Writing this post about bikes for kids feels like years in the making. At two years old, we gifted our oldest child a balance bike. After a year of looking at it, he decided to hop on and give it a go. Now, he is the self-proclaimed CEO of the neighborhood bike club. Riding bikes has been the gift of all three of my boy’s childhood that I truly cherish, and I am so excited to share with you how we got here. Here are the bikes for kids that we’ve had great success with.
Inside this post, you will learn the best age for balance bikes, how to encourage using a balance bike, how to find the correct size bike for your child, and the best biking accessories. Grab your coffee. This is the best post for learning about bikes for kids.
RELATED: Outdoor fun begins with an amazing list of outdoor toys for kids.
- What age should a child pedal a bike?
- What is the best age for a balance bike?
- How do you get your child to ride a balance bike?
- Is a tricycle or balance bike better?
- First, pick a helmet and get a safety sign
- Balance bikes and tricycles
- Pedal bikes for Kids
- What is the correct bike size for a child?
- What size bike does a seven-year-old need?
- Bike accessories for kids
- Taking bikes to go
- FAQ
What age should a child pedal a bike?
Most children learn to ride a pedal bike between the ages of four and six. Yet, age is not as important as experience. Like we gifted the balance bike before he was ready, we had also gifted him a pedal bike one year before they decided it was time. Sound familiar? This is exactly what happened with my oldest and his balance bike. Pedal bikes (and balance bikes) for kids take a little time to warm up to.
First, a child must explore how to balance and trust their body to stay upright. Mixing a tricycle in the mix helps to get comfortable with pedal movements. (more on that below)
Pick a bike that correctly fits your child’s height and weight. I broke the different bikes into the stage my boys were at as they developed their bike riding skills. Let’s begin with the balance bike.
PRO TIP: Forcing a child to ride a pedal bike creates tension and doubt in their ability. Just be ready when your child says it is time to be there to cheer them on. If children have had time to explore the balance bike and tricycle, they will take off with a pedal bike on day one.
What is the best age for a balance bike?
Balance bikes are best used for ages 2-5. Even if your child isn’t ready to hop on and ride off, keeping the bike where they can touch it is best. Your child may need to feel the wheels and hold the balance bike many times before sitting on the seat. Allow your 2-5 year old plenty of time to get comfortable.
After gifting my oldest a balance bike, he looked at it for a year! I could have easily thought there was no interest and passed it along to another family. But boy, am I happy we kept it.
RELATED: Headed outside? Here is a list of my favorite outdoor activities for kids.
How do you get your child to ride a balance bike?
Quick tips to help your child ride a balance bike:
- Clean tires? Keep the balance bike inside to practice around the house.
- Have a back porch? The back porch is where my three-year-old spent most of his time getting comfortable on his balance bike.
- Offer the bike, don’t force it. Keep the balance bike where your toddler can hop on inspired by curiosity.
- Bring the balance bike with you! Have a trail near your house? The balance bike is lightweight and easy to grab and go.
Is a tricycle or balance bike better?
A tricycle and a balance bike work together, allowing a child to practice two important bike riding skills without the complications of doing both simultaneously. As a child has time to practice each, their confidence soars, making the first time on a pedal bike a lot less scary.
Begin with the balance bike (and a tricycle). Balance bikes help children understand how to distribute thier weight and trust their bodies with movement and speed. The tricycle gives children the opportunity to learn how to pedal.
Put it together, and what do you get? A confident bike rider! It is the most incredible combination and experience to witness.
First, pick a helmet and get a safety sign
Picking a kid’s helmet can be one of the most important parts of bike riding safety. Helmets save lives, and I have learned to look for a helmet with MIPS. Read about what MIPS is in this article from Cycling News.
PRO TIP: Teach your child early that if it moves or has wheels, the helmet needs to be on the head. This will build a habit as your child becomes more adventurous.
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Giro Kid’s Bike Helmet
Need a new bike helmet? We love the way the Giro youth bike helmet fits. This bike helmet has MIPS. MIPS Brain Protection System is integrated with the Roc Loc Sport Fit System for an added measure of protection in certain impacts, plus market-leading fit and comfort.
Step2 KidAlert V.W.S. Safety Sign
We have three kids, each in charge of putting a guy on the grass near the street before riding.
Balance bikes and tricycles
Again, having a balance bike along with a tricycle is key! Once your child is ready to hop on a pedal bike, you will see how this pair of riding toys works together. It took all three of my boys ONE day to hop on and confidently take off. There was no looking back! Balance bikes and tricycles are good practice for toddlers and preschoolers.
RELATED: Did you know balance practice can help children learn to read? I wrote this post to explain how and why!
Co-Op Balance Bike
Between the pedaling toys listed in this outdoor toy list and the balance bike, my boys took off the second they were ready for a bike kid bike. Skip the training wheels and build confidence on this bike.
We love this balance bike and used it with all three boys.
Radio Flyer Tricycle
I watched having a tricycle, and a balance bike allowed my boys to hop on their pedal bikes once ready to try it. They had the balance down from the balance bike and the pedal movements from the tricycle.
Pedal bikes for Kids
What comes after the balance bike? A pedal bike! This list is designed from our experience and the bikes we love and use.
Once your child has the hang of a balance bike (and has plenty of practice), they can move into a size 16 kids’ bike. Size 16 bikes are good for ages 4-6.
What is the correct bike size for a child?
Don’t let finding the perfect bikes for kids intimidate you. It is a fairly straightforward sizing decision, and you want a bike that will grow with your child. Size 16 bikes are good for ages 4-6. A 20-24″ bike is best for ages 6-8. Two Wheeling Tots has an excellent article on picking the correct bike size for your child.
Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids’ Bike
This bike is a great size to transition from a balance bike to pedals. There are no gears, so your child can focus on learning to ride a bike without the distractions of hand brakes. We never showed our child the bike came with training wheels.
PRO TIP: We never showed our child the bike has training wheels. After years of riding the balance bike and tricycle, we didn’t want to lose momentum.
What size bike does a seven-year-old need?
Seven-year-olds typically ride well on a 20″ bike. These bikes will teach your child the next phase of bike riding: using gear brakes. After a year of practice on the size 16, my seven-year-old boys were ready to move into a 20 6-speed bike. If you have a taller child, you may want to consider a size 24 bike.
Co-op Cycles REV 20 6-Speed Plus Kids’ Bike
My middle has this bike with extra fat tires. This bike is for a child that enjoys outdoor riding.
Cannondale Quick 20 Kids’ Bike
My almost six-year-old is ready to move into a 20″ bike. This is the bike we are considering for him.
RELATED: Need a birthday gift? This is a great toy list for ages six-nine. This bike accessory list also makes excellent gift ideas!
Bike accessories for kids
What comes after learning how to ride a bike? The fun gear, of course! Here are some items we like to use.
Bike Lock
When you are ready to venture outside the house, you’ll need a bike lock you can trust.
Activ Life Bike Wheel Lights
With the time change, now is a time to brighten up your sidewalk night rides! These LED lights make great gifts for your child or birthdays. TIP: Each pack has enough for ONE wheel.
Brightz BellBrightz LED Light Up Bike Bell
Every bike needs a bell. Your child’s bike has a bell that lets others know they are biking and coming up close.
Bike Cup Holder
One more bike essential is a bike cup holder. My boys like to bike to their friends with water bottles. Now they can bike more safely with both hands on the handlebars.
Backpack
When the boys need to bring something from one house to another, this size 12 backpack is a great way to keep both hands on the handlebars.
Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids 6+
Need your biker home for dinner? Maybe your little rider likes to see how riding helps them add steps. My boys enjoy keeping track of time and movement with thier Ace 3 Fitbit.
Tally Counter 4-Digit Number Count Clicker Counter
What does a tally counter have to do with biking? Hand one to a child in the neighborhood, and you’ll find out! Kids enjoy seeing how many laps they can make with their bikes.
Taking bikes to go
What happens on road trips with kids, and you want to take the bikes? Bring them, of course! We use this tilt-away bike hitch on the back of our SUV. It is bulky but simple enough to put on, take down, and add bikes to the rack.
YAKIMA, RidgeBack Tilt-Away Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack
Taking bikes on a road trip? As a family of five, we use this tilt-away bike rack to travel with bikes.
Learning to ride a bike is a ticket to freedom for kids. Use the combination of a balance bike and tricycle with your toddler, and move into a 16″ bike once ready to try a pedal bike.
Holiday Toy Guides
Welcome to the Days with Grey 2024-2025 holiday gift guide for kids. These toy lists are carefully curated to help you effortlessly make a gift selection you feel great about.
FAQ
A tricycle and a balance bike work together, allowing a child to practice two important bike riding skills without the complications of doing both simultaneously. As a child has time to practice on each, their confidence soars.
Seven-year-olds typically ride well on a 20″ bike. These bikes will teach your child the next phase of bike riding: using gear brakes. After a year of practice on the size 16, my seven-year-old boys were ready to move into a 20 6-speed bike. If you have a taller child, you may want to consider a size 24 bike.
Don’t let finding the perfect bikes for kids intimidate you. It is a fairly straightforward sizing decision, and you want a bike that will grow with your child. Size 16 bikes are good for ages 4-6. A 20-24″ bike is best for ages 6-8. Two Wheeling Tots has an excellent article on picking the correct bike size for your child.
