Ride-on toys include sit-on riders, kid-sized motorized vehicles, and electric vehicles such as bikes, scooters, cars, jeeps, trucks, ride-on trains, and planes.
All these different toys come in many forms and dimensions. Each is manufactured to look as realistic as possible, and its price depends on its looks, finish, and power.
This guide will explain the key things to note before you choose a specific ride on voltage for your kid.
Table of Contents
Recommended Age and Battery Voltage For Ride-On Toys?
Before purchasing a ride-on toy, you must consider your child’s age as age and battery voltage go hand in hand. Generally speaking, the toy voltage directly relates to its power, so the higher the voltage, the faster the toy will be. Some people consider weight, but it’s not a necessarily accurate determinant.
6V ride-on toys are suited for children between 2-4 years. They are suited for tarmac surfaces; on average, they run for about 45-60 minutes, reaching a speed of 3 Mph.
12V ride-on toys are suited for children between 3-6 years; they run for about 1 to 2 hours and usually have a max speed of 5 Mph. They are best suited to tarmac, gravel, or grass surfaces. A great example is the Mercedes SL-63 Electric Ride-On Car
36V Ride on Toys is suited for children between 7-10 and has a top speed of about 15Mph. Expect your child to have a lot of fun with toys of this volt. Check out this 36v Kids Electric ATV 4 Wheeler Quad for Boys & Girls
We also have a list of 24v and 36v dirtbikes for kids.
48V Ride On Toys is suited for children ten years and above, with a top speed of about 18mph. The fastest ride-on toys usually have 48v batteries. See more 48v vehicles.
You should note the age ranges are only estimated as children’s weight varies from one child to another. In that respect, the more power you have in your battery, the longer it will last. This is also true for your child’s weight—the heavier or older they are, the more power the toy will need to move, which might increase the battery depletion rate.
A Look Inside An Electric Ride On Toy
The motor and battery are the most essential components of every electric car for kids. The size of the motor determines the power it can produce, which in turn determines the load it can carry and the speed at which it can go.
The battery, which is the energy source for the motor, is based on two parameters; Voltage and Ampere Hours (Ah).
As with any electrical system, motorized ride-on toys also obtain their operating power from rechargeable batteries. Power in an electrical appliance is measured as a product of volts with current (Amps).
A fully charged 12Ah 12V battery for a 12V ride-on toy means it can supply 12V to the motor at 12 amperes for one hour or 6 amperes for two hours or 4 amperes for 3 hours etc. However, other external factors – such as weight and battery life – may influence the rate at which the battery supply in the ride-on car is depleted.
Recommended Article: Best Replacement Batteries For Power Wheels
A battery of 24V and 60AH means its power capacity is a maximum of 720 watts ignoring efficiency/ losses. It is suitable for both 24V ride-on toys and 12V ride-on cars. So with a 720 watts requirement, it can also be met by one 24V and 30 AH battery. Still, the battery selection will depend upon payload and duration of operation, etc.
As explained before, the speed depends on power, which depends on the size of the battery and its motor.
It is important to note that the speed of the average adult when doing a brisk walk is around 4 miles per hour. Adults can safely supervise younger kids using a motorized toy with a speed limit lower than 4 Mph. One of the fastest electric ride-on toys for older kids is the MotoTec MT-GK-01 Black Off Road Go Kart.
Ride-On Toy Voltage Depletion Rate
Take an example of a fully charged 12V(12Ah) battery. This usually means it can supply 12 volts to the motor at 12Ah for an hour, 6Ah for two hours, 4Ah for 3 hours, and so on. But this is mainly dependent on other external factors that will determine the rate of voltage depletion on your toy ride-on — speed, terrain, passenger weight, etc.
What Is The Difference Between 6V and 12V Ride-on Cars?
Now you may be asking yourself, “What is the difference between 6v and 12v ride on Car”.
Ride-on differs in weight, the terrain it can handle, running time, and speed. The main difference between a 6V ride-on and a 12V ride-on would be the run time (battery life), the terrain kids can use it on, and the age recommendations.
Likewise, 24V ride-on is significantly faster than 12V and lasts longer. At the same time, a 36V ride-on produces higher speed and usually has better battery life compared to those with a 24V motor.
The table below explains the relationship between battery volt, max speed, and recommended age for using a ride-on toy.
| Recommended Age Group | Battery | Motor | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3 years old | Low power | Low power | 2 Mph |
| 3 to 5 years old | 6v | 6V | 2-3 Mph |
| 4 to 6 years old | 12v | 12v | 4 Mph |
| 6 to 8 years old | 24v | 24v | 6 Mph |
| 8 to 15 years old | 36v | 36v | 15 Mph |
| >15 years old | 48v | 48v | 18 Mph |
Also Read: Cheap Electric Ride On Cars
What To Know Before You Buy A Fast Ride-On Toy
Having said this, there are some essential things you should keep in consideration before you buy a fast ride-on toy for your toddler, like the Power wheels, which usually have a top speed of 5mph.
Nonelectrical ride-on toys such as tricycles, bicycles, paddle cars, or scooters offer advantages like exercise. They help children develop a sense of balance and coordination. Of course, they tend to be cheaper to purchase and maintain.
But if you have decided to buy a motorized ride-on toy, then one needs to take into consideration issues like
- Age of the child
- Skills Required
- Safety
- The available range
Safety Is Everything
The foremost concern for every parent is the safety and security of the kids. Every motorized toy will have some risk associated with it. You should note that no toy will be 100% safe. It is advisable to know the risk and take adequate precautions. Some associated risks are tipping, falling and hitting barriers, etc.
Also Read: Safe And Cool Ride On Toys
We recommend you opt for toys with seat belts, battery cover, motor cover, and adequate hand brakes or pedal brakes. Children should also wear protective gear like helmets, elbow and knee guards, etc., as an additional precaution while playing.
The toy selected should be stable. Its center of gravity should be low, and the seating should be so that kids are in-between the wheels to add to their stability. It should not tip over when turning.
Before purchasing, adults should do a stability test by giving it a light push on the side. Initially, it would be best to supervise kids while they learn to maneuver the toys until they master them. And the toy should be used in an open area with a flat surface to avoid accidents.
The toy choice should be made keeping in mind the child’s age and talent, for eventually, it will be the child who is using the toy. Usually, these decisions are forced on a parent based on manipulative advertising by manufacturers aiming to persuade their target audience to purchase fast kids’ electric cars by showing them in action online or on TV.
However, a parent’s decision should also involve some discretion – and should center on functionality and utility in mind. The toy should provide entertainment and build critical skills in the child. When a toy challenges a child mentally, the utility value shoots up immensely and helps decision-making.
Suppose there is no challenge except novelty; after a few months, the novelty wears off, and the beautiful and expensive toy is left in a corner, gathering dust.
There is no one-size-fits-all scheme in motorized toys. We must ensure that the toy is comfortable and the kid fits into the toy without struggling. Parents can adjust some toys as the kid grows, increasing the utilization time.
There are many toys to choose from, and they are readily available at various online platforms and stores. It has been noticed that even after taking all the precautions and ensuring safety, some kids still land up in the emergency ward of hospitals.
Staying Safe On A Fast Ride On Toy
It is a legal and mandatory requirement for all manufacturers to follow guidelines and provide warning labels. Manufacturers give instructions of use specific to age groups. Still, the parents and elders have to ensure implementation by providing supervision. Besides supervision, we should also follow these general guidelines while shopping for toys:
- The fabric used in toys should be flame resistant or flame retardant.
- The fabric used in toys should be washable.
- Paint used in toys should be lead-free paint.
- The art material used should be non-toxic.
- Toys should not make a noise like rattles or squeaks.
- Toys should have a tight battery enclosure that is secured and can not be opened by kids. The battery has chemicals that can be hazardous.
- There should not be any sharp ends or anything which can be pulled loose
- Kids should not use ride-on toys without helmets that meet current safety standards and other recommended safety gear, like hand guards, wrist gloves, and shin guards. Look for CPSC or Snell certification on the labels.
- Ride-on toys should have been labeled UL, meaning they meet safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories.
One should take some more precautions to ensure safety while having fun. Parents should teach kids to secure the toys after playing with them. They should also frequently check to ensure there is no breakage, thus making the toy unsafe. Wood, if used, shouldn’t have splinters. There should be no rusty parts, and moving portions should be adequately oiled or greased.
Properly dispose of broken toys or repair them as soon as possible. Owners should store outdoor toys properly to avoid contact with rain and snow when not in use. You should also ensure that all toys are cleaned per the manufacturer’s direction.
Conclusion
Charging the ride on should be done according to the manufacturer’s specifications to maintain the battery’s efficiency. There are many more considerations to look out for before choosing a voltage for your battery-powered ride-on toy. Your child’s age should be crucial; you don’t want your 4-year-old to drive at 18mph.
There are many options available to choose from. With proper supervision and caution at the time of use, every toy can give a wonderful memorable experience to our kids. It is important to remember that toys are meant for fun and should be a part of kids’ development and growing up. It should never become an extension of parents’ personalities.
Good information it is very useful
Hi l bought a bmw toy for my son as second hand only to find out that the battery was converted when l look at the cage where is mounted and the toy last about 05 to 10 minutes.now l want to find out if l can use 12 volts battery since the toy’s manual says its 6 volts and l can’t get that six volt battery in South Africa won’t be any damage to the motor?
Hi, I don’t recommend using a higher voltage. Besides causing damage to the motor, there’s also a risk to the rider.
Where can I get 24v 36 and 48v. Ride on trucks. Thank you.
Can I change a 24v battery to a 12v to reduce the speed of the car I just purchased. How about disconnecting the two front motors? Will this help to reduce the speed?
It is not recommended to change the voltage of a battery as it can damage the motor and other electrical components of the car. The voltage of the battery is matched to the requirements of the motor and the other components. Changing the voltage can cause them to overheat, malfunction, or even cause a safety hazard.
Disconnecting the two front motors may reduce the speed of the ride-on toy car, but it is not a recommended solution because it can also result in other unwanted consequences that can impact the car’s balance and stability.