Children's wheelchair: an overview of models and manufacturers

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today in specialized children's stores you can find a wide range of toys for the development of children. Among all the variety, it is worth paying attention to the children's wheelchair, which plays an important role in the development of a child from 1 year old. When the baby is already becoming more active, trying to move independently, this toy will come in handy. But before heading 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. In order for the machine to move, the baby needs to push off the floor with his legs while sitting on it. Children's wheelchairs have a number of main elements and many additional ones, depending on the model and manufacturer. basisconstructions are a plastic frame, a bumper, front and rear axles with four wheels, a seat, limiters and a steering wheel; for very young children, many models are equipped with seat belts. In most models, there is a trunk under the seat.

Additional features

Among the additions, the most common are sound signals, music, horn and other auxiliary elements for the entertainment of the child. Transforming rocking chairs have even more additional features: a shock absorber, footrests, a rocking platform, a parent control handle, and more. All models have weight limits, which can vary on average from 20 to 50 kg. The speed that a wheelchair can reach depends entirely on the quality of the materials from which it is made and the diameter of the wheels.

Why does a child need a wheelchair?

When the baby becomes more active and learns to take the first steps, his main support is the parent's hand, furniture or stroller. The children's wheelchair will allow the child to independently learn to walk. When using such a machine, the baby does not get tired, and parents can always control his movements. With this toy, the child develops:

• vestibular apparatus;
• back and leg muscles;
• fine motor skills;
• mechanical memory;
• observant.

At first, the baby crashes into all the objects that come his way, but over time, his movements become more coordinated and dexterous - helearns to control not only the gurney, but also his body.

Fine motor skills are developed through various actions related to pressing buttons, folding and taking things and toys out of the trunk, self-seating in the car.

What are wheelchairs?

In different stores you can find a wide selection of wheelchairs that differ in appearance, in additional functions, in the gender of the child, in the subject. Children's wheelchairs for boys are most often presented in blue colors and look like airplanes, famous car brands (BMW, Mersedes, Audi), look like scooters, like cartoon characters, and more. For girls, they are made in bright pink shades, they are a lot of additions in the form of jewelry, they can look like little animals. Also, cars are pasted over with the heroes of your favorite cartoons. Wheelchairs can be both simple and transformers, which include a number of additional functions.

Transformer wheelchairs

In stores you can find different options:

1. Wheelchair - when assembled, it looks like a stroller, as the child grows, unnecessary elements are removed, and it turns into a scooter.
2. Rocking chair - suitable for children up to 2 years. It can be a rocking chair, and when the wheels are extended or the skids are removed, it turns into a car.
3. The wheelchair jumpers - the element of bouncing works due to shock absorbers, whichlocated under the seat. Suitable for babies from 9 months.
4. Walker-walker - a design in which the front part looks like a hood with a steering wheel, and the rear part is disassembled and has several positions. This model can be used as a walker up to 1.5 years, or as a wheelchair with a seat.
5. Scooter wheelchair. A car that can be turned into a standing board.

In addition, you can find other combinations of transformers that will include not two functions, but 3 in 1, or 4 in 1, you can rarely even find 5 in 1.

At 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 such a toy from 7-8 months. Up to 1.5 years, it is better that the baby is fastened, and his car has protective bumpers. Models of children's wheelchairs with a handle, which makes it possible for parents to control the toy, are considered very convenient for small ages.

From the age of 1.5, a child can buy an ordinary scooter with a load capacity of up to 50 kg. Because models designed for very little ones usually have a small wheel diameter, and as the child grows, the machine becomes simply small and inconvenient to move. After three years, you can safely buy a skateboard car or a 3-wheeled scooter.

What to look for when choosing a typewriter-wheelchairs?

Before you make a purchase of a children's wheelchair for a girl or a boy, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Location and dimensions of structural elements - wheels, steering wheel, etc.
2. Stability while maneuvering.
3. Permissible load.
4. The strength of the plastic case.
5. Sustainable - the quality of plastic, paint and various small items.
6. Functionality - additional functions in the form of beeps, buttons, color effects and musical accompaniment.
7. Appearance - design in the form of cartoon characters, animals, or analogues of famous car brands, for example, a children's car BMW wheelchair.
8. Safety - depending on age, the presence of seat belts, protective elements and bumpers.
9. Driving performance - an important factor is the maneuverability, the diameter of the wheels and the material from which they are made.

Popular brands and manufacturers

Manufacturing of children's goods is carried out by a large number of companies from different countries of manufacturers, both in the USA and in Europe and Asia. Among the most popular and sought-after companies are:

• Toysmax;
• Lerado;
• RIVERTOYS;
• Kiddieland;
• Little Tikes.

It is important to remember that when choosing a wheelchair model, you should pay attention not only to the main characteristics and additional functions, but to the availability of the necessary documentation that guarantees safety andcomplies with established standards.

Among the popular models are the following:

1. Bibicar - can be used from the age of three, price - 2250 rubles.
2. Pilsan rocking chair - designed for children from 1 year old, price - 2800 rubles.
3. The 2 in 1 Ride-on Robot Weina wheelchair is suitable for ages 9 months and up, the price is about 2000 rubles.
4. The rocking chair Smobi Maestro-2 Confort Green is perfect for babies from 6 months, the price is 6000 rubles.
5. Playskool jumping gurney - designed for children from one year old, price - 2000 rubles.

To summarize - when buying a wheelchair for a child, first of all, make sure that it meets maximum safety. After that, you can safely select a model based on the individual characteristics of the baby, his wishes, maybe he wants a children's Mercedes wheelchair or one that will be pasted over 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.