Crazy Car by Haba

Pulling toys are always a wonderful way to encourage young children to reach out and explore their environments. Haba's Crazy car is a simple yet interesting pull toy that is appealing to little ones for many different reasons. There is a little person in the front of the car who can be rotated from side to side, a little bell that rings, a kaleidoscope that reflects the light, and shiny patterns on both the car and wheels. Both infants and toddlers find this toy interesting - babies want to crawl to get it and toddlers like to walk around pulling this funny little car behind them. As with all Haba wooden toys it is made of solid beech wood and painted with a non-toxic solvent free dye. Strengths: The care is very easy to move, so even a child who doesn't have much upper body strength can get the car to move forward by lightly tugging on the attached cord. The wheels are fun because they are slightly misshapen and therefore the car has kind of a lopsided movements that many of the children I work with find funny. The edges of the car, wheels, and little triangles on the back of the car are rounded so they won't poke or pinch little fingers.  Weaknesses: It's not a really high-tech toy with lots of bells and whistles, so if that's the kind of pull toy you want, don't get this one. But if you're looking for a durable and appealing toy that is simple and well made, this is one you should definitely check out.

Roll-a-Rounds Pull & Spin Caterpillar by Fisher Price

This is a great addition to the roll-a-rounds line of toys by Fisher Price. The caterpillar comes with three clear plastic balls that have movable pieces inside of them. When you pull the caterpillar, the balls move around and the little objects spin and wobble. Strengths: The toy is easy to pull across different floor surfaces and the balls are large enough for little hands to easily manipulate. Weaknesses: Since the balls are not contained under a plastic dome, they fall off of the toy easily which can become frustrating for children and adults alike. There is a plastic cover that comes as part of the packaging and I kept that on mine for quite a long time, until someone sat on it and crushed it (yes it was me!) Price: $25-$30. Where to Buy: This is a toy that actually came out several years ago but it's still available through eBay and Amazon.

Pull Along Zebra by Plan Toys

This eco-friendly wooden pull toy is one that brings to mind a simpler time in the world. The toy doesn't light up, beep, or blink - it's just a well constructed toy that bobs along after a child when it is pulled across the floor. When the zebra is pulled the head moves up and down, but other than that there are no other special effects. Strengths: The toy is great for encouraging walking, reaching, grasping, and other motor movements. Weaknesses: Some children lose interest quickly because the toy doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. Price: $15-$20. Where to Buy: Plan toys are typically available in specialty toy shops or can be purchased on-line through retailers like Moolka Toys (http://www.moolka.com/) or Baby Earth (http://www.babyearth.com/).

Amazing Animals Push & Pull Gift Set by Fisher Price

This is yet another set of train cars that go with the Sing & Go Choo Choo by Fisher Price. The hippo and lion come in cars that can be easily attached to the big train, but the panda and crocodile can be used in more independent play. Strengths: The cars make fun clicking sounds when they move and the durable animals are positionable. Weaknesses: The animals are a little bit big to fit comfortably into the train cars and there is no room to put the panda or crocodile anywhere on the train if you use all of the other animals.

Chuffa Puffa Pull Along Train by Tomy

This is a wonderful pull toy by Tomy for toddlers who are either in the process of learning to walk or those who are already walking. As you pull the train along, different coloured balls or what the toy company calls "puffs of smoke" roll through the plastic tubes that runs from the smoke stack to the back of the train. The wheels make a fun clickity-clack sound when the train is pulled, so the toy taps into may different sensory experiences for a child. Strengths: The train is very easy to both pull and push, so it has been very popular with the children I have used it with. They go back to it time and time again, so it seems to be of good play value for the money spent. Weaknesses: As with most pull toys there aren't lots of opportunities for interactive play (you and your toddler using the toys together). However, I play stop and go games, rolling it back and forth games, and pretending to "fix" it with many of my toddlers, which they seem to enjoy. So it can be made into an interactive toy with just a little bit of imagination on your part.

Walk 'n Roll Safari by Lamaze

Pull toys are always fun for toddlers and help younger infants learn to track moving objects. The Walk 'n Roll Safari offers three colourful animals that spin (the lion), bang on a drum (the monkey), and clash symbols (the giraffe) when pulled. Strengths: The toy is colourful and interesting to look at. Weaknesses: The concept for this toy is a great one, but sadly it doesn't deliver what is promised. The animals are fairly unstable so they fall down or come apart at the slightest pull of the string. Additionally the actions that are supposed to accompany the animals aren't very dramatic. Overall this is a disappointing toy from a company that is usually right on the money with their offerings.

Quack Along Ducks by Tomy

This is a cause-effect toy that is fun for for both children who are walking and those who have a more limited range of motion. The ducks move easily with even the slightest tug on the string and waddle after the child quacking merrily! Strengths: Because the toy is so easily activated it is a great option for a child with limited gross motor abilities. Fine motor skills may also be challenged because the child needs to pick-up, grasp, and pull the string to make the toy work. Weaknesses: If a child has sound sensitivities the quacking can be a little scary and since there isn't an on/off switch on the toy every time the string is pulled the quacking starts.