Mini micro or balance bike for DS 2nd birthday?

[sleepcrisis]

Am torn, can't decide. At the moment he loves his scuttle bug and adores going on daddy's bike in the front mounted seat.

Would go for either zooom or isla bike. Next opportunity for big gift is Christmas, but weather not really great for using either! We'll be out loads this summer.

Am worried that if we go for scooter, he'll find it so easy he won't want to learn to use a balance bike and prefer to scoot everywhere. On other hand, don't want him to miss out on scooter phase!

Maybe he's too small for balance bike anyway? Is 3rd birthday leaving it too late?

[Savoytruffle]

Im eyeing up balance bikes for my four year old! I still think they're a good idea even for his age.
If you make sure you get one with adjustable seat and handlebars with locking front steering column, it gives you years of use.
We missed the boat on buying one earlier but want ds to use a balance bike b4 a bike. Plus we now have a new baby so will get double use!

[ArabellaBeaumaris]

I'd go for scooter.

DD got her scooter for 2nd birthday, & her balance bike for her 3rd birthday. She was riding a real bike by 3 y 8m.

[BlueChampagne]

DS1 got his balance bike for his 3rd birthday, but DS2 was on it by 2.5 if that's any help. DS1 got a 2-wheel scooter for his 4th birthday and still loves it (now 5.7), and he can cycle without stabilisers too.

[Snowstorm]

If I'd had my time again I'd have gone for the balance bike - really good for them and makes the transition to a proper bike much easier. I didn't know balance bikes existed until DD was 4 and by then she was too big/old for them and yet she still can't ride a normal bike because she has balance/co-ordination issues.

So, if I was you, I'd buy the balance bike now and a scooter for his 3rd or 4th birthday, in order to get the greatest amount of use out of both.

[rrreow]

DS got a balance bike for his 2nd birthday (last week). He's 75th centile for height but he can't reach the ground even though the saddle is completely on the lowest setting. I think once he's grown into it he'll like it (and I feel it's more appropriate for him than a scooter - but I think that just depends on the child and their level of dexterity), but if you do go for a balance bike make sure to try it out first.

[Tailtwister]

I would go for a balance bike if he's big enough. Neither of mine had long enough legs until just after 3, but neither were on the bigger side. If you do go for a balance bike I would try to get a metal one rather than wooden. Isla bikes are great (DS1 has their smallest pedal bike) as is the Kokua Jumper by LikeaBike.

[DIYandEatCake]

Dd has just turned 2 and loves her balance bike, she's quite speedy on it already. She isn't tall but we've got a 'tinybike' and it's great, we've just moved the saddle up from the lowest setting. It's fairly basic - no brakes, solid rubber wheels (so no pumping/punctures) - but seems very comfortable and easy to ride and we get lots of comments when she's out on it as she and it look so tiny! Lots of colours available so could choose her favourite too. We might get a scooter for her next birthday, if she wants one.

[sleepcrisis]

Thanks for all the replies, a mixed bag really. I am not aure he's tall wnough for a balance bike, i'll measure him in the morning.

Maybe I'll get the mini micro for this birthday and then the balance bike for Christmas, I doubt he'll stay indoors for an entire season anyway!

[Jojobump1986]

Have you considered a toddlebike? We're trialling one with DS (18m) at the moment. He's not quite tall enough to sit on the seat so shuffles around with the crossbar between his legs! It's really light & he loves picking it up & carrying it around. It's also entirely plastic so you don't need to worry about it if it gets left out in the rain.

[jamtoast12]

Mini micro every time - best toy invented IMO!

[Tigresswoods]

Mini micro scooter all the way. DS got both that & a balance bike for 2nd birthday. He took to his scooter straight away. Still struggling with the bike 14m later.

[ihearttc]

DS2 is 2.5 but is tiny...is still in 18-24 month clothes and is about 89cm tall.

We got him a balance bike a month or so ago. We went for a Puky LRM which I think after a lot of research is the smallest balance bike there is...its certainly one of the smallest.

Its metal but really light and easy to use. Im actually now going to put the seat up a little as he's got the hang of it so he should be able to balance properly rather than the sort of scooting/walking they do first of all.

He tried a Mini Micro and the handle was just too tall for him at the moment...I was going to get the one with the seat cause he loves his Scuttlebug as well but figured Id just wait and get a scooter for christmas.

[Wallace]

I second a Puky LRM. Ds is 2.5 and also tiny - less than 90cm tall and still in 12-18month trousers!

He has been riding his Puky since he was 19 months.

Some of the wooden ones are huge. Same with a lot of the other metal ones.

[Wallace]

Just checked our height chart and ds must have been 80cm max when he started riding his Puky.

[NiceTabard]

mini micro

They are brilliant -really well made and just brilliant.
Easy/light to carry if child decides they want to walk for a bit
If child is knackered you can get them to stand on scooter and pull it along by the handle
They get the hang of it really quick and can do "tricks" like putting one leg in the air (!) and going superfast
Both of mine had one from 2 and they loved loved loved it
Best toy ever