The best walking toys have many developmental benefits, including building up motor skills for walking on their own.1 Walking toys are a fun way for your baby to cruise around. Some children prefer the fun activity of pushing a walking toy rather than holding on to hands when trying to walk. Below is a list of the best baby walking toys on the market.
Best Baby Walking Toys
Both of these great walking toys include activity panels for little ones to explore, however, the Fisher-Price Puppy Walker is much less expensive than the more costly iPlay, iLearn Sit to Stand Walker.
Fisher-Price Puppy Walker
The Fisher-Price Puppy Walker is a walking toy that accommodates children who are only sitting up to new walkers.
The front activity panel includes a flip switch, turn dial, peek-a-boo door, light-up buttons, and more. Music and sounds help teach ABCs and 123s.
Unlike some walking toys, these wheels do not lock to create resistance. Some customers have complained that since the wheels don’t lock, their child slips and falls frequently when pulling themselves up.
This walking toy offers tons of buttons, toys, and other tactile options to engage them in learning and fun.
This walker is for ages 6 months – 3 years.
Benefits
- Educational (teaches ABC’s, 123’s, etc)
- Variety of activities on panel
Drawbacks
- May be too slippery (wheels don’t lock for resistance)
- Does not include 2 AA batteries (required)
Main Point
This walking toy has a variety of educational touches to it but does not have wheel locks, so it may be harder for children to pull themselves up without falling.
iPlay iLearn Sit to Stand Walker
The iPlay iLearn Sit to Stand Walker is one of the best walking toys for 1-year-olds. It is a 3-in-1 walking toy that is shaped differently than most walking toys.
The 3-in-1 refers to 3 modes of play: sit and play, walking, and standing (as an activity table). The activity panel includes driving pretend play, pretend phone, beads, animal pictures, and more. On the opposite side of the panel is a magnetic doodle board featuring a pen, slide eraser, and shape stamps.
There’s a lot for a growing child to enjoy with this walking toy. Many customers say that their child uses the magnetic doodle board more than they use the toy for walking.
You can adjust the wheels between high speed and low speed. This is for ages 9 months – 6 years.
Benefits
- 3 AA batteries included
- Shape helps the walker to not tip easily
- CPSC approved for safety
Drawbacks
- Accent hard to understand
- Speed adjustment may not work
- High price
Main Point
If you’re looking for a walking toy, this toy may distract from walking and encourage your child to stand and play with the magnetic doodle board instead.
Best Sit-to-Stand Walkers
The VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker has locking wheels to help this walking toy to move slower for new walkers; whereas the SUPER JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker has a water tank where you can add up to 2.2 lbs of water or sand plus a reverse braking system to help stabilize your little mover.
VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
The VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker has many activities on the front panel for children to play with as they grow.
Is your child not ready to walk yet? The front activity panel pops off so your child can enjoy floor play. The panel features piano keys, some light-up buttons, a shape sorter and a pretend phone. There are 70+ sounds, phrases, and songs combined which is a nice variety.
Customers love that the front panel can be pulled off and played with separately. You are able to lock the wheels so that they won’t spin (creating resistance for slower movement) but some customers complain that the toy moves too quickly for new walkers, even with the wheels locked.
This walker is available in blue, orange, lavender, and pink. This is for ages 9 months – 3 years.
Benefits
- Play panel can be removed for floor play
- 2 AA batteries are included
- Adjustable sound control
- Can lock wheels for resistance
Drawbacks
- May slip as child pulls themselves up
Main Point
Slick floors may not create enough resistance, resulting in frequent tumbles and frustration. Otherwise, this is like a 2-in-1 toy since the activity panel can detach from the walker.
BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker
The BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker is one of the few walking toys that includes a fillable water tank for stabilizing the walker.
The water tank can be filled with water (or sand) up to 2.2lbs. Adding weight to the walker helps stabilize your child as they grow. This toy also features a backward braking system that helps prevent the toy from sliding backward.
The removable activity panel is great for floor or sitting play and features instruments, a shape sorter, lights and more. Also included is a small storage area where your child can place toys.
This is available in pink and blue and intended for ages 10 months and up.
Benefits
- Removable activity panel
- Adjustable volume
- Adjustable handle height (18″ or 21″)
- Water tank helps stabilize toy to prevent toppling
- Rollover prevention design
Drawbacks
- AA batteries not included (required)
Main Point
If you’re looking for a stable walking toy that has options to adjust height and weight as your child grows, the BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker is your best bet.
Best LeapFrog Walker
LeapFrog Scout’s 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker
The LeapFrog Scout’s 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker grows with your baby, starting off as a baby gym and ending as a walking toy.
Customers love that they can use this walker as soon as the infant stage and as late as toddler age. There are some complaints about how difficult it is to transition the toy from one position to another.
The activity panel has 3 modes of play and introduces colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. The panel also includes piano keys, a pretend phone, dangling toys, and more. The center dome light changes 6 different colors.
This is for ages 3 months to 3 years.
Benefits
- 3-in-1 walker (baby gym, activity table, walking toy)
- 2 AA batteries included
- Adjustable speed (fast and slow)
- Activity panel detaches for floor play
- Child can walk and play with the activity panel
Drawbacks
- Difficult to change from one layout to another
Main Point
You’ll get your money’s worth with this walking toy since it can be used from infant stage to toddler stage. In addition, there are plenty of benefits and fun things to do!
Best Walking Toy for Toddlers
Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop ‘n Cook Walker
The Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop ‘n Cook Walker is versatile enough to keep your child busy as they grow!
This toy walker includes 4 modes of play: floor (activity panel can be removed), standing (wheels lock in place), walking with activity panel, and walking with activity panel removed (as a grocery cart). Three shapes are also included for shape sorting.
Lights and sounds entertain the child well. For example, pushing the walker makes the popcorn “pop.” A light up button makes sizzling sounds when pushed. A sandwich pops up when a lever is slid.
This is for ages 6 months – 3 years.
Benefits
- 4-in-1 walking toy
- Wheels lock for stationary activity table play
- 3 AA batteries included
- 3 language options (English, Spanish, French)
Drawbacks
- Activity panel may pop off too easily
Main
Many customers enjoy this walking toy for their little ones. If you have a larger/stronger toddler, you may need to reconsider due to this walker easily toppling over.
Comparing the Best Baby Walking Toys
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| iPlay iLearn Sit to Stand Walker | 9.7 | 9.2 | 66.79 |
| BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker | 3.9 | 9.2 | 50.99 |
| Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop 'n Cook Walker | 9.7 | 9.4 | 44.22 |
| VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker | 9.9 | 9.6 | 39.99 |
| Fisher-Price Puppy Walker | 9.9 | 9.6 | 24.00 |
| LeapFrog Scout's 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker | 4.0 | 9.4 | - |
Buying Considerations
Here are some things to consider before purchasing your next walking toy:
- Age: Make sure your child’s age fits within the intended range of use provided by these toys.
- Length of Use: Consider how long you’d like your child to use this toy. Some of these walking toys can be used starting as early as the infant stage.
- Personality: Some walking toys can be easily tipped over. Consider how rough your child plays and if they need a more stable walking toy.
- Floors: Do you have slick floors? Keep in mind that some walking toys do not have the option to adjust speed or lock the wheels.
Note: This best walking toy list does not include baby walkers (where baby sits inside and moves on wheels), nor does it include walkers that toddlers can sit on.
FAQs – Baby Walking Toys
Do these walking toys need batteries? If so, are they included?
Walking toys with electronic activity panels will need batteries.
While many of these walking toys include the necessary batteries, you will need to purchase your own AA batteries for the Fisher-Price Learn with Me Zebra Walker and the BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker.
Can I adjust the speed/lock the wheels of the walking toy?
Having the option to adjust speed or lock the wheels is great for new walkers and slippery floors.
All walking toys have the option to do one or the other, except for the Fisher-Price Learn with Me Zebra Walker and the BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker. The BABY JOY walker does have the option to increase the weight of the toy to avoid slipping.
What ages are the walking toys intended for?
It’s important to make sure your child’s age fits within the intended range of play.
By youngest starting age to oldest:
LeapFrog Scout’s 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker: 3 months – 3 years
Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop ‘n Cook Walker: 6 months – 3 years
Fisher-Price Learn with Me Zebra Walker: 6 months – 5 years
VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker: 9 months – 3 years
iPlay, iLearn Baby Sit to Stand Walkers Toy: 9 months – 6 years
BABY JOY Sit-to-Stand Walker: 10 months +
Wrap Up
Depending on what type of baby walking toy you’re looking for, we have listed the best products for a few categories. A basic baby walking toy isn’t used for too long once the child knows how to walk on their own. Purchasing a baby walker that includes some extra features will allow your child to play with it even longer as they grow.
Sources
1https://babystrategy.com/need-baby-push-toys-walking-find-benefits/#You8217ll_recognize_a_new_walker
