kids-toy

Children’s car — combines the properties of a toy and a full-fledged vehicle. Driving a car, the child develops attentiveness, coordination, learns the basics of driving. On some types of car that are small in size, a child can even ride at home (if the area allows).

• Children’s pedal car
• Children’s electric car

Drive unit

Pedal — The car is driven by muscle effort, like a bicycle. Advantages: simple and reliable in operation, a car with such a drive is often inexpensive. Disadvantages: requires physical effort, develops low speed.

Electric — The vehicle is powered by an electric motor. Advantages: does not require physical effort of the child, allows you to develop a relatively high speed. Disadvantages: An electric car is usually more expensive than a pedal-operated car, more difficult to operate, more prone to breakdowns.

Kind

Velomobile — a three- or four-wheeled machine with a pedal drive. It is used, as a rule, on paved roads. This is a kind of bicycle, but it is more stable, safe and comfortable.

Automobile — a four-wheeled vehicle that imitates an adult passenger car.

Jeep — differs from the previous type in a more powerful body, increased ground clearance and large wheels. There are models with additional depreciation. This is a powerful and passable car, however, it has more weight and dimensions than a conventional car.

buggy/kart — a racing car equipped with two engines, which allows you to develop high speed. Comfort, driving safety and spectacular design distinguishes the buggy from other cars. The dipped beam makes it possible to travel in the dark.

Truck — it looks like a jeep, but has a body. On such a car, the child can carry his toys to the place of the walk. There are single and double models.

Tractor/excavator — resembles similar machines for adults. Equipped with bucket and/or trailer. The model differs from passenger cars in increased ground clearance. In addition, the tractor is equipped with off-road tires.

Motorcycle — imitates a motorcycle for adults. Models are equipped with two additional removable wheels for children who do not yet know how to ride well. The optimal age is 2.5 years and older.

Tricycle — tricycle. Designed for children over 3 years of age.

ATV — four-wheeled motorcycle. Wide wheels and increased ground clearance provide excellent cross-country ability. Often equipped with off-road wheels and active suspension. There are single and double models. It is purchased, as a rule, for children 2.5-3 years old.

Number of seats

1 — occurs most often.

2 — you can ride such a car with a friend, driving the car in turn. For families with two children, a two-seater car is ideal.

Minimum age

The age of the child from which it is permissible to use the car. According to this parameter, all models are divided into the following categories:

For children age 1-3 years — battery-powered wheelchair; landing is from above. Differs in small dimensions and weight, simplicity in management, develops low speed. Braking is done by releasing the gas pedal. These machines are three- and four-wheeled, often equipped with remote control.

For children age 3-7 years — differs in increased size and weight, more complex control and the presence of two speeds. Braking can be done either by releasing the «gas» pedal or by means of the «brake» pedal. Such cars are not only three- and four-wheeled, but also two-wheeled with removable safety wheels.

For children age 7-10 years old — in appearance is no different from a real car, except for the size. This is the largest and heaviest model that requires driving skills from the child. Some cars are equipped with a real gearbox and shift knob. There is a brake pedal, dipped beam, removable tires, opening doors and much more.

Important: when choosing a car, you should consider the age of the child. For very young children, you should not buy a big car «for growth» — it is heavy and difficult to drive.

In order to save money, it is better to buy a car for a baby by the age of 2-3, since a very small car will not last long — children grow out of it quickly, and it will cease to be interesting to them.

Load

The maximum allowable weight of a child for safe use of the car. This parameter varies between 20-60 kg, and models designed for a load of 50-60 kg are mainly double.

Important: it is strictly forbidden to put two children in a single car, even if their total weight does not exceed the indicated load on the structure.

Power

The speed of an electric car depends on its power. The letter V stands for battery voltage (motor voltage). The higher this number, the more speed the car can develop.

• for children aged 1-3 years — 6 V (up to 3 km / h)
• for children aged 3-7 years — 12 V (up to 7 km / h)
• for children aged 7-10 years -24 V (12-15 km/h)

Models 36 V (up to 20 km / h) are rare.

Power is also affected by the number of drive wheels — the wheels to which the motor is connected. Most often there are cars with one (for the smallest) or two (for older children) driving wheels, less often with four. The more such wheels, and therefore motors, the more powerful the car, has a greater cross-country ability, withstands weight and develops speed. But at the same time, its cost and weight increase.

Important: For unpaved roads, vehicles with more power should be selected than for city roads.

Working hours

The larger the battery capacity, the longer the child can ride without recharging. A 6 volt battery provides an hour drive, a 12 volt battery provides a 2 hour drive. Matching the weight of the car to the battery installed in it is of great importance. The lighter the car, the longer it can go without recharging.

Wheel material

Plastic — has a small weight and low cost, however, such wheels make a lot of noise while driving (especially on asphalt) and are short-lived — they can fail when they hit an obstacle. A car with plastic wheels is well suited for the smallest drivers to drive around the apartment.

Plastic+rubber (rubberized) — wheels, consisting of a plastic rim and rubber inserts, are much less noisy when driving. In addition, they are much more difficult to break due to good depreciation.

Rubber — the best option, providing a silent and soft ride not only on asphalt, but also on sand, off-road, gravel. Rubber wheels are the most comfortable movement and excellent grip on the road.

Important: It should be noted that cars with wide wheels are more stable.

Transfers

Gear shifting allows you to increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. The more gears, the more speed the car can develop. For example, the first gear usually speeds up to 4 km / h, the second — up to 8 km / h. In this case, the forward gears are responsible for moving forward, and the reverse gear is responsible for moving backward (up to 4 km / h).

Bullying

In the pedal with an accelerator (gas pedal) — occurs most often. The most convenient option: to brake, just release the «gas» pedal.

Brake pedal — a separate pedal. It is found in cars for children from 3 years old.

Manual — found in velomobiles and some ATVs.

Pedal Reverse — found in velomobiles and pedal cars. The principle of braking is the same as in some bicycles: it is enough to turn the pedals in the opposite direction to brake.

Material

Plastic — lightweight, inexpensive and fairly durable material. However, it can be damaged if hit hard. Plastic cases are the most common.

Metal — strong and durable material, but heavy and expensive. Therefore, fully metal cases are rare.

Metal+plastic — a compromise option that combines the advantages of the previous two.

Adjustments

Seat – provides a comfortable stay of the child in the car. Adjustment is made on growth of the child.

Rudder position – allows you to change the position of the steering wheel, which provides additional driving comfort. The option is provided in expensive cars.

Vehicle weight

• for children aged 1-3 years — 5-10 kg
• for children aged 3-7 years — 10-20 kg
• for children aged 7-10 years — 40-50 kg

Equipment

Remote control (RC) — allows parents to correct the trajectory of the car (left-right) when the child masters the control of the machine. It is also used in cars with several speeds: the remote control will only work at the first — the lowest speed. Relevant for the youngest drivers.

parent pen — analogue of remote control, which allows you to control the trajectory of the car.

Horn — with its help, the child gives a signal announcing the approach of the car. It serves both for safety purposes (prevents from a collision) and imitates the equipment of an adult car.

Safety belt — securely fixes the baby in the chair, and also reduces the risk of injury in an accident. Their presence is especially important in a car that develops a fairly high speed.

Helmet — protects the child from traumatic brain injury in an accident.

Protective bumper — reduces the negative consequences of accidents, both for the child and for the car.

Also, the car can be equipped with disc brakes (for powerful models), rear-view mirrors, soft seat covers, a floor mat, an FM receiver. For greater resemblance to an adult car, some models have an ignition key and an imitation of the engine, a glove box, a windshield. In such cars, you can open the hood and doors.

Council

• Before purchasing a car, you should decide on the place of its storage, as it is a rather large and heavy toy. Also, large cars cause difficulties in transportation. Do not forget that most children’s cars do not understand. Therefore, consider the dimensions of the doorway, the dimensions of the elevator, the number of storeys of the house.
• When buying a car, you need to check its equipment (for example, the presence of a charger, remote control) and its technical capabilities, including the operation of the music panel (if any).
• Check toy quality certificates and pay attention to brand reputation. However, an external inspection of the car will not hurt either (strength of the chassis and body, dimensions and quality of wheels, protection of components and mechanisms from dust and moisture).
• If the child will ride on the street, then you can buy any car, and if only in the room, then you should pay attention to small-sized models.
• The design of the car should please the child, so choose it together with the future driver.

Manufacturer

The most expensive electric cars for children are the models of the leader among manufacturers Peg-Perego. This is one of the most reliable, powerful and durable options. Well assembled from high quality and safe materials. However, they are expensive. In the event of a breakdown of an electric car, its repair will also be expensive. Feature — exact copies of famous car brands. The products of the Spanish brand Injusa also belong to the high price segment, and are not inferior to Peg Perego in terms of quality.

You can buy cheaper models of Asian and local brands Alexis, Bambi, CT, Geoby, Smoby, Pilsan, Rastar, Magical World Workshop. Outwardly, they will look no worse than expensive Italian ones. When choosing, you should pay attention to the size of the seat, as they are often too small. In general, the products are of good quality. Some brands have problems with missing parts. Therefore, in the event of a car breakdown, it will be easier to buy a new one.