Lawn mower accidents are maiming children. A simple fix might have reduced…

Lawn mower accidents are maiming children. A simple fix might have reduced the damage.

Although human error is an obvious factor, another is a choice by some mower manufacturers to design their machines so they can mow in reverse.

There were about 65 lawn mower backover injuries per year from 1990 to 2014, a study estimated. Seventy percent of the victims were under the age of 5. Robin Muccari / NBC News

This story was produced by FairWarning, a nonprofit news organization based in Southern California that focuses on public health, consumer and environmental issues.

Jeremy Westfall was cutting the grass last month at his home in Mineralwells, West Virginia, when he decided to put his Massey Ferguson lawn tractor in reverse. He didn’t see his 6-year-old daughter Michaela walking up behind him, and backed over her.

When emergency personnel arrived, a sheriff’s report said, they found that the child’s toes had been cut off, and that a piece of her foot was under the mower.

FairWarning has identified 133 cases of young children being injured by backovers of riding mowers since 2004, based on court records, news reports and interviews. Eight of the children died, and others suffered amputations of fingers, toes, hands, feet and limbs, as well as mangled internal organs.

”That’s an extremely alarming number,” said Elliot Kaye, of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, one of the five commissioners who set policies and rules.

FairWarning’s list of injuries is almost certainly an undercount. A study published in 2017 in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine estimated there were 1,641 backover injuries in the United States from 1990 to 2014 — roughly 65 per year. Seventy percent of the victims were under the age of 5.

Although human error is an obvious factor, another is a conscious choice by some mower manufacturers to design their machines so they can mow in reverse, despite mounting evidence that this jeopardizes small children, an investigation by FairWarning has found.

In 2003, in response to the rising toll of these accidents, the mower industry adopted a voluntary standard for riding mowers. It requires the blades to stop spinning when the mower moves in reverse, but permits manufacturers to include buttons or switches to override this safety feature. Many manufacturers have done so, and the accidents have continued.

Lawn Mowing Safety Tips

The Consumer Product Safety Commission implemented a mandatory safety standard for walk-behind power mowers in the early 1980s, but excluded riding mowers from the rule. Kaye said the issue of backover injuries has not been on the commission’s radar since he joined it in 2010. “The agency should take a hard look at it and take some action, if necessary,” he said.

But there are no immediate plans to do so. The issue of backover injuries is not mentioned in the commission’s operating plan listing priorities for 2019.

In a statement, the agency’s acting chairman, Ann Marie Buerkle, urged consumers who use riding lawn mowers “to protect their kids by always keeping them out of the mowing area. When it is absolutely necessary to operate the mower in reverse, always look behind you, as well as on the ground before and while backing up.”

FairWarning reached out to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, a trade group, and several manufacturers, including Husqvarna, Ariens and Ryobi, but none agreed to interviews. Massey Ferguson did not respond to a request for comment on the Mineralwells accident.

Adding to the trauma

In almost every case, the operator of the mower is a parent or close family member, compounding the trauma of the accident.

“That night when we were in the hospital … I couldn’t sleep because when I closed my eyes, all I could see was his eyes looking into my eyes,” Ryan Manahl, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, said in an interview, describing the day he backed over his 3-year-old son, Tate. Since the August 2017 accident, Tate has endured more than 30 surgeries to repair severe injuries to his legs and internal organs.

Christina Kennedy said that since the death of her 8-year-old brother in a backover accident in 2010, her parents “struggle every day just to function.” Adding to the family’s misery were the cruel Комментарии и мнения владельцев posted online about Shane’s death.

“I saw many sites that I wished I hadn’t, speaking horribly about the accident,” she said in an email. “Some of the people didn’t go as far as blaming my father for not paying attention, but it’s easy to say those things if you weren’t there.”

Isabelle Norton was 2 when her leg was amputated in a backover accident at her home in Springfield, Oregon, in 2006. As her father, Kirk Norton, was backing up the mower, he saw his nephew waving frantically. By the time he realized what had happened, it was too late, court records show.

The mower’s blades, spinning at 190 mph, did terrible damage to Isabelle’s tiny body. A sheriff’s deputy who responded to the accident said there were “too many pieces of flesh and bone” scattered across the yard to describe in his report. He found Isabelle’s left foot near the mower and, 20 feet away, three of her toes.

The accident happened in 2006, but lawyers for the child are still locked in a marathon legal battle with mower manufacturer Deere Co, the giant producer of construction, farm and garden equipment. Last year, a jury found that the mower was defectively designed and awarded Isabelle 12.25 million, holding Deere 78 percent responsible for the damages. The jury put the rest of the blame on her father, who is serving a 17-year sentence in state prison after being convicted in 2011 of sexual abuse and sodomy in an unrelated case. Deere denied liability and has appealed the jury’s decision in the mower case, which could add several years to the litigation. Kirk Norton has also appealed.

Both Deere officials and Kirk Norton’s lawyer did not respond to interview requests.

”Someone backs over somebody and is not taking any responsibility for that.”

During the March 2018 trial, lawyers for Deere defended the mower’s design. It was ”well engineered, well designed, and well built,” and Isabelle’s father was to blame for her injuries, a Deere lawyer said in court. ”Someone backs over somebody and is not taking any responsibility for that.”

But Isabelle’s lawyer, Don Corson, argued that Deere — whose iconic green-yellow mowers and tractors are found in millions of garages and yards — was ignoring a product defect that continues to kill and maim children.

“The manufacturer in this case knew about these problems for decades,” Corson said, according to a court transcript. “They knew there was a large number of serious lawn mower backover injuries, and they knew that they were particularly happening to young children, and they knew about the human limitations when backing up.”

Corson cited internal memos from Deere that showed how the company experimented with backover safety systems in the 1980s and the early 2000s. The company introduced the ”no mow in reverse” design, which allowed users the option of overriding the safety feature, in the late 1990s. That design became the industry standard several years later. Nathan Hemming, a product safety engineer at Deere, acknowledged in testimony at the trial that the company never evaluated whether the system reduced accidents.

“The manufacturer in this case knew about these problems for decades.”

Isabelle, now 15, has been left with chronic health problems in addition to the loss of her left leg, according to court records.

“This kid goes to bed in pain every night,” Sandra McCoy, Isabelle’s aunt, said in testimony at the 2018 trial. “Sometimes she wakes up in the middle of the night and you can hear her crutches going through the house to the microwave to heat up her rice pack. She doesn’t like to wake people up to tell them that she’s in pain.”

Citing the pending appeal, Corson declined to make Isabelle or her family available for comment.

A concession to consumers — or failing to protect them?

According to representatives of lawn mower companies, the override that allows for mowing in reverse is a concession to consumers who want flexibility when they mow. But family members of injured children and safety advocates say the override results in manufacturers having it both ways as they try to shield themselves from lawsuits — slapping warnings in their operator manuals and on their websites to not mow in reverse, but enabling operators to do it.

Even with the override, critics say, manufacturers could reduce the risk by placing the button behind operators so they would have to look behind to engage it, allowing them to see if there’s a child nearby.

The study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine identified this as a serious flaw. “Operators are able to reengage the mower blades while traveling in reverse without ever looking behind them, which negates the safety purpose of the mechanism,” the study said, referring to the “no mow in reverse” design.

Kaye, the Consumer Product Safety Commission commissioner, said it appears to be a case in which letting the ”industry police itself is failing to protect consumers.” He added that “in almost every case” of companies claiming that an override feature ”is demanded by consumers and would otherwise make the product not usable or salable. that turns out to be nonsense.”

MTD Products — a major power equipment maker based in Valley City, Ohio — said in an email that the override feature doesn’t pose a threat to users.

“Providing the operator a conscious choice to temporarily maintain power to the implement can help to improve utility and shorten mowing time, without compromising safety,” an MTD spokeswoman wrote.

Deere has used similar language in arguing that accidents happen because of operator error, saying the operator makes a conscious decision to use an override every time he or she backs up.

“Blaming the user is a hell of a lot easier than spending the money to do it right.”

“Industry has figured that blaming the user is a hell of a lot easier than spending the money to do it right,” said Sean Kane, president of the consulting firm Safety Research Strategies Inc. “If there was a real desire by the industry to see this go away, it could have easily gone away.”

In 1982, MTD introduced mowers that did not cut in reverse and had no override. For the next two decades, the company boasted, it didn’t have a single backover accident.

Writing to a news organization in 2001, an MTD executive said that the company’s co-founder, Theo Moll, “believed that protecting children was more important than the loss in sales due to customer resistance.”

But evidently, MTD saw itself losing out to competitors who were installing overrides. In 2005 — once the voluntary standard was in effect — MTD began to do the same.

An MTD spokeswoman said in an email that the company made the change to satisfy customers with “differing mowing demands.”

She added that the company has seen “no discernible increase” in accidents since 2005, but noted that MTD “does not know how many such accidents occur.”

Consumed by guilt

Adults who back over children are deeply conscious of their mistake. In interviews with FairWarning, parents spoke of the tremendous sense of guilt and personal responsibility.

But families are also angry at the industry for failing to offer safer designs.

“We can’t lock our kids in kennels while we mow the lawn,” Jennifer Heim said. In 2015, her son Wyatt, then 4, lost a toe and suffered serious leg injuries when his grandfather backed over him with a riding mower in East Dubuque, Illinois. Heim said she had warned Wyatt about lawn mower safety many times. But it’s difficult to communicate the risks of amputation to a child.

“There has to be some kind of give and take from manufacturers,” she said.

Crusading on the issue

John Brooks, a building and safety inspector who lives in Orlando, Florida, has become a crusader on the issue.

Brooks became aware of backover accidents when Ireland Nugent, 2, lost both her legs in a backover in Florida in 2013.

Horrified, Brooks assumed the manufacturer would do something following a flurry of media attention, but nothing happened. Soon after, Brooks learned of three more mower accidents in Florida.

“If a guy like me can see this is terrible, I’d hope a manufacturer would say the same thing to themselves and ask, ‘How can we reduce this?’” Brooks said.

Brooks formed an online community of hundreds of families affected by lawn mower accidents. With a few other members he helps raise funds to pay their medical bills. Last year, he conducted an informal survey of his group for Isabelle Norton’s lawyer.

Brooks has little faith that companies will take action, so he’s developing an aftermarket device designed to shut down mowers when children approach.

“Some of the first people I want to give my device to are the people who were injured,” Brooks said. “I want their kids to feel like it’s impossible for that equipment to harm them again.”

Richard Gill, an engineer who testified as a plaintiff’s expert in Isabelle Norton’s case, noted that as far back as the 1960s, backovers were known to be a severe hazard — one that manufacturers had a moral obligation to address.

“Here we are 50 some years later — nothing has changed,” Gill said.

Eli Wolfe can be reached at eli.wolfe@fairwarning.org

Lawn Mower Safety for Kids

Having your child cut the grass can be helpful to you. It can also give your child a sense of responsibility. But mowing the lawn can be dangerous. Each year, both children and adults are hurt using riding mowers and walk-behind or hand power mowers.

Check for these things to help keep your child safe while using a lawn mower. Also, be sure to keep the lawn mower well-maintained.

What to teach your child

Your child needs to be aware of the dangers of lawn mowers. Before you let your child cut the grass, be sure to teach him or her the following:

• Anyone who uses the lawn mower should read the operator’s manual. He or she should also read any instructions on the mower itself.
• Each time the mower is used, all parts should be checked to make sure they are in good working order. Parts to be checked include protective guards, shields, and the grass catcher.
• Appropriate clothing should be worn. This includes sturdy, closed-toe shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing. It could get caught in moving parts of the mower.
• Hands and feet should be kept away from moving parts.
• Twigs, rocks, toys, and other materials should be cleared out of the area to be mowed. This is because these items could be picked up and thrown by the mower blades, injuring nearby people.
• A lawn mower should not be used on wet grass or during bad weather, such as a thunderstorm.
• Operators should watch where they’re going while mowing. They should look out for holes, ditches, and hidden hazards. Care should be taken when turning corners.
• When mowing on slopes, speed should be reduced during sharp turns. Extra attention is needed on steeper slopes. For instance, a riding mower should be directed up and down the slope to prevent tipping. And a walk-behind mower should be directed side-to-side so the operator can’t slip under the mower.
• The mower blade for riding mowers should be disengaged when on pavement or gravel. Read the instruction manual to learn how to do this.
• The mower should be shut off and cooled down before any adjustments or repairs are made, or before the mower is unclogged. Also, it should be shut off when the grass catcher is emptied, and anytime the operator walks away from it.
• The mower should be shut off and allowed to cool before gasoline is added.

Is your child ready to mow?

Mowing takes a certain level of judgment, strength, and coordination to do safely. Follow these tips to decide whether your child is ready:

• As a general rule, your child should be at least 12 years old to use a walk-behind power mower or hand mower. A child should be at least 16 years old to use a riding lawn mower.
• Spend time teaching and showing your child how to properly use mowing equipment. Review the safety tips listed above with your child. And make sure your child knows how to stop the mower quickly if needed.
• Supervise your child’s work until you are sure that he or she can mow safely alone.

Keeping young children safe around lawn mowers

No matter who is mowing, precautions need to be taken to protect younger children. Here are ways to keep young kids from being injured by lawn mowers:

• Pay attention to where children are while the lawn is being mowed. Don’t allow them near the area being worked on. Keep children younger than 6 years old indoors while mowing is being done.
• Never let anyone, including a child, ride as a passenger on a riding mower. Lawn mowers are made to carry one person only. Also, don’t let children be towed behind the mower in a cart or trailer.
• Teach kids that the lawn mower is not a toy. They should not play with it or sit on it, even when it is turned off and in storage.

StayWell last reviewed this educational content on 5/1/2018

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

Study: Half of Lawn Mower Injuries Involving Kids Require Amputation

than half of children injured in lawn mower accidents require an amputation of some sort, according to a study released March 1.

Researchers combing through data involving 199 children injured in lawn mower accidents in Pennsylvania found that 106 of those kids — or 53 percent — needed to undergo an amputation, such as removal of a finger or toe. The study was released at the 2016 meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The lawn mower injuries happened between 2002 and 2013 among kids up to age 18.

“We have to find a way to stop kids from being around mowers,” says Dr. Douglas Armstrong, lead author of the study and director of pediatric orthopaedic surgery at the Penn State Hershey Pediatric Bone and Joint Institute. “Many parents don’t realize that the blade is such a forceful, blunt instrument — even if it is hidden under the mower.”

• Boys accounted for 81 percent of the injuries.
• 55 percent of the injuries involved a riding mower.
• 91 percent of the injuries occurred between April and September.
• Injuries often occurred when adults didn’t realize children were around a mower.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends children be at least 12 years old before operating a push mower and 16 years old before using a riding lawn mower.

In 2010, more than 235,000 adults and 17,000 children in the U.S. were injured by lawn mowers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Boys sustain 80 percent of lawn mower injuries, which usually happen on the arms or hands.

John Egan

John Egan is the former editor in chief of LawnStarter.com. Now, he is a freelance writer extraordinaire. He lives in Austin, Texas.

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The Best Toy Lawn Mower of 2023

When you’re looking for the best toy lawn mower for your little one, you’ll want to choose something that easily rolls across the grass. Whether they are riding it or pushing it, the toy lawn mower should have features like thick, chunky wheels and a handle or steering wheel that is easy to use.

Below, you’ll find our top recommendations — from ride-on lawn mowers to push mowers that blow bubbles, plus mowers with working sounds and lights.

Best Toy Lawn Mowers

Both the Little Tikes Gas ‘n Go Mower and the Melissa Doug Turtle Mower do not require batteries as they are not electronic but they offer many great interactive features for little toddlers. However, the TOMY John Deere Lawn Mower and the Husqvarna Leaf Blower, Weed Eater, and Lawn Mower require batteries (which are included) as they are electronic and mimic adult mowers with other realistic features.

Little Tikes Gas ‘n Go Mower

The Little Tikes Gas ‘n Go Mower doesn’t need batteries to operate but still has plenty of fun functions to keep your little one entertained. It’s recommended for children ages 18 months and older.

As your child pushes this along, beads pop inside. There are also moving parts including a pull cord, key to turn on the engine, and movable throttle. The pull string makes a vrooming sound that mimics a lawn mower engine and a gas can is also included. When your child manipulates the different moving parts, they are working their finger muscles and improving fine motor skills.

In addition to the moving parts, this has bright, visually stimulating colors. The red gas can sits in place without falling out while the mower is being used.

Since the body of the mower sits lower to the ground, it can be hard to push over grass sometimes. This is especially true if your child wants to go fast to enjoy the popping sound. Additionally, even though this isn’t electric, the popping sound can become quite loud.

Pros

• Bright, visually stimulating colors
• Comes with a gas can
• Has a pull string that makes a motor noise
• Balls inside pop when the mower is pushed
• Key and throttle that can be moved
• Good for fine motor skills
• No batteries needed

Melissa Doug Snappy Turtle Mower

The Melissa Doug Snappy Turtle Mower features a cute, friendly design that your child will love. It also has several interactive features that make it fun to play with even without the use of batteries and is recommended for kids between ages 2 and 4.

The front of this mower has a cute, turtle face and the body has foot-like corners. The top of the mower is a shell that opens to reveal a storage compartment. Your child will love keeping toys or a drink inside as they’re pushing the mower around the yard.

One of the benefits of this toy lawn mower is that it’s designed for younger kids. It features a sturdy handle that is better for kids that are still wobbly on their feet. It can even support a little weight so it won’t tip easily like other mowers if your child is leaning on it.

There are also plenty of interactive features on this mower. The pull cord mimics the starter on a real mower and it makes a mechanical noise that younger children will love. There is also a sliding feature and a clicking dial. These parts your child can manipulate are great for exercising fine motor skills and dexterity. A toy fuel can is also included so your child can gas up their toy.

As a Melissa Doug toy, this is a product you can expect quality from. If you have any problems, their customer service team is usually quick to resolve them. Additionally, you can feel comfortable knowing that craftmanship is considered when making each toy.

One thing to note is that the body of the mower is close to the ground. This makes it difficult to push across the grass, which makes this better as a toy used on concrete or indoors.

Pros

• Cute, turtle design
• Shell opens up to reveal a storage space
• Knobs and slides your child can manipulate
• Comes with a gas can
• Handle is sturdier than some other toy lawn mowers
• Great customer service

TOMY John Deere Electronic Lawn Mower

The TOMY John Deere Electronic Lawn Mower is a great push along toy for ages two and up. It has plenty of interactive features and moving parts for your child to play with.

One of the more ‘realistic’ features of this mower is the rotating blade in the back. This is surrounded by plastic and has toy grass clippings inside that your child can watch go around as they push the lawn mower forward.

There are also plenty of buttons and other interactive features. There’s a talking voice that tells your child to check the oil and gas. Some of the other buttons make real lawn mower sounds. You’ll need three AA batteries for the electric features and the batteries are included.

The one downside of this mower is that it isn’t the best for use on a lawn. It is lightweight and the wheels are large, however, the body of the lawn mower sits low to the ground. This makes it better for this toy lawn mower to be used on a hard surface like concrete or indoors. It’s also better for younger kids because the handle isn’t especially tall.

The John Deere toy mower is also a good choice if you’re looking for something that doesn’t take up a lot of space. It has an extendable handle that can also be folded flat for easier storage.

Pros

• Lots of interactive features
• Can see the grass rotating through the blades
• Voice feature
• Makes lawn mower sounds
• Handle folds flat for storage
• Lightweight design and chunky tires
• Designed for outdoor use

Husqvarna Toy Lawn Mower for HU800AWD

The Husqvarna Toy Lawn Mower for HU800AWD is a great choice for kids that love watching mom and dad mow the lawn. It’s modeled after the Husqvarna HU800AWD, for a more realistic roleplaying experience as your child mows. For kids that love playing with toy lawn equipment, this can be purchased alongside Husqvarna’s other toys, including a hedge trimmer, leaf blower, and chainsaw.

The Husqvarna toy lawn mower features realistic engine sounds and visually stimulating lights. It’s advertised that the sound should continue until your child pushes the stop button. This is a test function and there’s a switch to change it to the “on” setting. This can be hard to locate, especially since the manual is not included with this. If your child’s mower doesn’t run continuously, you can look up how to change this setting online.

You’ll need 3 AA batteries for the lawn mower function to work. While these are included, the batteries that come with lawn mower are of lower quality. If they seem not to work or the sound isn’t clear, try switching them out.

Even though this is modeled after a real lawn mower, it doesn’t have a pull-start function. The wheels are of better quality than others, though, and made of a rubber material. There’s a good amount of tread and this navigates over grass easily. Additionally, the handle is lightweight but still durable which makes this a great outdoor toy.

This set also includes a toy leaf blower and a toy weed eater. With this set, kid can help dad with the entire lawn like a boss!

Pros

• Modeled after a real Husqvarna mower
• Realistic sounds and lights
• Wheels have good tread and are made from rubber
• Pushes over grass easily
• Lightweight, but durable design
• Part of a line of other toy lawn equipment for more fun

Best Ride-On Toy Lawn Mower

John Deere Ground Force Tractor with Trailer

The John Deere Ground Force Tractor with Trailer is the best ride-on toy lawn mower for your little one. It’s recommended for kids ages 3-7 years old so it’s a great gift for a toddler to enjoy for years to come.

This mower runs at two different speeds; 2.5 mph and 4.5 mph. The lower speed is great for learning, while the higher speed is still safe enough that young kids can play. This can be moved forward and in reverse and it features an accelerator and brakes. Your child can also listen to music while the drive since it comes with a working FM radio.

The tires have a good amount of traction and the vehicle moves over surfaces like grass, concrete, and gravel with ease. It is powered using a 12V battery, which is included. To preserve the battery life, you’ll want to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer closely. If you don’t follow the instructions, the battery will hold less of a charge and may eventually stop working completely.

This requires quite a bit of assembly before it’s ready to play. The John Deere lawn mower has the option for expert assembly, though it does cost quite a bit. However, if you aren’t good at putting things together, it might be the best choice. The instructions included with this mower only include pictures, so they can be hard to understand.

Pros

• Recommended age of 3-7 years
• Moves over grass, gravel, and other surfaces
• Comes with a powerful 12V battery
• Trailer to pull behind the mower
• Working FM radio
• Two different speeds
• Moves in forward and reverse

Best Bubble Lawn Mowers

The Fisher-Price Bubble Mower offers very easy bubble refill but the reservoir does not have a lid which allows for easy bubble spillage; whereas the Bubble-N-Go Bubble Lawn Mower has a gas tank to hold the bubbles with a gas cap that reduces the amount of bubble solution spilling out.

Bubble Mower for Toddlers

The Bubble Mower for Toddlers is recommended for kids ages three and older. In addition to the mower, this comes with three bottles of bubble solution and three wands.

This visually engaging toy is great for younger kids. The bright colors are visually engaging and the mower blows bubbles as it’s pushed along. It also blows bubbles when it isn’t being pushed, which is great if your child likes to chase bubbles too.

In addition to blowing bubbles, this also makes realistic lawn mower sounds when it’s turned on. You’ll need 3 AA batteries for the mower, which are not included. It is easy to assemble out of the box and a small screwdriver is included. Once assembled, it has a lightweight design that’s easy for a child to handle.

The biggest flaw of this bubble lawn mower is the area where the bubbles are held. It has an open space in the front, so bubbles can fall out if your child bumps the mower to hard or tips it forward. There’s also no area to catch the excess bubble fluid, so you go through a lot of bubble mix quickly.

Pros

• Comes with three bottles of bubble solution
• Lightweight design
• Makes engine sounds
• Bright, visually engaging colors
• Comes with a screwdriver, easy assembly
• Easy for a child to push around
• Bubbles operate independently from the mower

Fisher-Price Bubble Mower

The Fisher-Price Bubble Mower is designed so the bubbles blow as the wheels turn, so you don’t need batteries for it to run. It’s recommended for ages 2-5 years.

Even though this doesn’t require batteries, the mechanics let your child see the ‘motor’ as it spins around inside. It also makes mowing sounds, though they aren’t very loud since they aren’t electronic.

The bubbles in this mower come out of the side near the ground. It’s easy to refill, however, there isn’t a lid so the bubble solution can spill if the mower is tipped over. However, this is designed with a lightweight handle and large wheels that make it less likely the mower will tip. The large wheels also move over grass easily, so your child is less likely to struggle.

While it is nice that this toy lawn mower doesn’t require batteries, it can be harder for a younger kid to operate. You have to push it along at the right speed to get the bubbles to come out. It’s also not as easy for them to chase bubbles since they’ll need to push the mower to make them.

mowing can be deadly

Pros

• Large wheels move over grass easily
• Lightweight handle reduces tip-over risk
• No batteries required
• Realistic motor and sounds
• Great for toddlers, age 2-5 years

ToyVelt Bubble Lawn Mower for Kids

The ToyVelt Bubble Lawn Mower for Kids plays music and automatically blows bubbles, which is great for a continuous stream of bubbles. It’s recommended for ages 3-6 years.

As your child plays with the mower, it blows an average of 1,000 bubbles per minute. Since it’s automatic, your child can push it or they can set the mower to the side while they chase the bubbles. There are four bottles of bubble solution included, so you won’t have to buy more right away.

Something to note is that the area the bubble solution goes in isn’t closed on top, so it’s easy for it to spill when it’s filled. This is especially true if your child is pushing it over bumpy surfaces like grass.

You’ll need to assemble this before giving it to your little one, but it’s easy enough to do. Snap on the handle and wheels, install the batteries, and it’s ready to play with. This toy lawn mower requires 3 AA batteries.

It does move over grass and other surfaces like concrete easily. The mower features chunky wheels with good traction and a lightweight design.

When your child turns the bubbles on, music also starts to play. The music is loud and there is no volume control. You also cannot operate the bubble function without music.

Something else that parents will appreciate is that this mower comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s always a plus when a company stands behind their toy with a guarantee.

Pros

• Plays music
• Bubbles blow automatically
• Easy to assemble
• Moves over grass
• Comes with 4 bottles of bubble solution
• Blows about 1,000 bubbles per minute
• Lightweight design
• 30-day guarantee

Bubble-N-Go Deluxe Toy Lawn Mower

The Bubble-N-Go Deluxe Toy Lawn Mower features bright, engaging colors and a unique design that reduces the amount of bubble solution spilled compared to other designs. It’s recommended for kids age 3-7 years.

This toy lawn mower blows bubbles using a mechanism that moves gears inside the mower. As the wheels on the mower turn, the gears move and blow bubbles. There is also a mechanical noise that mimics the sound of a lawn mower engine, which adds to the fun. This lawn mower operates without any batteries.

Your child may need to play with this a few times before they can do it themselves. If they go too fast or too slow, it won’t produce a lot of bubbles. There is one bottle of bubble solution included with this set.

This toy lawn mower has a ‘gas cap’ that opens for your child to pour the bubbles inside. Once the bubbles are in, the top closes. There is also an area on the lawn mower for the bubble container to sit so your child can keep it close while they are moving around the yard. Some people have reported that the bubble reservoir leaks a little bit. If the bubble area does seem to be leaking underneath, consider returning it or contacting the manufacturer because this might be a design flaw.

Something else to note is that the gears are going to wear down with this toy. This is a very affordable bubble lawn mower and the quality reflects that. Most people report that it lasts about six months to a year before the gears that make the bubbles blow breakdown and quit working.

Pros

• Has a ‘gas cap’ where the bubbles are poured in
• Area for the bubbles to sit on top of the mower
• Doesn’t require batteries
• Blows lots of bubbles at the right speed
• Doesn’t spill as much bubble solution as other bubble lawn mowers
• Mechanical noise mimics lawnmower sounds

Best Miniature Toy Lawn Mower

1/64 Kubota Z700 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

1/64 Kubota Z700 Zero Turn Lawn Mower is recommended for kids ages 4 and up. It is safe for younger kids because it’s made of metal and rubber but only if they don’t tend to chew on toys and have adult supervision.

Overall, the toy measures 3.5 x 2 x 2.5 inches with a scale of 1/64. It has a fun pull-back action children will love. It’s even small enough to put on a birthday cake with tons of frosting grass.

The toy is bright orange with black accents and a very authentic appearance. Just like Kubota products it’s realistic and includes graphics. This isn’t just some cheap toy but a high-quality model.

Adults can use this toy as a paperweight or for miniature farm displays. It’s lightweight too at under half a pound.

Kids can easily carry it in their hands making it great for taking outside to let their little action figures mow the grass. Take it anywhere as it’s so small and portable.

Pros

• Made of metal and rubber
• Portable for fun on the go
• Great for birthday cates
• Black and orange
• Tires have good tread
• Can hold a figurine

Toy Lawn Mowers Compared

The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.

Toy Lawn Mower Buying Criteria

Design

There are several types of toy lawn mowers. Many are meant for your child to push along, but there are riding toy lawn mowers as well. Some have lights and sounds, while others might blow bubbles while your child pushes the mower along.

You’ll want to consider what is going to keep your child most engaged as they play. Do they just want something to mow the lawn like mom or dad, or would they prefer something with lights or bubbles to hold their attention?

Something else to consider in regards to the design is how realistic the toy lawn mower is. If your child wants something like mom and dad use, then you may want to look for something with realistic features like a gas cap and a pull start motor. Finding something with realistic sounds can also improve your child’s playtime experience.

Safety

The biggest factor when choosing a child’s toy is overall safety. You can ensure a toy is going to be safe for your child by following the manufacturer’s age recommendations. Usually, toys with smaller parts that could be a choking hazard are recommended for ages three and older.

For kid’s toy lawn mowers, you’ll want to be wary of any moving parts that could pinch small fingers. You’ll also want to check for smaller parts that could break off. For ride-on lawn mowers, a major factor in safety is your child being old enough to properly handle the lawn mower.

You should also supervise closely while they are playing. Be sure they know safety regulations like staying seated while riding and keeping their hands in the vehicle. You should also be sure to have them play away from things they could hit or run over.

Functionality

When you buy a push along toy, it’s important that it’s the right height for your child. If the handle sits too low, they’ll have to bend over to push it. This is hard when you’re trying to play and it can make your child’s back sore. If it sits too high, it can also be uncomfortable to push. It’ll also be harder for your child to move the toy lawn mower and make it go forward.

In addition to the height, you’ll want to consider the design of the lawn mower handle. It should be the right size to comfortably fit in your child’s hands. The size of the wheels should also be big enough that they can easily roll over the grass without your child having to push too hard.

When looking at bubble lawn mowers, you’ll want to consider how it blows bubbles. Some are automatic and require batteries, while others use gears to make bubbles blow as the wheels go around. It might be easier for younger kids to operate an automatic one since its constant speed needs to be maintained for the mechanical one. You’ll also want to consider how the bubbles are put into the machine and how likely they are to spill.

For riding lawn mowers, you’ll want to consider factors like how easy it is for your child to operate. If they can’t figure it out, they won’t be able to operate it safely. Additionally, you’ll want something that can navigate over grass, dirt, and gravel easily.

Durability

Durability is an important factor to look for in any toy. When a toy is durable, it’s going to last long enough for your child to enjoy it. You should expect a toy push-along mower to last at least a few years, while a ride-on lawn mower should last even longer. Even though toy lawn mowers are toys designed for the outdoors, it’s important that you store them properly (away from rain, wind, and dirt that gets on toys that are left outside).

With or Without Batteries

Like most toys, you can find toy lawn mowers with or without batteries. The ones that do have batteries may have working lights or sounds or have automatic bubble blowing. Even when lawn mowers don’t require batteries, they might still make mechanical sound from gears, balls bouncing around, or other fun features. If you do choose a lawn mower with batteries, you’ll want to consider the overall battery life and how many batteries are included.

If you’re looking at a ride-on lawn mower, you’ll want to consider the voltage of the battery and how long it can be used. Most ride-on toy lawn mowers use a large, rechargeable battery. The size of the voltage affects how well it powers the motor. Sometimes, parents may buy a higher voltage battery to upgrade their child’s ride-on lawn mower. You’ll want to follow manufacturer instructions closely for recharging this type of battery to ensure you get the longest use out of it.

FAQs About Toy Lawn Mower

What are the benefits of playing with a toy lawn mower?

The main benefit of playing with a toy lawn mower is the way it encourages physical activity. As your child pushes their toy around the yard, they are getting exercise.

For toddlers, a toy lawn mower gives them something to hold onto while they walk, which can improve their walking skills. Pushing a toy lawn mower works your child’s muscles and gets blood flowing in the same way that physical activity does.

Finding physical activity your child enjoys and doing it regularly is important for reducing the risk of diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease as well. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day to maintain health.

Riding toy lawn mowers also have benefits for your child. They teach hand-eye coordination, help with your child’s sense of balance, nurture independence and fine motor skills, and more. Additionally, your child needs to be able to follow directions to use ride-on lawn mowers, which is another important skill.

Both styles of toy lawn mower also encourage role-playing. When your child assumes a role (like mowing the lawn like mom or dad), they’re learning how to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. This teaches empathy that is very important for developing social relationships.

What is the best bubble lawn mower?

The best bubble lawn mower is the Lydaz Bubble Mower for Toddlers. This toy lawn mower uses batteries, so the bubbles operate separately from the wheels. Your child also doesn’t have to push the mower to make the bubbles blow. Even though the bubble solution can spill out, this seems to be a common problem with toy bubble lawn mowers. It does come with several bottles of solution to get you started.

How old should my child be to use a ride-on toy lawn mower?

The age your child should use a ride-on toy lawn mower depends on manufacturer recommendations. Some mowers are recommended for kids as young as 18 months old, when they can sit up on their own and follow basic instructions. These may not have as many features as a ride on toy mower designed for an older kid, especially since that makes them harder to operate. Mowers designed for younger kids are also going to have a lower speed.

Once your child is ready for a faster ride-on lawn mower, you’ll want to be sure they follow directions well. Toy mowers designed for older kids may move forward and backward and have more than one speed. Even if your child is older, you’ll want to supervise them closely to be sure they don’t crash into anything or get hurt. Even though mowers for older kids might move faster, they still don’t usually go faster than 5 mph. Some may also have more than one speed setting, which allows your child to get comfortable driving around before they go at a faster speed.

Samantha Davis is a part-time writer and a full-time mommy of two boys, Apollo (age 5) and Adrien (age 7). She has been working as a writer for seven years and loves the freedom it gives her to spend time with her boys and fiance.and do things like camping, swimming, and painting. She is also a parent to three fur babies- two dogs and a cat!