Upgrade your ride-on toys!
Upgrade your ride-on toys!
February 05, 2025 5 min read
Power Wheels and similar ride-ons provide endless entertainment, turning driveways and backyards into racetracks, construction sites, or adventure zones–whatever your youngster can dream up. But as the miles add up, even a favorite ride can start to lose its spark. That’s where customization comes in.
With a few strategic upgrades, you can transform your child’s ride-on into a one-of-a-kind machine that showcases their personality and brings new excitement to playtime. Best of all, it doesn’t take much mechanical know-how to make it happen. Let’s dive into some awesome mods that will make your kid’s mini car, truck, tractor, or ATV the envy of the neighborhood!
Adding lights to your child's ride-on car isn't just about looking cool (although that's a big part of it). Working headlights, taillights, or even underglow create a more realistic–and sometimes safer–driving experience. With the right lighting, your little driver can cruise around from early morning until after the sun sets.
LED Lighting Kit: You don’t have to be an electrician to upgrade your child’s ride-on with shiny, functional LED lights, at least not with an easy-to-installuniversal LED lighting kit. Setting it up is very straightforward–only basic drilling and wire connections are required; you don’t even have to worry about soldering. The kit comes with pre-wired white LEDs for headlights or fog lights and red LEDs for taillights, along with an on/off switch, power distribution blocks, splice connectors, extra wire, and a detailed wiring diagram. And, if you’re interested in different colors, there’s plenty of options. You can also expand the system withunder dashboard lighting, or other accents. The LEDs are bright yet battery-efficient, but if your ride-on runs on 18 or 24 volts, we highly recommend adding aVoltage Reducer to avoid damage.
Emergency Light Kit: Perfect for enhancing your child’s scaled-down fire truck or police cruiser, anemergency light kit adds an “official” touch. It includes six bright red and blue LED strobes with three distinct flashing patterns, creating a realistic effect that will clear out traffic and show the neighborhood who’s in charge. Installation is simple–you just mount the LEDs using double-sided tape or the included screws, connect the wire connectors, and attach the control box. And, there’s enough extension wire to run each LED to any part of the vehicle you want, whether that’s the grille, bumper, tailgate, or roof. The kit runs on a 12-volt power source, so if your vehicle has a higher voltage, aVoltage Reducer will keep everything working smoothly. An added bonus: You won’t notice any difference in runtime with the kit installed.
Underglow Body Lighting: If you’re looking to give your kid’s Power Wheels a cool glow-up effect–maybe something out of “Fast & Furious”–then an underglow body lighting kit is the way to go. Kits come inblue,green,pink,red, orwhite, and include two 35-inch long strips that can be taped under the sides of any ride-on vehicle. The strips themselves are very flexible, and can be cut shorter to fit your setup; plus, they don’t consume much power. They can be plugged into the existing lighting kit or wired directly to a 12-volt power source.
Stickers and decals can transform your kid’s Power Wheels and make playtime more personal and exciting. These easy-to-add enhancements really bring a ride-on vehicle to life, whether it’s a sleek and sporty two-seater built for the straightaway or a rugged ATV designed for off-road exploration. They’re also perfect for replacing faded stickers, or to help change things up and give the ride a fresh new look. Plus, they apply in seconds–just clean off the surface, peel, and stick them on. And, they can be easily removed and replaced as your kid’s interests change.
In fact, there’s no shortage of high-quality sticker kits to customize and personalize ride-ons. Take the popular Dune Racer, for example–you could go with theExtreme Blue Stickers for a bold splash of color, or choose from licensed designs likeBatman orDC Girls to level up your little superhero’s style. If your child has a Jeep Wrangler, the options are just as exciting. You can deck it out with decals from big-screen blockbusters likeJurassic Park andMinions, go for an off-road-ready look withRubicon Stickers, or show off their patriotism withStars and Stripes. For a vintage touch, classic Willys stickers inblack orpink add a nostalgic twist. Whatever your child’s preference, there’s a perfect set of decals to make their ride truly one of a kind.
On top of improving a vehicle’s appearance, stickers also have practical uses. Reflective decals can help your kid see, and be seen, better in low-light situations for added safety. A distinctive design also lets parents identify their child’s vehicle from a distance, especially if other ride-ons are in the area.
Beyond lighting and stickers, a number of other upgrades can improve the look–and sometimes safety–of your ride-on vehicle:
Four-Point Safety Harness: Who says safety and style don’t go together? A four-point safety harness gives your child’s ride-on that authentic race car feel while keeping them securely in their seat. Unlike regular seatbelts, these harnesses are easy enough for kids to operate without a parent’s help. The straps, which are made out of polyester, are UV-resistant and won’t stretch even after getting wet. It’s never too early to start teaching good safety habits!
Jeep Wrangler Angry Eyes: For a more aggressive look, consider adding "Angry Eyes" to your Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler. This accessory, which fits most Wrangler models, modifies the headlights to give them a unique and edgy appearance. They install easily using hot glue, shoe goo, or simple screws.
Hood Air Scoop: Nothing says “hot rod” quite like a sporty hood air scoop. Originally designed for Jeep Wranglers, these accessories easily attach to Mustangs, Corvettes, and most other ride-on vehicles. They’re made out of durable, chrome-plated plastic, and can be installed with just four screws, double-sided tape, or glue.
Side Pipes&Side Exhaust: Installing side pipes or side exhaust really ups the cool factor on your kid’s ride-on! These parts fit a number of different vehicles and, while purely for looks, they can help charge up the driving experience and make it feel more realistic.
Upgrading your child’s Power Wheels isn’t just about adding some extra bling or a fresh set of stickers—it’s about creating a one-of-a-kind ride that fuels their imagination and makes playtime even more exciting. LED lights bring a whole new vibe to their adventures, and flashy decals let them show off a ride that’s uniquely theirs. But the best part? It’s a fun, hands-on project that lets you bond with your kid and create memories that’ll last a lifetime.
And don’t forget, if you ever need advice or guidance on the best parts for the job, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our expert team at ML Toys is always here to help!