Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride

Step Start Walk 'n Ride Ages: 9 months and up Requires: Phillips screwdriver Adult assembly

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: The Good: 2-in-1 toy that helps your infant develop walking and balancing skills. The Challenging: Wheels are not designed for extensive outdoor use. In a Nutshell: A versatile walker/ride-on toy complete with fun, sensorial gadgets.

For parents, one of the best functions on this toy is its locking mechanism that changes the toy's mode from a walker to a ride-on toy. The lock cannot be undone by the child, and there is a distinct click that sounds when the lock is set in place.

While your child is using the walker/rider, be sure to keep them away from sloped driveways and hills. Though the wheels are made out of very thick plastic, they are designed for the slower movements of a young child on a level, steady surface.

A Great Walker and Rider for Beginners
This walker/rider is excellent for its versatility of options for your waddler's different stages of development. And while your child is learning important stability skills, he or she can also play with and look at the fun sensorial gadgets that are attached from top to bottom in bright, fluorescent colors. The fact that the Step Start Walk 'n Ride is two toys in one makes it an economical choice and prolongs the amount of time your child will still be excited to use it and benefit from its activities.

What's in the Box
Body, four wheels, front handle, rear handle, handle retainer, domed lid, dial, roller, spinner (two pieces), antenna, gear shift, four plain #6 screws, and one #6 screw with attached washer.

Great first rider with plenty of sensorial gadgets. View larger.

Learning to walk will be a snap with the Step Start Walk n' Ride. View larger.

I REALLY LIKE IT BECAUSE IT WAS VERY EASY TO ASSEMBLE.


Clear the Road Everyone!   February 12, 2001
Jennifer L. Pilarski (Shelby Twp., MI United States)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Our daughter received this as a gift for Christmas when she was 8 months old. It is still her favorite 2 months later! She is starting to walk on her own and this toy has been a great help to her. She doesn't care for the car part of the toy, but the walker has been great. In reading the other reviews, I see that there have been some complaints about the attachments or design. So far, our child has not been injured or pulled anything off of this toy. It has been pretty durable. She does tip it over on occasion, though. An unbalanced child can easily tip this, but it does not seem heavy enough to cause an injury and Veronica has always just gotten up and kept right on going. It is small enough to take along in our trunk and we take it with us when visiting. I think this is a great learning-to-walk toy.


The trunk is the key!   November 29, 2001
New Exerciser! (Lake Mary, Florida)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Although it is a great walker for learners, the trunk is the most fascinating thing for my son - he puts things in, closes the door and takes then out again. When in an upright position, my son will cruise back and forth across the family room. I have noticed it can tip if he is not directly in back of the handlebars but we are always there to straighten him out anyway. He likes to ride on the car but has not figured out how to get his feet out of the way unless we hold them up for him. I recommend this toy to help new walkers but as with all toys, you should always supervise. My 11 month old son just loves it and he is walking on his own now!


Excellent Skill Builder   August 6, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I have read the other 38 reviews and it is obvious that the stability of this walker is questionable. However, for my 9 month old son it is perfect! He loves cars and he is so proud that he can walk behind it. He does not yet walk on his own. I recommend allowing your child to use it on carpeting. This will cushion falls and add resistance to the wheels. Also, I assisted my son in his first attempts to use the walker. Once he realized the mechanics of it all he took off! :) As far as a riding toy goes. My son does not sit still for very long and he is more prone to injury when using this function. As with all toys of this nature my number one recommendation is to get on the floor and supervise your child. This will counteract many of the complaints you may read about.