Balance Bike, Green, Made of Aluminium, Hape My First Balance Bike. 12 months +

Product Information

But Take Note: This starter bike is small and may not be suitable for taller kids in the recommended age category. We had a strider and it was brilliant. Also amazing customer service when we needed some help.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user SpanielPlusToddler) Our verdict

A balance bike is a kids' bike with no cranks or pedals. It allows a child to ride on two wheels without pedals so that they can learn to balance before moving on to full pedal cycling. What age is best for a balance bike? Designed with small children in mind, the comfortable saddle will fit any small child and the cushioned handlebars ensure easy grasping.

We work with young people who are homeless and those living in places that aren't safe or don't have a proper tenancy. We help them get somewhere to live that's right for them, and we support them in their tenancies. The temptation to spend less rather than more is understandable if you’re worried about splashing out on an item that could end up gathering dust. However, it’s really worth remembering that the likelihood of this happening is slashed if the bike is fun to ride. The wheels are slide-proof which means they won’t scratch the floor and even though we have taken ours outside they haven’t got damaged or scratchy. The handlebars are also non-slip and have chunky ends perfect for little hands to grip onto. Posie knows exactly what to do on the bike having watched her brother on his and is well away learning how to change direction and get on the move wheel-wise! The steering is limited to 60 degrees which means she can’t veer off wildly in the wrong direction so it almost holds her hand as she learns these skills.

These awards involve over 500 child and parent judges home-testing shortlisted toys for over 8 weeks. Then each nominee goes through several judging days involving industry experts and influencer family judges with a combined YouTube following of over 600,000!

The best place to learn to ride a balance bike is an environment with “soft surfaces with little to no obstacles, with a gentle downhill,” Connor Swegle tells us. The minimal grade “allows a slight assist for a young rider where they can generate speed and utilize their braking skills while learning to coordinate their pedaling,” he says. If you're worried about what size bike to get, don't worry as many companies will offer bikes based on age, giving a rough range of ages that the bike will fit. Brands like Kiddimoto offer balance bikes for 0-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-5 years, and finally 5+ years, ensuring there should be something available for every age. How much do people spend on balance bikes? While it may be a bit heavy for a child who has just turned two, the Frog Tadpole comes into its own from around age three. Like the Islabikes Rothan, it’s purposefully designed to suit a specific age range and performs well on all surfaces. The comfy padding on the handles and seat makes the bike great for longer rides and the brake handle is easy for little hands to reach to slow down and stop with confidence. The Tadpole is on the pricey side but it is the closest you can get to a ‘proper’ bike as a balance bike and the resale value is really good.

Our outreach teams on the streets actively look for homeless young people. We provide a friendly ear as well as referring them to the right people and organisations who can help them Why We Like It: This bike is easy to assemble, even for novices, and you can take it from a balance bike to a pedal bike as kids gain confidence in their riding.

7. Best height-adjustable balance bike: Strider 12 Sport

We asked real parents to put some of the UK's top balance bikes through their paces, letting their young children try out each model and taking detailed notes on a number of points: Warnings: Adult supervision required at all times. To avoid danger of tipping forward, do not let children stand up and lean on the handlebars. Children must remain seated at all times. At Beehive Toy Factory safety is our number one priority which is why all of our toys exceed the minimum safety requirements as set out in the Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011. Bought for Grandsons 1st birthday, he absolutely loves it, great design, solidly built, would highly recommend to buy." Two-year-old toddlers fit right into the recommended-age sweet spot for this light 12-inch balance bike. Unlike some other bikes on our list, this one comes with a braking system, with a hand lever you can adjust to suit the child/ The brake itself is located above the chainstay to keep it away from kids’ feet. Grippy handlebars and a steering limiter (basically a strap that prevents the front wheel from turning too far one way or the other) helps keep riders steady, and they can hold themselves in place on the ergonomic seat.