Outdoor Toys
Few moments match running beside your kid the first time they glide on two wheels. Riding toys for kids are how they get there: ride-ons and trikes for toddlers, balance bikes and scooters for preschoolers, and pedal bikes after that. The right choice depends less on age than on inseam, confidence and where they will ride, and every option with wheels comes with the same rule: helmet on, every ride.
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Send a MessageFor new walkers. Kids scoot with their feet on a low, stable base. Look for a wide wheelbase that resists tipping.
Good for pedaling practice, but they can tip on turns. A low center of gravity and a parent push handle help early on.
No pedals, so kids learn the hard part, balance, first. Many kids move to a pedal bike without training wheels afterward.
Three-wheel versions are steadier for preschoolers; two-wheel scooters suit older kids with good balance and braking.
Measure your child’s inseam (floor to crotch, in socks) and compare it to the seat height range on any balance bike or pedal bike. On a balance bike, your child should sit with both feet flat on the ground and slightly bent knees. On a first pedal bike, the balls of both feet should reach the ground while seated.
Bikes bought to “grow into” are heavier and harder to control, which leads to more crashes and less confidence. It is usually better to buy the right size now and pass it on later. Check that brakes are reachable and squeezable for small hands, or that coaster brakes are something your child can manage.
Any riding toy that moves faster than walking speed calls for a helmet that meets the CPSC bike helmet standard. It should sit level on the forehead, with straps snug and buckled. Teach kids to take helmets off before climbing on playground equipment, since a strap can catch.
Driveways are a real danger. Small children on ride-ons are hard to see from a vehicle, so set a no-riding rule on the driveway whenever a car is moving or about to. Stick to sidewalks, empty paths and parks, and keep kids away from pools, stairs and slopes that end in a street.
Keep early sessions short and on a gentle grassy slope or flat empty lot. Hold the child’s shoulders or back, not the handlebars, so they learn to steer. Celebrate the glide, not the distance. When your kid is ready for longer rides, the outdoor sports gear guide covers bikes for bigger kids, and outdoor adventures and playtime has family ride ideas. For general safety outdoors, see the outdoor safety guide. This page sits within outdoor toys.
FAQ
Many children start around age two, once they walk and run steadily, but fit matters more than age. Choose a bike your child can sit on with both feet flat on the ground.
Measure their inseam and compare it to the bike’s seat height. Seated on a pedal bike, your child should reach the ground with the balls of both feet and reach the handlebars and brakes comfortably.
Yes. Any time a child is on wheels moving faster than walking, a properly fitted helmet meeting the CPSC bike helmet standard is a smart habit, and some states and cities require helmets for young riders.
Keep going
Outdoor Safety: Keeping Kids Safe on Every AdventureOutdoor safety for kids made practical: heat and sun, water, bugs, getting lost, and a simple first-aid kit. Read the dad’s checklist before your next trip.Physical Development: Helping Your Child Grow StrongPhysical development in children from crawling to coordination: gross and fine motor skills by age and simple ways dads can help them grow. Read the guide.Ask a question, meet other dads in the 24/7 room, or join the community for resources and support at every stage.
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