February 2010 Notable Toys — Vehicles - Riding

The Chopper Balance Bike from Smart Gear Toys is for children ages 2 to 5 years. This beautifully eco-friendly balance bike promotes balance, grossmotor coordination and overall gross motor skills. A great therapy tool to employ with children who have weakness in these areas. The bike comes with a comfy cushioned adjustable seat, inflatable rubber tires and a convenient built-in handle for easy carrying or hanging (if you choose to store it that way). The Chopper also features motorcycle decals to give it the appearance of an actual chopper.
— "My own daughter, who just turned four, still has some issues with pedal coordination and this bike could really help her keep up with her big brothers when we all take a ride," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Designed to be the ideal first scooter for children, My 1st Scooter features an extra-wide base for maximum stability, and comes 100-percent assembled. Two wheels in the front allow for for stable steering, and the tapered base creates a clear kick path. The scooter folds for easy storage. Awards: 2010 TOTY Award
— As of 8.03.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 42 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 23 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Stable, lightweight, durable and appeals to 2- to 3-year-olds. CONS: Might not be versatile enough for children 4 and up.

The YBIKE balance bike is designed with a lightweight aluminum frame, rubber wheels and a narrow back wheel base. It's available in two colors and was designed by Chrome Cherry Design Studio in South Africa. Launch date: May 15, 2010.

The Mobo Shift is a three-wheeled cruiser with a reverse function, and is created with a large design and comfortable ride to offer a relaxing, safe and fun experience. "Key features include free wheel maneuverability, a dual-joystick steering system, a reclining back seat (with six angle settings) to optimize comfort and back support. Equipped with an an adjustable frame that fits most sizes, the Mobo Shift is a cruiser for the whole family to enjoy. The Mobo Shift can also can increase arms and legs strength, hand-eye coordination, and enhance cardiovascular function," Melody Hsieh-Hornstra, President, Asa Products Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

The patent-pending Whiplash™ provides enough momentum to self-propel – so much so – riders’ feet never need to touch the ground. The revolutionary new ride is part scooter, part Wave® (caster board) and totally fun because you can ride it like a scooter and carve and drift like The Wave®. Centered around the award-winning design of The Wave’s® unique caster design and Torsion technology, Whiplash’s™ flexing deck and handlebar fuse together to provide riders with a cool, side to side, whip-like ride.

Now Rody fans can rock as well as bounce. This sturdy wooden rocker can hold a child of up to 55 pounds. It's made in Italy of Scandinavian birchwood, by Lucio Londero. It measures 28" x 22". Some assembly is required. Launch date: 2010.

Gymnic Line’s Rody Horse, a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. (Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Rody Horse). Used in Therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of super strong, latex-free vinyl, inflates according to size and weight of child with a hand or foot pump. Maximum inflated height to “saddle” is 12 inches. Recommended for 3 years and up, with adult supervision.
— Six of 37 specialty retailers named Rody as a best-selling ride-on in March 2010. Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., sells about four Rodys per month, Owner Dave Campbell told TDmonthly.
— 2 of 15 specialty toy store owners said Rody was their top ride-on in 1Q 2011

Made in Italy of high-quality latex-free vinyl, Rody is a classic riding toy that lets kids exercise while having fun. It's for children ages 3 and up, with adult supervision.
— “This is one of the best toys for a 2-year-old,” reported Valerie Elsea, owner of Jillie Beans Toys & More in Westminster, Colo., in spring 2010. She reported that Rodys were on the store’s best seller list, and had been since the store opened in November 2006.

Designed as an alternative to training wheels, the Gyrowheel senses imbalanced riding and recenters the bicycle once it begins to wobble. This effect is accomplished by an interior disk that spins independently of the wheel to stabilize the bike even at very low speeds. It installs quickly with a wrench and has a simple on/off button, three stability settings, rechargeable batteries, and light and sound indicators. The 12" Gyrowheel is available in black and white. Watch Demo Video; Watch Gyrowheel: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., was impressed with this product at Toy Fair 2010. It's "a step up from a balance bike with a gyro that keeps balance without training wheels. Tech + Bike = Perfect," he said.

With real off-road tires that can handle any terrain, the BERG Jeep® Wrangler Pedal Go-Kart exemplifies the rugged, outdoor adventure attitude of the Jeep® lifestyle. This BERG go-kart features a roll bar for extra safety, an adjustable sports bucket seat and offers a customized number plate. It also features a front swing axel offering secure road handling and a spare tire with cover. Designed and manufactured in Holland for children ages five and up. (300 pound weight capacity)

The BERG Jeep® Junior Pedal Go-Kart drives action and adventure right into the backyard. This light and compact go-kart, designed in Holland for children as young as three, gives the feeling of real Jeep® off-roading. The pedals are designed using a unique patented BFR-hub technology, thus making going forward, in reverse, freewheel and breaking simple, easy and controlled with just the use of the pedals. This technology allows for optimum safety and maximum driving pleasure. Suitable for ages three to eight with an adjustable steering wheel and seat.

Children like to create and to construct. MOOV Education kit is entirely adapted for educational use for example on primary schools and childcare. MOOV is a unique full-size construction toy for children aged 5 to 12 years. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without use of any tools or help from a teacher, educator or pedagogue. This playing concept stands for learning by playing. With the special MOOV educational build and play activity set children are able to train and improve their technical, creative and physical skills. Above this they improve their social emotional skills. Activity Set includes A4 size ring binder, 10 activity sheets and overview, 4 dividers, and MOOV certificates (50 pcs).

Children like to create and to construct. MOOV Education kit, which contains more than 200 construction elements, is entirely adapted for educational use for example on primary schools and childcare. MOOV is a unique full-size construction toy for children aged 5 to 12 years. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without use of any tools or help from a teacher, educator or pedagogue. The wooden parts, rings, shafts and frames are multi-functional. The holes in the wooden parts are specially designed, so you can easily remove the rings from the shafts. Storage is simple with the durable roller box for the large pieces and the durable cotton bags for the smaller parts.

This hubless, human-powered ride-on features two wheels set in a straight line on a variable axis. The rider puts sets a foot through each wheel and self propels the Freerider. Launch date: January 2010.

This cute, padded ride-on features multidirectional castors that let kids scoot comfortably. It's intended for use on smooth floors, it's ideal for indoors and runs quietly.
— Two of 37 retailers mentioned the Wheely Bug or Wheely Mouse when discussing best-selling ride-on toys in March 2010.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.

This sleek ride-on is fueled by cambering motion — the rider pushing his or her legs against the front bar, to the left and right. It has a hand brake and features an extendable design to host riders up to 6' tall. Maximum recommended weight is 150 lbs.
— Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, Okla., sells about a dozen EzyRollers per month, Owner Patti Tepper-Rasmussen told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Jackie Roy, owner of Learning Resources Toy Magic in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., told TDmonthly in late 2009 that she brought in five EzyRollers on trial on sold out in a week and a half.
— Two of 37 specialty retailers cited the EzyRoller as a top-selling ride-on in spring 2010. “The EzyRoller, by far, continues to be the best,” Christine Osborne of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2010, reporting sales of a couple dozen per month.

Past Videos: WTHRA 2008