Learning to walk is a huge milestone in your baby’s development, and many of us parents will do what we can to encourage and help them get on their feet sooner rather than later.
For centuries, baby walkers have been used with the intention of helping a baby to learn to walk. In fact, in the 15th century, an illustrated Dutch manuscript even depicts a baby Jesus using a baby walker.
Traditionally a fixed frame on four wheels with a raised seat keeping baby suspended high enough for their feet to reach the floor, they have naturally evolved over time.
In this guide, we’re going to look at the different types of baby walker for infants, safety concerns surrounding them, what to look for, and offer up our suggestions of the 10 best baby walkers you should consider.
Table Of Contents
Our top three baby walkers
Types of baby walker
It’s entirely possible that a handful of dads reading this post will each picture something different when they think ‘baby walker’. That’s because there are several different types, and even more names commonly used for those types - everything from ‘baby go cart’ to ‘infant speedwalker’.
Sit-in baby walker
This is probably the most common and traditional version of a baby walker, and indeed the one being used by Jesus in that 15th century Dutch manuscript (albeit a bit more modern).
It’s a fixed (usually square) frame sitting on four wheels, with the baby sitting in a suspended fabric seat with two holes for their legs. More modern versions of these sit-in baby walkers are usually decorated with bright colours and patterns, complete with plenty of engaging toys and buttons on the front.
Push walkers
Perhaps the other common version is the ‘push along baby walker’, also known as a ‘stand-up baby walker’. These walkers also have four wheels, but have a handle on top for baby to hold onto as they walk and… push it along. There’s no seat or frame and is reliant on baby being able to pull themselves up and take their own steps.
The front is usually covered in interactive buttons, flags, lights, sounds and everything else you can think of.
Walker wagon
A 'walker wagon', also known to as a 'push wagon' or 'push walker wagon', is a somewhat traditional looking adaptation of the push along walker, in that they operate in the same way. Your baby will need to pull themselves up and push the wagon along, rather than sitting in a frame on wheels.
Almost always made of wood, these walkers also have a handle to push along but the key difference is that they feature a large, rectangular basket or box which can aid stability and also double as toy storage.
When are baby walkers used?
The answer to this largely depends on the type of baby walker.
Sit-in baby walkers can be used from around the age of six months or once baby can comfortably hold their head up. This is because they will be sitting in the suspended seating position and aren’t required to independently stand up.
The push walker and walker wagons are suitable for older babies because they do require them to be able to stand on their own two feet independently - so you’re probably looking at 9-12 months depending on how quickly your baby develops.
Are baby walkers safe?
You may well have clicked on this article thinking ‘hang on, aren’t baby walkers really unsafe?!’. And there is certainly some merit in that.
Many health professionals actively recommend avoiding sit-in baby walkers on both development and safety grounds.
When it comes to safety, figures suggest that sit-in baby walkers are one of the biggest causes of infant injuries in the US, and they were even banned in Canada in 2004. A study published by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018 claims that an incredible 230,000 children under the age of 15 months were treated in the US for injuries related to sit-in baby walkers between 1990 and 2014, ranging from broken bones and skull fractures to burns.
Injuries have been reported from walkers tumbling down stairs or steps, and horrifically even falling into swimming pools because the baby is unable to stop themselves - and they can become entangled in the seat or frame as a result. And other injuries have been suffered as a result of being able to pull things off higher surfaces that they wouldn’t have had access to previously.
Healthcare professionals have long called for a ban on sit-in walkers in many countries. And while most have resisted that step, there have been a range of measures designed to improve safety including public information campaigns, increased safety testing, and the installation of brakes.
The same 2018 study also found that the number of annual sit-in baby walker related injuries dropped from 21,000 in 1990 to 3,200 in 2003. And the US saw a further 23% drop in related injuries in the four years following the introduction of stricter testing and safety brakes by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2010.
Despite the significant reduction in injuries related to sit-in baby walkers, Dr Gary Smith, the study’s senior author, still believes they should be banned.
He said: “Despite this great success, there are still 2,000 children a year being treated for injuries, many of them serious injuries, in emergency departments.
“Therefore, we support the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics that (sit-in) baby walkers should not be sold or used. There’s absolutely no reason these products should be still on the market.”
On this basis, we won’t be including any sit-in walkers as part of our list. If you do still want to buy one, however, you can find a list of things to look out for later in the article.
The 10 best baby walkers
Now that we’ve looked at the safety considerations and told you what you need to look out for, here are our recommendations for the 10 best baby walkers.
Editor's Review
"This was a great toy for my (then) 9 month old to play with. It was very sturdy and helped to stabilise him while he learned to walk. Even after he learned to walk, he enjoyed playing with it until he was about two-years old."
The No.1 bestselling baby walker on Amazon, the VTech Sit to Stand Learning Walker has over 75,000 five-star reviews. Its core feature is a detachable play panel that is packed with interactive piano keys, colour rollers, shape sorters and gears, all designed to aid fine motor development. Brightly designed, it comes in four different colour patterns. And the rear wheels are lockable to ensure safe, static play time, as well.
Type: Push along
Age: From 9 months
Material: Plastic
Size: 16.5” x 14.2” x 18.1” (42 x 36 x 46cm)
Weight: 2.2lbs (0.99kg)
Key features
- Multi-function play panel
- Detachable panel for floor play
- Lockable wheels for static play
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Everything about this wagon is well thought out and a good value for the price. Kudos to the manufacturer for a good design, thoughtful packaging, quality materials, and attention to detail. A very classic looking wagon."
The Radio Flyer is considered the ‘go to’ for parents wanting a classic looking push along walker wagon. Made by a family-owned business with over 100 years of experience, the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon is all wood with a front bumper designed to stop dents, bumps and scratches on walls. Sitting on moulded, treaded wheels, it also has a resistance wheel system that provides an audible clicking noise designed to slow things down. And the large base offers plenty of storage for baby's own toys, even with the removable crate stakes.
Type: Wagon walker
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 22” x 15 “ x 17” (55.8 x 38 x 43cm)
Weight: 10.41lbs (4.7kg)
Key features
Classic design
No scratch bumper
Removable crate stakes
Resistance clickers wheels
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Whoever designed this was 100% spot on as this KUB walker is flipping great! I looked at a ton of different walkers and decided to give this one a shot based upon the favourable reviews. So glad I did as our daughter loves this little guy."
This somewhat futuristic-looking push along walker from KÜB is ideal for parents who are prioritising stability. The unique triangular design and wider rear wheels mean there is minimal risk of it toppling over. The silicone wheel rings offer plenty of grip on all surfaces, meaning a safe journey. The removable play panel offers plenty of different options including interactive gears, shapes, and even a bull chute feature which is something unique in the market.
Type: Push along
Age: From 12 months
Material: Plastic
Size: 18.11” x 12.2” x 16.33” (46 x 31 x 41.5cm)
Weight: 7.35lbs (3.33kg)
Key features
Unique triangular design
Ball chute
Removable multi-function play panel
Wide wheel base
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“This little walker is awesome - our child absolutely loves it, and we use it every day. I love how aesthetically pleasing it is, not an ugly plastic toy that you feel like you'd want to put away when company comes over."
Another entry for Radio Flyer, this is their classic-looking version of a modern walker. With wooden toys and activities replacing the electronic light up buttons and sounds. It also features the Radio Flyer clicker wheel system, and a hidden storage bin at the rear.
Type: Push walker
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 17” x 15” x 16.5” (43 x 38 x 42cm)
Weight: 7.04lbs (3.2kg)
Key features
Classic Radio Flyer design
Rear storage bin
Resistance clicker rubber wheels
PROS
- Radio Flyer build quality
- Rear storage bin something you don’t normally find on this style of walker
CONS
Editor's Review
“This walker is by far the best toy we've invested in for our son. He has even started sitting in the cart side and just playing with the sides and back, and it keeps him occupied for 45 minutes to an hour, which is unbelievable for a one-year old."
In an increasingly crowded market, the Hape Wonder Walker does a great job of balancing classic, wooden design with the modern interactivity you find on plastic options (albeit not electronic). The back and sides feature a total of five wooden activities designed to develop those crucial fine motor skills.
Type: Wagon walker
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 13.11” x 18.11” x 19.88” (33.3 x 46 x 50.5cm)
Weight: 8.8lbs (4kg)
Key features
Classic wooden design
Rubber-trimmed wheels
Five different motor skill developing activities
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Our 11 month old daughter absolutely LOVES this little push toy! We have only had it for about two weeks, but she has gained so much confidence in her ability to walk in such a short time."
A much-loved brand by parents, Melissa & Doug have done something really quite unique with this walker. It’s the shape of a walker wagon, but doesn’t have the typical ‘basket’ you’d associate with a walker wagon. Instead, it has a delightful and playful moving alligator scene. The three alligators’ mouths open and shut, making a ‘clacking’ sound as baby walks along.
Type: Push along walker
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 15” x 15” x 11.75” (38 x 38 x 29.8cm)
Weight: 6.6lbs (3kg)
Key features
Three alligator ‘clacking’ sound
Alligators open-mouth motion
Five different motor skill developing activities
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Might as well get blocks and a push cart in one, right? My kid loves the cart and I love playing with the blocks."
A second inclusion for Hape on this list, the Block and Roll Cart is more of a no-frills option. Still a classic, wooden look, the big plus for this one is the addition of blocks which we all know are brilliant for motor development. The blocks can’t be sorted into one flat layer (good luck!) or stacked for plenty of fun.
Type: Push wagon
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 13.9” x 11.1” x 16.1” (35.3 x 28.2 x 40.9cm)
Weight: 1.06kg
Key features
Bright colour design
Multicolour blocks
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“My baby loves the toys on the front. They provide long periods of entertainment. The fact that the piano detaches is pretty cool. The piano alone is a hit."
This 3in1 walker is ideal for parents hoping to have something their child will be interested in for more than a few months. Suitable from six months, it can start off as a static activity panel thanks to the wheel-locking mechanism with plenty of features to keep baby entertained and engaged. Fast forward a few months, unlock the wheels and you’ve got a push along walker. Once they’ve mastered the art of walking, it can also transform into a ride-along bike.
Type: Push along walker (and sit & ride bike)
Age: From 6 months
Material: Plastic
Size: 16” x 19” x 22” (40.6 x 48.3 x 55.9cm)
Weight: 9lbs (4kg)
Key features
3in1 play from ‘sit & play’ to ‘stand & walk’, and ‘sit & ride’
Seven function play panel
Detachable keyboard
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“He immediately started pushing it around and filling it up with all his important belongings, which was so cute. The tires have a rubber ring around them, so it's nice and quiet."
This is a really lovely and simple baby walker from Labebe; the panda theme is adorable. What it lacks in interactive features it more than makes up for in terms of storage. The high-sided box offers plenty of space for transporting toys around the room (and storing them when not in use!) - and the lack of buttons and toys actually encourage more imaginative play.
Type: Walker wagon
Age: From 12 months
Material: Wood
Size: 15.4” x 12” x 17.3” (39 x 30.5 x 44cm)
Weight: 11.45lbs (5.2kg)
Key features
Cute panda design
Large capacity storage box
Rubber-lined wheels
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
"Our son loves this walker. Before he was ready to stand and walk behind it, he loved playing with the storage in the back. It’s colorful and exciting to play with, without all the annoying sounds and cheap plastic we were seeing on other walking toys."
The KIDDERY TOYS Push and Pull Learning Walker is a nice mix of traditional and modern. The traditional wooden materials and activity give a nice alternative to the cheap plastic and loud noises of modern walkers, while the bright and bold design give it a slightly more modern feel. There are plenty of activities to keep your little one entertained and a handy storage basket to keep all the pieces together.
Type: Push walker
Age: From 10 months
Material: Wood
Weight: 6.82lbs (3kg)
Key features
- Bold and bright design
- Rear storage basket
- Seven activities
PROS
CONS
Are baby walkers good for development?
Just like the safety question, the answer depends on which baby walker we’re talking about.
On top of the safety concerns, health professionals recommend avoid using a sit-in baby walker for developmental reasons. While the theory behind them is that they encourage baby to walk, the reality is that they may actually be responsible for a delay in their walking development. According to the British Journal of Community Nursing, a sit-in baby walker can delay walking independently by two to three weeks depending on the amount of usage.
A stand-up or push along baby walker, however, is thought to encourage a more natural and independent development of walking skills. They allow babies to decide when and how they want to use it, provide a stable base (if you buy a decent one!) for walking, and can boost self-confidence.
What to look for in a baby walker
As you might have guessed we’re going to break this down into two, what to look for in a sit-in baby walker and what to look for in a stand-up/push along baby walker.
Sit-in baby walkers
As we already know by now, health professionals do not recommend using a sit-in baby walker. But the reality is that you are still free to buy and use them in most countries around the world. And for busy parents who need to cook or clean while their baby is crawling around and starting to pull themselves up onto things, you can understand the appeal.
So if you are vigilant and conscious of where the walker can go, and what your baby can reach from the walker - and still want to buy one, here are some things you should look out for.
Frame stability - Stability is key for a baby walker. It needs to withstand the weight of your baby and any leaning they do from side to side. Thin, cheap plastic may buckle under the strain and cause injury. You also want to be sure it has a metal frame.
Brakes - Many brands and manufacturers started to introduce automatic brakes after the intervention by the CSPC in 2010 to reduce the risk of falling down stairs or into pools. These usually use electronic sensors to detect when part of the baby walker has crossed over the edge of a step or surface to activate the brakes.
Adjustable resistance - Another feature introduced on many products to improve safety is adjustable resistance on wheels. This allows parents to set and adjust how difficult it is for baby to move the baby walker itself - this might be increasing resistance on hard, quick surfaces like laminate flooring or decreasing the resistance on thick carpet.
Seat hole size - Although most baby products are made with longevity and growth in mind, there is one problem that can arise if the leg holes in the seat are too big. If there is too much room, there is the possibility that your baby will be able to get their leg out of it, and actually climb out.
Push along/stand-up walkers
Although there might not be as many safety considerations for push along or stand-up walkers, there are still some things you need to look out for.
Weight - A heavier walker is a safer walker because the weight makes them harder and slower to push, but also harder to tip over. Push wagons are almost always made out of wood, and are therefore heavier than their plastic stand-up walkers. But plastic walkers can still be safe in this regard, providing they aren’t cheap and thin plastic.
Wheels - There are two things to consider when it comes to the wheels. First, the material - many wooden walkers will rubber wheels (or at least wooden wheels with a rubber ring around them) around them to increase resistance. You do sometimes find the rubber ring on plastic wheels, but it’s a lot less common. The other factor is the size of the wheel - larger, wider wheels help to improve the stability of the walker and help prevent them tipping over.
Brakes - While these types of baby walkers don’t typically have automatic braking systems, they do often have a ‘brake’ of sorts installed on the axle. A small device that automatically adds resistance to the wheels and slows them down
Centre of gravity - The centre of gravity is an important safety feature for stand-up/push along baby walkers. If you look at the walker side on, the handle should be slightly in front of the rear wheels. This will help to prevent it from tipping backwards because the baby shouldn’t be capable of exerting enough backwards force.
The handle for many push wagons sit in line or even behind the rear wheels, but their increased weight and ability to add more weight to the basket of the wagon counteract any problems here.
Base size - When it comes to push wagon walkers, the size of the base is an important factor. Taller and thinner bases are more prone to tipping over, and so you should aim for a larger, wider base.
FAQs
Are baby walkers dangerous?
Baby walkers (particularly sit-in baby walkers) were responsible for a high number of infant injuries in the US in the 1990s, leading many healthcare professionals to call for them to be banned. These were largely due to walkers toppling down stairs, off steps, or into pools - or by giving the child access to pull items off higher surfaces.
Increased safety measures, testing and public safety information has led to a significant decrease in injuries suffered by infants using baby walkers. Despite this, however, there are still calls from professionals to ban sit-in walkers.
How do I choose a baby walker?
If you are opting for a sit-in baby walker, you should be looking out for those all-important safety features like automatic braking systems and safety standard certificates. If you are leaning towards a push walker, you want to consider things like the weight (heavier the better), adjustable resistance wheels, and the base size (for stability).
Once you’ve considered those things, it’s all down to personal preference whether you go for something wooden or plastic, classic or modern, interactive or imaginative.
Are baby walkers good for babies?
The other reason healthcare professionals aren’t fans of sit-in walkers is that they are actually linked to delays in walking. The nature of the seats they use can also lead to bowed legs and hip problems (if used excessively).
However, there are no associated concerns with push walkers and push wagon walkers because they encourage independent walking and standing positions.
What age is best for a baby walker?
If you do want to go for a sit-in walker, they can be used from around six months (or when your baby can hold the weight of their own head).
For stand-up push along and push wagon walkers, these should be used when baby is standing up themselves. Most recommend around 12 months.
