Ride on toys and Balance Bikes

Learning to ride a bike is one of the fundamental challenges, rites of passage, and memories of childhood. The traditional method of learning to ride a bike begins with a tricycle, which provides stability while children learn the concepts of pedaling and steering. After the child outgrows the tricycle, a regular bicycle with training wheels is usually the next step. Most parents think that this helps the child learn balance and control of the bicycle, thus making it easier for the child to transition to a bike without training wheels. However, learning to rely on training wheels can often make it more difficult for children to ride without them. A better option is often for a child to learn balance on a Balance Bike. A Balance Bike is built just like a standard bike, however, it has no pedals or chains. The child learns balance by coasting on the bike without worrying about pedaling. Once the child learns balance, pedaling and steering are easy to pick up. These bikes are quite popular among children ages two all the way through six. Many children still enjoy riding them even after mastering a "regular" bicycle. With the popularity of the Balance Bike, there is also quite a wide range to look through when you are considering buying one either for your own child or as a gift to another child. Brands such as Kiddimoto and LikeABike offer many options for buyers, including size, style, material, and color. Some balance bikes are wooden, and there are also aluminum models that look more like standard bicycles. The first major consideration of buying a Balance Bike should be size. No matter how helpful the concept, the bike will not be a helpful learning tool if it is sized incorrectly. You can find a bike that is sized in the toddler range, or some that are sized for preschoolers and even older children. The second consideration is the color and style that the child would prefer. Few children are excited to ride a bike that is not their style, after all! Balance Bikes are available for boys and for girls in a variety of colors, making it very simple to find one that will meet your rider's needs.