Last updated on September 20th, 2024 at 02:59 pm

Picking the right rocking horse for your child or grandchild can be a challenge. 

I’ve put this guide together to give you some insight into how I help people choose the right rocking horse without over spending. This information comes from my experience with the various rocking horses available, almost two decades of buying and selling rocking horses, and what my two children thought about these selections. 

Why wood rocking horses?

Wood rocking horses last for generations and retain their value if you choose to sell it later.  

While you can buy mass-produced rocking horses like a spring, plush or Radio Flyer, most parents want the uniqueness and quality that comes from a woodcraftsman who handmakes them today, here in the USA! 

More reasons to buy a wood rocking horse over plastic or metal. 

  • Timeless aesthetic appeal 
  • Eco-friendly 
  • Safety 
  • Handmade craftsmanship 
  • Sensory experience 
  • Customizable 
  • Weight and stability 
  • Repairable 

What to consider when buying

Safety 

Wood doesn’t contain toxic materials like some plastics can. This makes it a safer choice for young children who often put their mouths on toys. Just make sure the finish used is also non-toxic. 

Wooden rocking horses tend to be heavier than their plastic counterparts, providing more stability. This can be especially important for younger children who are still improving their balance and coordination. 

Age appropriateness 

A rocking horse that is too large will be difficult for a younger child to climb onto and off, while one that is too small may be uncomfortable for an older child. These picks are for little people ages 1-5 years old. 

Customization 

Many makers offer personalization and/or various colors or stains. 

Price and Availability 

You may be surprised how difficult it is to purchase a handcrafted wood rocking horse, especially after the Christmas shopping season has begun. 

Shipping 

Some distributors add shipping within the continental US to the order, others include shipping in the price, so shoppers are not left wondering how much more they will have to pay. 

Rocking horse comparison table

Product Name Brand Material Made In Personalization Assembly Required Price Seat Height (in) Shipping Time
Personalized Oak Rocking Horse LifeSong Milestones Solid Oak USA Yes No $449 17 3-6 business days
Flat Seat Rocking Horse Amish Outlet Store Solid Oak USA Yes No $309 13.5 2-3 months (if out of stock)
Amish Deluxe Medium Rocking Horse DutchCrafters Solid Oak USA Yes No $505 22.5 5-6 weeks
Toddler Rocking Horse Carousel & Rocking Horses Solid Pine USA No No $155 Proportioned for Toddlers Not Specified
Curly Tail Rocking Pony S&S Woodcarvers Not Specified USA (Vintage) No No $1300 Not Specified Additional cost for protection

Quick links

Personalized Oak Rocking Horse for Boys and Girls

Lifesong Milestones Rocking Horse

This solid oak rocking horse has plenty of positive reviews, is made in the USA and designed by LifeSong Milestones. 

The unique thing about this particular rocking horse for kids and toddlers is it comes with personalized options. Have your child’s first name engraved in the rockers and have the rockers painted blue, pink or remain wood stained. 

LifeSong Milestones is a family owned business founded in 2000 and located in Ohio. They provide a wide range of personalized products, most have positive customer ratings and reviews. 992 positive customer reviews can be seen on their website.

Returns and refunds: personalized products are not returnable unless there is a manufacturer defect or error, then you have 30 days. Non-personalized products can be returned. 

Dimensions of rocking horse: 34” x 11.5” x 24” (l x w x h), seat height 17″

Comments from my kids:

Girl: “I like the name on the rockers and the colors and would want to ride it. If the butterflies have texture I think toddlers would want to touch them. I think kids will like to touch the yarn mane and tail.” 

Boy: “I like how it’s made, the way the wood pegs connect the boards to the rocker and I like the color of the rockers with the name on it. And the shape of the legs and body looks realistic.“

Pros: 

  • Most orders arrive in 4-7 business days 
  • Personalized with name and colors 
  • No assembly required 

Cons: 

  • None 

$449

Personalized oak rocking horse for boys and girls

Flat Seat Rocking Horse

Here is a solid Oak rocking horse, made in the USA by Amish woodcrafters and distributed by Amish Outlet Store. 

Each rocking horse is made to order and customized to your specifications. 

Amish Outlet Store is owned and operated by the Hilty family of Smithville, OH. The furniture they offer is made by skilled Amish crafters. 

“Every piece of furniture we sell comes with a 1-year guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.” 

Returns are allowed within 10 days at the customer’s expense. If in good condition a refund will be issued excluding shipping fees and a 15% restocking fee. Customized pieces are not returnable. 

According to sitejabber, Amish Outlet Store has received 92.3% positive reviews in the past 12 months. Amish Outlet Store has a consumer rating of 4.7 stars from 1,712 reviews.

Dimensions: 36” length, seat height 13.5”

Comments from my kids:  

Girl: “I like the fluffy hair and ears on it. Since it’s longer than the first one, it can rock more.“

Boy: “The legs on this one don’t look as good.“

Pros: 

  • No assembly required. 

Cons: 

  • If none are in stock it can take 2-3 months to receive one. 

$309 

Flat seat rocking horse

This Flat Seat rocking horse has been used but is in good condition.

$160 

Flat seat rocking horse (pre-owned)

Amish Deluxe Medium Rocking Horse

Another solid Oak rocking horse, made in the USA by the Amish and distributed by DutchCrafters. 

DutchCrafters sources furniture from the Amish in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana and began in 2003, owned and operated by JMX Brands in Sarasota, FL. 

The curious thing about most Amish marketed products is that you cannot speak with the maker, presumably they don’t have phones.

Returns are accepted within 10 days. There is a 15% restocking fee; the shipping fees are not refundable and you must pay the return shipping. 

DutchCrafters receives mostly positive reviews from customers. 

Dimensions of rocking horse: 34.5” x 14” x 34” (l x w x h), seat height 22.5″

Comments from my kids: 

Girl: “It’s taller so it might be too high for a two year old to hop on, but the foot rest is good for a toddler and it is big enough for bigger kids too.“

Boy: “I like the more realistic legs on this one. I like that it has a place to put your feet.“

Pros:  

  • Choose from 6 different finishes 
  • Choose from 2 different mane colors 
  • No assembly required.  

Cons:  

  • Takes 5 to 6 weeks to make and deliver 

$505

Amish deluxe medium rocking horse

Toddler Rocking Horse

This solid Pine rocking horse is made in the USA by the Amish and distributed by Carousel & Rocking Horses. 

The horse is very stable for a child as young as 1 year and the size still suits up to age 3 or more. 

Dimensions of rocking horse: 18” x 18” x 10” (h x l x w), seat height is proportioned to suit a toddler’s size. 

Comments from my kids:  

Girl: “I like that its small enough for a toddler to hop right on and ride without help from parents.“

Boy: “I like the seat back on this one.“

Pros: 

  • Choose from 3 different colors or stains. 
  • No assembly required. 
  • No extra shipping fees. 

Cons: 

  • None 

$155 

Toddler rocking horse

Curly Tail Rocking Pony 

S&S Woodcarvers is a fine name in rocking horses and known for quality. They stopped making rocking horses in the ’90s but their many styles and sizes have retained their value as long as they are in good condition.

This rocking pony is a good size for toddlers and kids and is in very good condition! 

Dimensions of rocking horse: 39” x 41” x 9” (h x l x w) 

Comments from my kids: 

Girl: “It looks like a carousel horse, it has engraving on it, the tail and the mane look very good and I like the pole to hold on to. I also like that this horse looks like it’s running or galloping. This one is good for older kids.”

Boy: “Wow, it’s fancy. Everything about it is realistic. I like the pole and that it’s galloping, also the decoration on the side is nice.“

Pros: 

  • The artistic beauty of S&S Woodcarvers catches the eye and invites kids to ride. 
  • No assembly required. 
  • No tip rockers

Cons: 

  • Shipping can cost more to protect it from damages. 

$1300

Curly tail rocking pony

Rocking horse comparison table

Product Name Brand Material Made In Personalization Assembly Required Price Seat Height (in) Shipping Time
Personalized Oak Rocking Horse LifeSong Milestones Solid Oak USA Yes No $449 17 3-6 business days
Flat Seat Rocking Horse Amish Outlet Store Solid Oak USA Yes No $309 13.5 2-3 months (if out of stock)
Amish Deluxe Medium Rocking Horse DutchCrafters Solid Oak USA Yes No $505 22.5 5-6 weeks
Toddler Rocking Horse Carousel & Rocking Horses Solid Pine USA No No $155 Proportioned for Toddlers Not Specified
Curly Tail Rocking Pony S&S Woodcarvers Not Specified USA (Vintage) No No $1300 Not Specified Additional cost for protection

Summary

Girl: “I like the Curly Tail Rocking Pony for older kids and the personalized blue and pink rocking horses for younger boys and girls because they attract different ages/sizes of kids for different reasons.“

Boy: “I like the Personalized oak rocking horse most.“

My girl was 13 and boy was 11 when they made these comments, they have ridden lots of rocking horses, merry-go-rounds and know what they like and aren’t shy about sharing it.

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