Best Ride On Toys for 3 Year Old Boys
Bubba riding his Kettler Front Loader
Find and Purchase the BEST Ride On Toys for Your Little Boys:
Welcome all who are looking for ideas for the best ride on toys for children. I have three grandsons 8 years old and under. I want to give them toys that I know they will love and will play with for years to come--think QUALITY.
I do not want to waste money on something that will break in the first five minutes or be discarded under the deck never to be loved again.
This is what I have observed about my grandsons:
All three of them love BIG tractors, trucks, excavators, etc... Vehicles that they see on construction sites.
Therefore, I limited my search to just these types of ride-on toys. Fire Trucks, cars, and motorcycles are not here. They do like these, but, they LOVE "work" toys the most.
I did the research and found the best rated ride on toys for my boys on the internet that I know they will love. When possible, I included links to the best prices I could find for those toys.
Image of the little boy on the Kettler/Cat front loader was taken by me. You may not use it without permission. He got that classic ride-on toy for Christmas.
Please Note:
The children pictured with the ride-on toys are NOT included with purchase.
Before You Buy a Toy, Remember To:
Read all the reviews!
Make sure it is age-appropriate!
Read all the specifications!
Check for toy recalls!
One of my favorite toys: the John Deere Gator (battery operated) - My 3 and 4 year old Grandsons' Favorite Ride On Car-- But 6 year old girls like the John Deer
This John Deere Gator might seem a little expensive, but when you have two sons, it is well worth the $$$.
My grandsons (ages 4 and 2 1/2 years when this ride-on was purchased) just love this ride on toy. It is battery operated so it takes some effort to keep it going. However, you can make your boys be in charge of charging! Yes!
Click John Deere Gator in action! to see how even a large Basset Hound enjoys the gator! As you can see in the image below, even girls love the Gator!
(this is my personal photo of my grand-daughter, do not use without permission)
OR click the link below to buy it now from Amazon.com. (usually free shipping!)
This battery operated John Deere Ride On is still being played with after 3 years! Definitely got our money's worth.
Unfortunately, no longer available. Look below to see if there is a John Deere Gator Ride On Toy on eBay or find it at MyToyBox.com. Free shipping on orders over $69.
How I did the research to find the best toys:
The Basset Hound loved the Gator! Photo taken by me, Mickie_G
First, I watched my grandsons in a toy store.
I did many internet searches finding ride-on toys and specific ride-on toys--etc... FYI: Many of these ride on toys on this page have been featured on the website Best Ride On Toys for Kids.
Once I decided on the type of toy or even specific toys, I read the customer reviews of those ride-ons. If any toy received less than 4 starts out of 5, I deleted it from my list.
I tried to find the actual toys (or brands) in a store so I could touch them. If possible, I took the grandsons with me.
Then I found companies that sold the toys and looked for the best price and for companies with high customer satisfaction. Some of these were discovered during my internet search. I try to find companies with an online visibility that got good ratings by users. Amazon has a terrific reputation (they also have ratings for the individual stores, too). The customer reviews were very helpful.
WalMart is another online that is pretty good. My daughter asked Santa to deliver the Kettler Caterpillar Kid Tractor with Trailer ride-on toy to Wal-Mart to help out with the assembly. It was easy. WalMart also has customer reviews on the site.
The Ride On that Started my Quest: The Kettler Digger Ride On Toy - Little Boys LOVE this CAT Ride On!
The Excavator by Kettler is the toy that started my search for the best ride on toys for my grandsons. Bubbie (he was almost 3) saw this ride on Cat Excavator in The Homewood Toy & Hobby Store (in Alabama) and had to be forced to get off of it.
My daughter carried him out the door kicking and screaming. It wasn't because he wanted her to buy it, he just wanted to keep on playing on it. I consider that a Big recommendation.
The excavator is now redesigned from the one I originally saw in the toy store. For the better!
NOTE: Labeled as one of the best "Ride on Toys of All Time" by The Best Toy Guide
On Amazon the shipping is sometimes free!
A Best Selling Ride On Toy From Kettler is the CAT Digger!
Little boys love this CAT Excavator! Shipping on large items like this one is sometimes free on Amazon.
Remember to read all the reviews--including the negative ones.
You Might Want To Purchase the Kettler CAT Frontloader (with wagon)! - This is the ride on toy you see at the top of this page.
Santa delivered the CAT frontloader, but if you are a grandparent, you can purchase it using my Amazon link if you scroll down a bit.
If Santa does not bring this toy assembled, I personally know of some parents who put it together easily--and they are not tool savvy, either. Note, it takes two people to put the CAT Kettler frontloader together.
My grandson, Bubbie, LOVES this toy. He can operate it easily. See him in action in the picture at the top of this page.
It is a relatively inexpensive toy and uses petal power, not a battery.
My Grandson's Favorite Construction Site Ride On Toy is the Kettler CAT Kid Tractor.
This toy lasted for years! Even after the seat broke, the CAT frontloader with the wagon was still in use.
DUEL---How Much Is Too Much to spend for A ride-on toy? - Should you spoil your little boy?
I want quality for my buck. But I want it at the BEST price I can find. It is a plus if S&H is included. It is a plus if I can get it online and save gas. If a toy is really a good one $200 is ok. But, I think that one needs to really do the research and think about a purchase.
How much are you willing to spend on a quality toy for your child?
Less than $200! In these times, less is best.
Less than $200! In these times, less is best.
I already bought a lower grade pad for my 3 yr old...he loves angry birds and other various childrens learning activities....it was less than $100 tax included. And the pad has replaced a lot of toys already!
Well, I would spend around $200....but they're only kids for a short time...it's almost like blowing money. I like $50 range, and you can still get GREAT toys! :) And, kids usually only play with something for a while, then they get bored with it.
i would say less than 200 bucks.
Although quality is important, I think people often overspend on gifts for kids. Remember, as kids get older they'll expect more and more.
It depends on the toy and my child's interest. If it is something that he is going to use a lot, I am willing to spend more. Normally, I try to keep it within the budget which isn't much right now.
Usually we spend under $200, as we like to spread the joy around our extended family.
Theoretical I'd say "the sky is the limit", but with a practical salary it would have to be under $200. I like that you featured some great ride-on toys that are much more affordable.
Wow these are some pretty awesome children's toys. :)
I'm from uk.
i got my kids something like the deere tractor , THEY absolutely loved it, so did i cos it was big enough for three of us to go whizzing round the local playground, on a sunday morning,,,,
Anything that's safe and will ride is good enough for me. While I have no doubt the extras thrill the kids in the short term. Long run anything that rides is fine by them I'm sure. Especially at three. I mean - they're not conscious of status yet, are they? They just want to have fun.
Maybe a super-indulgent grandparent might spend that much on a child's toy. I used to have fun with a spoon, a bowl and a patch of dirt to play in.
Maybe my kids are too old and i just don't remember, but I couldn't imagine spending even $200 USD (I assume you are talking US dollars) on a toy for a three year old.
The sky is the limit. You cannot spoil the boys.
I say sky is the limit only because the right amount to spend on a toy is directly proportional to the total amount of money you have at any given time and thus there should never be a hard cap. Though spending a lot on a toy that will only have a very short play life is a waste regardless of the toy.
500.00
200 is my limit and it would only be at xmas time.
Price doesn't matter as long as it's within reality's realm of what you can afford in your budget and what the child's attitude is; a self-entitled attitude is not getting an expensive toy. My willingness to buy an expensive toy would depend on quality, the novelty (is my child going to stop playing on it in 3 months?), and what it is ($400 video game vs $300 ride-on; video game would be a no-go). If my budget allowed it, I wouldn't mind buying an expensive toy as long as my little one isn't developing a self-entitled attitude.
Well considering how much I spend on my son I would have to say the best products with the best reviews are the ones we buy regardless of price. Durability is always my first concern.
Why not spend now? You can always make more money, it's harder to make more time.
Quality has to mean European or Exclusive Design or one of a kind. I normally shop at www.toysandstuff.net
Don't have any kids but if I did price won't matter. The best is the best.
My choices might not be right for you!
I personally picked the toys mentioned in this article.
You need to pick what is right for your own children. I hope the information on ride-on toys will help you with that choice.
If you have purchased any of these toys for your children, let me know what you think of them.
Good and bad reviews are welcomed.
What is Your Opinion of these Toys? - Are my choices the best toys for your toddler boys?
Nice Lens, that awesome.. great gift idea..
Great selection ! I think I would pick the Caterpillar Ride-On Backhoe Loader from Kettler for my son...
Thanks for the lens. I will be in the market for one before long.
We have got the excavator for my nephew and he loved it... it's now passed onto my son... :)
Great guide! Thanks so much for sharing! :)
These are great! I have 2 boys in this age range (2 1/2 and almost 4) and they absolutely love their trikes. They would be so excited about the John Deere and Caterpillar toys! :)
Love the toys you have here,and I think many boys would too. Great selection, enjoyed the pictures and anecdotes.
Great lens, these will be a great buying guide for my brother to spoil my nephew with.
I have a nephew with a caterpillar loader/backhoe....my son hates to leave it after a visit to aunties house.
Great ideas here! I'm sure these would all be heavenly for little boys!
Nicely done on this lens, it looks very professional! *Thumb'd up!*
I thought your kids not included was funny. I didn't know some of these toys existed. All the cool tractors. I have a daughter and she loves stuff like this. Wish I saw these before I bought her little push button quad haha. Some were the price I expected, but there were a lot in the $100-$200 range which is awesome. Great list :)
excellent lens with personal touch.
Congrats on being one of the 35 favorite product review lenses :)
These toys look like a lot of fun. BTW, congratulations on receiving a Purple Star and having one of the 35 favorite product review lenses!
- Author
Thanks to everyone that congratulated me on my Purple Star awarded on Thanksgiving Day 2011. I hope this article helped those who went shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!
What a great selections. Blessings, and congratulations on your purple star.
LOL, kids not included with purchase! These do look like so much fun and congratulations on your Thanksgiving Purple Star win.
Hey, just stopping by to congratulate one of my fellow Purple Star Thanksgiving winners! So congrats... and blessings too on a great lens you did here!
cool toys for sure
My kid is too old but if he were smaller, these would be great ideas.
Great inspiration for when I have kids at some point. :)
Love these - my little boy's a bit too young yet though!
there are some awesome toys on here, i would love to be a kid again
If my son was in a store with one of these Excavators or other great ride on toys, I'd have a hard time pulling him away too. He love smaller toys like these but I never saw the ride on versions before - great info.
Great lens. You make my job as a grandmother a lot easier. Thanks for all your research.
I recently bought my son a new Cars movie ride-on and he loves it!
What great toys your kids have, they are very lucky.
Great selection. My 2 year old grandson is just klearning to ride these type of things. To marks
my grand babies are all girls so far ~ but the older one would love these anyway :)
~ Blessed >*
NICE toys! Great job. My boys are outgrown these toys but they still love their toys.
The toys look really nice and I am sure they would be enjoyed by any child.
Now I wish I had some Grandsons to play on these little boy ride on toys! Ringing my little Squid Angel bell with a blessing.
Great selection of ride on toys for boys. My girls are too old, but I think they would have liked several of these.
These are amazing ride-on toys. Any little kid would be delighted with one.
We have the John Deer 6-volt Utility Tractor for our little boy. It is a good starter toy, but not much traction or speed. I suggest the next model up if your son/daughter is close to 3.
Wonderful resource. Beautifully done! Squid Angel Blessed.
Great toys, 5* and favorited.
Oh!! this is a lovely little toy lens. Rated, Faved and Lensrolled to my toy lens - Huffy Green Machine
Your grand kids look so adorable with the toys..are you really sure they didn't come with the toys? LOL awww..
Cool choice of toys for kids got to admit that!
- Author
Any time Johann! My grand-kids are used to dogs! [in reply to JohannTheDog]
Great lens ! I used to teach preschoolers and would have loved to have these great toys! We did have trikes and the mighty Big Wheel which were great. You can't go wrong with a little red wagon either ! I will lensroll you with my Radio Flyer lens !
I had no idea there was this kind of selection out there. Really interesting page, and I got a great laugh from your disclaimer about not including the children.
The children are so cute on the toys and they look like they are having a lot of fun. The toys are great looking. 5*s
Wow, there are some amazing looking toys on here!
Oh my! Those look like super fun toys! Can I play too? Woofs, Johann
Good layout, goos use of modules, good reviews, all round good lens
I really liked the way that you personalized this shopping lens. It was great to see your personal reviews of each item and it was such a well 'crafted lens'. Angel Blessings to you.
Hey great lens and a mighty fine addition to Review Central!
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