Push along walker

[lil_nance]

I'm debating which of these to get for my 1yr old son who's cruising but not walking independently. If you have any of them, please give me your opinion both pros and cons. Thanks.
Playskool Step Start Walk'n Ride
http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/03/22/45/05/0003224505545_215X215.jpg

Fisher Price Musical Activity Walker
http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0000789TH.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Little Tikes Wide Track Activity Walker
http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-2873109reg.jpg

[LIZNKEITH]

We have the second one you posted. My parents bought it for DD for her first birthday. She wasn't walking at the time, but within a few days of playing with it, she started walking. She really enjoys playing with it. And we haven't even put the batteries in yet!

[myshel]

We have the second one you posted too. DS has already walked with it several times, though not independently just yet. Besides using it as a walker, DS will sometimes crawl up to it and play with activities on the front. He seems to like it quite a bit.

[littlebear]

We have the Little Tikes one. My son is still playing with it at 20 months old. He loves to load it up with his toys and push it around. I like it because it has a wide base and doesn't tip. It also has little controls on the front wheels so that you can set it to move slower when they are first starting to learn and then faster once they are older. I also like it because it doesn't make any noise. We have too many musical toys to drive me crazy already. You can also fold it up and lay it flat pretty easily if you need to transport it or store it.

[Mickey&B]

It also has little controls on the front wheels so that you can set it to move slower when they are first starting to learn and then faster once they are older.
That is a great feature!
We have the second one and although AJ uses it a lot independently it still has a tendency to get away from him. I personally don't like it it just seems so flimsy. I would go with the Little Tykes just for that feature listed above!

[Sophia]

I had a much earlier verison (1993) of the Fisher Price one, and both my older kids really enjoyed it. The Little Tykes one looks nice, too, and I would strongly consider it for the feature that slows down the walker since the house I live in now has tile, not carpet.

[BooeyJ2]

#1 - We have the first one and LOVE it. Not only is it a great walker, but it's a ride on as well...which means 2 toys in one and extra space in your house ;) It's nice and sturdy and not too light. I highly reccommend this one :)
As you can see, it's wide at the base and sturdy (sorry about our dog sniffing her butt LOL)...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/Booey143598/More%20pics/Newest%20Pics/Newest2/Newest3/5-14-06-23.jpg



#2 - My sister has the second one and IMO it's way too light, so for babies who aren't walking on their own yet, they end up basically running and falling because it's so light and just flies across the room or ends up tipping over . My daughter and my nephew fell MANY times with that walker. As my sister has said many time "this walker sucks" LOL. After she was a "pro" walker, it was fine, but for the beginning/learning stages it was just an accident waiting to happen. Here she is as a "pro"...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/Booey143598/More%20pics/Newest%20Pics/Newest2/Newest3/5-9-06-4cL.jpg

Not a pro walker yet, but this is to show you how thin it is compared to #1...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/Booey143598/More%20pics/Newest%20Pics/Newest2/Newest3/4-29-06-15.jpg




#3 - Never seen it in person, but it sounds pretty good :)

[lil_nance]

Thanks for the responses so far. Keep them coming. Our house is 90% carpet if that makes a difference.
Booey How is the Playskool as a ride-on? I've read some reviews that said it has a really small sitting area and they have to kick hard to get it to go.

[kimthebride]

I have the first one.

DS walked fine with it around our livingroom, which is carpeted. He also is into a flip-things-over stage and it has held up well. ;) Sturdy and fun with all the bits to play with. The trunk is a hit. Like Booey, I love the wider base on it.

I also HIGHLY recommend picking up a baby stroller...which I never thought to get since we have a boy. We got one from a friend for his bday and he rarely uses the push walker since he got this. It's taller than the walker, and its nice because it umbrella-folds for taking it to the park. Here's a pic:
Maclaren Toy Quest Stroller about $19
http://www.babybazaar.com/xq/asp/dept_id.215/pf_id.0215-037/qx/assets/product_images/0215037_A.jpg

[jki]

I have #3 and a LeapFrog musical walker (I don't think it's sold anymore - the pic is from eBay):

http://i21.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/2e/65/f1_2.JPG

We used #3 exclusively outside and the LeapFrog one inside. I like #3 better than the LeapFrog one but it's pretty light... the feature that controls the wheels is definitely a plus, as is the fact that it is very wide. Neither of my kids has tripped or fallen with either walker.

[emschwar]

This thread may have some useful info - http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=20506&highlight=walker

[lil_nance]

emschwar thanks for the link.

Anyone else?
I'm planning on shopping this evening. Need to exchange some b-day gifts. ;)

[Tray85]

Katie cruises around with #3. She also rips out the mail slot covers and stands IN the walker. So far, she hasn't fallen.

[lil_nance]

Thanks for the feedback. I decided to go with #3. DS got so many toys that sing, talk, etc. for his b-day. I decided that a "quiet" toy might be nice. Put it together and he played with it a bit this evening. The mail slots did come off right away. He did use it as a stroller for his stuffed lobster. He also really likes the toys on front.