Toddlers have a
natural desire to keep moving, as both their physical skills and mental skills
are developing at an incredible rate. Between the ages of 2 and 4, it’s
recommended that children get at least half an hour of structured play (led by
an adult) and at least 1 hour of unstructured play (free to themselves).
Riding a bike
is a great activity to help develop strength, motor skills and confidence. It’s
also helpful in sharpening cognition and improving mood. And we all like a
happy kid! So what is the best type of bike to buy for your toddler?
Balance Bikes
Balance bikes
do not have pedals, which makes them very interesting. Instead of pedaling, the
toddler uses their feet to push off the ground and propel themselves along. They
are gaining popularity throughout the world because of their many benefits to the
child.
Because both
feet are on the ground, the child is essentially walking or running, meaning
they are less likely to crash than if they were riding a regular bike. They sit
comfortably on a seat the whole time, which is closer to the ground meaning any
falls will be less likely to result in injury.
Another benefit
of this style of bike means there is no need for training wheels. This means
the child learns to balance themselves, which makes the transition to a normal
bike easier.
Balance bikes
are lightweight and are great for both indoor and outdoor use. Lets Roll
Balance Bikes are made from aluminium which makes them strong, durable and easy
to pick up. I bought one for my nephew for Christmas and he loves it!
The lack of
pedals also means your toddler is forced to lift his legs to propel the
movement of the bike. This increases strength as well as improving agility and
co-ordination. Balance bikes are definitely my favourite option for youngsters.
Tricycles
Tricycles are
another bike with lots of benefits to young children. Having a third wheel
makes the experience less daunting than a regular bike as there is less
pressure to keep the bike upright.
And they still
develop balancing skills while pedaling as well as co-ordination and
strengthening of many key muscle groups. Unlike a normal bike, they don’t have
to pedal fast to go up hills and can go at their own pace.
The low centre
of gravity also means higher safety, as the chance of falling off is greatly
reduced. This will also contribute to a more confident person. Mr Toys has a
great range of trikes.
Small-wheeled bikes
A bike with 12
or 14 inch wheels can be good for a young child, as they will be able to have
more control when riding than a larger standard bike. Furthermore, a single
geared bike will mean there’s less to worry about, so they can focus more on
the actual riding.
The key is to
choose a bike that suits the size of your child. They should be able to easily reach
the ground, brakes and handlebars, otherwise they will not be able to control
it properly and be more likely to injure themselves or just struggle to move
well. On the flipside, the bike should not be too small either.
Small wheeled
bikes are generally for slightly older children but advanced 3-4 year olds are
definitely able to ride them.
Every child is
different so consider all factors, do your research and you should be able to
find a bike that is perfect!