The Top 10 Best Kids Rocking Horses in 2022
Rocking away on a toy rocking horse is a wonderful tradition which has brought children joy for decades. There’s something uniquely soothing about seeing your child having fun by moving back and forth when they’re surrounded by family.
If you’re looking to bring a play horse into your home, you may find that there are a lot of different rocking horses for little one out there.
Picking the best rocking horses can be difficult, which is why in this article we’ll help you by reviewing the top 10 best kids play horses and explaining which are great pickups and which aren’t.
Contents
- Rocking Horse Reviews
- Our #1 Choice – Little Tikes Rocking Horse Magenta
- Our #2 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Lucky Talking Plush Spring Horse
- Our #3 Choice – AmishToyBox.com Wooden Rocking Horse
- Our #4 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Turbo Rocking Horse Ride On
- Our #5 Choice – Radio Flyer Blaze Interactive Riding Horse
- Our #6 Choice – Animal Adventure Real Wood Ride-On Plush Rocker
- Our #7 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Charger 2-in-1 Pony Ride-On
- Our #8 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Legacy Grow-with-Me Pony
- Our #9 Choice – VTech Gallop and Rock Learning Pony
- Our #10 Choice – Loopsy Wooden Rocking Sheep
- Wrapping Up
Rocking Horse Reviews
Ready to see which rocking horses made our top picks list? Read on.
Our #1 Choice – Little Tikes Rocking Horse Magenta
When you’re looking for a play horse that’s easy to leave outside or bring to the beach, this Little Tikes Rocking Horse is a colorful and durable choice.
Pros
- Hot pink aesthetic
- Highly durable
- Not a radio flyer
- Great for the tiniest horse lovers
- Our best rocking horse choice
- Improves balance and coordination
Cons
- It may be a bit of an eyesore for some adults
The best feature of Little Tikes Rocking Horses is that they are nearly indestructible. Because it’s made of single-bloc plastic, it’s very difficult to damage with physical force or the elements. It’s also extremely stable, so there’s no chance of your child falling off the front or the back.
The cheerful magenta coloring may lead you to want to leave this horse outside and out of sight, however. While children probably won’t mind, adults will probably find its color and minimalistic graphics to be too childish to be attractive.
Our #2 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Lucky Talking Plush Spring Horse
For children who want a semi-realistic rocking experience, this Rockin Rider is a great choice because of how dynamic its rocking motion can be.
Pros
- Great for older children who want to practice for real riding
- Includes rocking and wiggling motions
- Our 2nd best option
- Sings songs
Cons
- Very large footprint
The best rocking horses are more exciting than most because they can rock on two axes rather than just one. Your child can slightly rock from side to side in addition to the traditional forward and backward rocking.
The only issue is that this rocking horse is positively huge. Its footprint is at least three times that of most others for children, and it also requires considerably more vertical space on account of its struts which lift it off the ground.
This means that you may have a little trouble storing this rocking horse. On the bright side, it’s easy on the eyes.
Our #3 Choice – AmishToyBox.com Wooden Rocking Horse
For adults who remember the high quality and beautiful wooden aesthetics of the rocking horses of old, this Amish made rocking horse is an excellent choice which could easily become an heirloom toy for the next generation of your family.
Pros
- Unparalleled build quality
- Improves balance and coordination
- Our 3rd best choice
- Timeless aesthetic
- Amish-made
Cons
- Requires assembly
This wooden rocking horse is a cut above most of the other ones on the market because of its artisan-made oakwood construction. Kids don’t hold back when they play with these rocking toys!
While the seat is a little bit uncomfortable and you’ll need to do some assembly work to make the horse come together, the lacquer on the solid wood ensures that it won’t rot or tarnish, even with extensive use.
So, this rocking horse is more than just a toy — it’s a treasure for the family. But, you’ll need to make sure your child appreciates it as much as you will.
Our #4 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Turbo Rocking Horse Ride On
When your child loves plushiness and the feeling of riding a real pony, this Rockin Rider Turbo Horse might be right up your alley.
Pros
- Comfortable saddle
- Simple design
- Mouth moves while it makes galloping sounds & other sound effects
Cons
- Batteries required
The appeal of this wooden rocking horse is that it’s a very comfortable steed for your child. They’ll love to hug its plushy exterior while they rock back and forth on the solid wood slats. You won’t find the horse to be an eyesore thanks to its simple but pleasing construction.
If your little one likes a musical accompaniment, the horse will sing with them at the push of a button. You’ll need to provide batteries to make sure that the horse can keep up its performance routine, however, so be sure to have a few extras laying around.
Our #5 Choice – Radio Flyer Blaze Interactive Riding Horse
This fun, colorful horse will be a real treat for any child who loves to jump on a rocking horse and bounce around.
Pros
- Radio Flyer is a quality brand
- Can rock and bounce
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- Complex assembly
The Radio Flyer Blaze Interactive Riding Horse is an excellent option for kids who like to wiggle a bit more when they’re on a rocking horse. It comes with a carrot and comb your child can use to “feed” and “groom” their horse. The horse also has separate modes for walking, trotting, and galloping, which will keep your child occupied for a while.
The manufacturers had safety in mind when designing the Blaze. The plastic is flocked, which helps prevent chafing against bare skin, and the springs are covered with fabric. It also has a weight limit of 60 pounds, which means it’ll stand up to regular use by exuberant children.
Overall, the Blaze Interactive Riding Horse is an excellent option for a gift for small children. In addition, it has a fairly high weight limit for kids, so it’ll hold up for several years to come. If you grew up with Radio Flyer and love the nostalgia the brand still carries, this will be a good choice.
Our #6 Choice – Animal Adventure Real Wood Ride-On Plush Rocker
This lovely plush rocking horse provides small children with a soft, cozy riding experience.
Pros
- Comes in 15 styles
- No assembly required
- No sharp edges or hard plastic
Cons
- Not ideal for taller small children
- Fur can shed a bit
The Animal Adventure Ride-On Plush Rocker is an adorable rocking toy that comes in 15 different styles, including a horse, unicorn, and narwhal. It’s a lightweight option that’s easy for kids to move around without help, and it’s small enough that you can stash it away in a corner or closet when you need to clear some space.
The main downsides to the Plush Rocker are that the hair from the mane tends to shed onto clothing, which can get a bit messy. It’s also priced higher than other rocking horses, which aligns with the overall quality. However, because it’s on the small side, you might not get as much use out of it as you would a larger one.
This rocker is a lovely addition to any child’s bedroom or playroom. It’s easy to clean, comes pre-assembled, and some styles have a secured back to help children remain stable. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for younger kids who need a soft, cushioned riding surface.
Our #7 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Charger 2-in-1 Pony Ride-On
Rolling around on the floor is something that children love — but they also love rocking. With this Rockin Rider Charger horse, your child will be ready to rock — or to roll — at a moment’s notice. Radio flyer.
Pros
- Innovative wheel-and-rocker design
- Cheerful horse expression
- Great for rolling or rocking
- Great for kids 12 months to 3 years old
Cons
- Not durable
The advantage of this rocking horse is that you only need to purchase one toy for both rocking and rolling, which means that you’ll have less clutter laying around your house.
With the cheerful look of the horse and the cheerful sound of its songs, your child will love scooting or rocking.
You need to be aware that you probably need to help your child transition the horse from rocking mode to rolling mode, however. Furthermore, you should also be careful when transitioning the horse from one mode to the other, as it can break at the hinges if you force them incorrectly.
Our #8 Choice – Rockin’ Rider Legacy Grow-with-Me Pony
If you have a vigorous child who wants to do high-speed rocking, this Grow-With-Me pony will offer an engaging play experience no matter how old they are.
Pros
- Configurable for your child’s height and age
- High-speed rocking
- Seat is easily removable if children find it uncomfortable
Cons
- Careless children may fall off of the saddle
With this pony, your child will be able to rock as fast as they want — or convert the entire pony into a spring horse without using any tools.
Likewise, as this child grows, the pony will grow with them thanks to the adjustable points attached to its feet. But, you’ll need to explain to your child that they need to take care while they are rocking.
Rocking at high speeds might cause some tall children to fall off the horse. While they won’t get hurt, it’s still something that you should be aware of.
Our #9 Choice – VTech Gallop and Rock Learning Pony
If you’re looking for a compact rocking horse that can also roll, this VTech Gallop and Rock Learning Pony might be a good choice.
Pros
- Includes more than 60 songs, galloping sounds, & other sound effects
- Batteries included
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not effective at rolling
The bright aesthetic of this rocking horse means that it will fit right into the play area. Likewise, its repertoire of songs is impressive, with more than 60 different selections. It may have the most songs of any rocking horse on the market.
The issue with this pony is that it doesn’t roll very well. Your child may struggle to roll the horse around the house when they aren’t rocking in one position. On the bright side, this means that the unit is hard to lose track of in the yard.
Our #10 Choice – Loopsy Wooden Rocking Sheep
When your child loves rocking on anything, even if it isn’t a horse, this Loopsy rocking sheep is a magical addition to the family.
Pros
- Super soft plush exterior
- Great for kids 12 months to 6 years old
- Fits right into your child’s room
Cons
- Not technically a horse despite making clopping noises
The wool exterior of the sheep makes it super comfortable. Whether your child is rocking or hugging the sheep, they’ll feel great. The cute look of the sheep will make it aesthetically consistent with a young child’s room — or your living room.
There’s one small issue with the sounds that this sheep makes. The sheep clip clops around as though it’s a horse wearing steel horseshoes. While most children won’t mind the discrepancy, you may wish for some sheep-like sounds to replace the horse sounds.
Wrapping Up
Now that you’re well-versed in the world of rocking horses, you’re ready to choose between the best rocking horses that your child will love. Don’t be afraid to take a gamble on a wooden rocking horse that’s a bit higher quality than you would otherwise want.
Your child will love to pass on their high-quality rocking horse to their children when it’s time. Just remember that it’s totally fine to be sentimental when you pick something for your child to cherish.