Today in specialized children's stores you can find a wide range of toys for the development of children. Among all the diversity, it is worth paying attention to the baby car-wheelchair, which plays an important role in the development of a child from 1 year. When the baby is already becoming more active, trying to move independently, this toy will be just in time. But before you go to the store for a purchase, let's figure out what wheelchairs are, how they differ from each other, and what you should pay attention to when choosing.
What is a wheelchair?
This is a special toy that is designed to move the child around the yard or room. For the machine to move, the baby needs to push off the floor with legs while sitting on it. Children's wheelchairs have a number of main elements and many additional ones, depending on the model and manufacturer. The basis of the design is a plastic frame, a bumper, front and rear axles with four wheels, a seat, stops and a steering wheel; for very young children, many models are equipped with seat belts. Most models have a boot under the seat.
Additional functions
Among the add-ons, most often there are sound signals, music, a beep and other auxiliary elements for entertaining a child. Rocking-transformers have even more additional functions: a shock absorber, supports for legs, a platform for swinging, a parental control knob and more. All models have weight restrictions, which can vary on average from 20 to 50 kg. The speed that a wheelchair machine can reach depends entirely on the quality of the materials from which it is made and the diameter of the wheels.
Why is the child a wheelchair?
When the baby becomes more active and learns to take the first steps, its main support is the parent's hand, furniture or stroller. The children's wheelchair machine will allow the child to learn to walk on their own. When using such a machine, the baby does not get tired, and parents can always control his movements. With this toy, a child develops:
- vestibular apparatus;
- muscles of the back and legs;
- fine motor skills;
- mechanical memory;
- observation.
At first, the baby crashes into all the objects that it encounters on its way, but over time, its movements become more coordinated and dexterous - it learns to control not only the gurney, but also its body.
Fine motor skills develop due to various actions related to pressing buttons, folding and removing things and toys from the trunk, self-sitting in a typewriter.
What are wheelchairs?
In different stores you can find a wide selection of wheelchairs, which have differences in appearance, in additional functions, in the gender of the child, on the subject. Children's wheelchairs for boys are most often presented in blue tones and look like airplanes, famous car brands (BMW, Mersedes, Audi), look like scooters, cartoon characters and more. For girls, they are made in bright pink shades, represent a lot of additions in the form of jewelry, can be similar to animals. Also, cars are pasted over the heroes of your favorite cartoons. Wheelchairs can be either simple or transformers, which include a number of additional functions.
Wheelchair Transformers
In the shops you can find different options:
- Wheelchair - when assembled, it looks like a stroller, as the child grows, the extra elements are removed, and it turns into a scooter.
- Rocking chair - suitable for children under 2 years. It can be a rocking chair, and when you extend the wheels or remove the skids, it turns into a typewriter.
- Jumping rope - the bouncing element works due to shock absorbers located under the seat. Suitable for babies from 9 months.
- Wheelchair-walker - a design in which the front part is similar to the hood with the steering wheel, and the rear is disassembled and has several positions. This model can be used as a walker up to 1.5 years, and can be used as a gurney with a seat.
- Scooter A machine that can be turned into a standing board.
In addition, you can meet other combinations of transformers, which will include not two functions, but 3 in 1, or 4 in 1, rarely even 5 in 1 can be found.
For what age are wheelchairs suitable?
Of course, all age restrictions are conditional, and it is necessary to watch how the child develops. If he already knows how to sit without support, then you can think about buying a children's wheelchair. It is best to start using a similar toy from 7-8 months. Up to 1.5 years, it is better for the baby to be fastened, and his machine has protective bumpers. Very convenient for a small age are considered models of children's wheelchairs with a handle, which makes it possible for parents to control the toy.
From 1.5 years old, you can buy a child a conventional scooter with a load capacity of up to 50 kg. Because models designed for very little ones usually have a small wheel diameter, and with the growth of a child the machine becomes simply small and uncomfortable to move. After three years, you can safely buy a skate machine or a 3-wheel scooter.
What to look for when choosing a wheelchair?
Before making a purchase of a children's wheelchair for a girl or a boy, it is worth paying attention to the following characteristics:
- Location and dimensions of structural elements - wheels, steering wheel and more.
- Stability during maneuvers.
- Permissible load.
- Durability of the plastic case.
- Environmental friendliness - the quality of plastic, paint and various small elements.
- Functionality - additional functions in the form of beeps, buttons, color effects and music.
- Appearance - design in the form of cartoon characters, animals, or analogues of well-known brands of cars, for example, a BMW baby car.
- Safety - depending on age, the presence of seat belts, protective elements and bumpers.
- Driving performance - an important factor is maneuverability, wheel diameter and the material from which they are made.
Popular brands and manufacturers
A large number of firms from various manufacturing countries in the United States, Europe, and Asia are engaged in the production of children's products. Among the most popular and sought after firms are:
- Toysmax;
- Lerado;
- RIVERTOYS;
- Kiddieland;
- Little Tikes.
It is important to remember that when choosing a model of a wheelchair, it is worth paying attention not only to the main characteristics and additional functions, but to the availability of the necessary documentation, which guarantees safety and meets established standards.
Among the popular models can be identified such as:
- Bibicar - can be used from three years, the price is 2250 rubles.
- Rocking chair Pilsan - designed for children from 1 year old, price - 2800 rubles.
- A 2-in-1 baby walker Ride-on Robot Weina is suitable for ages from 9 months, the price is about 2000 rubles.
- Rocking chair Smobi Maestro-2 Confort Green - perfect for babies from 6 months, price - 6000 rubles.
- Playskool jumper - designed for children from one year old, price - 2000 rubles.
To summarize - when buying a wheelchair for a child, first of all, see that it meets maximum safety. After that, you can safely choose a model based on the individual characteristics of the baby, his wishes, maybe he wants a child’s car-wheelchair “Mercedes” or one that will be glued with princesses, a robocar or other cartoon characters. The choice of model depends entirely on the wishes of the child and the capabilities of the parents. Buy only quality products.