Tricycles and Ride On Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Start with the age, size and physical development of your child. Try to be objective and choose tricycles and ride on toys that are an honest reflection of your toddlers or preschoolers ability. As parents we are always eager for our children to move ahead, but rushing the learning process might turn a rewarding experience into a frustrating one. Things to keep in mind:
- Toddlers should be walking securely on their own before introducing ride on toys
- Tricycles and ride-on toys should be low enough and stable enough to be easily mounted and dismounted - toddlers attention spans are short
- The ability to pedal tricycyles and ride-on toys usually comes sometime between the ages of 2 and 3.
- If using alternating feet - as required for pedaling - is too much of a challenge for your toddler or preschooler stick to ride on toys they can push with both feet
Away we go!
First ride on toys without pedals, such as the Wheely Bug and Classic Flyer First Trike by Kettler, give toddlers and preschoolers a brand new sense of mobility and independence. Learning to steer and push with both feet strengthens leg and hip muscles and builds coordination.
Keep it safe. Make sure they are on a flat, smooth surface - away from possible dangers such as stairs or curbs.
Ready to Pedal
Tricycles provide a safe, secure vehicle for learning to pedal. It is not an overnight thing and it may take some time for your toddler or preschooler to master. Key to success is choosing the right trike.
- Fit the tricycle to the child. Kids must be able to position their weight over the pedals comfortably in order to push properly. Tricycles with multiple frame and seat adjustments will make this a sure thing.
- A detachable push bar for your tricycle will make it easier for both you and your child. Toddlers and preschoolers may need help for a while.
- Tricycles with free-wheeling pedals that stop turning when your child stops pedaling (or when you are pushing) can be a godsend for tired little legs. No more tangled feet or bruised shins either.
All of these features are standard for the Kettler tricycles sold here on LearningToys.ca. Kettler tricycles have many more patented features to start the riding experience off right.Such as:
- A Parental Control lock that puts you in charge of steering the tricycle when you are pushing.
- Rear wheel navigation that makes steering the tricycle with the push bar as easy as pushing a stroller
Learn More about Kettler Tricyles and Ride on Toys
See All Tricycles and Ride Ons
What? No Pedals?
Balance bikes are toddler sized bicycles without pedals or gears. They are designed to help children learn to balance without the complication of pedals and to transition directly to a bicycle with ease and at an earlier age.
First invented in Europe, the success of Balance Bikes there has shown that children between the ages of two and three years will naturally learn to balance for short times, through a combination of pushing and lifting of their feet. As they become surer of their ability, they balance for longer and longer times.
Children feel secure to practise because they can always put their feet down to either steady themselves or stop.
How do they work?
Young children naturally learn to both pedal and balance. But not usually at the same time!
Separating these two skills makes each of them easier to master. To begin with balancing makes sense, as it is the more difficult of the two.
With the big hurdle of learning to balance out of the way, when children are ready to transition to a bicycle, they are free to focus all of their attention on pedalling. It then comes quickly - and without training wheels!
