How to choose a bike for your child

Learning to ride a bike is an essential part of childhood, but it’s not just about developing new skills — it’s about staying fit and healthy, and having fun. Cycling has become very popular in the past few years and there are now many different makes, models, sizes, and designs on the market. If you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who is buying a bike for the little ones to enjoy, then our handy bicycle buying guide will help you make the right choice.

Child Bicycle Sizes

Getting the right size of bike is actually very easy. The first thing to understand is that bicycle sizes are based on the size of the wheels, so if you see a 12 inch bicycle advertised, that means the wheels are roughly 12 inches in diameter. The bicycle frame will automatically become larger as the wheel size increases. Here’s an easy-to-use guide for quickly figuring out the size of bike you need for your kids:

Size: 12 inches
This would suit younger children aged 3 to 5, measuring between 98 and 112 cm in height.

Size: 14 inches
This would work well for younger children aged 4 to 6, measuring between 105 and 117 cm in height.

Size: 16 inches
This is a good size for children aged between 5 and 7, measuring between 112 and 125 cm in height.

Size: 18 inches
This is more appropriate for older children aged 6 to 8, measuring between 117 and 129 cm in height.

Size: 20 inches
This is best for pre-teens aged 8 to 11, measuring between 130 and 141 cm in height.

When you’re choosing a bike, it’s always best to base the size on the child’s height, rather than on their age. If your child is smaller or taller than the average range for their age, they’ll have difficulty getting to grips with a bike that isn’t the right size for them.

Remember to size up if you need to. If your child is right at the top end of the optimal height range for a bike, it’s best to choose the next size up. You may notice that some bike sellers have bikes in larger sizes, usually up to 26 inches. These bikes are aimed at adults who want to get in on all the cycling action, too. It’s a great family activity.

Learning to Ride a Bike

Cycling becomes second nature to us quickly, but for our little ones, who are just starting out on their cycling journey, learning to pedal, steer and balance themselves on the bike all at the same time is tricky. That’s why there are training bikes available to help build an interest, and assist children in tackling some of the more challenging aspects of cycling. For very small children, fun bikes will spark an interest in learning to cycle. Tricycles and ride-on toys are ideal, especially for toddlers who want to copy their older siblings.

For children between 2 and 5 years of age, there are two options for parents looking for a bike. The first is balance bikes. Balance bikes, or pedal-less bikes, remove the pedalling aspect and allow your child to focus exclusively on getting their balance. The second choice for parents is bikes with stabilisers. These give your kids the opportunity to practice their pedalling and steering while reducing the risk of crashes and tumbles. Once the child has learned to pedal and steer successfully, you can then remove the stabilisers and work with them on balancing themselves while they’re on the bike.

Teaching your child to ride the bike

As well as giving your child plenty of encouragement, it’s important to make the child feel that they’re in control of the bike. Before they learn to pedal, start by letting them stand with the bike, walking along with it and pulling the brakes. When they start to learn to pedal, teach them to use just one pedal first. Getting used to this feeling of scooting will make them less anxious about wobbling.

Fun Bike Themes for Kids

From Spiderman to Barbie and Disney Princesses, kids' bikes are available in all sorts of themes and designs that will make cycling much more fun and exciting for little ones. You can even get themed bikes for the pre-teen range, such as Monster High bikes. If your kids have a favourite character, they’ll love receiving a character bike, and if they’re not really into characters, don’t worry — at The Toy Store we have a wide range of universal bikes available that suit any age or gender.

Essential Bike Accessories

Safety is paramount, of course, so don’t forget to order a helmet. You may even want to order some elbow or knee pads, too. If the bike you’ve chosen doesn’t come with stabilisers, then be sure to pick up a set of training wheels that you can easily attach to the back of your child's bike for a little extra support.

Cycling is tiring work for little legs, so a kickstand is a good idea for when your kids need to take a well-earned rest. You can add a little extra fun to your child’s cycling adventure by picking up a basket and attaching to the handlebars, or sprucing up your child’s bike with some handlebar tassles.

One way that you can put your mind at rest is by buying a kids bike manufactured by reputable brands such as Chillafish or Razor. These are built to be stable, secure and hardwearing, which makes them safe and reliable.

So now that you know what to look for in a kids’ bike, what are you waiting for? Browse the huge range of bikes available online at The Toy Store and find the perfect fit for your little one.