The push-along vehicle shown right is from the range of My First Wheeled Toys from Wesco. These three chunky toys are made from very thick polyethylene and have large, full, puncture-proof tyres which should ensure a long nursery life. The Rapido Racing Car has a low sitting position and a high back so that it supports the child like a chair and has an anti-slip foot rest. Designed for children from one year, it measures 64(l) x 33.5(w) x 38.5(h) cm, with a seat height of 19.5cm. Priced 39.30. The Speedy Scooter is suitable for children from two years and has a seat height of 23.5cm. It comes in a colour choice of orange, yellow or green and costs 41.90. Finally, the Motorbike, also for two-year-olds, is a two-wheeler with directional handlebars that help with balance. It has a seat height of 33.5cm and a handlebar height of 51cm. This comes in either red or blue and costs 56.30.
Telephone 0115 9862126 www.wescouk.co.uk
The Sit 'N' Ride Train is made from rubber wood and is suitable for children from 12 months. The seat height is 26cm and it costs 49.95.
The Airplane is a simple ride-on toy in the shape of a plane that has two rear wheels and a double front wheel for extra stability, priced 29.95. Both products are from the Early Years Resources catalogue.
Telephone 0161 873 8181 www.earlyyearsresources.co.uk
The Toddler Trike from NES Arnold is a reasonably priced wooden trike, especially designed for tiny children. It has a tubular frame and a peg behind the steering column is an added safety device that prevents the child from turning the handlebars too far and risking falling off. It has a seat height of 20cm. Suitable for children from 18 months to three years.
Priced 29.95. Also from NES Arnold is the Big Jake and Trailer which features an adjustable seat, with a height of 32cm for the very youngest rider, a high precision chain drive and axle pivot steering. It's manufactured in blow-moulded plastic and costs 44.95.
Telephone 0845 120 4525 www.nesarnold.co.uk
The SIBI range of wooden ride-on toys is made in Bavaria by a company that has specialised in producing traditional wooden sledges for two centuries.
It has recently diversified and now makes the distinctively designed ride-on toys shown here, which are made from laminated ash and birch ply with EVA plastic wheels and are distributed exclusively in the UK by Helemill. The Max and the Flix can be linked with a Lorette Trailer (85 incl VAT). The Max (85 incl VAT) is suitable for children from 18 months and has a seat height of 23cm. The Flix (72 incl VAT) is a bit smaller, with a seat height of 20cm. The Lorette trailer (85 incl VAT), which has a tilting lid to carry toys, can be simply hooked to the back of either.
Also from Helemill is the LikeaBike, a wooden trike suitable for children from two years. It features a four-position adjustable seat height (from 35cm) and a unique steering facility which prevents the child from turning the handlebar too far. The LikeaBike comes ready assembled except for the handlebars, which can be screwed into place with the tool and screws supplied and carries a two-year guarantee. Prices from 127.50.
Telephone 01288 361168 www.helemill.com
The Nova range of trikes and bikes from Eduzone is designed to be used by children out of doors. The smallest, Nova Trike Small, is a classic tricyle, suitable for children from two years (seat height is 27cm). It seems comparatively expensive at 85.95, but is built to last, with strong, steel tubing, spokeless wheels with sold rubber tyres, and a rust-protection and impact-resistant powder coating as well as a weather-resistant, polypropylene seat and solid rubber handlebar grips.
Also available from Eduzone is the Single Scoot, with a seat height of 24cm, which is suitable for toddlers from one year. Priced 46.
Telephone 08456 445556 www.eduzone.co.uk
Check out the selection of Rabo trikes in the Step by Step catalogue. These are designed with a single, continuous tube, avoiding seams and welds and if tipped or knocked over the trike will always land on a rubber part. Wide tyres are made from a solid compound that is puncture proof and the frame has a rust-proof and impact-proof coating. All these products carry a guarantee of five years on the frame and a two-year guarantee on parts. The Rabo Baby Walker is a first trike for children from 18 months. It has a seat height of 24cm and costs 121.95. The Winther Trundle Trike is a sturdily built pushalong trike with a double front wheel for extra stability. It comes as a single trike (priced 49.95) or as a three-seater (priced 74.95) with a seat height of 24cm.
Telephone 08451 252550 www.sbs-educational.co.uk
Asco has a Mini and a Midi Trike. The Mini, with a seat height of 25cm, is suitable for children from one year. Children over two years can graduate to the Midi, which has a seat height of 35cm. Both trikes are otherwise identical, with plastic-coated frames and MDF seats and cost, respectively, 47.50 and 58.95.
Telephone 0113 2707070 www.ascoeducational.co.uk
The Low Kiddie Car from Community Playthings is a hardwood ride-on, with a 20cm-high solid hardwood seat. It has PVC tyres, designed to roll easily on carpet or any other surface. This is for children aged from 12 months and costs 64. There is a bigger version for children from two years, with a seat height of 24cm, which costs 70.
Also from Community Playthings is the Push Me - Pull Me car on which the child can sit facing the front or the back. Each car has a steel-reinforced hitch pin so that several can be linked together. The car has a seat height of 23cm and is suitable for children from two to three years.
A single Push Me - Pull Me costs 77, or a set of three is Pounds 220.
Telephone 0800 387457 www.CommunityPlaythings.co.uk
John Crane has an attractive range of colourful wooden ride-ons. Choose from the Scooter, suitable for children from two, with a seat height of 26cm, which comes in red, blue and yellow or there is a very girly, all pink version, priced 45. There are also two basic trikes, designed for toddlers from around 19 months. The red, yellow and blue trike, with a seat height of 22cm, has four wheels. The more traditional three wheeler has a seat height of 27.5cm. Both cost 32.
Telephone 01604 774949 www.john-crane.co.uk
Ready for pedals This colourful Trainer Trike from Letterbox is designed for children from 18 months. It features an adjustable seat, so its use can be extended for children up to five, free-wheeling pedals, a double-acting hand brake, solid wheels and a detachable 'parent handle'. The seat height ranges from 14 to 35cm. Priced 69.99.
Telephone 0870 6007878 www.letterbox.co.uk
Asco's Small Pedal Trike is designed for children from two years and has a seat height of 28cm. It has a plastic-coated steel frame with a steel front wheel and rear plastic wheels with solid rubber tyres. Priced 92.50.
Contacts as before
The Rabo Small Trike is especially designed for children just learning to pedal. It has a seat height of 27cm. From Step by Step, priced Pounds 129.95.
Contacts as before.
The Dino, from Kettler, has an extendable four-position frame and features a lockable tipper bucket and allows the child to rest his feet on the pedals when the 'parent pole' is being used. The pedals will only engage when the child begins to use them. The Dino is designed for children from two years, has a seat height of 20cm and costs 39.99. The Dino Air is an upgraded version, with air tyres and ball bearing hubs. Priced 59.99.
Telephone 01527 588995 www.kettler.co.uk
