R.J.
ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ride on toy EVER?????? (from age 2-present / aka nearly 8)
The Plasma Car
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Atoys-a...
We nicknamed it "the Scoocher", because while a child can do the handlebar only movement, all the kids in the neighborhood scooched on it by pushing with their feet. By age 3 we started requiring helmets. LOVE LOVE LOVE this toy. The kids in our neighborhood skipped trikes, bigwheels, all the common ride on toys because they had these. Many even pushed off having bikes until 1st or 2nd grade... because these are just FUN. Even adults can ride on them, but they're not as maneuverable for adults heavier weights. For a quieter in-house ride (esp for houses with tile)... just get the wheels they come with switched out for rollerblade wheels at your local bike shop.