Scuttlebug review: the lightweight and foldable ride-on toy

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How we tested the Scuttlebug

I tested the Scuttlebug out for a year with my now two-year-old, who used it both in our home and outdoors as a fun ride-on toy. It was whizzed around the living on multiple occasions and taken on trips to the local playground and beyond. 

During testing, I looked at a number of different factors including: assembly, safety and stability, ease of use, comfort, ease of folding and unfolding, ease of cleaning and value for money. I then scores the Scuttlebug out of five in each interest category.

How easy is the Scuttlebug to assemble?

The Scuttlebug arrives preassembled, which meant my daughter could get riding straight away once I had unfolded it. It comes with instructions, which tell you how to unfold the three-wheeler, but I found it intuitive enough to do without having to refer to the manual.

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How does the Scuttlebug look?

One of the best things about the Scuttlebug is its unique design. It comes in four striking and colourful designs, including Grasshopper (green), Beetle (red), Butterfly (pink) and Bumble (yellow), which instantly appeal to toddlers. 

I tested out the Beetle colourway, which was a big hit with my daughter when she received the ride-on toy for her first birthday. It boasts black spots on the seat as well as a cute face on the front of the frame.

How safe and stable is the Scuttlebug?

I’ve found the Scuttlebug to be exceptionally safe and stable, thanks to the three wheels, which makes it simple for toddlers to get to grips with quickly. 

It took time for my toddler to master changing direction, as only the front wheel turns, but the easy-grip handlebar has a lock that stops it from turning too much, making the ride-on toy easier for her to control overall.

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What’s the Scuttlebug like to use day-to-day?

The Scuttlebug is the ideal ride-on toy for use both in your home and when out and about. I’ve found it tackles different surfaces well, including hard floors and pavements, but is unsurprisingly tougher to push on grass. 

The ergonomically designed seat, while made of a hard plastic, is generally comfortable for toddlers who are likely to use the ride-on toy for short periods of time. The seat gets narrower near the handle, which makes it easier for toddlers to propel the Scuttlebug forward with their legs, and the handlebar is low enough for easy steering. 

How easy is the Scuttlebug to fold?

The Scuttlebug’s three-step fold is one of my favourite elements, making it easy to carry on walks or transport in your car boot for day trips or weekend stays. 

There’s a lock on the underside of the Scuttlebug which you release to fold the front wheel and handlebar, which then lock securely into place. There are two push buttons for the back wheels which also fold inwards and lock into place. To fold the Scuttlebug, you simply pull out the three legs. 

When folded, this ride-on is lightweight enough to carry when your toddler inevitably loses interest on an outing. It’s also compact and flat enough to store in a cupboard or in the corner of your hallway, but will need to rest against a wall as it doesn’t stand by itself. 

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How easy is the Scuttlebug to clean?

Because it’s made mostly of plastic, the Scuttlebug is simple to wipe clean with a damp cloth if covered in mud. The wheels require a bit more attention to get into all the nooks and crannies, but I’ve found the Scuttlebug to be generally easy to clean. 

Is the Scuttlebug good value for money?

With an RRP of £25, the Scuttlebug is one of the best budget ride-on toys to buy. It’s simple in design, which means it’s easy for toddlers to master quickly, and the folding element, in my opinion, makes it worth its weight in gold. 

The regular Scuttlebug lasts from age one to three so, if you have an older toddler, the slightly more expensive Scuttlebug XL may be a better option, with three height adjustments which takes it from ages two to four.

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About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a two-year-old, she is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.

With over eight years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing pushchair product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.