TOY GUIDE: PUSH AND PULL TOYS
We have already covered the incredible benefits of push and pull toys, but in this post, we aim to provide practical advice for choosing the perfect toy. With such a vast selection available, it’s easy to get lost, but fear not! We’ve compiled our (and our customers’!) favourite toys in this category, along with some extra tips and advice.
3 (UPRIGHT) WALKERS WE LOVE
When children become mobile, all they want is to cruise and cover as much ground as possible! A walker can be an excellent addition to the playroom to satisfy this need and skill. As pushing comes before pulling, this type of mobility toy is usually our first recommendation.
However, it’s crucial to clarify that when we talk about walkers, we never mean old-fashioned baby walkers or jumpers (the ones that children need to sit in and often come with busy activity tables). Even if you don’t shop with us, we strongly advise avoiding these. They can be hazardous and are even banned in some countries due to serious accidents they cause. Moreover, they hinder babies’ natural gross motor development by placing them in an atypical standing position.
Instead, we suggest looking for a push-type, upright baby walker. With these, babies first need to develop the skill to stand up and maintain stability on their own, ensuring the toy won’t interfere with their natural development.
As for the right introduction time, it’s a judgment call you’ll need to make. We usually recommend using them for babies who have already gained stability and some confidence in walking. But if you decide differently, ensure the walker is not tippy at the beginning. You can add some weight to make it more stable, such as books or a pack of water bottles – these tricks have worked wonders in our homes.
Now let’s roll and explore our favourite picks in this category from our shop!
The PlanToys’ Baby Walker (1) is a classic for a reason and the most popular choice in our shop, available in orchard or classic colors! Its simple design makes it highly functional, and the blocks provide weight for stability (which can be replaced with other heavy items for first cruises). The adjustable handle ensures a comfortable fit for various heights, and the beautiful block set included adds an extra reason to choose this toy.
PlanToys offers many other great choices as well. Their Woodpecker Walker (2) is truly unique, being the most aesthetically pleasing walker of all, with a mesmerizing mechanism. As it is pushed along, the wheels turn, and the birds peck up and down, creating a gentle yet entertaining sound.
Another favourite is the simple Van Walker (3), which doesn’t come packed with blocks but provides ample space for you to fill it with your own treasures. Later on, it can double as extra storage for your soft toys too!
3 FAVOURITE PUSH TOYS ON A STICK
Before your child learns the ropes of roaming around the house with a classic pull-toy on a string (which we mentioned is a very challenging activity in our blog post!), young toddlers find hours of enjoyment with push toys on a stick. These toys are easier for them to navigate in front, and the stick provides a good grip and control over their buddy. It also helps them transition from using both hands to only one while using this pushing toy.
Our number one choice is a classic again: the PlanToys Walk & Roll (1). It’s practically your favorite rolling toy with wooden balls inside, just attached to a stick. The sound effects and swirling colors make it a mesmerizing little toy for your toddler. If the most popular rainbow-colored version is out of stock, we have a similar one in the orchard edition, and Bajo also makes a beautiful version of it!
The PlanToys Puppy (2), listed as a close second, is popular for its versatility. It comes with both a stick and a rope, offering a two-in-one push toy that can be set up as you or your little walker prefer. Children also love it because they can later pretend it’s their furry companion, having all kinds of adventures together.
The PlanToys Pelican (3) is also a hit in our store when it comes to push toys. The flip-flopping feet, made of 100% natural rubber, make it a cute option!
3 CLASSIC PULL-ALONG TOYS THAT ROCK!
(or well, roll!)
Between 15 and 18 months, children become ready to pull things behind them, and this is when a classic pull-toy will serve them best. We’ve already praised the many benefits of such toys, so now we’ll simply show you the ones that receive the most love in our shop!
The Happy Puppy (1) is one of PlanToys’ most iconic toys, wiggling and wagging as it’s pulled, becoming a loyal companion to children who love pets! With its benefits for gross motor play and seamless transition into imaginative play, no wonder it’s a favourite.
The Rainbow Dancing Alligator (2) is another beloved classic, captivating toddlers with its dance-like movement and gentle clicking sound, while the natural gum insert in the wheels keeps the noise level friendly.
PlanToys’ Little Hedgehog (3) is a relatively new arrival, but has quickly become a rock & roll star at our playdates and among customers, likely destined to become a future classic. Toddlers adore its interesting tactile insert and texture, along with the gentle bell inside when pulled along, and its affordable price adds to its appeal in our vibrant selection of toddler toys!
3 PULL- TOYS FOR SIMPLICITY LOVERS
For lovers of simplicity, we have some beautiful recommendations, too! Grimm’s Horse Holly (1) captures the timeless appeal of pull-along horses, destined to be treasured for generations in your family. PlanToys’ Snail (2) and our favorite Slovenian maker, Primož Rojc’s Hedgehog (3), showcase the natural beauty of wood, left unpainted and exuding a charming simplicity.
3 PULL-ALONG TOYS WITH A TWIST
If you’re in search of something rather unique, we have your back, too! Bajo’s Galapagos Crab (1) has recently crawled onto our shelves and quickly become one of our favorite toys in the category! It’s not just the cute design or the goofy googly eyes that won us over, but also its unconventional wheels that create an interesting movement during play.
PlanToys’ two musical pull-toys are equally extraordinary: both the Musical Bear (2) and the Drummer Boy (3) exude vintage charm, standing out as one-of-a-kind treasures in today’s vast toy selection.
3 POPULAR TWO-IN-ONE PULL-ALONG TOYS
We’re not big fans of busy toys, but sometimes an extra function can add to the lifespan of a toy! If you’re looking for more value, here are three of our favorite pull-along toys that we highly recommend.
The Grimm’s Rainbow Turtle (1) comes with colorful, Waldorf-inspired blocks as its cargo. These organically shaped blocks offer a beautiful tactile and sensorial experience, making them perfect for early building stages, like lining up, experimenting with physical characteristics, or balancing.
The Grimm’s Pull-Along Truck (2) also includes some building slats. These slats are great for color sorting, domino-style stacking, or combined with Grimm’s favorite Mosaic Set, for instance. Even during the imaginative play phase, you can remove the rope, and rest assured the car will continue to be a beloved part of playtime!
Last but not least, the PlanToys Shape-Sorting Bus (3) doubles as a shape sorter – and a fairly great one at that! Children can empty the back themselves after they’ve inserted the shapes, promoting individual play. And the best part is that the truck, with its removable figure, can be used for much longer than just the toddler years! It’s a toy that grows with your child.
3 PUSH AND PULL TOYS FOR OLDER CHILDREN
Push and pull-toys are adored in the playroom between 18-24 months, but even older children still crave movement. That’s why we can expand our selection to include some specific gross motor tools or toys later on.
For outdoor fun, the Metal Wheelbarrow (1) has been a trusty companion in our garden for years. But if your little one is more into pretend play, the PlanToys Doll Stroller (2) or the Maileg Shopping Trolley (3) can be excellent additions to the mix!
