The best bikes for toddlers

Riding a bike can be an important skill for your little ones. It’s a lot of fun but can also help develop vital motor skills and help them get around safely and independently when they get older.

Toddler bikes are there to help your little one in the early days before they transition to a full children’s bike. There are so many options to help your little one gain the gross motors skills needed to ride a bike though. And, with so many toddler bikes on the market, which ones are best?

At what age should I buy a bike for my toddler?

There’s no set age when it comes to buying bikes for toddlers, but some models will be suitable for different age ranges. As soon as they can walk, they should also be able to scoot around on a toddler ride-on or tricycle, meaning there are suitable toddler bikes for 1-year-olds and up.

Balance bikes for toddlers might be more suitable for 2-year-olds and up. By 3 years old, they might be ready for a small bike with training wheels or stabilisers.

Different types of bikes for toddlers 

‘Bike’ is short for ‘bicycle’ meaning it has two wheels but there are plenty of stable options such as tricycles and four-wheeled ride-ons that are generally described as toddler bikes.

Another option is a two-wheeled balance bike, which doesn’t have pedals and a chain and is moved instead by the rider pushing their feet against the ground. Finally, they will move on to a ‘real’ bike. This might come with stabilisers initially but sometimes your child will be confident enough to go directly from a balance bike to a full bicycle without training wheels.

Some toddler bikes are convertible, allowing you to change the format depending on your child’s age, stage, skills and requirements.

What size bike is suitable for a toddler?

Getting the right size is an important part of choosing the best bikes for toddlers. Young toddlers will be best suited to stable options such as trikes and ride-alongs, before moving on to balance bikes.

‘Big’ bikes are generally measured by their wheel size and a first bike for youngsters with a height of 98cm or less (average age under 3) will generally have a wheel size of 9”-10”.

By the time they have a height between 98-104cm (age 3-5), they will probably want to move to bikes with a wheel size of 10”-12”.

Between 105-111cm (age 4-6) they will be moving up to bikes with wheel sizes between 12”-14”.

Is a bike or tricycle better for a toddler?

It depends on your toddler, their age, size and where and how the bike or trike will be used. Tricycles offer a lot of stability, which can be important for younger toddlers. These can be push-along ride-ons but can also come with pedals, which can get your little one used to using pedal-power.

Tricycles tend to be better on flat surfaces though (as do bikes with stabilisers). If you want to get your child used to riding on uneven terrain like they will eventually do with a big kids’ bike, a balance bike might be a good option.

14 of the best bikes for toddlers

1. besrey 5 in 1 Toddler Trike to Balance Bike

This is one of the best bikes for toddlers if you’re looking for versatility and a bike you can use for a long time. It has 5 configurations making it suitable from 10 months to 4 years. It can be used as: tricycle without pedals; baby walker without pedals; tricycle with pedals; baby walker with pedals; balance bike without pedals.

2. Strider 12 Sport balance bike

This lightweight balance bike is a great choice for encouraging your little one to develop their balance and motor skills. Quick release clamps allow the seat and handlebar height to be easily adjusted. This means the bike grows with your child and it can be used all the way from 18 months to 5 years.

3. LOL-FUN Balance Bike for 1 Year Old

Start them young with this baby balance bike suitable for 12-24 months boys and girls who are also learning to walk. The widened and cushioned wheels help balance and protect your floor but the bike can also be used outdoors.

4. Chillafish Charlie 10" Balance Bike

Chillafish Charlie is a hyper lightweight balance trainer bike with puncture-proof tires and a high-quality metal frame. It weighs just 5.5lbs (2.5kg) so it’s easier for your little one to control, and it comes with a built-in carry handle to make it easy for you to carry to the park.

5. Bigjig Toys My First Balance Bike

With a beautiful wooden frame, this first balance bike for toddlers looks great and is also lightweight and practical. With a padded adjustable seat, long lasting solid tyres and easy to grip handlebars, your toddler will love their new adventures on this early years balance bike.

6. Top Bright Wooden Baby Trike

This wooden baby ride-on is a perfect bike for 1-year-olds and up. The 4-wheel design makes it incredibly sturdy and stable, making it a great choice bike for younger toddlers. It’s made of high-quality wood with rubber wheels to avoid damage to your floors and anything they might bump into.

7. HOMCOM Toddler Pedal Motorcycle

You won’t find a much cooler trike than this pedal-along motorcycle toddler bike. It plays three different songs and has working front lights. It’s a great transition bike before they get to two wheels and is recommended for ages 18-36 months, with a maximum weight of 20kg.

8. Scuttlebug 3-Wheel Foldable Ride-On Tricycle

How cute are these bug-themed fold-away tricycles for toddlers? This is a great first push bikes for 1-3 year old boys or girls with a cute beetle bug face, 3 ‘legs’ and antennae handlebar. It folds away easily for storage or carrying, letting your little one scuttle around anywhere!

9. Afranti Baby Dinosaur Balance Bike with Bubble Machine

Add to the fun of your toddler’s first ride-on with this dinosaur-themed 4-wheeled bike that blows bubbles when you ride it! This baby dinosaur toddler bike will help encourage balance and motor skills and is suitable from 10 months up.

10. YGJT 4 in 1 Toddler bike

Whether you’re looking for bikes for 2-year-olds, bikes for 3-year-olds or older, this 4-in1 adjustable toddler bike is suitable for lots of different stages. Designed for toddlers 2-4 years old, it can be used with a pedal or without, with training wheel mode, balance bike mode and bike mode.

11. Huffy Disney Pixar Cars 12" Bike

If you’re looking for bikes for 3 year olds and up, they’ll love this Pixar Cars-themed training bike. Like Lightning McQueen they’ll be able to fulfill their need for speed while the removeable stablisers will allow them to practice and improve their skills in safety.

12. Kinderfeets Tiny Tot Plus wooden balance bike and trike

Handmade with sustainable birchwood, non-toxic handlebar grips and water-based lacquers, this bike is just as good for the environment as it is for your child. Every balance bike purchase even helps plant a tree through the Trees for the Future scheme.

13. Banana LT Balance Toddler Bike

With its distinctive curved frame design, the Banana Bike is a great lightweight balance bike for 2-5 year old boys and girls alike. The adjustable seat and handlebar can be easily altered to accommodate your child as they grow.

14. BIKESTAR Safety Lightweight Kids First Balance Bike

This is a great bike for older toddlers aged 3-plus. With its chunky pneumatic tyres and suspension, it can cover any ground and the frame is reversible for high and low settings – letting the bike adapt as your child grows. It’s a perfect transitional toddler bike before they move on to a full-size kids’ bike.

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