Balance bikes and scooters for a 17 month old

[londongirlinaus]

Hi!

My son will be 17 months at the beginning of January and I’m trying to be organised and start thinking about Christmas. He has shown a big interest in other children’s bikes at parks and the bikes at nursery so we’re contemplating getting him a balance bike. However, having put him on one recently he is still too small (albeit I know we have a few months to go yet) which then made me think are we better investing in a micro scooter first and then a bike for his birthday in August when he’s 2? Has anyone got either and have they used it successfully with their 17 month old? Thanks so much!

A tadpole mini from frog bikes might be small enough, depending on his height.
You would need to find a local stockists tho - they ate out of stock on the frog website.
Second hand is the other option - they are not cheap bikes.

Would he like a scuttle bug?

FWIW we got our boy a scooter when he was about 15m and he absolutely loves it. At first we had to push him, now he scoots around and we have to chase him (he'll be 2 in November). He also has balance bikes he likes but he struggles to get the motion right on those, whereas the scooter he got quite quickly. Scooter is also lighter when you have to carry the baby AND the thing back from your walk (like every day).

Can you try him on a few at playgroups/friend's houses etc and see what he takes to best? My DD is 3 and has only just really learnt to scoot with a particular scooter at a particular playgroup we go to. She is rubbish at using her own one out and about. We haven't tried her on her balance bike for months either cos she also didn't take to that. I'd just be wary of splashing out on something that he might not take to. She had a scuttle bug when she was younger which she did take to.

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!