Sometimes parents struggle with keeping their children entertained for a few hours. You should allow your children to explore their imagination and fantasies with toys, which also help to keep your children away from TV screens. Toys can improve your child’s hand-eye coordination, social skills, creativity, and motor skills.
Horse toys are more than just toys for children interested in fillies or geldings. When your child can’t own a real horse, they can play with these toys. They will not only have fun, but will also become more educated about horses. Your child will learn how to take care of their horse while also becoming familiar with the horse’s different parts.
There are various horse toy options you can choose from, so it can become a stressful task to pick the right one. When looking for a horse toy, you must read the toy descriptions, look at the photos, and read customer reviews. Below you will find our favorite horse toys, so you can pick which one is best for your child.
1. Schleich Farm World Pony Agility Training
This set includes an amazing instruction booklet that will guide you and your child. You can use this set to introduce your children to Schleich’s Farm World collection of playsets and horse figurines.
Pros
- Set meets the strictest international and national toy safety requirements
- Product is durable and will provide years of play
- Designed to inspire creative play for children
Cons
- Can fall apart if the toy is moved around after assembly
2. Quarter Horse with Moveable Head, Realistic Sound, and 14 Grooming Accessories
The toy comes with 14 accessories, including a handle brush, wooden case, cup, and much more. Your child can get creative while playing with this toy, thanks to the authentic sounds and features it provides.
Pros
- Mane and tail are textured and detailed
- Comes with many different accessories
- Makes realistic trotting sounds
Cons
- Requires batteries to work
3. Radio Flyer Chestnut Plush Interactive Riding Horse
The realistic riding sounds are a feature that adds to the natural feel of this horse toy. Your child will also be able to groom their horse with a comb that comes with the toy.
Pros
- Realistic riding provided by rein, stirrups, and saddle
- Safety features that prevent falling
- Different speeds produce riding sounds
Cons
- Difficult to assemble since it has numerous small parts
4. iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Yellow Hopping Horse
Pros
- Plush cover is machine washable
- Easy to inflate
- Toy has a wide base so that kids can maintain balance easily
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
5. Breyer Horses Stablemates Horse Crazy Gift Collection
Pros
- Has four different horses
- Great attention to detail on the design of the horses
- Made with the quality you’d expect from this company
Cons
- Other accessories are sold separately
Features To Consider When Buying the Best Horse Toys
Below, we will go over several factors you should consider before buying a horse toy for your child.
Age Range
One of the most important things you need to keep in mind when buying horse toys is the age range that the toy manufacturer has recommended. It is especially important to look out for the age range if you’re buying a horse toy for a toddler or a baby. The recommended age range is determined by the child’s required skill level needed to play with the toy.
There are also cases where toys contain smaller parts, and for this reason, they are not recommended for toddlers or babies. If a toddler or a baby puts these parts in their mouth, they might choke, which is why they aren’t recommended for that age group.
A certain age group of children is usually interested in certain types of toys, so age recommendations will help you pick the best horse toy for your child. Choosing a toy above your child’s age range can make the toy frustrating or too complicated to play with. On the other hand, if you pick a toy below your child’s age range, they might become bored with the toy quickly.
Safety
You need to make sure that the horse toys you’re buying for your child are safe, and the easiest way to do this is by buying toys according to the appropriate age range. Most manufacturers state that they are compliant with the American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM. Besides this, you want to ensure that if your child is under the age of three, you don’t buy them a toy with small pieces or sharp edges.
Toy Type
When talking about toys, it’s important to note that your children can play with a variety of toys. Some types of toys include:
Figurines – If your child has a big imagination, then figurines are an ideal fit for them.
Ride-on horses – If you want to teach your child more about balance or inspire them to be more physically active, ride-on horses are the way to go.
Playsets – Playsets might teach your kids about taking care of a horse using a hairbrush or feeding them play food. Playsets may also include characters from a TV show or movie that your child likes.
Stuffed horses – If you want to give your child a toy that they can keep for a longer time, or if you want to comfort your child with a toy, then stuffed horses are a great choice.
Compatibility
Many playsets sold on the market can be used together, meaning you can buy different sets for your child and have them interact with each other. In addition, you can also buy extra accessories based on the manufacturer.
To learn more about toy compatibility, check out internet reviews from people who pair different sets for their children, where they describe which accessories, riders, stables, and horses fit together.
Assembly
Before your children play with their horse toys, many toys will need to be assembled. When purchasing a new toy, consider how long the assembly will take and its complexity.
In addition, you also need to think about the number of pieces and their size. If there are many smaller pieces, your child will probably lose them. Consider getting a horse toy with fewer pieces if your child is still a toddler or baby.
Realism
Another factor you’ll have to consider is how life-like the toys are. If you have an older child or a child who is a horse enthusiast, you will need to look for horses that have a more realistic look. On the other hand, if your child is younger, it won’t matter if the horse toy is life-like.
Preference of the Child
You might notice that your child likes a specific color or a certain type of horse, such as an Arabian horse or an Appaloosa horse. Your child will want to play with their toy if it’s a horse they picked or a color they like. When buying a horse toy for your child, take the taste and preference of your child into account.
Benefits of Children Toys
Parents can help their children understand their surroundings and grow by buying them toys. Toys have countless benefits, and in this section we will cover some of the advantages they offer for your child’s development.
Development of Problem-Solving Skills
Challenging a child’s mind is one of the best things that a toy can do. Some toys require your kids to think and develop solutions for particular problems, which helps their minds grow.
Development of Senses
Different types of toys are connected with the development of certain senses. The most common senses that toys help develop include the sense of hearing, sight, and touch. For instance, the sense of sight is enhanced by playing with toys that come in bright colors. Toys that produce different types of sounds help develop the sense of hearing.
Boosts IQ
Some toys are created to increase children’s identification skills, motor skills, memorization, and hand-eye coordination. The IQ of a child can gradually increase as these skills develop.
Boosts Creativity
Children are naturally curious. They want to explore objects around them, and they want to understand the surrounding environment. While playing with toys, children can engage in play that is filled with imagination, exploration, experimentation, and creative building and designing.
Better Focus and Concentration
Most children’s attention span is fairly short, and they can become disinterested and disengaged in a short period of time. Some toys make learning more manageable and fun, and they grow the child’s interest in learning.
Improved Social and Emotional Skills
Some toys can also be beneficial in developing your children’s emotional and social skills. Many toys require children to interact and play with kids. Kids will become acquainted with emotional and social cues such as crying, laughter, and anger when they play with other kids, and they will learn how to react to these types of situations.
With the help of toys, your child can become familiarized with the concept of waiting your turn, sharing, and having fun, which are all very important traits.
Final Thoughts
Buying the perfect toy for your child can be a difficult task. Some children are pickier than others, and you also have to consider the age range that you’re buying for. However, once you’ve considered all of the factors that make a great toy, you’ll be able to choose the perfect toy in no time.
The best toys for children are those that are fun and educational. We’re sure that no matter which horse toy you pick for your child, they are going to love it. With the list of horse toys we provided above, you will be able to find the best horse toys for your children.