Rocking horses have been a favorite toy for children for generations (1). These toys come in many different styles and designs, from traditional wooden horses to modern plush versions. Some rocking horses have added features, such as wheels, while others feature springs or rockers. Some even have the ability to talk or play music, adding to their entertainment value.
One reason why rocking horses have remained popular over time is that they provide more than just entertainment. They also help children develop gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. As children ride and rock on their horses, they exercise their upper body muscles and practice push-pull motions.
We hope our favorites below will assist you in finding the perfect rocking horse for your little one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Rocking Horse For 1-Year-Olds: Little Tikes Rocking Horse Magenta
- Best Unicorn Rocking Horse: Animal Adventure | Real Wood Ride-On Plush Rocker
- Best Wooden Rocking Horse: labebe – Wooden Rocking Horse
- Safest Rocking Horse: labebe Child Rocking Horse Toy
- Best Talking Horse: Rockin’ Rider Silver Spring Horse
- Best Plush Rocking Horse: Rockin’ Rider Carrot 2-in-1 Pony Plush Ride-On
- Best Dragon Rocking Horse: Happy Trails Rocking Dagwood Dragon
- Classic Rocking Horse: Hape Rock and Ride Kid’s Wooden Rocking Horse
- Cutest Rocking Horse: Happy Trails Rocking Haley Horse
- Best Rocking Horse With Sounds: Qaba Kids Plush Ride-On Rocking Horse
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Rocking Horses For Infants And Toddlers Picks
Little Tikes Rocking Horse Magenta – Best Rocking Horse For 1-Year-Olds
- Easy to keep clean
- Doesn’t tip
- Simple rocking horse design
- Pretty sturdy
- Not ideal for tile floors as this may slip
If you have a 1-year-old that would love to have their first rocking horse. This modern take on the classic baby rocking horse is a delightful addition to their playtime, it is designed for indoor or outdoor use.
With a secure seat and backrest, your baby can enjoy the fun of rocking back and forth without any worry of falling off. Easy-grip handles make it easy for little hands to hold on tight while they play.
Made of durable plastic, this rocking horse can withstand even the most energetic playtime sessions. And with its affordable price point, you will appreciate both the quality and value it offers.
- Recommended Age: 1-3 years
Related: Best Ride-On Toys For Toddlers
Animal Adventure | Real Wood Ride-On Plush Rocker – Best Unicorn Rocking Horse
- Great for unicorn lovers
- Comes fully assembled
- It’s easy to get on and off without looking or feeling unsafe
- Cute design
- A bit lightweight so toddlers may fall if rocked too hard
Crafted with a sturdy wooden base, this unicorn is built to last and can support your child’s weight while they rock back and forth.
The soft and plush embroidered details add to the unicorn’s charm, making it a lovely addition to any playroom or bedroom. The flexible reins are perfect for little hands to hold and will help develop your child’s motor skills and coordination. As they grip the reins and sway back and forth on the comfy seat, they’ll feel like they’re riding a real unicorn.
- Recommended Age: 3-7 years
labebe – Wooden Rocking Horse – Best Wooden Rocking Horse
- Easy to assemble
- The simple design is extremely appealing
- It is very sturdy
- Toddler appropriate size
- A bit lightweight so toddlers may fall if rocked too hard
This wooden rocking horse offers endless possibilities for customization! Its pure white background provides a blank canvas for your child to unleash their creativity and paint whatever they like.
This rocking horse is made from high-quality cottonwood and density board, creating a sturdy and durable structure that’s just the right weight for small children to rock back and forth safely. Plus, the handrails provide a secure grip for toddlers to rock forwards and backward at a comfortable pace.
The height of the rocking horse is perfectly designed for children to easily reach the ground whenever they want, providing a sense of control and security. And to ensure maximum safety, a lower back rack is mounted close to the horse’s tail to keep the baby in position when rocking backward.
- Recommended Age: 18 months+
labebe Child Rocking Horse Toy – Safest Rocking Horse
- Various details
- Easy to assemble
- The little seat makes it easy to strap a baby in
- Very adorable
- The rocking range is the farthest
This plush crocodile is not just a rocking horse but also doubles as a rocking horse, offering your child multiple ways to enjoy this adorable creature. Made from sturdy medium-density fiber and wood, this crocodile is built to last. With its crinkle-sounding cloth and velcro-connected sticks on its head, the little bird companion adds to the fun.
The soft, pp cotton-filled seat is perfect for little ones who may not yet have strong balance skills. A seat belt ensures safety while rocking. To add to the beauty and intricacy of this unique toy, it is adorned with lovely flowery textiles.
The wooden framework and rail are rounded and scrutinized to ensure a smooth surface. Your child can safely rock on the plush seat, which is designed to provide a comfortable and secure experience.
- Recommended Age: 6 months – 3 years
Rockin’ Rider Silver Spring Horse – Best Talking Horse
- Can be used till post-toddler years
- The horse is cute and soft
- The spring is very durable
- It is very interactive
- It is pricey
The Rockin’ Rider interactive spring horse in silver is a wonderful toy that truly comes to life with its synchronized moving mouth and over 25 saying lines. When your child hops on board, Silver will express his excitement about the journey.
With realistic sound effects and speech sentences that can be activated by pulling on his reins, patting his snout, or tapping his hindquarters, this toy will provide endless entertainment for your little one.
Not only can Silver talk, but he can also enjoy a snack! If you give him the supplied carrot, he will happily chow down. Additionally, he has two special features that are activated by squeezing his ears. When his right ear is squeezed, he sings the unique “I’m a tiny pony” melody, and when his left ear is pressed, he delivers 6 entertaining conversational phrases with sound effects.
- Recommended Age: 2-7 years
Rockin’ Rider Carrot 2-in-1 Pony Plush Ride-On – Best Plush Rocking Horse
- Perfect little size for a 1-year-old
- Easy to put together
- It’s very sturdy
- The wheels do roll freely
- Your child will outgrow them since it’s small
The Rockin’ Rider Carrot 2-in-1 Pony is a versatile toy that can switch from rocking to a rolling pony with ease, without the need for any additional equipment. With a press of the left ear, Carrot will sing the charming “I’m a Little Pony” tune, and when the right ear is pressed, he will deliver six entertaining phrases with sound effects.
The toy’s synchronized moving lips will amaze your little one as they interact with Carrot. Both children and parents alike will appreciate the soft and cuddly plush material, as well as the realistic mane and tail, embroidered eyes, easy-grip handles, and non-slip footsteps. You can also adjust the volume level to your preference.
The rolling pony seat is 12.5 inches high, while the rocking pony seat is 10 inches high. Please note that three AA batteries, which are not included, are required for play.
- Recommended Age: 1-3 years
Happy Trails Rocking Dagwood Dragon – Best Dragon Rocking Horse
- Easy to put together
- Cute design that your child will love
- Makes a great room decoration
- Comfortable to ride
- It is much shorter than other animal rockers
Watch your little one’s imagination take flight as they soar through imaginary lands atop this dragon. The dragon’s vivid polyester construction and sturdy pine rocker combine to create a magical experience that your child won’t soon forget.
Though the dragon rocker requires a bit of balance, it comes equipped with easy-to-grip wooden handles that will help your child maintain control and stay safe while they ride. The smooth, rounded edges of the wooden frame ensure that there are no sharp corners or edges to worry about, while the polyester material provides a soft and plush surface for your child to sit on.
- Recommended Age: 3-5 years
Hape Rock and Ride Kid’s Wooden Rocking Horse – Classic Rocking Horse
- It’s a well-made product
- Easy to assemble
- The simple design makes it a classic
- The horse is very stable
- The rocking is very minimal
Introducing a timeless addition to your little one’s toy collection, the traditional-style rocking horse. With its sturdy wood construction and water paint finish, this rocking horse is both safe and comfortable for your child to use.
Equipped with strategically positioned handgrips and a footrest for added security, even children as young as ten months old can develop their motor skills by rocking back and forth on this delightful toy.
As a Hape toy, this rocking horse is designed to support the growth of your child’s innate talents at every stage of development. Rest assured that all Hape products offered for sale in North America meet or exceed all mandated safety requirements, so you can feel confident about your child’s safety while they enjoy hours of rocking fun on their new horse.
- Recommended Age: 10 months – 3 years
Happy Trails Rocking Haley Horse – Cutest Rocking Horse
- Looks very nice
- Comfortable size for small kids
- Difficult to rock too much and tip over
- The style and colors are very classy
- The handles and rockers are attached to all tread that is just inserted into the foam body
Your little one is in for a treat with the fantastic Toddler Rocking Horse from Happy Trails! This kids’ animal rocker boasts a plush interior that will soothe your child and a sturdy wooden base that ensures stability during playtime.
As your toddler rocks back and forth, they’ll develop their balance and coordination skills while having a blast and giggling along the way. Your little cowboy or cowgirl will fall in love with the soft, plush rocking horse.
- Recommended Age: 2 – 3 years
Qaba Kids Plush Ride-On Rocking Horse – Best Rocking Horse With Sounds
- Made well
- Makes galloping noises
- Very sturdy
- Comes with a bear plush
- Very light
This children’s rocking horse is not only designed with a classic plush horse style but also comes equipped with interactive features that simulate neighing and galloping sounds with the touch of the ears.
The added bonus of a little plush toy is sure to bring even more excitement to your child’s playtime. The gently padded polyester plush body and cozy seating space create an immersive experience that simulates the exhilarating feeling of horseback riding adventures.
Despite its lightweight design, this infant chair has a sturdy metal frame that can support up to 66 pounds of weight, ensuring it can withstand even the most energetic playtime sessions. The hardwood bottom of the rocking horse is fitted with two curved rails, allowing for smooth and safe forward and backward movement.
- Recommended Age: 3+ years
How To Choose A Rocking Horse?
- Age-Appropriate: It is important to choose a rocking horse that is appropriate for your child’s age and developmental stage. Make sure that the horse is not too small or too large for your child, and that it has appropriate safety features.
- Material: The material of the rocking horse should be comfortable, safe, and durable. Wooden horses are sturdy and long-lasting, while plush horses are soft and cozy.
- Safety: Ensure that the rocking horse has adequate safety features such as easy-to-grip handles, non-slip steps or footrests, and a comfortable seat.
- Extra Features: Some rocking horses come with added features such as music, sounds, and interactive toys that can make playtime more fun and engaging for your child.
What Age Is A Rocking Horse For?
A rocking horse is generally suitable for children between the ages of 1 to 5 years old. However, it’s important to always follow the manufacturer’s recommended age range and weight limit for the specific rocking horse you choose. Additionally, adult supervision is always necessary when a child is using a rocking horse, especially for younger children who may not have fully developed their coordination and balance skills yet.
What Are The Benefits Of Rocking Horses?
Rocking horses are important for several reasons. Firstly, they are great for promoting gross motor skills and coordination in young children (2). The rocking motion requires the child to use their muscles to maintain balance, which helps to strengthen their core, legs, and arms.
Secondly, rocking horses are a classic and timeless toy that has been loved by generations of children. They encourage imaginative play and can provide hours of entertainment.
Lastly, rocking horses can also help children to develop their sensory skills. The soft texture of the horse’s fur and the sound of the rocking motion can be soothing and calming for children, which can help them to regulate their emotions and feel more relaxed.
Are Rocking Horses Safe?
When used properly and under adult supervision, rocking horses are generally safe for children. However, as with any toy, there are potential risks involved if the child is not using it appropriately or if the toy is not well-made. It’s important to choose a rocking horse that is sturdy, has a wide base for stability, and is made of non-toxic materials.
