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First, your baby is scooting. Next, she begins to crawl. And, before you know it, your little bundle of joy is pulling up on the furniture and trying to walk. This important milestone in a baby’s life is not only wondrous but full of challenges as your child develops the confidence and motor skills to get around on her own.
And while a baby walker can’t actually teach your child to walk, these super fun activity centers can help them to build muscular strength and refine their motor skills which will help with their overall mobility. Not to mention, today’s baby walkers can be super entertaining for your toddler!
Many have added activity centers which include toys, music and lights. And in some cases, the activity center can even be removed so your child can play on the floor. Yes, baby walkers have come a long way.
But before we dive into our favorites, let’s talk about the different types that are available.
The 8 Best Baby Walkers:
The Different Types of Baby Walkers
Baby walkers come in three main categories, push-walkers, sit-in walkers and convertible walkers that can be changed from sitting to push mode.
The old school, sit-in baby walkers of yesteryear weren’t very safe, as it turns out. They could roll downstairs, into pools and even allow children to reach dangerous objects. In fact, Canada banned these types of walkers altogether.
In recent years, however, sit-in baby walkers usually come with added safety features like lower bumper rails and large trays that help to prevent your baby from getting into mischief.
That being said, kids can get around very quickly in these walkers, which means you need to supervise them closely and be sure your house is baby-proofed. You should also limit their time in sit-in walkers to 15 or 20 minutes, as extended periods in this type of walker can affect their posture and gait.
Next is the push-walker, which is exactly what it sounds like. These styles are pushed from behind by your baby. And unlike a sit-in walker, babies can see their legs and release the walker if it gets going a little too fast.
And finally, there are even convertible walkers which can be switched from sitting to push mode, which can accompany your baby through different developmental stages.
To help you sort through a large number of baby walkers on the market today, let’s take a look at the 8 best baby walkers.
Our Favorite Push-Walkers
Push-walkers are everywhere these days, and babies learning to walk love the support they offer. Check out the top push-walkers on the market today.
1. Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon
Babies seem to love this classic and sturdy little push walker from Radio Flyer that they can fill up with their favorite stuffed animals and toys and go tooling around the house. But there are also a couple of features that parents will especially enjoy.
First, it has a padded bumper on the front to prevent your little flyer from marking up walls and furniture. And secondly, the wheels have a tension system that allows you to add resistance and slow the wagon down – a handy feature for inexperienced walkers.
One of the few drawbacks of this quality walker is that the handlebar is not height adjustable. And some parents find the clicking noise that the tensioner makes a little annoying. But overall, we think you and your baby will love this nostalgic and durable walker.
Pros
- Classic look and feel
- Padded front bumper
- Removable wooden side panels
- Great for storing and moving around toys
- Tension system to slow the wheels down
Things to Keep in Mind
- Handlebar is not height adjustable
- Tensioner on the wheels makes a clicking sound
2. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
Part education center, part walker, this best selling VTech push toy will help to keep your baby entertained with lots of fun features. When your little one is not tooling around, the removable play panel can be used on the floor.
With light-up piano keys, animal sounds, shape sorters and 70 sing-along songs, she’ll have plenty to keep her entertained. There’s even a pretend throwback phone in case she needs to make a few very important imaginary calls. The play center requires two AA batteries, which come included.
When your baby is on the move, you’ll find this walker rolls well on both wood and carpet. But it is good to know that these wheels can be locked or slowed down with a speed dial that adds resistance.
Pros
- Removable activity center
- Lots of entertaining gadgets
- Two AA batteries included
- Speed dial and wheel lock
Things to Keep in Mind
- Like many walkers, this one can tip over if used on especially thick carpet, so always be sure to keep an eye on your baby.
Related: The 17 Best Swim Diapers [For Mess-Free Summer Fun]
3. Cossy Classic Wooden Baby Walker
This well-crafted baby walker is made from sustainably sourced forests and finished with non-toxic paints, which eco-conscious parents will appreciate. And, of course, there’s plenty that your toddler will love about it too.
The front and side entertainment panels of this walker feature a xylophone, sliding balls and toys, and wooden shape blocks that fit into slots. And there’s also a handy little storage basket on the back for the xylophone sticks or other little toys.
Another feature that parents will appreciate is the rubber trim on the wheels that helps to protect floors and prevent sideways sliding.
The wheels on this push walker don’t have a speed dial, but you can tighten the screws on the wheels if you want to slow your baby down. However, some parents complain that they loosen too quickly.
But overall, this is a well-crafted and easy to assemble walker that we think both you and your baby will enjoy.
Pros
- Made from sustainable wood
- Non-toxic paint
- Well crafted, quality design
- Very easy to assemble
- Various gadgets to keep your baby entertained
- Rubber rimmed wheels
Things to Keep in Mind
- No speed dial on the wheels
- Some parents complain the screws on the wheels loosen too quickly
4. Hape Wonder Walker
If you’re not thrilled about walkers that use electronic toys, you’ll appreciate this well-crafted wooden model from Hape. With a collection of fun and moveable gears and balls, it will help your baby develop her motor skills without driving you crazy with electronic noise.
Your baby will also have fun putting their plushies, blocks or any of their favorite toys in the front compartment while they roll around.
It’s also nice to know that this walker uses wood from sustainable forests and non-toxic paint. The rubber trim on the wheels will also help to protect your floors.
One of the few drawbacks with this walker is that while it’s very stable, it’s also kind of hard to turn. It also has no speed adjustment on the wheels and can get moving pretty fast on wood and other hard surfaces.
But overall, this sturdy and well-crafted should stand up well to baby’s playtime while definitely keeping her entertained.
Pros
- Well crafted and durable
- Entertaining gears and gadgets
- Made from sustainable wood and non-toxic paint
- Rubber trimmed wheels
- Very stable
Things to Keep in Mind
- A bit hard to turn
- Wheels cannot be slowed down
Related: The 14 Best Three Wheel Scooters for Kids In 2022
Our Favorite Sit-In Walkers
If you are looking for something that can double as a chair here are a few sit-in walkers for your babe.
5. Joovy Spoon Walker
This stylish model from Joovy improves the design of classic walkers and adds some important safety features. First of all, it has a large wrap-around tray which helps to prevent your baby from grabbing things at hand level. It also has a large wrap-around bumper at the bottom to prevent your baby from careening downstairs or tipping over. (Though we must stress that you must still be babyproof and watch over your baby at all times).
You’ll also appreciate the sleek design that allows you to fold it up and store it right under a bed. And your baby should also feel nice and comfy in the plush seat, which can be wiped clean or removed for washing (as can the tray).
This walker has 3 adjustable height settings, but the highest may be a little too short for taller babies. And it also doesn’t have a wheel lock or any included toys. But if you’re looking for a well-made and contemporary sit-in walker without noisy gadgets, the Joovy Spoon Baby Walker is an excellent choice.
Pros
- Sleek, contemporary design
- Large, wrap-around tray
- Wrap around lower bumper
- Folds and stores easily
- Lightweight
- Removable tray and seat
Things to Keep in Mind
- No wheel lock
- Tallest height setting may be too low for tall babies
6. Bright Starts Walk-A-Bout Walker
If you’re looking for a sit-in walker that has a few entertainment features, the Walk-a-Bout from Bright Starts fits the bill nicely and at a reasonable price.
Your little one will enjoy the safari-themed activity center that features a steering wheel with a horn that lights up and plays music. And parents will love that it also comes with volume control for when things get too noisy.
Other nice features include a wheel bumper around the base for safety and a taller seat back which helps to support the shoulders and backs of younger babies. This walker has three adjustable height settings.
One drawback about this walker is that the leg openings are a bit narrow. So if your bundle of joy has especially chubby thighs, it could be a little more difficult to get them in and out.
But for the price point, this is an affordable walker with some cute features.
Pros
- Wrap around wheel bumper
- Safari-themed activity center
- Volume control on the sounds
- Higher seatback
- Three height settings
Things to Keep in Mind
- Leg opening may be too narrow for some babies
Our Favorite Convertible Baby Walkers
Who doesn’t love a convertible toy? These walkers are great because they can grow with your baby. Check them out.
7. Jeep Wrangler 3-in-1 Grow with Me Baby Walker
The Jeep Wrangler may be one of the coolest baby walkers around, and it does triple duty. It can be used as both a sit-in and push-behind walker and also as a toy car that can be rolled around on its own.
Toddlers will love playing with the dashboard, horn and working blinkers (just be sure to buy the needed AA batteries so the signals and sounds work). This walker is also quite easy to assemble and can be easily wiped clean.
On the downside, it’s pretty large and doesn’t roll well on very thick carpeting (though it works just fine on hard surfaces and low-pile carpeting. But if you’re a jeep fanatic, we think both you and your baby will get a big kick out of this classic jeep walker.
Pros
- Classic Jeep styling
- Working horn, blinkers and turning steering wheel
- Easy to assemble
Things to Keep in Mind
- Pretty large
- Doesn’t roll well on very thick carpeting
8. Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Infant & Baby Activity Walker
This moderately priced model from Kolcraft easily converts from a sit-in walker to a push-behind toy offering nice versatility for the cost. Babies can entertain themselves with developmental toys, including a spinning ball, bead bar and a flower mirror.
Other nice features include a high seat back for more support and the fact that it folds up pretty compactly for storage. While this model rolls fine on hard floors, it doesn’t work so well on carpeting. Also, be aware that this walker works better for small to average-sized babies.
But overall, we think you get a good bang for your buck with this little walker.
Pros
- Versatile
- Good price
- Includes developmental toys
- Folds up compactly
Things to Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t roll well on carpeting
- Better for smaller babies
Roll With It, Baby
Are you ready to purchase a walker for your baby? Before you do, be sure to check the model’s dimensions to make sure it’s not too short or too tall for your baby.
Also, consider the surface where your toddler will be playing with it. While some work better on wood or tile, others can even be used on thick carpeting.
If storage space is an issue or you’re on the go a lot, you may want to choose a walker that folds up and stores away easily. And washable seats are always a plus as they’re easier to clean.
Get tired of loud music and electronic noise? Be sure to choose a walker with volume control or wooden toys.
If you choose a sit-in-style walker, be sure to limit the time your baby uses it to no more than 20 minutes a day. Also, be sure it comes with the lower bumper or even a large tray to keep them out of trouble.
Regardless of the type of walker you go with, you must always supervise your child closely while they’re playing with it and be sure that your house is baby proofed to keep your little one safe.
With those things in mind, a baby walker can be a fun and useful tool for helping your baby to develop motor skills and confidence while keeping them entertained.
You might also be interested in: Gerber Childrenswear Review [Baby Wardrobe Staples
The 8 Best Baby Walkers:
- Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon
- VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
- Cossy Classic Wooden Baby Walker
- Hape Wonder Walker
- Joovy Spoon Walker
- Bright Starts Walk-A-Bout Walker
- Jeep Wrangler 3-in-1 Grow with Me Baby Walker
- Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Infant & Baby Activity Walker