We researched the best pull toys on the market, considering each pick’s recommended age, safety features, educational value, and weight. The PlanToys Wooden Dancing Alligator Push and Pull Toy earned our best overall spot for its sustainable design, which dances when pulled for adorable and engaging play for toddlers. Here are the best pull toys. Made from a wood composite material manufactured from remnants of other toys the company makes, the Plan Toys’ Dancing Alligator is BPA-free and made with child-safe water-based paint. This pull toy is perfect for small children who will love the clickety-clack sound the alligator makes as it strolls behind them. Big kids will also get a kick out of this low-tech toy as it wiggles and moves when pulled (no batteries needed). It’s a fair price for a good wooden toy that does much more than just roll. Users love that the materials feel sturdy and long-lasting and that the cord is long enough to pull without toddlers getting tangled up. One thing to note is the wheels tend to work better on carpet than hardwood.
Safety
In addition to checking for small parts, take a good look at the string length on the pull toy. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) says that cords should, ideally, be less than 12 inches long for children under 36 months. And any pull toys with cords and elastics greater than 12 inches long should not have any beads or other attachments that could tangle to form a loop, since this can pose a strangulation risk. Even if your toy meets these safety considerations, your child should always be supervised when playing with this type of toy.
Weight
Pull toys that are light enough to continually tip over, which could lead to frustration. On the other hand, though, the toy should not be so heavy that a young child cannot comfortably tote it behind them.
Educational Value
While all pull toys provide real benefits including coordination, balance, and gross motor skills, some of these toys promote additional learnings—like battery-operated versions that teach kids numbers, shapes, letters, colors, and more.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, interviews with experts, and more. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.
