The children's walking cart is an interesting first age toy. It has many qualities in a matter of play, motor skills, learning. There are many different models, more or less sophisticated. They differ mainly in materials, shapes and their ability to ride well. The choice can therefore be quite difficult. We talk to you about it.

1. The child trolley

Also called a wooden push walker, it is an early learning toy equipped with wheels and rear support. It allows a baby to stand on his own two feet and push him while walking. It can be offered to a baby who can easily switch from sitting to standing on his legs. And knowing how to walk in complete autonomy or failing that, take his first steps. Typically, around 10 to 12 months.

It is best not to give it away too early. A balance board can for example be preferred by the parents at first. The baby must indeed know how to manage his movements as well as those of his toy. In the event of uncontrolled travel, its risks being pulled by the inertia of its pusher. And consecutively to run behind and fall. He will take full advantage of this when he has mastered walking perfectly.

The baby wooden push toy walker is, like the child carrier, an early learning toy with many qualities. Parents can give it to babies without hesitation. It stimulates gross motor skills, fine motor skills and coordination of the legs and arms. It improves the sense of balance. And consequently, the confidence of the child. It is a source of fun and plays. By playing with it, young children will develop their creativity and imagination. He will also strengthen his interpersonal skills by having fun with other little friends. He will also gain autonomy by making decisions on his own. He will also improve his understanding of his playing space.

2. The shapes

Manufacturers offer many models with very varied shapes and colors. There are those representing characters, animals or small cars. Those in the shape of a pram, a small workbench, a kitchen. So that the children can play at the dinette, at the market, go shopping and to do crafts with small tools. These different imitation games allow you to do “like mom” or “like dad”. Be careful, however, not to offer them games that are too sexist.

There are also multi-activity carts, sound, light, with cubes, abacuses, labyrinths and other objects to turn and to fit. Some have a small storage box to carry children's items. The choice of theme, shape and colours is specific to the parents. Pusher and child carrier are frequently associated. A hoop is positioned at the back of the latter allowing babies to push it.

3. Materials

Manufacturers mainly offer pushers made of wood or plastic. In our opinion, toys made of natural wood are the ones to be favored. Natural wood is indeed a durable, ecological and recyclable material. They are resistant, easy to clean and maintain. They will keep for a long time. They are also often simpler and soberer than plastic ones. They don't make music, they don't blink. They do not make automatic movements, which may stimulate the child excessively. They are therefore particularly interesting for developing the imagination. Simple toys are indeed more stimulating compared to more sophisticated ones.

Models made with chipboard are obviously to be avoided. They release compounds that are dangerous to health over long periods. It is important to be particularly vigilant on this point.

Plastic trolleys are less ecological, less durable and recyclable than wooden ones. They are also generally lighter and consecutively less stable. In the end, the choice of materials will also be specific to each person.

4. The ability to ride

The pusher should not be too light to benefit from good stability. The aim is to prevent it from tipping over too easily and causing the baby to fall. It should not be too heavy either to allow it to move with ease, to be sufficiently manoeuvrable. A heavier rollator will be safer at the start for the child who does not yet have sufficient walking skills. This will be all the truer if he is not perfectly stable on his two feet. The weight is mainly dependent on the materials of manufacture. As discussed earlier, wooden pushers are generally heavier than plastic ones. A little tip. It is possible to add weight to the trunk of the cart to ensure better stability and limit its speed.

The pusher should roll easily. It can be fitted with wooden, hard plastic, EVA plastic, rubber, polyurethane wheels. Their quality is important because it greatly conditions the type of floors (parquet, tiles, carpet, concrete) on which the child can play. Those in wood are often very aesthetic but they tend to roll less well. And also, to be unscrewed frequently. The plastic ones are often noisier than the others. They are therefore particularly well suited for outdoor use. Polyurethane and rubber ones are often equipped with ball bearings. They are the fastest. They are suitable for all types of soil.

There are also pushers with a brake. It can be adjusted more or less strongly to modify the rolling resistance. This option with brake is preferred if the toddler has not sufficiently assimilated learning to walk.