I think I’ve always maintained the idea that every child should have a rocking horse (even though—or especially because—I never did). Of course that’s not necessarily true, but it’s still a classic that most kids will enjoy, so if you’re at a loss for a birthday or Christmas gift, you may want to go with an old standby like this one.
The Radio Flyer Soft Rock and Bounce Pony with Sound makes that easy to take care of at a very early age. It’s designed for children ages one to three years old, and it allows them to rock or bounce while holding on tightly to the easy-grip handles.
It even plays music and it’s plush, not wooden, so it’s more comfortable and less likely to cause any bumps or bruises if the child falls forward. The only hazard I noticed was the possibility of the child tripping over the plastic base as they stepped down and off of the horse, but it happened infrequently for us.
My daughter got this for Christmas when she was one year old and it’s still sitting upstairs with the “current” toys. As a tall four-year-old, she can’t comfortably ride him anymore even though she’ll still try on occasion, but he’s now like a second, still, mostly quiet pet. She pulls him around, hangs baskets from the handles, and puts her dolls on his back so they can ride. I’d say her great-grandma got her money’s worth.
What’s the appeal of a rocking horse? No idea, really, but it looks like fun and it’s a well-loved toy for both my daughter and my niece, who got one at the same time. They’re worth a look.
Photo credit: Radio Flyer
