What to know before you buy a baby walker

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When your little one is ready to take their first steps, a baby walker can help get them on their way.

Those precious milestones come around so fast, don't they? And watching your child walk for the first time is a big one. Sometimes though, they might need a little extra help to feel secure on their feet. That's where a baby walker can make a huge difference.

With so many options out there that it can be tricky to know what to look for. Don't worry — we’ve got you covered with all the must-have information you need before making your purchase. We’ve even pulled together a list of our absolute favourite baby walkers available so you can get your little one moving confidently ASAP.

Read more: The travel cots that will have your little one sleeping like a baby

A baby walker is a super handy device that can help your child develop the confidence to improve their walking skills, by providing extra balance and security. They usually include activity panels featuring toys such as wooden blocks and spinners, as well as educational tools like shapes and numbers to help engage children at different stages of their development. They can be used to guide and encourage mobility skills, and help kids get the hang of walking around on their own.

There are so many reasons why a walker is a great investment for your child:

They help babies build confidence when standing and walking

They teach children to be more independent

As they come with activity panels, they also help to develop sensory skills

They keep kids engaged and entertained

Many walkers are easily adjustable and can be moved from sit down play to standing up and walking

While excellent tools to assist in a child's development, it is important to note that baby walkers do not speed up the walking process. All babies develop at different rates and they will walk whenever they are ready to.

Baby walkers simply encourage kids to feel more comfortable when walking and give them something sturdy to hold on to.

Dimensions: H45 x W40 x L46cm

VTech's baby walker has over 6,000 five star reviews on Amazon, and we can see why. The walker features textured wheels and a handle designed for little hands to grip with ease. It has an exiting activity panel that lights up, plays music and teaches numbers and shapes, helping your little one learn and be entertained at the same time. The panel is also detachable for fun on the go.

Dimensions: H41.5 x W37 x L21cm

This wooden walker is a three-in-one gem — it's a push walker, activity centre and storage box, all at the same time. The large wheels have rubber around them, which helps your child control the walker safely whilst protecting your floors from annoying scuffs and scratches.

Decorated with super cute fox and woodland motifs, kids will love playing with the blocks and other included activities. And you can say goodbye to the stress of tidying up too, as when play time is over you can simply store toys and other items in the box.

Dimensions: H64 x W50 x D50cm

Think your little one is ready for their first car? Designed to be used through three developmental stages, Nuby's baby walker is a great all-rounder. The interactive car design, complete with lights and sounds, will keep kids engaged while they develop crucial sensory skills. It also includes a remote control so you can switch between melodies and adjust the volume with ease. We love that this design is built to grow with your baby: as they begin walking, simply adjust the handle to suit whatever stage they’re at.

Dimensions: H50 x W33 x D35cm

We love this minimalist wooden walker from John Lewis. It has an activity panel with cogs, shapes and sweet little animal buttons to help develop kids’ minds as well as their walking skills. Made from durable, sustainable, this sturdy walker won't buckle when leaned on. The soft colours are gentle on the eyes, too.

Dimensions: H40.5 x W46 x L10.5cm

Fisher-Price are renowned for their high-quality kids products, and this baby walker is no exception. The eye-catching zebra design is guaranteed to put a smile on your child's face as they interact with its many different sensory toys. The easy-grip handle and four large wheels make this walker extra safe for little ones to explore and build their mobility skills with.

Dimensions: H50 x W27 x D51cm

Little animal lovers will have a blast pushing their very own (house-trained) dog along. The sturdy frame allows babies to pull themselves up safely, and the four rubber-lined wheels make for easy steering. It can also be used as a fun ride-on toy for kids that aren't quite ready to take their first steps. The cuddly dog even has a tail that squeaks for extra excitement. Now, what to name it?

At Best Buys, we know that your child's safety is the most important thing. That's why we’re only recommending push-along baby walkers, which are deemed safer than traditional sit-in walkers.

It's recommended that you supervise your little one when they are using a walker to prevent any accidental stumbles as they gain confidence on their feet. If you have slippery floors, it's a good idea to make sure your child has shoes (or socks with grip) on, just in case.

All babies are different, so naturally they will have different requirements when it comes to a baby walker. Here are some things to consider before buying:

Age. Most walkers will have recommended ages, so make sure you check that what you purchase is suitable for your child.

Material. Baby walkers are generally made from either plastic or wood. Both have their pros and cons, so it's up to you which you prefer.

Safety. Look out for features that maximise safety, such as large or rubber-coated wheels and easy-grip handles.

Price. It's important to consider what price point you are after. Luckily, walkers come in a range of prices to suit any budget.

When it comes to buying a baby walker, it's important to think about age suitability and range of features offered before you make your purchase. That's why we think the Nuby Interactive 3 Stage Baby Walker is the perfect overall choice. It's suitable for a variety of ages and developmental stages, and offers a pretty incredible assortment of activities to keep your child engaged. We also like the John Lewis & Partners Wooden Activity Walker for a cool, wooden option that will help your little one develop their walking ability.

Prices updated on 15/07/2022. We are not responsible for any changes on the prices mentioned above.

Always up to date with the latest shopping trends, Christina Constantinou is keen to share her love for quality products with Best Buys' readers. She has experience writing for the tech industry and enjoys browsing deals on gadgets and fashion accessories.