One of the most exciting stages of parenthood is seeing your baby take their first few steps. Before you know it, your baby will be roaming your home all on their own and getting them a supportive toy to help encourage them to pull up or walk is never a bad idea. From baby walkers to push toys, below we’ve listed a few of our favorite options.
7 Best Toys to Help Your Baby Walk (2025 Reviews)
Best Toys to Help Your Baby Walk
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1. Vtech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker
(Most musical features — $)
Why it’s great: This baby walker is the perfect cart style toy that your little one can practice pushing around as they figure out how to walk. This light up and musical toy can also be converted to a simple activity panel that younger babies can play with on the floor. If you’re looking for a walking toy that offers light up and musical features then this would be the best option.
Keep in mind: This toy is recommended for children ages 9 months to 3 years.
Good for: Offering sensory stimulation for babies who are near or past walking age.
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2. Bright Starts Shopping Cart Push Toy
(Most unique — $)
Why it’s great: This shopping cart-inspired push toy is a super fun toy for babies and toddlers who have begun to show interest in the grocery store and are beginning to walk. Allowing them to push the cart once they’ve begun walking or play with the stand-alone play panel when they’re younger, this toy offers activities for babies between 6 months and 36 months of age. Babies will love the included toy shapes and popcorn popper that makes noise as they push it.
Keep in mind: This toy is very lightweight when the card is empty, adding something to the cart can help weigh it down.
Good for: Toddlers and babies who are interested in grocery shopping.
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3. Cossy Wooden Walker
(Best wooden cart — $)
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for a simple wooden walker for your baby, then the Cossy wooden walker is a great choice. Made with natural material and featuring a colorful block puzzle on the inside, this walker is ideal if you’re wanting to avoid overly stimulatory or noisy kid toys.
Keep in mind: This cart is designed for babies over the age of 12 months.
Good for: Parents who like to opt for wooden toys over plastic.
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4. Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride
(Best for toddlers — $$)
Why it’s great: Toddlers and older babies will love this puppy-inspired push toy. It starts as a balancing toy for babies who are learning to walk and later converts to a ride on toy for toddlers. Any toy that can follow your child through many years of life is a plus — given that you’re guaranteed to get plenty of use out of it.
Keep in mind: This toy can only be pushed in a straight direction, it does not steer.
Good for: Following babies into toddlerhood.
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5. Bright Starts 3-in-1 Activity Center
(Best for babies — $$$)
Why it’s great: The Bright Starts 3-in-1 activity center is a great option for babies, but will also work for older kids as well. This activity station offers a baby seat that is suitable for babies as young as 6 months old and helps them get used to the feeling of standing and walking on their own. The included baby seat remains connected to the activity station while still allowing the baby to pivot and practice walking around. You can also remove the baby seat and convert this play station to a play table for older toddlers as well.
Keep in mind: It is not recommended to leave babies unattended in their walker seat, supervise babies at all times.
Good for: Babies who are ready to explore their environment.
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6. Baby Toys Wooden Push and Pull Walker
(Best montessori style — $$)
Why it’s great: This Montessori-style push and pull toy is a multifunctional toy that will easily keep babies over the age of one year entertained. This toy is so much more than just a push-able cart. It offers a xylophone, mirror, textured wood, wooden shapes, and more! Wooden toys are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also offer a more natural option than plastic. This cart is a great wooden version of a traditional walking cart.
Keep in mind: This toy is recommended for babies over the age of 12 months.
Good for: Offering multiple educational activities for babies.
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7. Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Walker
(Most versatile — $$)
Why it’s great: The Kolcraft Tiny Steps Walker is a versatile toy that is a fun activity style walker for babies that also converts to a push toy for toddlers who are walking. This walker also has a compact design that can be easily folded up and stored which is a huge benefit, especially if you have minimal space. With sensory stimulating features such as spinning balls, a flower mirror, and a bead bar, this walker can help your baby’s motor and sensory development.
Keep in mind: This walker is designed for children between 15 and 26 pounds, who are less than 32 inches tall.
Good for: Fitting into small spaces for families with minimal storage.
Vtech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker
FAQs about Toys to Help Your Baby Walk
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1. Are walking toys safe for babies?
Some parents have found concerns over the safety of baby walkers that are designed for babies who aren’t yet walking. These walkers can be dangerous for babies when they are left in them for too long. Always be sure to do plenty of research when choosing a walker for your baby if you’re looking for the type that is designed for babies to sit in. However, push toys for older babies who are starting to walk are perfectly safe.
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2. Do walking toys help babies walk?
Ultimately, baby and toddler walkers are not designed to help your child walk sooner. Your child will develop at their own pace and these toys are simply meant to be a fun and supportive complement to their natural development. The best way to help your baby walk is to support them yourself by holding their hands and walking behind them. Never try to rush your baby’s development or compare them to other children because every child will hit milestones at their own pace.
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3. When can babies use walking toys?
Different walking toys are designed for different stages of life. Some walking toys are designed for babies who are beginning to walk, so these would be suitable for children ages 9 to 12 months and consist of cart style push toys. There are also walking toys that are designed for younger babies which involve a seat and an activity bar. These toys allow for babies who aren’t yet walking to practice standing and bouncing. Baby walking toys are typically safe for babies who are able to sit up on their own, so this would usually be around the age of 6 months.
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4. How long can a baby stay in the seat of a walker toy?
Babies should not be left sitting in a walker or bouncer for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. It is important that babies are never left unattended in their walker because this could lead to accidental injury. Baby walkers with wheels can be dangerous for babies because they could walk quickly into a hazardous area, opt for a stationary walker that simply allows your baby to swivel around to prevent this from happening. When babies are left in a walker or bouncer for too long it can actually delay their motor development, so be sure to strictly limit their time spent in their walker.
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5. What is the best type of walker for babies?
This question depends on a few factors. If your baby is beginning to walk and you’re looking for something to simply support them that they can push around your house, try a cart style walker such as the Vtech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker. If your baby is younger and not yet walking and you’re looking for a bouncer style walker where they can sit and play, opt for something like the Bright Starts 3-in-1 Activity Center. Some parents opt for wooden toys over plastic but this is an entirely personal choice. There are plenty of great choices made from plastic or wood.
Conclusion
Walking and push toys are not designed to get your baby walking sooner. Your baby will start standing and walking when the time is right for them, but having a supportive toy like a baby walker or push cart can help encourage them to practice more often. Do plenty of research before placing your baby in a walker toy and be sure to practice safe limitations and always supervise your baby. Baby walkers offer a fun and educational activity for babies and toddlers and can help with sensory development. For extra safety, try having your baby push their walking toy around on the carpet or in a grassy area to offer a soft or padded foundation in case they fall over.