Top Ride-On Toy Roller Coaster Options for Toddlers and Big Kids

 I am thoroughly convinced I would have loved a toy roller coaster when I was a kid.  Maybe this is because every time I see one, I’m tempted to shove the kiddos out of the way and take it for a spin myself.  Regardless, I’m a huge fan of the toy roller coasters and think they make one of the best gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions.  These toys keep kids active, provide SO much fun, and will keep kids coming back for more for several years.

As far as I can tell, toy roller coasters are relatively new to the market - most parents I’ve talked to aren’t even aware that they exist – but I can only imagine you’ll see more and more toy roller coasters around your neighborhood as word gets out.  For now, there are several great toy roller coaster options to consider. 

Click here to read full, detailed reviews of the Step 2 Roller Coaster and the other toy roller coaster options described below.   That site also includes links to the best sale prices available for each of these models.

 The Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster is, in effect, the original toy roller coaster ride-on.  It is targeted towards the smallest of tots – basically, if you have a toddler of walking age, you have a prime candidate to enjoy  the Step 2 Roller Coaster.  It features two tiny hills that are just steep enough to let your little one pick up some giggle-inducing speed, yet keeps them within 18 inches of the floor at all times.

Step 2 is such a fantastic company.  Every time I research any kind of “major” (say, over $40) toy for my kid, especially if it’s something that will spend some time outside, the Step 2 brand rises to the top.  We love our Step 2 swingset, playhouse, and other assorted rough-and-tumble toys.  It’s great that the Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster is so well made and designed with kiddos and parents in mind.

 The name here tells you everything.  The original Step 2 Roller Coaster described above is a perfect, fairly tame ride for toddlers and young preschoolers; bigger kids will undoubtedly want bigger thrills.  The Step 2 Extreme Coaster is much taller, and features one big hill.  This is a toy that your older toddlers can start to use (under strict supervision, of course), but it will make your house the most popular in the neighborhood with every preschooler and early grade schooler as well.

Whereas the Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster can easily fit into most homes, the Step 2 Extreme Coaster will most likely spend most of its time outdoors; part of the fun will be positioning it so that it starts riders off with a high-speed ride that they can continue to enjoy across a smooth or gently sloped yard.

Out of all the toy roller coasters on the market, the Step 2 Extreme Coaster accommodates the oldest, heaviest kids – it is definitely a toy that will last for many years!

 Radio Flyer is a relative newbie on the toy roller coaster scene.  The nostalgic red design of the Radio Flyer 500 automatically gives it some bonus points from me over its competitors – I’m a complete sucker for the old-school feel of this toy.  It is also cleverly designed to feature two small twisty racetracks down its slope, perfect for encouraging Hot Wheels races when the track isn’t otherwise engaged.

Size-wise, the Radio Flyer 500 is geared towards relatively young kids; again, it has a fairly low slope and safe entry points.  My favorite feature is that it can quickly be disassembled and stored in one section of the roller coaster – it’s basically its own carrying case.

Back to Basics has also jumped on the scene with a toy roller coaster option aimed at toddlers.  The Back to Basics coaster is a bit more – well, basic – than its competitors as far as design and build go, but it is a high-quality coaster that your kids will enjoy.  For the money, I’d be inclined to go with the similarly-priced and featured but more thoroughly-reviewed Step 2 Up and Down Roller Coaster.

 There actually is no such thing as a Little Tikes Roller Coaster, as of the writing of this article!  A lot of shoppers look for a Little Tikes Roller Coaster when, in fact, it is Step 2 that creates the toy they have seen.  The two companies produce so many similar products, they are often confused.  The Step 2 Roller Coasters above are the most popular toy roller coasters availab.e

For more information and side-by-side comparisons of all of these coasters, visit this Step 2 Roller Coaster site.