Store Ride On Car for Winter

By BalanceBikeToddler Editorial Team · Published 2026-10-24

Short answer: Cold kills ride-on batteries stored empty. How to put a car away for winter and bring it back in spring: charge, store indoors, and top up monthly.

Winter is the season most ride-on batteries die — not from the cold alone, but from being stored empty. This guide covers how to put a car away and bring it back.

Charge fully before storing

Never store the car dead. Charge the battery to full, then charge it again every month or so while it sits. A lead-acid battery left empty sulfates and loses capacity permanently — this is the single biggest storage mistake. The [battery care guide](/guides/maintenance/kids-ride-on-battery-care) covers the details.

Store it indoors if you can

A garage or shed beats outdoors. Cold and moisture corrode terminals and shorten battery life. If it must stay outside, at least bring the battery indoors and keep the car covered and off the ground.

Do the pre-storage checks

• Wipe the car down and dry the wheels and body.
• Disconnect or remove the battery if storing indoors anyway.
• Check the tires and, on a rubber-tired car, note any wear to replace in spring — see the [tire guide](/guides/category_spec/kids-ride-on-tires-grass).

Bringing it back in spring

Charge it fully before the first spring ride. If it will not hold a charge, the battery is the likely culprit and is replaceable — cheaper than a new car, as the [under-$200 guide](/guides/budget/kids-ride-on-under-200) notes.

One more thing

While it is stored, confirm the car still suits the child's size and weight for the coming season; the [weight limit guide](/guides/risk/kids-ride-on-weight-limit) is the number to check before a bigger kid climbs in.

Further reading

• [Charge ride on 12V 24V battery](/guides/maintenance/kids-ride-on-battery-care)
• [Ride on car tires for grass](/guides/category_spec/kids-ride-on-tires-grass)
• [Best ride on car under $200](/guides/budget/kids-ride-on-under-200)

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Products Mentioned in This Guide

• Step2 Whisper Ride II Kids Push Car, Ride-On Car with Seat Belt and Horn, Quick Fold Handle, Stroller Alternative, Toddlers aSource-based score, full specs & safety checklist for the Step2 Whisper Ride II Kids Push Car, Ride-On Car with Seat Belt and Horn, Quick Fold Handle, Stroller Alternative, Toddlers a.
• Step2 Push Around Buggy Kids Push Car, Ride On Toy, Stroller Substitute, Includes Seat Belt & Horn, Made of Durable Plastic,Source-based score, full specs & safety checklist for the Step2 Push Around Buggy Kids Push Car, Ride On Toy, Stroller Substitute, Includes Seat Belt & Horn, Made of Durable Plastic,.
• Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Umbrella Stroller for Toddlers with Reclining Seat, Large Storage Basket, Canopy, Infant & Parent Trays, Compact Fold for Summer Travel, Durable Frame, Slate GraySource-based score, full specs & safety checklist for the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Umbrella Stroller for Toddlers with Reclining Seat, Large Storage Basket, Canopy, Infant & Parent Trays, Compact Fold for Summer Travel, Durable Frame, Slate Gray.

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