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April 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 4

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Riding Toys Evolve With New Style and Design

Fisher-Price, Kettler and Other Brands Keep Kids Moving

By: Chris Lundy
4/1/2009

“A lot of people are cocooning more, but they want outdoor activities.” — Melissa O’Brien, Wal-Mart

On a typical sunny day, you can see Hailey and C.J. Farrant, 3 years old and 23 months, riding their Fisher-Price Power Wheels in the backyard of their Beachwood, N.J., home. They spend rainy days inside with other ride-ons, such as the Spin Zebra from Fisher-Price and the animatronic Kota the Triceratops from Hasbro.

“They hang stuff on Kota. They decorate Kota. They try to feed him puzzle pieces,” their father, Chris, told TDmonthly Magazine.

It’s no surprise that riding toys make up a big part of a typical child's playroom.

KETTLER PUSHES FAMILY-FRIENDLY USE

“It's a family experience,” pointed out Heather McGlothlin, national sales manager for Kettler International, which added features to its 2009 line “to help parents get out there with their kids.”

There are “parent friendly” tricycles, for example, that can convert into something similar to a stroller handle for the parent to use to help their child.

The Happy Plus Kettrikes have a push bar for parents to help push beginner bikers. The bikes also have a coasting system so kids can sit and learn as someone else guides them, and a safety mechanism that prevents the front wheel from turning more than 45 degrees and causing a spill. Similarly, the Kettrike Alana has a handhold on the back of the seats for parents give a supporting push.

There's also the Kettler AERO Racer, described as a “racecar engineered to scale for kids,” streamlined and shined for maximum speed and fun.

These are not the only vehicles with new designs and operations, however. Other exciting changes are challenging the traditional perception of a riding toy.

RIDING IN STYLE WITH RAZOR

Take, for instance, a sparking mechanism that lights a stream of sparks behind the scooter as it goes. The Spark Kick Scooter is new from Razor this year. The wheels on the RipRider 360, also from Razor, are mounted on casters with a full-circle range of movement, so kids can drift and spin as they speed about.

There's another family connection coming from Razor this year — pink-painted “Sweet Pea” ride-ons for girls.

The Tri-ton Mobo (from ASA Products), not nearly as heavy as the name implies, is a long and stretched-out vehicle for pedaling around town, but it's made to fold and compact for storage and transport.

Giving new meaning to the words “training wheels,” the Hobby-Bike from Inter-Axion Inc. has two different modes based on the skill level of the rider. Those just getting used to bikes can push along, learning balance, braking and other essentials of riding a bicycle — just like a run bike or balance bike. Then, once those skills are mastered, parents can easily attach the pedals, chain and everything else so it's just like a regular bike.

STAYING ACTIVE OUTDOORS

Melissa O'Brien, a spokesperson for Wal-Mart, also noted a trend toward family fitness and playing together, adding that licensed ride-ons such as Barbie and Hot Wheels, both from Mattel, are likely to continue in popularity.

“A lot of people are cocooning more, but they want outdoor activities,” she told TDmonthly. Riding toys fill that niche by creating play experiences outside, and she doesn't expect them to slow down this year, despite the budget crunches many are feeling.

In the economy, some people may be forgoing vacations, but they still want their children to be doing something, after all.

See a variety of riding toys below:

Spark Kick Scooter by RAZOR

Other products from RAZOR