Learning to walk is one of the biggest milestones in a child's life, and a baby walker can be a fantastic way to aid your little one's development. As a parent, you're met with the bittersweet balance of cherishing every moment of your baby's infancy while eagerly anticipating their first steps, words and playing with toys. Starting as early as six months, baby walkers can help get your little one on the move.
For a parent, witnessing their first steps is akin to seeing Bambi on ice – a mix of endearing awkwardness and determined progress. Baby walkers offer a helping hand, allowing infants to navigate and strengthen their leg muscles, accelerating their journey toward independent walking.
While babies typically take their first steps at around nine to 12 months, we firmly believe in honouring each child's unique and individual developmental journey. Much like other top toys for one-year-olds, baby toddler walkers are crafted to enhance balance, fine motor skills, and coordination – crucial elements that support your little one's path to walking confidently.
Best Baby Walkers At A Glance:
Best baby walker overall: Janod - Chariot Multi Activities, £54 on Kidly
Best baby walker for gifting: Personalised Colourful Wooden Activity Walker, £72 on My 1st Years
Best baby walker for under 12 months: Ingenuity Step & Sprout 3-in-1 Activity Walker, £79.99 on John Lewis
Best baby walker for toddlers: Wooden Teddy Baby Walker, £74 on The White Company
Baby walkers give you and your little one a little more freedom. They can have a little more independence as they whizz around on their new wheels, and you get your hands back (for a few moments at least), allowing you to do short tasks and maybe even enjoy a warm cup of tea. Embrace these tranquil moments, for soon they'll be darting around, scaling furniture, and it will be time for some indoor climbing toys...
SHOP: The Best Baby Walkers 2024
Best baby walker overall
Credit: Kidly/Janod www.kidly.co.uk
Description
After thorough testing, the Janod baby walker is one of our top choices. The fun design and engaging features were a hit with our toddlers, who enjoyed hours of play while honing their walking skills. We love the rubber wheels for noise reduction and surface protection, along with a removable brake for speed control. This baby walker ensures a safe and enjoyable experience as your child explores and moves around.
Pros
- Nine fun activities
- Removable brake helps them walk at their own pace
- Crafted from sustainably sourced wood
- Easy to assemble
- Stylish yet simple design
Cons
- Cannot be folded for storing
- Light colour may show scuffs over time
Best baby walker for gifting
Credit: My 1st Yearswww.my1styears.com
Description
If you're celebrating a birthday or are looking for a thoughtful gift, consider this baby walker from My 1st Years. Beautifully decorated with a colourful sun and vibrant pastel shades all over, this activity walker is packed with eight interactive, engaging activities, including cogs, beads and shape sorters. Add a little one’s name to the side to make this an extra special gift. Reviewers stated that their children loved discovering all of the different features and that it's easy to assemble.
Pros
- Can be personalised (for an extra cost)
- Multi-purpose walker
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Cannot be folded for storage
- Light wood, so may show scuffs over time
Best baby walker for imaginative play
Credit: John Lewis/ Melissa & Dougwww.johnlewis.com
Description
If your child loves going to the supermarket, they'll love this option from Melissa & Doug. The 16-piece set includes a wooden cart equipped with a built-in matching game roller drum and cup holder, along with two wooden chunky puzzle boards and twelve shape-sorting/puzzle pieces. Children can engage in sorting and sequencing activities, develop fine and gross motor skills, and explore colour and shape recognition concepts while enjoying imaginative play while learning to walk.
Pros
- Unique design
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy
- Great for gifting
- Has grips on the wheels for hard floors
Cons
- Some customers found that it was slightly smaller than expected
- Cannot be folded away for storage
Best baby walker for under 12 months
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Description
Even if your child hasn't taken their first steps, they can still benefit from this baby walker. Plus, as your baby grows, this walker can adapt to support their development. It includes three nature-inspired toys that can be easily attached to trays or tables using suction cups. We like that it's easy to clean and available in a gender-neutral design.
Pros
- High quality
- Easy to clean
- Robust design
- Three adjustable height positions
- Dishwasher-safe tray insert
- Machine-washable seat pad
- Can be folded away for storage
Cons
- The wheels may require regular cleaning if used on carpet
Best baby walker for toddlers
Credit: The White Companywww.thewhitecompany.com
Description
If your child is at the stage where anything with wheels gets them excited, White Company's wooden walker will be perfect for them. With a race car design, this fun walker is neutral green, has the number five on the side, and has black traction wheels for safety. Plus, it comes with a small teddy bear friend to take on their adventures, and the lid can be lifted up to store all of their favourite toys.
Pros
- High quality
- Room for storage
- Comes with a teddy bear
Cons
- Not suitable for under 18 months
- Cannot be folded for storage
Best interactive baby walker
www.argos.co.uk
Description
While this isn't the most stylish design, it has been hailed by parents online for its interactive features that young children love. We like that this walker can be enjoyed by babies who have just mastered sitting, as well as cheeky toddlers who are on the move.
Pros
- Fun phrases, music and sounds
- Easy-grasp handle
- Can be used while sitting or walking
- Sturdy
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not the chicest design
- Wheels may not grip onto some surfaces well
Best baby walker for small homes
Credit: AmazonDescription
If you're short on space, the Uuoebb Baby walker is a fantastic option. It can be completely folded when not in use, and we love the removable, dishwasher-safe tray and silent 360° wheels. This walker offers convenience and safety with its innovative one-touch height and speed adjustments.
Pros
- Compact design
- Adjustable
- Easy to clean
- Easy to assemble
- Dustproof foot pad
- Dishwasher-safe tray
- Can be used as a fixed activity centre
- Folds away for easy storage
Cons
- Some wished the baby walker went a little lower
- The tray could be fastened in more securely
FAQs
Are baby walkers safe?
Baby walkers offer plenty of positive benefits, such as providing entertainment and mobility for infants who are learning to walk, building independence and exploring their environment safely. However, it's essential to use them responsibly and under supervision. The NHS guidance states that it's best to use them for no more than 20 minutes at a time, to be on the safe side.
At what age can I start using a baby walker?
Baby walkers are typically recommended for use when a baby can already sit up unassisted, usually around six to eight months of age. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure the walker is suitable for your child.
What should I look for when choosing a baby walker?
We recommend looking for a walker with a wide base for stability, adjustable height settings, safety features like brakes or wheel locks, and age-appropriate toys or activities. All of the walkers we have included are great options and have been tested by real parents.
Hannah Carroll is a Parenting, Lifestyle and Home Product writer for Grazia, specialising in product testing and reviews. With three children, Hannah loves testing the latest industry products on her own family.