can move in. and how the toy the direction is controlled. This is important as the more the toy can turn and move around the more enjoyable the playing experience will be for the child. Ideally look for a toy that can turn 360 degrees like our 4WD.

Also pay close attention to the steering mechanism of the toy. It is common for  ride-on toys to be steered using a handle or steering wheel.  This might look great but in practice but steering wheels are often very difficult to use by younger children.

• Source of Power:  Ride-on toys can be powered in several ways depending upon their type. Some of the common  ways are:

• Scooting: Scooting is a natural kick like movement that children use to propel themselves forward on various ride ons. The Minjal 4 WD ride-on is scoot powered as it helps the child move the toy as per their physical ability.
• Peddle: There are 2 types here, with and without chain.
• Peddle power tends to be more appropriate for older children. Not toddlers.
• As younger children do not have the developed thigh and calf muscles required for peddling.
• Electric Power: These ride on toys are battery operated and they move at their own preset speeds. They can be fun but they provide no exercise or development value.
• They also tend to be big and cumbersome so not good for indoor play.

• Handle Movements: There are many toys that are propelled forward by rotating the wheel or the handle. These toys tend to be for older children. Children under three would not be able to use these toys successfully.

• Size of Ride On Toy- Parents often buy too big but bigger isn’t always better.  Oversized toys are difficult to control and move around indoors.
• Appropriate age group :  Most brands come with a manufacturers recommended age group notice.   However care should be taken as children show different growth rates at different ages.   A ride-on toy sometimes looks small for the child even thou it is in the correct age group. Again remember all children are different.

Remember for commercial reasons sometimes unethical companies exaggerate the recommended age group for the toys.  For example 1 to 5 years.  This is misleading.  Children grow at a faster pace in early years.  Obviously, it cannot be fun for a 1 year old child to enjoy riding a toy which a 5-year-old can be comfortable.   It is important for parents to understand the age group for a particular ride-on and then also look at the dimensions of the toy.

• Test Certification: The Toys for the age group of 0-3 years are the most strictly regulated category. However parents must also take responsibility for assessing whether a toy is safe for their own child and that the child uses the toy safely if it is purchased.

The decision of what toy to buy is in your hands. The real judge of whether you made the right decision will be your child. Children vote with their feet and if they don’t like the toy they won’t play with it. If they like it then their smile will tell you all you need to know.