Pedal Cars For Christmas
Image courtesy of Pixabay
It’s virtually guaranteed that hundreds of children will find a pedal car underneath the Christmas tree this year. For more than fifty years, this classic toy has delighted generations of youngsters. With Christmas coming up, now is the time to think about buying a pedal toy for the child in your life.
Pedal cars can be a fun and exciting alternative to motorized or battery-operated toys. If you’re looking for a wholesome, classic gift for kids, you may be considering a pedal car. These cars are based on real-life vehicles ranging from the 1910s to the 1960s, and many of the contemporary pedal toys are modeled after classic pedal car designs, like the pedal car you may remember from your own childhood. Today, several manufacturers create pedal toys using designs originally created back in the 1950s – you may even be able to find the same car you had as a child.
Among the many graceful designs you might expect to find are 1932 roadsters, classic Mustangs, tow trucks, and racecars of all varieties. Now, these toys really put the “muscle” back in “muscle car.” Kids can enjoy pedaling around the block or neighborhood in these metal pedal cars. Today there are even officially sanctioned pedal car races. Holding a race might be a great deal of fun for the kids in your neighborhood if there are several kids with these cars.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Some things that you may want to take into consideration if you are thinking about purchasing a pedal car:
1) Although you can find some vintage pedal cars from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, these do not make good gifts for kids. You should be aware that some of these earlier cars were actually painted with lead-based products, which may not be safe for children. These cars are well suited to being lovingly restored by an adult collector, not being ridden around the yard by a toddler.
2) Consider the size of your child when purchasing a pedal toy. Though most can accommodate a rather wide span of ages, others are best for very young children or those a bit older.
3) Opt for one with a metal body and detailed parts, rather than a plastic one. Though plastic toys are typically cheaper than their metal counterparts, there’s virtually no chance that the toy will survive to be passed on to a new generation. Opt for metal if you want your gift to last.
4) If you’re purchasing a pedal toy online — where you’ll find great deals on classic car designs – understand that some assembly may be required. Don’t wait until midnight on Christmas Eve to open the box.
Ultimately there are some great, affordable pedal cars on the market, produced by a wide range of manufacturers. With real metal and detailed paint jobs, these cars are worlds above the mass-produced plastic toys that you’ll see on most toy store shelves this December. You can’t go wrong with this classic toy – there’s a reason why children have enjoyed pedal cars for generations.