Those first wobbly baby steps are some of the most impressive things you’ll ever witness as a parent! But, before you get to those, your little one is going to need some practice. That’s where a baby walker comes in. They will allow your little one to get a feel for what mobility is like and keep them entertained.
Discover the best baby walkers of 2024 in our comprehensive guide below! We categorize walkers into three main types: sit-to-stand, standing, and seated walkers, each designed to support different stages of your baby’s walking journey.
Our top pick, the Beright Wooden Baby Walker, stands out for its sturdy construction and multifunctionality. However, it’s important to note the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safety concerns regarding wheeled walkers. This guide aims to help you choose the right walker for your baby, balancing fun, development, and safety. Always consult with your pediatrician for personalized advice!
Best Baby Walkers by Category
The Different Kinds of Baby Walkers
As you have probably gathered from our table above, there are three types of baby walkers out there. I highly recommend that you check out the pros and cons of each.
The first is the sit-to-stand walker. The sit-to-stand walkers are the best for helping a baby who is already standing and maybe even taking a few steps on their own. Many of these walkers also function as baby activity centers, like the Beright Wooden Walker, which is what a pediatrician and physical therapist recommended I use with my son when I asked them most recently.
There are also standing baby walkers. They are a good option for babies who have taken a couple of steps but still need some support until they gain more confidence. They often have an interactive activity play area on the front that will provide a fun indoor activity for your baby.
Lastly, there is the seated walker. This is probably what you imagine when you think of a traditional walker. A seated walker will grow with your baby as the seat provides support for babies who are farther off from walking and balancing on their own.
Best Sit to Stand Baby Walkers
These walkers start with the seated baby walker option, but then easily transform into a standing walker for your baby to gain strength and confidence in their walking. They will help your little one develop a wide array of fine motor skills with the added toys that can be played with in the sitting mode.
Beright Wooden Baby Walker – Best Sit to Stand Walker
Key Features:
- Sturdy Wooden Construction
- Non-Slip Wheels and Adjustable Speed
This Beright Wooden Baby Walker was recommended to me by my pediatrician and my little guy absolutely loves it! He could spend all day pushing it around the house if we let him and I truly believe it has helped him improve his balance.
This walker can be used as a pull-and-push toy and also comes with a xylophone, a shape sorter, and gears to play with. Wooden baby walkers are also eco-friendly and durable!
VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
Key Features:
- Interactive Learning Center
- Convertible Design
If you are going to go with a sit-to-stand walker for your baby, you should definitely check out the VTech Sit to Stand Learning Walker. The front of this push walker is a removable play panel full of different attention-grabbing activities; it makes animal sounds, has a piano, and has shape sorters.
The second function, obviously, is to be a walker. Your little one can pull themselves up and then push it around.
The 4 wheels make it pretty sturdy, so you do not have to worry too much about it tipping over while your baby walks with it. Always make sure to keep a very close eye though.
Important Note: Batteries are required for the interactive features, 2 AA batteries are included.
Skip Hop Explore & More Grow Along 4-in-1 Activity Walker
Key Features:
- Adjustable Height and Convertible Modes
- Interactive Toy Panel
This 4-in-1 activity walker is sure to keep your little one entertained. The toy panel offers endless fun with songs, lights, and gadgets. It even has light-up piano keys with shapes and numbers and can play 5 songs. Your child can play with it sitting on the ground, push it around, and even use it as a cart and stroller!
I love that this walker was built to encourage balance and fine motor skill development. It also has grow-with-me features making it well worth the investment.
Fisher-Price Learn with Me Zebra Walker – Budget-Friendly!
Key Features:
- Encouraging Music and Lights
- Easy-Grip Handle and Sturdy Design
This is the ultimate center of learning. The music will introduce your baby to their ABCs and numbers. Your baby can start playing with this walker before they can stand by just sitting in front of it and getting familiar with the buttons, noises, and toys.
When they begin to stand and take steps they will love the encouraging phrases and noises the walker makes to keep them motivated.
Best Standing Walkers for Babies
These walkers are for those whose babies are at the stage where they are about to take their first few steps.
Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Activity Baby Walker – Best Standing Walker
Key Features:
- Highly Interactive Activity Center
- 2-in-1 Design
I know we just went over how there are two types of walkers, well this one is both! It can be converted between a seated walker and a sit-to-stand. This means it can grow through the different phases of walking with your kiddo. It’s super affordable at $47, making this two-for-one deal pretty hard to pass up. It has some basic toys on the front tray that your baby will love.
The sit-to-stand option is very sturdy, a big plus for safety.
Hape Toys Push and Pull Toy Wooden Wonder Walker and Busy Box
Key Features:
- Wooden Push and Pull Toy
- Built-In Busy Box
This walker will help your little one tremendously with balance. They call it a busy box for a reason, it has moveable gears, knobs, and colorful balls for your baby to play with.
It is made of sturdy wood which makes it durable and easy to wipe down and keep clean. Plus, its rubber wheels work great on both carpet and hard floors.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Chomp and Clack Alligator Wooden Push Toy and Activity Walker
Key Features:
- Cute Chomping Alligators and Spinning Butterflies
- Sturdy Construction with Easy-Grip Handle
This walker is just too cute! I couldn’t resist adding it to the list. The alligators will chomp as your little one walks which is a fun way to encourage your baby to take steps. Aside from being cute, this is a very sturdy standing walker.
Plan Toy Traditional Walker
Key Features:
- Classic and Timeless Design
- Rubber-Rimmed Wheels for Floor Protection
Nothing wrong with keeping things traditional! I love the old wooden toys look of this baby walker. It’s a sit-to-stand walker and the bottom is filled with simple building blocks. The handle can be adjusted to different heights and can be made looser to provide more or less stability.
It is pretty cool this walker also comes with a nice set of wooden blocks. However, because this walker is so lightweight it is not the best choice for babies who need assistance pulling themselves up. It easily tips over and is better for babies who are already walking and just need a push toy.
Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon
Key Features:
- Iconic Red Wagon Design
- Resist Push Feature for Early Walking Support
The Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon is award-winning with its unique “resist push” feature that helps babies build confidence and work on their balance. Your little one will love piling all of their favorite toys into the wagon and being able to push them around wherever they please.
As for bumping into walls and furniture, luckily this walker has a bumper to protect your home!
HABA Walker Wagon
Key Features:
- Colorful and Cheerful Design
- Rubber Wheels for Smooth and Quiet Mobility
This walker is certainly an investment at $199, but because it is made of high-quality materials and has indoor/outdoor wheels I think it is worth it (if price isn’t an issue)! It has toy storage and a built in seat so that your little one can use their imagination when playing with it.
If your little one is still learning to pull themselves up, I recommend putting something heavy in the toy storage area so that the walker doesn’t tip over on them.
Best Seated Walkers for Babies and Activity Centers
These seated walkers used to be the go-to choice. While these can be used from a younger age and offer your baby a lot of entertainment, most pediatricians now recommend sit-to-stand and standing walkers instead.
I asked my son’s pediatrician about them and she said these walkers are fine to set your baby in for 15-minute increments under close supervision. Her main problem with them is that they don’t actually build the right muscles. Accidents have also occurred where babies pull things down on themselves while they sit in walkers.
To be transparent, I had the Joovy Spoon Walker with my last son and he absolutely loved it. But it is important to have all the facts before purchasing!
Joovy Spoon Walker – Best Seated Walker
Key Features:
- Three Height Positions and Foldable Design
- Large Dishwasher-Safe Tray
Although the Joovy Spoon Walker is very basic, it ranks as one of the best baby walkers for not just us but many other parents as well. It doesn’t make noise or have any toys, but it does have a really roomy tray which means you can customize it exactly to your and your baby’s likes. You can find your own toys to stick onto the tray or keep it simple with some healthy snacks.
It also has 3 adjustable heights and comes in 5 pretty colors that won’t be an eyesore in your home. As for convenience, it folds up really easily to store or travel with and the seat is machine washable. It is safety tested and certified by JPMA.
Joovy Spoon B
Key Features:
- Sleek and Contemporary Design
- Includes brakes so it can be made into a stationary play center
I love the Joovy Spoon so much, so when I recently got to check out the Joovy Spoon B I quickly realized it needed to be added to this list as well. It is similar to the original version but has one major upgrade: brakes. With brakes, the Joovy Spoon B (B is for brake!) can either be a walker or a stationary play center.
This walker also has an upgraded seat that is softer, more padded, and easily washable.
Bright Starts Around We Go 3-in-1
Key Features:
- 360-Degree Rotating Seat
- Convertible Design
This walker is a little different than all the rest, as it can convert from a walker to an activity table. The seat when attached will allow your baby to walk in a circle to explore all the activities like the piano and rattles.
They can explore the table without the seat once they can stand and walk. One really cool thing about this walker is that if you’ve got multiple kiddos, it’s big enough for the seat to be attached with your younger child on one side and your walking child can play on the other side.
Baby Trend Walker
Key Features:
- Removable Toy Bar
- High Back Padded Seat
A walker that is easy to set up and easy to clean is a winner in my book! Not only does the Baby Trend Walker offer those things, but it will be comfortable and entertaining for your little one. It has multi-directional wheels so your baby can travel around freely and even works on carpet.
My personal favorite feature is that the base is wide and steady, making it extra safe for your baby.
Baby Einstein Sky Explorers Walker
Key Features:
- Interactive Electronic Toy Tray that Promotes Language Development
- Lightweight and Maneuverable
This Baby Einstein walker is one of the best baby walkers for babies that aren’t walking yet. It offers support in a multitude of ways. It’s hard not to love the themed look of this walker because it’s just so different from the usual. It has bright colors with the most adorable sea toy attachments.
Its built-in elliptical shape is meant to help provide a stable platform.
Walk-A-Bout Walker Roaming Safari
Key Features:
- High Seat Back and Activity Center
- Easy-to-Clean
It’s a jungle out there! Let your little one begin their walking journey with this jungle-themed walker. They can play with the removable toy station even when they aren’t in the walker. Plus, it’s compact making it easy to store, simple to wash, and has an easily adjustable bar to change the height.
Are Baby Walkers Safe?
Recent studies and safety recommendations have raised significant concerns about the safety and developmental impact of baby walkers, especially those with wheels.
It is important to keep in mind the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers with wheels. Instead, they recommend opting for a different type of walker or alternatives to baby walkers like activity centers or exersaucers where your baby can practice standing and playing without actually being able to move around.
According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a considerable number of injuries are associated with baby walkers each year, with most injuries (91%) occurring to the head or neck. About 30% of these are serious, including concussions and skull fractures (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 2023). I think it is important to have this information so you can make a fully informed decision when it comes to baby walkers.
Safe Alternatives to Baby Walkers
If you are looking for a safer spot to set your baby down and keep them entertained, these are recommended by the AAP.
If you do choose a seated walker with wheels, make sure it is purchased new and meets the latest safety standards. My son’s pediatrician said walkers are fine here and there for 15 minutes under close supervision, but be sure to consult with your child’s pediatrician as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which walkers are best for babies?
Rookie Moms Picks for the Best Baby Walkers:
Beright Wooden Walker
Kolcraft Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Activity Baby Walker
Joovy Spoon Walker
What age should a baby use a walker?
A baby will typically use a walker from 4-18 months old. However, there are many different kinds of walkers and some have grow-with-me features meaning you can get longer use out of them.
What is the safest baby walker?
My son’s pediatrician and physical therapist recommended the Beright Wooden Walker. It is a sit-and-stand option that offers many different gadgets on the front to help babies develop a variety of skills.
Do pediatricians recommend baby walkers?
Most pediatricians do not recommend seated walkers as they can be a safety hazard and the suspended seats are not good for proper development. Standing walkers, sit-to-stand walkers, or activity centers are better options.
Which type of walkers are best for babies?
As you have probably gathered from our table above, there are three types of baby walkers out there. I highly recommend that you check out the pros and cons of each. There are sit-to-stand walkers, standing baby walkers, and seated walkers.
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Pin for later – The Best Baby Walkers 2024: A Guide to the Best of the Best!
Amber is the CEO and mama in charge at Rookie Moms! She is raising six amazing humans and has been through a lot as a mom including high-risk pregnancy (preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome), adoption, navigating special needs, working from home, and more. Now she’s on a mission to pass along the knowledge she’s learned… from one mama to another!
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