Looking for a fun outdoor activity for your toddler? If they arent quite ready for a bicycle, give a toddler tricycle a try!
Tricycles come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and children as young as 18 months of age can be seen riding one. For generations, the tricycle has been a childs first experience with cycling. In fact, riding a tricycle seems to be a right of passage for most kids. Starting with a toddler tricycle is a great way to give children independence and encourage outdoor play.
Riding a tricycle is an effective way to improve balance and coordination of various parts of your childs body. Riding a tricycle promotes hand-eye coordination, motor skills and enhances muscle growth. Additionally, it also helps enhance arm-leg coordination as your toddler learns to master climbing on and off the tricycle.
Of course, kids love it because its fun, but it also gives a child confidence in their physical abilities. The sense of accomplishment your child will feel when they pedal for the first time is awesome for their self-esteem.
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most children are ready to ride a tricycle when they are around 3 years old. This is the age when children meet the cognitive milestones needed to succeed at riding a trike. 3-year-old children should be able to listen and respond to directions and have the physical coordination to pedal. If your child is unable to do these then it is a good idea to wait to teach them (not to mention less frustrating for the parent).
Toddler not ready for a tricycle? Check out this post about toddler scooters instead for hours of outdoor fun.
If you buy a tricycle at the wrong time, your little one might not be able to enjoy it. Whats more, the child may completely loathe the idea of riding a tricycle considering the effort it requires. Your toddlers feet should be able to touch the ground, their knees should bend slightly when settled on the pedals and your child should be able to reach the handlebars.
Finding the most age-appropriate trike is not always a walk in the park. Some have seats too far from the pedals that your child cant reach while others come without a footrest. This is when a 4-in-1 or Grow w/ Me tricycle is a good option. The best way for young children to learn the skill of pedaling is to start with a toddler tricycle and then progress to a bigger tricycle as they grow.
Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike
This versatile tricycle is 2 trikes in 1. Pedals lock to become footrests for your child while you steer using the parent steering handle or unlock the pedals and remove the parent push handle when your child is ready to ride on their own. This trike features an adjustable seat that grows with your child and is equipped with a covered rear storage bin so your toddler can bring their favorite toys on every adventure. Supports up to 49 pounds and is constructed of a solid steel frame, chrome bell, and durable molded wheels. Buy one here.
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll N Trike
We like this Radio Flyer, too! Its great for little one and grows with your child. Use it for kids from age 1-5! Thats a lot of years to use one scooter. Use the parent-controlled steering when your toddler doesnt quite have it down yet, but let them slowly gain confidence and independence as they grow by removing pieces to ride alone! The canopy has UV protection and the safety harness will give you peace of mind while your little one races off down the sidewalk! Get this scooter here.
Schwinn Roadster Tricycle
We like this Schwinn for its low-to-the-ground design. Lets be honest, the lower the better when your toddler is getting the hang of tricycles. Those cool chrome fenders give this bike a retro feel that they will love. It comes in six colors and is best for children ages 2-4. The tassels and classic bell are so fun! Get one here today!
smarTrike Breeze Plus
This bike from smarTrike will grow with your toddler from age 1 to age 3 by removing the parent steering, the UV canopy and the foot stands. The parent steering comes with a button to seamlessly switch between parent and child steering control. It comes in two colors and offers a two year warranty. Get it here.
Joovy Tricycoo LX Kids Tricycle
This toddler tricycle can be used form 6 months all the way until your little one turns 5 years old! It has 8 different configurations to accommodate pretty much any size and ability. Get any of the 5 colors here.
Radio Flyer Classic Dual Deck Tricycle
This sturdy trike features steel construction, spoked wheels, a 12 front wheel, and real rubber tires for durability. The controlled turning radius prevents tipping for safe and confident riding. This tricycle is classically styled and includes chrome handlebars and a fender. Your child will also love the streamers and ringing bell, and the double-deck rear step makes climbing on and off easy. The adjustable seat grows with your child. This trike is designed with the seat placement at a 45-degree angle to the pedals, allowing your child to use a downward motion making pedaling easier. Buy this here.
The best way to show your child how pedals work is to demonstrate. You can do that by placing their feet on the pedal and then using your hands to rotate the pedals to make the wheels move. Ensuring that you teach pedaling before putting your little one on a toddler tricycle is going to help with their balance and understanding of how the trike works.
Safety is always the most crucial element of riding any cycle, even a trike. Ensure that you introduce all safety gear to your toddler, including helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads.
Just as kids should always wear helmets when riding bikes, research shows that even tricycle riders should wear a helmet. A study in the journal Pediatrics showed that in and there were about 9,340 tricycle-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms. The head was the most frequently injured body part, and cuts on the face were the most common injury. Make sure your child wears a helmet every time they ride a tricycle. Also, make sure the helmet fits properly.
A helmet should be worn squarely on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead. If it is tipped back, it will not protect the forehead. The helmet should not move around on the head or slide down over the childs eyes when pushed or pulled. The chin strap should be adjusted to fit snugly. When choosing a helmet, look for a sticker inside stating that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
Children learn best by watching you. Whenever you ride your bike, put on your helmet.
Deciding on a toddler tricycle can be overwhelming; there are lots of options to choose from. If you can, test ride the tricycle with your child. You will know instantly if the tricycle is the right choice. If your child isnt with you, look for tricycles that are low to the ground with big wheels that are easier to control due to their low center of gravity and are then less likely to tip over, and always remember, safety first!
Of course, this is a great way to have some outdoor fun with your toddlers. So buckles your helmets and head on out for a good time riding bikes (and trikes) with your little ones!
Are you thinking about getting a new set of wheels for your toddler? Here are the best strollers that turn into trikes and everything you should know about them including their benefits and drawbacks!
Tricycle stroller combo has 3 major benefits that may encourage you to invest in such a product:
lightweight stroller
Of course as all baby gear items, tricycle stroller has some disadvantages too. Some models are quite expensive, some has pretty heavy construction (its a trade off for durability) and some dont fold down.
But dont worry! I picked 4 amazing trike strollers that offer best functionality and price-quality ratio. Below you can read my reviews. At the end I included also a cheaper alternative.
The biggest differences between standard tricycle and tricycle stroller combo is that the latter one includes a push handle for caregivers who can steer it while their little one is learning pedaling. And as I mentioned earlier, some offer parent-facing mode which makes them similar to strollers.
Such a combo grows with babies, thanks to detachable elements you can use it in a stroller mode, push trike mode, and then when your baby is ready in a tricycle mode. Good-quality tricycle stroller is something that will serve your family for a few years, as your little one gains new skills (usually from 6-9 months, even up to 3-5 years).
Each of these tricycles that I recommend here allow children to keep their feet on pedals and move the trikes handlebar as if they were riding a bike, without actually steering it or controlling the wheels. Until you decide that your kiddo is ready to steer the trike, you will have the full control.
Now lets get straight to the point.
The best tricycle strollers are:
What distinguishes Doona Liki Trike is that its the most compact folding tricycle stroller! This makes storage and transportation much easier, ideal for small apartments or bringing Doona for a travel.
To fold the Liki down you just need to push a button, everything takes just a few seconds. Once its folded, it doesnt take up a lot of space and fits even in small car trunks.
Another thing that I really like about this tricycle stroller combo is its weight. Liki weighs only 14.7 lbs which is similar to lightweight umbrella strollers! You wont have any problems with carrying it or lifting to the car trunk.
With competitive price and timely delivery, ChiSure sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Related articles:Lets check other the functions that Doona Liki Trike can offer your toddler.
Its suitable from 10 months, in a parent mode. In this mode you have the seat facing out (unfortunately its not reversible), and offers a slight recline so your child could rest a bit after all that excitement and exploring surroundings.
The backrest is nicely padded and cushy. For your childs safety Doona tricycle is equipped with a 5-point harness and a belly bar.
What I really like about Liki Trike is that you can mount the pedals higher or lower, so they double as foot rests for younger baby. These pedals have straps to keep your babys feet securely in place, which I think is a big plus.
Around 18 months you can switch into push mode and remove the belly bar, as well as the sun hood depending on your preferences, and the weather.
Around 24-30 months its time to turn the stroller into a toddler tricycle mode and move the pedals lower.
And when your kiddo is ready, around 30 months, you can detach the parent handlebar and the backrest. This way he/she will be able to use Doona Liki in a bike mode and pedal by him-/herself.
But before your kid is ready to steer Liki, you will have the full control with the adjustable push bar. There is a storage bag attached to it, which looks like a sack. Its not huge, but it should fit your jacket or a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of water. It has capacity of 3.3 lbs.
In my opinion, additional toddler cup holder, that Doona Trike features, is a big advantage. You can put their a sippy cup, small snacks or your kiddo favorite toy.
Its noteworthy that Doona has three types of tricycles right now: S3 Premium, S5 Deluxe and Midnight. What are the differences between these tricycles?
The biggest difference between Doona Liki Trike S3 vs S5 is that the latter one comes with a slightly different storage bag, features wooden handlebars (instead of rubber ones) and includes a travel bag. The Midnight tricycle version also comes with a travel bag, but this one has faux-leather handlebars and black aluminum frame. It is also the most expensive version.
In my opinion S5 tricycle is the best out of these 3 options, considering its price, quality and functionality. But if you have smaller budget or dont plan to travel with it, the S3 tricycle will be a fantastic choice too! And in case it turns out later that you need a travel bag for it, youll be able to order it separately (I found it for example on Amazon).
Doona tricycle stroller has larger wheel in the front and two smaller wheels in the back. Each has a wide and thick tire. They are non-inflatable and are pretty much smooth (no tread), so they work best on flat surfaces. On pavement with small cracks it should be fine too, but I wouldnt take it off road.
Considering Liki size, I wouldnt say that its a big kid tricycle. But its lightweight, foldable, durable, and in a medium-price range. All of that makes Doona tricycle stroller combo a good value for money.
Bentley is a high-end, more luxury option in my ranking. It is a stroller that turns into a tricycle isnt it just super useful and practical?
From 6 months you can use it like a stroller with the seat facing you or the world. The seat actually rotates, so you can easily change its direction, without the need to remove and lift it. Its very convenient.
Bentley stroller was designed with infants comfort in mind and the brand added additional footrest. So if you want to use it with younger baby who cannot reach to trike pedals yet, you dont have to worry that his/her feet would be dangling.
There is a footrest for younger infant which you can use both in parent-facing and front-facing mode. Once the child gets taller, you can start using the basic footrest that is mounted lower this one works only when the kid is facing out. And once your kiddo gets big enough to reach pedals, he/she can start using them.
The seat is pretty up (curious toddlers will love it), but you can also recline it a bit in facing-parent mode. I assume that riding in Bentley will be so exciting that your child probably wont fall asleep But in case he/she gets really tired, the recline should be sufficient for a quick nap on-the-go.
There is a 5-point harness to keep the child securely in place, and a bumper bar for added safety.
The seat, the backrest and the headrest are nicely padded so your little one will be comfortable at all times.
Above the seat there is a canopy. Honestly, this is the most generous canopy Ive seen on a toddler tricycle stroller combo. It provides lots of shade, and thanks to 50 UPF waterproof fabric your child is well protected from harmful sun rays and rain too. It is mounted pretty high which makes Bentley trike stroller comfortable for taller toddler too.
The canopy has a peek-a-boo window so you can check on your little one whenever you want.
For parents convenience there is a storage basket right between the rear wheels. Its not huge but your necessities should fit in there. There is additional storage parent console on the handlebar. Its very handy for keeping your valuables and cellphone within reach.
The thing that I love most about Bentley stroller trike combo is the quality of the wheels. Most of toddlers tricycles have small plastic wheels with thin EVA foam tire which makes them wobbly even on small bumps. But thats not the case with Bentley.
It has rubber tires filled with air, like a real bike! The tires are really wide and thick so the ride is cushy and the child doesnt feel all those shock when you hit the bump or crack in a sidewalk. If youre looking for a tricycle stroller that provides smooth ride this is your best choice!
As I mention at the beginning of my review, Bentley is a stroller that turns into a tricycle as your baby grows you can remove some parts, one by one, and adjust it to your childs age and developmental stage. This way Bentley will be always as much comfy and safe as possible.
Around 18 months you can remove the additional footrests, and depending on the childs height and preferences you can keep or detach the canopy and the basic footrest.
You will still have a full control and steer it with the parent handlebar. Its possible to push Bentley with one hand when going over smooth surfaces.
Around 24 months (or whenever your child is ready) you can remove the bumper bar and parent handle, and allow your kiddo to pedal by him-/herself. Around that age you should sill keep the back support and the harness, for your child safety.
When your kid turns 3, you can remove the backrest and harness belts if your kid is ready to ride on the tricycle without any support.
The quality, craftsmanship and all details are fantastic. It can hold a kid up to 55 pounds so it may serve you for a few good years! In my opinion Bentley is also the best big kid tricycle.
I only wish Bentley trike could fold down. This is the only downside that I found, but majority of parents who have bought it agree its still a worthy investment.
In terms of features that Joovy tricycle offers, it is very similar to Bentley tricycle stroller and it can be a good, more affordable alternative for parents on a budget.
You can start using it around 6 months, with the seat facing you or out. It rotates, so you dont have to detach it and lift it to reverse it. Keep in mind that in parent-facing mode, the seat recline is deeper, allowing the kid to take a nap.
This tricycle has generous, comfy padding, 5-point safety harness, bumper bar and additional detachable foot rests for younger passengers, just like Bentley stroller trikes.
Around 9 months you can start using the fully upright position. If your toddler likes to look around and observe everything during the stroll, he/she will love how straight the backrest is.
A big advantage is the sun canopy its size is really impressive, and it also has a useful peek-a-boo window.
From 12 months and up youll be able to use Joovy in push trike mode just detach the additional foot rests, and allow you toddler to use the basic (foldable) foot rests. Around 18 months you can fold the basic foot rests, so your little rider can place their feet on pedals without controlling the wheels yet. He/she can also move the handlebar without actually steering the tricycle. At this time you can also remove the canopy.
According to Joovys recommendations, at 24m+ you can remove the parent handlebar, and at 30m+ you can detach the backrest and bumper bar, if he/she doesnt need the support anymore and is able to pedal and steer by him-/herself finally.
As you can see Joovy is another stroller that turns into a tricycle, just like Bentley tricycle stroller combo. The main difference between these two tricycles is the wheel design. Joovy doesnt have air-filled tires. Instead, it has EVR wheels a mixture of EVA plastic and rubber. For hard-packed, flat terrains and indoor surfaces, they are sufficient.
PRO TIP:If Joovy Tricycoo LX still exceeds your budget, there is more pocket-friendly tricycle: Joovy Tricycoo 4.1. The main difference is that the latter one doesnt offer parent-facing mode and its suitable only from 10 months+, up to 44 lbs. But it weighs only 14.4 lbs and it is half the price of Tricycoo LX! You can find this tricycle >>
here
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Joovy stroller trike combo is definitely worth consideration its about half the price of Bentley! If youre okay with wheels that work good only on smooth surfaces, than Joovy may be a good choice for you!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of tricycle for children. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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