Balance Bikes For Toddlers

When it comes to toys for your toddlers, balance bikes can be a great choice. It helps in keeping them active and teaches them how to maintain body balance. According to a study, toddlers who played on balance bikes, learn to ride a real bike much quicker than those who did not have one. Your kids can get conscious when they get the first real bike. If they have used a balance bike when they were young, they will ride the real bike with confidence. Also, if your toddler spends some alone time, there are better chances of development of their own personality. It happened with my elder son also. As the balance bikes are safe toys, there is very less chance of your kids falling from them. Also, there are no small pieces which are often associated with choking hazards.


Benefits of using a balance bike

Balance bikes are always one of the best toys you can gift to your 1-year-old toddler. Following are the top reasons:

  • Affection with a balance bike will encourage your toddler to go outside and play.
  • As parents can also accompany the kids and watch them play with the best toy, there is an opportunity for the whole family to burn some calories.
  • Your kid will learn to ride a real bike much faster than those kids who never rode a balance bike.
  • These toys are quite affordable.
  • Toddlers never get bored with the balance bike. They can discover new things in the ground and their imagination will bloom.
  • The hand-eye coordination of your kid will improve dramatically.
  • Even psychiatrists encourage parents of kids with mental disabilities to buy balance bikes for their kids. Being safe toys and easy to use, balance bikes can provide a great start to autistic kids in life.

6 Best Balance Bikes For Toddlers

Balance bikes are available in the market for a long time. They regained popularity in 2010 when parents realized that they have been fallen prey to the gimmick of video game makers and their children are becoming couch potatoes. Balance bikes encourage kids to go outside and play. As the toy regained its glory, many new companies started making them. The new production line has a lot of features like enhanced safety, lighter body, better aerodynamics, and cooler looks.

Following are the top 6 balance bikes for toddlers available in the market today. If you are confused about which balance bike you should choose for your toddler, just go through the list. You will be able to make a decision easily.

Image ProductsBuy
AFFORDABLE Kinderfeets Retro
The 2-in-1 wooden bike Kinderfeets Retro Tot can be converted into a balance bike or a tricycle easily.
BEST OVERALL Hape Scoot Around Ride On Wood Bike
This is one of the most uniquely designed balance bikes available in the market.
BEST BUDGETChillafish Bunzi Gradual Balance Bike
Made with lightweight and high-quality ABS material, this balance bike offers safety for your kid.
Wishbone 3 in 1 Original Bike
Rust-free anodized aluminum frame; maintenance-free sealed bearings; flat-free foam rubber tires and tool-free adjustment clamps
Pewi Ybike Ride-on Toy and Walking Buddy
As soon as your kid learns to stand, Ybike will become the best friend of your kid.
YBIKE Balance Bike
The interesting design and bright colour will attract your child in the first glance.

1. Kinderfeets Retro Tot 2-in-1 Wooden Balance Bike and Tricycle (Adjustable Cushion Seat)

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The 2-in-1 Wooden Balance bike Kinderfeets Retro Tot can be converted into a balance bike or a tricycle easily. Designed for the kids between the ages of 12 months to 24 months, your kid can start with a tricycle and you can convert it to a balance bike once he or she becomes comfortable.

The wooden made balance bike comes with cushion seat making the cycle lightweight and very comfortable. You will need to do some minor adjustments like the seat height as your toddler grows. Adjustments are easily manageable with common household tools. If you are looking for the smallest balance bike available in the market, go for this one. Seat height can be adjusted between 9 inches and 11.5 inches.

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2. Hape Scoot Around Ride On Wood Bike

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This is one of the most uniquely designed wooden balance bikes available in the market. The amazing design and bright colour make the kids fall in love with it instantly. Floor to seat height is 228mm or 8.98 inches. 

Hape Scoot Around kid’s wooden ride On balance bike comes in green and yellow colour combination so your kids like the most. These bikes are very affordable so you do not have to think twice before buying one of these amazing toys for your kids.

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3. Chillafish Bunzi Gradual Balance Bike

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Chillafish Bunzi Gradual Balance Bike comes with a unique design that can be converted from a three-wheeler to a two-wheeled balance bike in just a few seconds. You can teach your child about balancing in different steps. First, they will ride a tricycle and once they are comfortable with it, you can switch it to a well-built balance bike.

Made with lightweight and high-quality ABS material, this balance bike offers safety for your kid. Its looks will make it your child’s favorite toy instantly. The bike has been designed as a low position bike so that your kid can rest their foot on the floor whenever he/she wants. The adjustable seat height makes it possible to change the seat height as your child grows. Chillafish Bunzi is highly recommended for kids between the ages of 1 to 3. Though the bike has been made using high quality and durable plastic, its low price makes it affordable for everyone. Chillafish Bunzi also comes in different colours.

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4. Wishbone 3 in 1 Original Bike

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The cool design and stunning look of Wishbone 3 in 1 Original Bike make your kid fall in love with this cycle. The adjustable seat, environmentally sustainable design, and rigid frame ensure the safety of your kids when they ride this bike. Another great advantage of buying Wishbone 3 in 1 bike is that you can transform it from a baby walker to a tricycle and eventually to a balance bike as your child grows.

Best suited for the kids between the ages of 1 and 3, this bike helps your kid in developing concentration and enhances their eye-hand coordination. This highly durable and affordable bike also boosts the confidence of your kid. With little adjustments, the bike will remain the best buddy of your toddler for a long time.

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5. Pewi Ybike Ride-on Toy and Walking Buddy

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As soon as your kid learns to stand, Ybike will become the best friend of your kid. The Pewi Ybike has been designed to be a walking buddy and it provides help in developing spatial awareness, body balance and overall motor skills of your kid. This little pink toy will help your kid to manage balance as well.

Pewi Ybike has an innovative and versatile design. Its multi-directional wheels allow your kid to move it in any direction easily. For bigger kids, it’s a fun foot to a floor ride-on toy. If your kid falls in the age range of 12 to 36 months, this cute little toy will be the best buy. It comes in an unassembled pack and can be assembled in a few minutes with common household tools.

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6. YBIKE Balance Bike

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The interesting design and bright colour will attract your child in the first glance. Kids between 1 to 2 years of age can easily ride this bike. The durability and an adjustable seat make it last longer and it will remain the best friend of your kid for a long time. The front wheel of the bike is considerably farther in comparison to other balance bikes available in the market making it easier for the kid to create a bigger turning circle.

The bike not only helps your kid’s development but also enhances eye-hand coordination. It has large wheels and the perfect design makes it possible for the kid to ride the bike for the longest time. YBIKE reduces the risk of falling from the cycle and you need only a couple of minutes to assemble the bike.

All these above balance bikes have great features and help your kids in learning real bike faster.

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How to choose the best balance bike for your toddlers

Being one of the safest toys available in the market for toddlers, you cannot possibly go wrong in choosing one for your children or grandchildren. However, you should keep some points in mind while buying them:

1. Size

The balance bikes come in a variety of sizes. If you are going for a toddler below the age of 2, then buy a bike with 12 inches of height with adjustable seat. If the kid is above 3 years of age then buy a balance bike with 16 inches of height with adjustable seat.

2. Seat height

While buying a balance bike for your toddler, seat height is one of the most important things that you need to take care of. Most of the balance bikes come with adjustable seats and as your toddler grows, you can increase the height of the seat accordingly.

3. Comfort

Though most of the balance bikes are quite comfortable if your little kid has sensitive skin, you should opt for a toy which has cushioned seat and make sure handlebars are covered with soft pads.

4. Tires

You should always opt for rubber or foam tires. Although balance bikes are very safe when your kids are on some bumpy road, tires with better grip will give them a safer ride.

5. Brakes

The main purpose of buying a balance bike for your toddler is to teach about the important parts of a real bike. A balance bike with brakes will allow their mind to learn the importance of brakes.

6. Weight

Different variants of balance bikes are of the different weight range. While buying one for your toddler you should always opt for a lightweight balance bike.

7. Footrest

Your kids need to give rest to their feet very often. Buy a balance bike that comes with footrest. The best one in the market has this feature included.

8. Durability

Always buy a balance bike which is made of durable material. Your kids will ride it till they reach the age of 5 so durability is important.

9. Assembly

Though balance bikes can be assembled with simple tools not all parents are good with tools. You can always check the specification on the packaging to calculate the effort required in assembling the bike.

Using Guide

Riding a balance bike is not tricky but your kid may need to develop some confidence to ride it properly. Here are some tips on how to teach them about riding a balance bike:

  • First of all, allow them to sit and feel the bike. Let them get comfortable with the new toy.
  • Do not push them. If they feel confident they will ride it themselves. Just keep on encouraging them.
  • Safety is very important. Make sure you buy a set of gloves and a helmet for them. This will also help in teaching them a responsibility which will become handy when they ride their first real bike.
  • Make them comfortable with the bike. Tell them it is safe to ride it. This will boost their confidence.
  • If possible, search some video of kids riding a balance bike over the internet. Show these videos to your kids. This will help them understand how easy it is to ride a balance bike.
  • Do not let your kids ride the bike on the road. Let them learn to ride it in a park or in a backyard.

Maintenance Tips

Your toddler cannot tell how safe the bike is, so you have to make sure about their safety. Check and make sure that every part of the bike remains clean and assembled properly.

Following are some points which you need to keep in mind as a parent:

  • Keep the user manual handy while assembling the bike. If you are good with your tools, it won’t take more than 10 minutes to assemble it properly.
  • Adjust all the parts properly. Make sure the seat height is as per your toddler’s needs.
  • Clean the bike at regular intervals.
  • In the beginning, you should accompany your kids to make sure they are safe.
  • Teach your kids the importance of safety. Tell them to wear gloves and helmet every time they ride the bike.
  • Always prefer a reputed brand. Look for the reviews before buying a balance bike for your toddler.

FAQs

Q: Are balance bikes safe?

A: Balance bikes are exclusively made for toddlers and kids under the age of 5. So yes, they have to be safe. All reputed companies emphasize a lot on their designs and make sure they are safe for the kids. The balance bikes are free from sharp edges and are not easy to fall off from. Still, to be on the safer side, buy safety gears like helmet and gloves for your kids.

Q: We live in an urban area. The road is not safe for kids and we do not have a backyard. What to do?

A: Accompany your kid to the parks. Let them ride the bikes in parks. Most of the urban cities have community parks and you will find more kids with balance bikes there. Your child will feel confident if kids are riding similar bikes around him or her.

Q: Can they ride balance bike in a closed room?

A: If the room is empty and big enough then yes. Otherwise, they may get hurt if they fall on a table corner or on things lying around.

Q: What is the best age to give a balance bike to my kid?

A: Balance bikes are designed for kids from the age of 2. If your kid is young enough, then it is time to gift him a balance bike. This will enhance their eye-hand coordination and also help them in gaining self-confidence.

Conclusion

A balance bike should be a part of the life of your toddler. Instead of buying a bunch of video games, it is always better to gift a toy which will help your kids in gaining self-confidence and make them exercise. A balance bike is an addictive toy. No matter your kid is having a meal break or study break. They will always want to ride it more. Your kid will remain healthy and will also socialize with other kids. Watching TV and playing video games have an adverse effect on the eyesight of young kids. Whereas balance bikes will let them explore the neighbourhood and make friends. This is why not only parents but playschools should also have a bunch of balance bikes in their yards and playgrounds.