Product Review: IKEA RUSIG Rocker

This is a very inexpensive rocker made out of red Polypropylene (a fancy word for a type of plastic) with a synthetic rubber runner along the rocking curves at the base. The rocker retails for USD$9.95 at Ikea, making this such a cheap product that you could even afford to buy two of - one for indoors and one for outdoors!

The red surface has a nice, shiny luster and the seat has a matte finish for better grip.  The Rusig is easily cleaned with any household grade, non-abrasive detergent and applicator (soft cloth, sponge or paper towels).  Soap and water actually works best and is the safest around children.  We left our Rusig out on a side, covered deck through the entire Michigan winter and it only took a little water and a few paper towels to clean it out. The base of the rocker has a little ridge that the child can place his or her feet on for safety, but it also acts as a reservoir for water or dirt and makes it easy to clean, should you decide to leave it outside.

The Rusig has an open "hole" at either end of the seat, offering the child ample room to safely and securely grip onto the rocker while rocking. These spaces are cleverly designed because the child is able to really grip tight enough to use his or her body to propel and give momentum to the rocker. There is even room at each end for two little hands, which is nice when the child is facing forward and needs to hold onto the front with both hands. The other advantage of the easy grip feature is that, without an adult pushing, the child can develop confidence and independence, refine skills in balance and co-ordination and yet still be safe.

The product only weighs 1.5 kg so it is very easily for a child to pull or carry this rocker around from room to room, which my daughter loves to do. The product's light weight, along with the smooth lines and curves, limits the risk of injuries to small toes and little bodies. The only drawback is that, in my opinion, the seat is not very comfortable. Now, I wouldn't say it is uncomfortable, just that it is not cushioned or anything.  My daughter does not however seem to mind.  In fact, I think their diaper-padded tushies may be a good buffer between themselves and the polypropylene.  Well, it's not like they are going to sit and rock on it for half an hour. At most Mini-V plays on it for about 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

I also like that Ikea went to the trouble of adding protective rubber strips underneath. We have hardwood floors and Mini-V often drags the Rusig across it and it has never damaged or even left skid marks on my floors. Even if she did, I suspect it would be very easy to wipe clean. The other nice thing about these rubber strips is that the rocker moves very quietly on hard floors and does not skid, so it makes the product even safer and more enjoyable.  If they omitted the rubber strips, I imagine the product would have not held its grip on the floor as well and would have rendered the product potentially quite unsafe.

Well, we purchased this for my daughter when she was around 12 months and by about 14 months she started to really enjoy the Rusig (note: the product recommendation is 18 months+).  Now, at 27 months, she rocks really fast both frontways, backways and sideways! She absolutely loves it, loves toting it around the house and if she forgets where she puts it, she says "where's my yee-haw?" - cute! Overall, I think this is a great product for the playroom or backyard, it's inexpensive, durable and fun for the kids. It also helps them develop important physical and emotional skills. A great buy!

Product dimensions

Width: 31 1/8 "
Depth: 15 3/8 "
Height: 13 "

Width: 79 cm
Depth: 39 cm
Height: 33 cm