Kids Ride On Car Remote Controls: A Parents Guide to Taking Control

As a mum to three adventurous kids, each having their own ride on car at some point in their childhood, I quickly learned the value of parental remote controls for both safety and fun when operating these super fun toys.

With my eldest, Maddison, the remote control was a lifesaver, allowing me to steer her away from danger when she got a bit too carried away. For my son Harry, who’s full of adventure but easily distracted, the emergency stop feature gave me full control over his driving adventures.

In both circumstances the remote control unit gave me peace of mind, knowing I could steer the kids away from bumps with the push of a button.

In this guide I hope to educate fellow parents about the remote control feature in kid’s ride-on cars, and why it is a must-have for the perfect balance of fun and safety.

What’s in this guide

Kids ride on car remote control technology
Kids cars remote control unit types
How to make power wheels remote control operated?
Using remote controls to teach kids about safe driving

Part One

Kids Ride On Car Remote Control Technology

Let me share with you what I’ve learned about the two main types of parental remote controls – Bluetooth and traditional radio frequency (RF) – and how they’ve worked with my kids’ ride-on cars.

Bluetooth remote controls: The Bluetooth connection was very easy to set up, it’s a bit like pairing a phone with a speaker. It’s great because the connection doesn’t get interfered with by other devices, ensuring I have control over the car when we’re playing in the park, even if it’s crowded. The range is about 20 metres, which is perfect for keeping my little ones close and safe.

Traditional radio frequency (RF) remote controls: My older kids’ cars came with RF remote controls. These have a longer range, which was handy in large open spaces, allowing the kids more freedom to explore. However, I quickly learned that interference from other devices can be an issue, especially when Harry’s car started responding unpredictably. It turned out to be a neighbour’s remote-controlled device on a similar frequency. Once resolved, it was smooth sailing.

Part Two

Kids Cars Remote Control Unit Types

Generally speaking most kids ride on cars are sold with one of four remote control unit types. Each unit has its own model number, however the images below should make it easy to recognise yours.

Remote Control Unit JR1602FCC (White)

This is by far the most common remote control unit sold with our kids cars. It includes a sleek white design with black buttons.

Pairing this remote unit: To pair this unit simply press the up and down buttons on the far left of the unit together for three seconds. When the LED lights flash, turn the car power on. Once paired, the LED light will stop flashing.
Moving the car forward: To move the car forward, press the arrow pointing upwards on the left hand side.
Moving the car backward: To move the car backwards, press the down arrow button on the left hand side.

Steering the car: Simply use the left and right arrows on the right hand side of the unit to steer the car.
Braking: The button marked “P” on the right hand side is to brake.
Speed adjustments: The button marked “S” on the left hand side is to adjust the speed. When 1 LED light shows, the car is in low speed mode, 2 LED lights indicate the car is in medium speed mode, and 3 LED lights means the car is in high speed mode.
Batteries: This unit takes 2 x AAA batteries.
Frequency: This unit has a frequency of between 2.407GHz – 2.473GHz.

Remote Control Unit K2J88054 (Red)

Another common type of remote control is this red unit with black buttons.

Pairing this remote unit: To pair this unit simply press the larger button in the middle of the remote control for 2-4 seconds. The low speed LED light will then flash meaning you should turn the car power on. Once the remote control is paired, the LED light will stop flashing.
Moving the car forward and backwards: To move the car forward or backwards, press either the up or down arrows to the left hand side of the unit.
Steering the car: The left and right arrows on the right hand side steer the car.

Braking: The button marked “P” on the far left of the unit, allows the car to brake gently.
Speed adjustments: The button marked “S” on the left hand side sets the speed. If 1 LED light shows, the car is in slow mode, 2 LED lights indicates medium speed mode, with 3 lights signally the car is in maximum speed mode.
Batteries: This unit takes 2 x AAA batteries.
Frequency: This unit has a frequency of between 2.407GHz – 2.473GHz.

Remote Control Unit RX23 (White)

The second white unit in our guide, the RX23 model isn’t quite as popular as the JR1602FCC model, but is still sold with lots of ride on toys.

Pairing this remote unit: To start the pairing process, power off the car and press the larger button in the middle of the unit for 2-4 seconds until the LED light starts to flash. Once the LED light starts to flash, turn the car power on, once the pairing process is complete, the LED light will stop flashing.
Moving the car forward and backwards: Pressing the up or down arrow on the left hand side of the unit will move the toy forwards or backwards.
Steering the car: The left and right arrows on the right hand side steer the car.

Braking: The button marked “P” on the left of the remote control will engage the brake.
Speed adjustments: The “S” button on the left hand side is for the speed settings. If 1 LED light shows, the car is in slow mode, 2 LED lights indicates medium speed mode, with 3 lights signally the car is in maximum speed mode.
Batteries: This unit takes 2 x AAA batteries.
Frequency: This unit has a frequency of between 2.407GHz – 2.473GHz.

Remote Control Unit HY2025RX-SE-12V (Black)

The last of the remote control units in this guide is the black HY2025RX-SE-12V. This unit features a sleek black design with grey buttons.

Pairing this remote unit: To pair this unit press the button in the middle of the unit marked with the zig zag symbol, which represents a wireless connection.
Moving the car forward and backwards: The up and down arrows on the left of the unit, move the toy backwards or forwards.
Steering the car: The left and right arrows on the right hand side steer the toy.

Braking: The “P” button on the right hand side applies the brakes.
Speed adjustments: The button marked “S” on the left hand side sets the speed. If 1 LED light shows, the car is in slow mode, 2 LED lights indicates medium speed mode, with 3 lights signally the car is in maximum speed mode.
Batteries: This unit takes 2 x AAA batteries.
Frequency: This unit has a frequency of between 2.407GHz – 2.473GHz.

Part Three

How to Make Power Wheels Remote Control Operated?

To make your Power Wheels remote control operated, pair the remote control by pressing the pairing button for 2-4 seconds while the toy’s power is off. When the LED light starts to flash, turn the toy’s power on, once in remote control mode, the LED light will stop flashing. In my experience, this is the method used for most remote control units.

Part Four

Using Remote Controls to Teach Kids About Safe Driving

As a mother of three adventurous little spirits, each with their own ride-on car, I’ve discovered the power of remote controls as an invaluable teaching tool. Here are some strategies I’ve employed to teach my kids about safe driving practices, using the remote controls of their ride-on cars:

Setting boundaries: Using the remote control, I set physical boundaries for where they can drive. If they venture too far, I gently steer them back or use the stop function. This teaches them the importance of staying within safe areas.
Practicing stop and go: One of the first games we played was “Red Light, Green Light.” I’d use the remote to control the stop and go, teaching them to respond to traffic signals. It’s a fun way to develop their understanding of traffic rules and the importance of paying attention to signals for safe driving.

Lightning McQueen Ride On Car Headlights

Speed control: With the remote, I can control the speed of their cars, which is perfect for teaching them about speed management. We talk about how different speeds are appropriate for different situations, just like in real driving. It’s a practical, hands-on way to show them how speed affects their ability to stop or maneuver safely.
Encouraging observation: While they’re driving, I’ll occasionally use the remote to introduce unexpected stops or changes in direction. This encourages them to be alert and ready for the unexpected, mirroring real-life driving where conditions can change rapidly. We discuss how important it is to always be observant and prepared.

Conclusion

Remote controls transformed our ride-on cars into interactive adventure tools. They also turned playtime into learning opportunities, allowing me to teach the kids driving basics and road safety in a fun, engaging way.

From ensuring safety to enhancing play, remote controls in ride-on cars have been indispensable in our family. For any parent considering a ride-on car, I can’t recommend one with a remote control enough—it’s a game-changer for safety and enjoyment.

In short, as a mother, the remote control feature in kids’ ride-on cars is a must-have for the perfect balance of fun and safety.

About the Author

Hannah Hill

Entrepreneur, and mother of three. Hannah is a toy expert with 20+ years in the online toy industry, founding the Kidaroos website that sells 10,000+ toys per year. Hannah is always looking for new, innovative ways to keep everyone's kids active and energised in a world full of screens and social media and has been featured in publications such as Authority Magazine.