Before we had kids, we got a dog; my first foray into buying toys. I immediately starting gauging price versus playtime value. I wanted to know the value per minute my hound got out of each toy, before she either got bored of the toy, or it broke. The Kong toys were usually the best as the hardly ever broke – well worth the extra bucks.

Then came the human children and the spoiling started. From teddy bears and princess dolls, to unicorns and magic crystals, they all had a price and an attention span lifespan. A lot of them weren’t cheap. A lot of them broke. Have you seen those little dolls that come in a plastic ball, with branded sealed wrapping around the ball? Housed in an impressive display case? They’re like R400. Don’t buy them – they’re done after a day or two – massive price per minute. Not worth it.

The best toy we ever bought my little princess, was a kids’ John Deere electric tractor. She’s a tomboy at heart and it meant that we could all walk together in the evening for sundowners at the farm, without having to carry her back after we turn around.

Ah yes, a lovely family stroll:

Just look at her go:

Now let me get into the numbers with you.

I agree that R7 000 is completely outrageous in terms of an expense – but hear me out. The first thing you need to do is to see if you can share the cost with someone else. Grandparents? Godparents? Most are usually keen because it’s a rad gift to have your name attached to. Massive bragging rights = easy sell. Think out the box and you can make it happen – even if it means no Lurpak for a few months.

So let’s say you’re in for R3 500. Or less, if you split it more ways or choose another ‘ride on’ toy.

We bought that tractor in 2017 and the little guy who rocked up 18 months ago is already cruising around the garden on it. The last two years have seen that thing charged and recharged a million times. Not a day goes by without a flip in the garden and, when it comes to playdates… please… it trumps a unicorn jumping castle and Shetland ponies any day of the week.

And you don’t have to hire it – it’s there all the time.

Now if you take the cost of the ‘normal’ toys we buy our kids, versus the time they actually play with that toy, there is NOTHING with more value for money than these electric ride-on toys. And you don’t have to drop R7 000 – there’s a huge range of them at SA Scooter Shop – have a little browse here.

And let me tell you something – these things last! If you buy the good ones, I promise you they will be around for a long time. And parts are easy to get as well – not that I’ve needed any (touch wood), and she’s taken that tractor to hell and back on the farm roads!

So the tractor is going to get passed down to my male heir, and the princess is moving up in the world. We needed something with 4X4 capabilities for next level farm touring. And music. And a real engine sound. Something that looks hot in the fynbos.

Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the 24V Ford Ranger F650:

Before I tell you anything about this beast, let me just tell you that it has a remote control. Yup. I can stop that bandit right in her tracks if she heads into unknown bush territory. You can’t change the song she’s playing from the remote but hey, we must let them have some freedom.

It makes a starting sound with an actual key. It’s got gears. It makes revving sounds. It’s got a hooter. You can plug in a USB flash drive with tunes. It even has a handle that folds out for dad to lift it and pull it along with ease.

If you like videos with dramatic music, you’re in luck:

Yup, I think I’m more excited about it than anyone else! You can rifle through the measurements and specifics here.

Look, Christmas is around the corner. If the Ford Ranger isn’t your style, have a little browse at SA Scooter Shop and find one that works for you.

You won’t regret it. Just think of the money you’ll be saving in the long run…