We love wooden balance bikes and think they’re an absolute must for your toddler’s outdoor toy collection! They are great for getting your little one outside and active. And starting with a balance bike eliminates most of the difficulty when learning to ride a pedal bike. Lightweight frames make a wooden balance bike a great option.
In this post:
- What is a balance bike?
- How old do kids need to be to use a balance bike?
- Best Wooden Balance Bikes
- Bike Accessories
- Key Consideration When Buying a Balance Bike
- Bike Safety
- Where to Ride a Balance Bike
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What is a balance bike?
A balance bike – or a scoot bike – is a bike without peddles. It allows kids to build their balance as they learn to pick up their feet and glide along. Kids feel safe, comfortable, and in control, knowing that they can put their feet down at any time. It is an excellent way to get kids biking. Once they have mastered balancing, it is a breeze to transition to a pedal bike.
A balance bike helps kids build strength, coordination, and independence, all while having lots of fun.
- Looking for other great toys for active toddlers? Check out our favorite outdoor climbers!
How old do kids need to be to use a balance bike?
As soon as kids can walk, they can use a balance bike. We have seen kids as young as 18 months old already leaning into turns and zipping around the neighborhood.
A tricycle doesn’t help kids with balance, so skip the tricycle phase and go straight for a balance bike. Or opt for a tricycle that can be reconfigured into a 2 wheeled balance bike. This leaves room for growth. You might be surprised how quickly your child will be ready for the 2 wheeled version.
Wooden Balance Bikes
Wooden balance bikes offer cute styling and are light and easy for kids to ride. They can have a low environmental impact since they’re made from wood, a renewable resource. Win-win.
Here are our top 5 favorite wooden balance bikes.
1. Samara Joy 4-in-1 Adjustable Balance Bike for 18 Months to 5 Years Old
- Seat Height: 11-16 inches
- Bike Weight: 4 pounds
- Warranty: none
This bike is nice and compact and makes for a great first bike. It is made for the tiniest of riders and is recommended for kids 18 to 5 years old. You can check the fit by measuring your child’s inseam. We love that the bike can be configured in 4 different ways and grows with your kids.
The bike is extra light and easy for kids to lift and move independently. It has multiple features to keep young ones safe, like a foam steering mechanism that prevents quick and sharp turns and flat airless tires to limit speed.
The bike is easy to assemble in under 10 minutes using the included Allen key.
Check prices for Samara Joy Balance Bike
2. leg&go Balance Bike 3in1 for Kids and Toddlers Ages 1-5
- Seat Height: 10 to 18.5 inches
- Bike Weight: 7.3 pounds
- Warranty: 5 year
This award-winning balance bike is extremely versatile. You can configure it in three ways to accommodate kids as they grow. These configurations allow it to use used by kids ages 1 to 5 with a seat height of up to 18.5 inches. This is higher than any other wooden balance bike we have seen.
It has a steering limiter to prevent sharp turns and keep kids safe. The bike is still reasonably light, making it easy for kids to maneuver. The wooden frame provides excellent suspension and makes for a comfy ride. It comes with inflatable tires and metal rims.
It is expensive but an excellent investment if you’re looking for a bike to use for years or pass down to younger siblings.
Check prices for leg&go Balance Bike
3. Kinderfeets
- Seat Height: 12 to 15 inches
- Bike Weight: 7 pounds
- Warranty: none
This wooden balance bike also boasts awards and comes in 4 color options. It has a cushioned seat, footpegs on either side of the frame for kids to place their feet while gliding along, and a low step-through design. This frame design makes it easy for little ones to get on and off. The tires are airless but still have an excellent grip. This makes them puncture-proof, so there is no need to worry about flat tires.
Biodegradable tires and a frame made from bamboo or fast-growing birch trees make this wooded balance bike an environmentally friendly purchase.
Assembly is easy and requires only 10 to 20 minutes. It is rated for riders up to 65 pounds.
Check prices for Kinderfeets Balance Bike
4. Kinderfeets TinyTot 2-in-1 Wooden Balance Bike and Tricycle
- Seat Height: 8.5 to 11 inches
- Bike Weight: 5 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
This bamboo bike features a tricycle and bicycle configuration. It’s a great choice if you want to get your little one mobile even before they’re a confident walker. Starting at about 12 months, toddlers can begin scooting around on the stable and wide tricycle and soon transition to a 2 wheeled balance bike. It has airless tires and a cushioned seat. The bike’s styling is cute, and it comes in 4 color options.
It is recommended for kids ages 12 to 24 months old and has a total weight capacity of 44 pounds.
Check prices for Kinderfeets TinyTot 2-in-1 Balance Bike
5. Lil’ Rider 2-in-1 Balance Bike & Push Tricycle
- Seat Height: 10 inches
- Bike Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Warranty: none
This bike has a tricycle and 2 wheeled balance bike configuration and is a good budget option. The tricycle is extra stable and helps pre-walkers, and new walkers build muscle and get around. It has a 30 pounds weight capacity and is recommended for kids aged 12 months to 3 years old. It comes with a padded and adjustable seat, rubber wheels, and rubber handlebar grips.
The bike is easily assembled by following the included directions and by using the included Allen key. Its birch frame is sturdy and made to last, but it is on the smaller side and doesn’t leave much room for kids to grow.
Check prices for Lil’ Rider 2-in-1 Balance Bike
Bike Accessories
Add a cute basket to a balance bike for transporting favorite toys or any other items that a toddler might find necessary to bring along.
A bike stand can keep bikes organized and makes it easy for kids to put their bikes away when finished riding.
- Looking for more ways to keep kids active? Try some indoor soft play equipment or a backyard climbing dome!
Key Consideration When Buying a Balance Bike
Size, size, size! You want to make sure that your kids truly can fit on the bike and that there is room to grow. Measure your child’s inseam and compare that with seat heights. You don’t want to end up with a too-small bike because it will make it difficult for kids to lift their feet off the ground and practice balancing. A bike that is too big, on the other hand, will lead to them falling over.
Bike Safety
- Helmets. It is important to build the habit of wearing a helmet from the time that kids are young. Helmets not only protect kids falling from a bike but also from injuries caused by other moving objects.
- Supervision. Kids need to be superized when biking to help avoid accidents.
- Biking environment. Find car-free spaces for kids to ride and avoiding hills until kids are VERY comfortable stopping themselves when biking outside. When biking inisde, make sure that all stairs are fully blocked off with baby gates.
Where to Ride a Balance Bike
- On family walks
- Riding around the col de sac
- On the bike path
- At the park
- In the backyard
- Around the house
- Riding through puddles
Our personal favorite is to take the balance bike out for a spin on the bike path. Little ones quickly learn to stay to the side and allow room for others to pass, and we don’t have to worry about cars. Toddlers come home tired but proud of their long rides.
Protip: Bring the stroller on longer walks/rides with little ones. We find that our toddlers make it a long way out on longer rides but don’t always make it back to the car.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you will consider investing in a wooden balance bike. It’ll bring your kids hours of enjoyment, build a lifelong love of being active, and it will be fun for you to watch their skills develop. If you’re okay with a second-hand balance bike, try checking Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. There are a lot of used ones out there!
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