Balance bike or micro scooter for (just) 2 year old

[Justonecheese]

DD will be 2 this month - which would be most suitable for her Christmas present - a balance bike or a micro scooter? I know that both are maybe a little premature for her age but hoping she will really get into either the bike or the scooter in the coming months. Thanks :)

[jenniferturkington]

My dd got a micro scooter the christmas just before she turned two. She was really good at it though-she has an older brother and had practised on his.

She got a 'Puky' balance bike at age 2.5 and could whizz around on that really quickly too. There aren't many balance bikes made small enough for 2 year olds though. Pukys are expensive too- we got one second hand off Ebay!

Probably best with the scooter I reckon- my ds couldn't scoot properly until closer to 3, but still had fun trying. Whereas a balance bike you can either do or you can't IYSWIM?

[WhatWouldLeoDo]

DS had both and gets lots more use out of the scooter. To be fair though this is probably because he gets a lot more opportunity to use the scooter than his bike. I think either would be fine (as long as your DD is tall enough for a balance bike - my DS is small so he wasn't tall enough until 2.5 at least) but I'd probably go with the scooter.

[MrsDobalina]

I don't think you're being premature, DS got both at 2 cos he's well spoilt and it's only 5 months on but he can use both at speed [slightly terrified emoticon]

He is v little for his age but managed the scooter within a couple of weeks of his birthday and within a couple of months was whizzing around (I think you need to be a certain height to lean on the handlebars to steer).

The bike only really come into its own a few months later - maybe cos I was lazy as the scooter is easier to sling on the pushchair! Plus again shortness was a problem. We got a firstbike as they were the lightest shortest cheapest alternative (still not that cheap ) to the gorgeous but oh so expensive Isla bike. It's really fab, he loves it more than the scooter and I can actually see us trying family bike rides pretty soon.

But if I had to chose one, unless you are cycling enthusiasts, it would be the scooter - easier to lug around while they are learning, (slightly) cheaper and I think they learn it quicker and it's more fun for them as they go faster sooner. Plus you'll be using it for years do well worth the money!

[sunnyday123]

mini micro scooter for sure - more closer to 3 for a balance bike with the aim of a real bike without stabilisers by age 4.

[Kingsroadie]

I've got my daughter a mini micro for her 2nd birthday in a few weeks - was dithering between that and balance bike but will probably save bike until next year.

[Outsideperspective]

Could she have the scooter for her birthday and bike for Christmas??? .

Family of Winter birthdays here, never a good time for bikes/scooters. Although we have started scrapping easter eggs, and giving summer items for easter presents. More than I would plan on spending on Easter, but can't hand over big money items without making it an occassion!!!!

[LoonyRationalist]

dd2 could scoot on dd1's mini micro scooter (3 wheels) by the time she was 2 (dd1 otoh didn't master it until she was nearly 3) For dd1 the mini micro scooter & the a 2 wheeled basic scooter improved her balance so much that the first time we even attempted to take the stabilisers off her bike she was off (at 4.5) Again with dd2 I am going down the learn to balance on a scooter route as it seemed to work really well.

[SingingSands]

My DS had both, but the scooter won hands down. He wasn't tall enough for the balance bike so it lingered in the garage whilst he went everywhere by scooter. A year later, the bike was still being neglected as he had grown so much that he was able to ride on his older sister's first bike!

I'd say hands down go for the scooter as they are so much more portable, if you are still using a pushchair you can sling it over the handlebars or underneath, not so easy to do with a balance bike!!

[Justonecheese]

Thanks everyone-really helpful, I love MN! Looks like the scooter then....

Outside perspective - was thinking a kitchen as the other present-now there's a whole new thread :o

[WhatWouldLeoDo]

Kitchen is a good present too!

[PrezolaAli]

GLTC do lovely wooden kitchens, but a little bit pricey - start at £89 for this one www.prezola.com/c/toys-games/creative-kids-82/cookery-390/1866009

[AmberNectarine]

I am getting my DS (2 at Xmas) one of these for his scooter to make it a ride on of sorts...

[Treats]

Oooh - pleased to read all these. Have just taken delivery of DD's Micro Mini scooter for Christmas - she was 2 a couple of months ago. She always makes a beeline for them if we're in a toy shop or if other children leave them lying around in a playground. She's not really able to use one yet, but I think she'll be fine with a bit of practice.

She had a kitchen for her 2nd birthday. And loves it!

[thousandDenier]

RE balance bike, can you not get the smallest make of normal bicycle and take the pedals off? Or do they not make them that small?

[trixymalixy]

DD got a micro scooter for her 2nd birthday as I as fed with the fighting over DS's scooter. She had been whizzing around on his for a few months before her second birthday!

[LolaLadybird]

We got DS a balance bike just before his 3rd birthday and he was only just tall enough - he does have short legs tho'. We ended up letting some of the air out of the tyres just to bring it fractionally lower so he could use it. I think 2 might be too young.

[pooka]

Microscooter.

DS2 has been riding ds1's since he was about 18 months. Loves loves loves it. Is scarily fast and pretty darned good at manoeuvring, using brake and so on.

We're getting him a balance bike this Christmas, but he is a bit older (nearly 2.5) and I love the portability of the scooter - he races with ds1 and dd into school every morning. Unlikely to be as zippy or accomplished on a balance bike which will also take up more boot space.

[allagory]

I have been thinking exactly the same for my soon to be 2 year old. The Micro Mini is for 3+ BUT they are bringing out a sort of sit on thing (O bar) for younger kids. Then when they are ready you put the normal handle bars on. Neato..but bit expensive:

www.micro-scooters.co.uk/product/mini-micro-t-bar-scooter-blue-with-seat-and-o-bar-handle/

[WhatWouldLeoDo]

Tbh, I'd see how any 2 year old gets on with the micro scooter before forking out for the O bar. My very small DS got on fine with the mini micro pretty quickly after his 2nd birthday.

The mini micro website used to have a bit of blurb saying that although the micro was 3+ most two year olds would be able to master it. It's gone now, but I wonder if the 3+ is more to do with it having not gone through the more rigorous safety testing required for toys for under 3's rather than actual ability.

[Kingsroadie]

Yes I agree - I know loads of two year olds who are fine with the mini micro - seems to me that the O bar is more for walking + (ie 1 year olds usually). Am hoping my daughter gets the hang of hers - although she is quite timid and measured in her approach to things so I expect it will take a while. Hence my decision not just get a scooter rather than a bike for Christmas as well - so she can get good at one of them!

[Justonecheese]

Right, I shall be ordering the mini micro this week...!

Thanks brilliant MNetters :)

[Justonecheese]

Treats - which kitchen did you go for? Think I may start a new thread for this... :)

[PosiesOfPoinsettia]

micro-scooters.com have some ace ideas fr micro scooter stuff including a little seat thing.

[PosiesOfPoinsettia]

sorry here

[MetalSian]

DS has this:
Raleigh scooter

He has had it since 2 and rides it very well.
It is for 18 months upards.
Not sure if they do the girl version though, but when you take of the silly front 'Ollie' thing it just looks blue.