[mondk]

I really wanted to get him one of those Lil Tikes coup cars where you get in, and steer and push with your feet...we went for a playdate and the other child had one of these and Josh spent almost our whole time there in it.

So I told my in-laws tonight that I thought I would get him one of these for his b-day. FIL gets all nuts and says no no don't buy him that, I have something better for him: a motorized little car/truck thing. I remember Brad had one of these bought by same person (FIL) but I was thinking he was at least 3 y.o. I expressed my opinion that I thought Joshie was too young for that type of toy but FIL insisted that he would teach him how to drive it and be safe. I know they only go like 3 mph but still. Am I being neurotic?

Blessings, Michelle

[jalapeno]

Well, this is just my opinion obviously. We have one of those motorized truck things (given to us as a hand me down). We've only taken it out of the garage a couple of times. I don't want my boys in it again any time soon(they are 2yrs and 20 months). They know how to make it go but don't have the ability to control it. So I have to run along side them with my hand on the wheel to be sure they don't run into anything important. They don't have a good grasp of how to "stop" under the best of circumstances but certainly not when they are excited or scared. And in any event I can't really count on them to listen to me when it counts. So I would say unless you have a really open area where he can just go go go, I would hold off.

And Happy Almost Birthday to Joshie! We just celebrated my older son's second birthday this weekend. It's so funny how he just seems older lately. Too cute

[Rev320ratjat]

We also have one of those motorized cars. It's even a really small one, a golf cart one. DH got it when our FS was 9 m/o, LOL! I think they are over-rated, and "dream cars" of the parents, not the kids. Our FS turned 2 y/o a couple of mos ago. He's only been on it a handful of times his whole life. Still doesn't hit the gas pedal, and prefers to lay on the ground and roll it like a Hot Wheels car, ROFL! It was 1/2 price sale at Christmas time when we got it. We have another one that was 2nd hand that I got for my niece when she was 2, same story. Only drove it a few times. The other downer is the batteries don't stay charged very long. I wouldn't buy one new at all, and wouldn't have another one. They are big, bulky, take up too much space, and the kids just aren't as excited as you'd think they'd be. Now at their buddy's house, different story... Because then it's a "new to them" toy, and wouldn't matter if it was a Happy Meal toy, it's new and they want to play with it. I'd be happy I knew someone to have access to it, but would invest my money elsewhere. Of course, if DH wants it, good luck talking him out of it! LOL!

[Cjmeck]

I bought my son a power wheels hummer when he was 3.5yo (it was a guilt gift b/c DH was gone to Korea for a year...). And even at that age, he had trouble driving it. And now my son and daughter (17mo) still play with it. Its a 2 seater and my son drives the baby around in it. Its been a great fun toy, but my daughter is in no way ready to drive it anytime in the near future. I'm actually planning on buying her a Cozy Coupe cars. My son and his little friends had those and used them from 12 months until the wheels fell off when they were like 3years old.

[Amber76]

I think it sometimes depends on the kid. The twins I babysat for got two motorized vehicles for their 2nd birthday. Both took to them right away and were able to steer them and drive all over their (fenced) backyard the day they got them. My niece, however, who will be 4 next week, STILL hasn't figured out how to steer her VW beetle that she got when she was 2. (It says it's for kids 18 months and up, but she just can't steer it). She drives it inside her house and just goes until she hits something then puts it in reverse and goes until she hits something again. Good thing they have a big open space downstairs for her to drive in! No way would I let her drive it in the yard or outside.

[cborsa7]

Yes, I agree, depends on the child. Nicco is 22 months old and we bought him the motorized trike (haven't seen the car made for under age 2 yet) it goes 2 mph. He has had no trouble with this and loves to ride it, he was 19 months when we bought it. Our next door neighbor bought this first for their 18 month old daughter, she loves it too. There is no pedal, just a button he presses to go and releases to stop. I think the key is to buy the vehicle age appropriate and not try to go over the suggested age. I think the trike said for 18months-36months. Target & Walmart both carry it.

Happy almost Birthday to your son!

[CaddoRose]

Developmentally, the Little Tikes Coupe is better because they actually get some exercise while using it. It's easier to get in and out of and "play" with than the motor car and they can play with the coupe more by themselves and don't have to be watched every minute.

[ourdreamcametru]

This is what I think, yes he is old enough but.....Castle got a Barbie jeep for her 2 birthday and learned to drive it right away and LOVES it to this day. My only problem with the motorized things is that Castle was 5 on Sunday and still can't pedel a bike! This drives me crazy and this Summer we WILL learn or she will never ride the jeep again! All kids should learn to ride a bike because that can be a life long activity unlike a Barbie jeep!

[feelingreyt]

We have 4 motorized toys for the kids. My oldest DD got the Barbie Jeep when she was 2. My DS#1 has the John Deer things and a 2 seater 2-wheeler and little H has a little 4-wheeler. They love them! We only let H(21 monhts) ride his in the house, but he handles it really well.
We also have the Little Tykes Coupe and the 2 older kids loved it! We took it over to my mother's house so the kids can play with over there, and they still enjoy it.
The kids also have bikes and trykes. They enjoy them all. My 4 yr old is learning to ride without training wheels. Little H pushes with his feet instead of peddals, but he really enjoys it.
All that to say, why can't you get him one of the toys and let FIL get the other. No reason he can't have both. He would be one happy little 2 yr old!!!!

[MamaS]

Originally Posted by CaddoRose

Developmentally, the Little Tikes Coupe is better because they actually get some exercise while using it. It's easier to get in and out of and "play" with than the motor car and they can play with the coupe more by themselves and don't have to be watched every minute.

I totally agree. Let them get some exercise and learn coordination. There will be plenty of time to "sit and steer" through life.

[emtb79]

I'd let the FIL get it. I personally wont get one ever because I have a steep driveway and my 3.5 yr daycare child decided to get in the cozy coupe firetruck and drive it down the driveway dump it over and managed to be fine but scare the living daylight out of herself. And we were just taking the trikes and cars out to take to the bottom of the driveway. So one way or another they are going to try to hurt themselves even if it is with a none motorized car. Go figure.

[aallen25]

DD has the barbie Jeep and barbie atv and loves both of them!