Buying guide for best baby push walker
As a parent or caregiver, there’s nothing like seeing the joy and excitement on your little one's face as they take their first steps toward independence. A baby push walker can support and encourage your baby's physical development while providing endless hours of fun and exploration.
These walkers offer a number of benefits for your baby’s early development. They’re popular with parents looking to help their little ones transition from crawling to walking, as they help develop balance and coordination. They aid infants in gaining strength and coordination while developing their motor skills. By letting them toddle around independently, push walkers also spark babies’ curiosity and foster their cognitive development.
When searching for a push walker, you'll want to bear some factors in mind. There are various types of walkers available, including traditional walkers, convertible walkers and wagons. You can also choose ones with built-in activity centers for your child to play with. Safety and stability are vital, so make sure to choose one suitable for your baby's age with a wide wheelbase to help prevent tipping.
The Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon is a stable choice for ages 12 months and up. The resistance clickers slow the walker down so young ones feel more confident. The wagon design lets little ones push around toys and other items, which proves more entertaining for kids than you might imagine.
Expert tip
Supervise your baby while they use a push walker.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Best baby push walkers
Made from wood, this push walker has a classic design that appeals to parents and caregivers who don't want anything overly bright or made from plastic. It has a wagon design with removable sides that gives babies and toddlers plenty of room to transport their toys and other objects from place to place. The handle measures roughly 17 inches high.
It's suitable for children from one to four years old. For those at the younger end of the spectrum, it supports them as they walk, while toddlers and little kids may still find it entertaining to fill with toys and incorporate into games. It has adjustable speed control to keep it from shooting out from underneath early walkers who need more support and stability.
A nice blend of classic and contemporary, this walker is made from wood but features a brightly colored activity center to keep little ones entertained. Not only can babies push it around and use it for balance, but it also features a xylophone, shape sorter, abacus and other fun toys for them to enjoy.
The handle sits at around 17 inches, which is a good height for babies of 12 to 18 months, but they can use it well beyond this age if they're still interested. The basket in the back holds toys and other small objects so babies can have fun carting them around.
Part traditional push walker, part wagon walker, this wooden walker has a wagonlike front with space for toys as well as a fun entertainment center. It features beads, moveable gears, spinning balls and other objects to keep little ones happy while also improving fine motor skills.
It's suitable for ages 12 months and up and has a wide wheelbase that lets little ones pull themselves up on it without it tipping. The handle is at a fixed height of around 19 inches, which isn't too tall for young toddlers, nor is it excessively short for older kids. The wheels have rubber on them to protect wooden floors, and the rubber can help slightly slow kids down on all types of hard flooring.
This adorable push toy features three wooden alligators on the front that chomp and clack as babies push the walker. This adds an extra degree of fun to the proceedings to keep kids interested. It also features butterfly and ladybug beads to spin and slide.
It's safe for kids of 12 months and up and has a short handle of just under 15 inches, which is great for new walkers. The non-slip wheels are safe and stable on all types of flooring. It's made from wood and has a classic look but is also brightly painted with child-safe paint to appeal to kids.
Made from sturdy, brightly colored plastic, this walker has an activity center jam-packed with fun toys, including moving cogs and a basketball hoop. What’s more, you can take the activity panel off this convertible walker and transform it into a play table where little ones can have fun.
However, it really shines as a push walker. The triangular base helps keep it stable and has hollow legs you can fill with water or sand to increase its weight, making it more stable and slower-moving for babies who are just learning to walk. It also has a knob you can turn on the wheel that increases friction to slow it down. The handle sits roughly 14 inches high.
If you're looking for a push walker that babies can have tons of fun playing with, this shopping cart-inspired walker should be high on your list. Not only does it help babies balance, but it also has mountains of scope for play with a shape sorter, popcorn popper and other food-related toys. The activity center also lifts off so babies can play with it on the floor.
It's recommended for ages 6 to 36 months since younger babies can use the activity center independently before they start pushing the cart around. There's no speed adjustment, but it's stable, and you can lock the wheels in place if your little one isn't yet walking.
With its brightly colored design, it might not be the most beautiful push walker on the market, but it appeals to babies and toddlers. Since it's made from plastic, it's durable and easy to wipe clean to keep it hygienic.
The entertainment panel features a telephone, moving cogs, piano keys, shape sorters, spinning rollers and light-up buttons, plus it converts into a stand-alone activity center. The handle is around 18 inches tall, which is ideal for young walkers. While there isn't any speed control, it feels stable and doesn't move too quickly. It's suitable for ages six to 36 months, first as an activity center and then as a walker.
Recommended for ages 6 to 36 months, this walker is designed to grow with little ones as they develop. Younger babies can sit and play with the activity center; slightly older babies can gradually pull themselves up and push it around. It's made from bright, appealing plastic and has a nice array of toys and activities, including a panda with a light-up nose and pressable buttons that play over 100 songs.
To make life easier for babies who've just found their feet, this walker can be pushed from either side. What's more, the steady-speed wheels slow the walker down for added stability.
This wooden push wagon comes filled with colorful blocks that babies can play with and push around. The weight of the blocks adds stability to the walker. Of course, kids can fill the wagon with the toys of their choice. It also features sliding beads for little ones to play with.
It has a handle height of 16 inches, and it's recommended for toddlers from 18 to 36 months. The wheels have non-slip bands to help slow the wagon down on hard floors, providing a more stable experience.
Expert tip
Baby push walkers are great for developing balance and motor skills.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
What to know before buying a baby push walker
Types of baby push walkers
Traditional: Traditional walkers serve as push toys but nothing more. They may be loaded with toys, music and lights, but they can’t be converted into a play table, ride-on toy or anything else.
Wagon: A wagon push walker is exactly as the name implies: a wagon with a tall handle that your baby can push. These products might come with blocks to fill the wagon or removable sides to change the configuration.
Convertible: Convertible push walkers include those that change from a walker to a ride-on toy, play center or rocker. These toys might have removable sections or pieces that can be used separately from the walker. Convertible models offer the most versatility. Once your baby learns how to walk, they might not need or use a push walker. However, if it can convert to something else, your child can keep using it for months or years.
Age recommendations
Manufacturers include age recommendations for all of their toys. These recommendations are not arbitrary. They are intended to protect children from toys that could be too advanced or dangerous.
While most baby push walkers are designed for the youngest of children, some are large enough that they might be recommended for ages one year and up. Smaller models might be recommended for ages six months and up.
Stability
Tipping is the most common hazard with baby push walkers. A design with a wide wheelbase and heavier bottom is more likely to resist tipping than a small, lightweight model.
Height
The height of a push walker and its handle impact your child's ability to push and maneuver it. Handles that are too short could cause the walker to tip over backward because your baby could put too much pressure on the handle. If the handle is too tall, your baby might not be able to get the leverage necessary to push the walker forward.
Tall walkers with wide bases often have the best stability. The handle should extend to somewhere between the child’s waist and mid-chest. Check the product description and specifications for a handle height. Then, measure your child to find the right fit.
Expert tip
Babies should not pull on the push walker when attempting to stand because they will pull it over.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Baby push walker features
Materials
Plastic and wood are the two most common materials used to make baby push walkers.
Plastic: Plastic is lightweight, colorful and easy to clean. Today, because parents are more aware of the dangers of hazardous materials, most baby walkers are BPA- and PVC-free. Check with the manufacturer if that information is not specified in the product description.
Wood: As a natural material, wood has a certain appeal that can’t be replicated by plastics. Wood push walkers may be colorfully painted and loaded with fun activities, but they can also be harder to clean and are prone to dents and scratches.
Onboard entertainment
The onboard entertainment in today's baby push walkers ranges from simple to elaborate. Some have buttons, levers, phones, slides and removable pieces. Others are simply wagons that hold your baby’s favorite toys.
Music and lights add excitement to any toy. Some models have buttons that must be pushed to activate lights and music, while others play music and light up when pushed. You'll have to decide whether you want the extra noise that comes from music, clappers and plastic gears or whether you’d prefer a quieter type of play. If you choose a model with music, you might want to look for one with an on/off switch or volume control so the sounds don't overwhelm your home.
Speed control
Many baby push walkers have a speed control feature in the form of an adjustment knob or lever that tightens the wheels so the walker is harder to push. This kind of control helps on linoleum, hardwood and other smooth floors which may otherwise be too slippery for the use of a walker. It also helps young walkers gain confidence by moving around at a slower pace at first.
Cupholders and snack trays
Cupholders and snack trays let your baby munch on the go. On the one hand, they can keep your child happy for hours. On the other, you could be looking at spills and crumbs all over the house. That being said, cupholders and snack trays can be filled with toys as easily as food and drink, providing a way for children to tote their favorite goodies as they play.
Colors
Babies love bright, contrasting colors, and most baby push walkers are built to address this preference. You can find models that are animal-themed and those that come in simple classic colors, if that's what you prefer.
Expert Tip
Help young babies to stand, and then put the walker in front of them.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Tips
- Look for a push walker that’s easy to clean. Babies have a knack for chewing and slobbering on almost everything. While it’s endearing, it can also create a breeding ground for germs. Plastic is easier to wipe down than wood, and any model with lots of cracks and crevices is more difficult to clean than one with a smooth surface.
- Note that not all push walkers are pull-up toys. Babies are often learning to pull themselves up at the same time they’re learning to walk. Not all walkers are designed to be used as pull-up toys. In fact, most aren’t because the weight necessary for that kind of stability would make the walker too hard to push.
- Give your child time to learn to use the push walker. It might take a while for your baby to develop the strength and balance necessary to successfully use the baby push walker. You’ll probably have to help them until the right coordination develops.
Expert Tip
Wipe down the push walker often.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
FAQ
Q. How much do baby push walkers cost?
A. Plastic baby push walkers start at around $25. These basic models are traditional in that they can’t be converted for any other uses. They might have a few basic onboard features like lights, music, dials or switches. These models also tend to be smaller in size.
The majority of plastic and wood models sit in the $25 to $75 range. These models might convert into a ride-on, play table or rocker. Some include blocks to fill a wagon or a removable play table. The larger size of these models often gives them a wider base and better stability than lower-priced models.
A few baby push walkers cost over $75. These are usually constructed of solid wood and might have onboard entertainment or serve as a wagon. The quality of construction and materials is what gives these models their higher price tag.
Q. Do baby push walkers work on smooth floors like linoleum and hardwood?
A. Some models work better than others. Those with speed control tend to avoid sliding better than those without. Wheels with tread or a rubberized grip also avoid slipping. However, most walkers have plastic wheels that could potentially scratch delicate hardwood floors. You might want to keep your baby on the carpet to be on the safe side.
Q. Do any baby push walkers play music or talk in languages other than English?
A. Some models play music or talk in Spanish or French. They either have a language control switch/button or come in a language-specific design. In the latter case, you need to make sure you order the correct model in the language of your choice.
Q. Do baby push walkers come assembled?
A. Assembly depends on the make and model, although most baby push walkers require at least some minor assembly upon arrival.
Q. Why should I choose a push walker over a classic baby walker the child can sit in?
Although it seems reasonable to assume they help babies learn to walk, classic baby walkers can actually hinder development and delay the speed at which babies learn to walk. Not only can it delay the ability to walk, but it may also negatively impact a child’s gait and lead to problematic toe-walking. What's more, baby walkers that infants sit in have an alarmingly high injury rate.
The same issues aren't found with push walkers, as these items simply help babies balance as they're learning to walk.
