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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

2nd birthday - balance bike?

17 replies

ZebraPeople · 30/04/2023 15:21

DS turns 2 soon and I'm in need of some gift inspiration! Would a balance bike get much use at this stage or is he still a bit young?

Any other ideas welcome, especially if animal related! He loves playing with his animal figures, pretending to feed them etc

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DragonbornMum · 30/04/2023 15:24

Following for inspiration! I feel a balance bike might be too advanced just now but I was wondering about a three wheeled scooter?

I have already bought my boy some Bosch toy tools, and he was playing with a Duplo zoo at a relative's house lately so that's definitely on my mind!

Okunevo · 30/04/2023 15:30

Two is a good age, I've known children use them from 18 months. DS has a cheap Aldi one that he was too small for until two and a half but he picked it up extremely quickly as soon as he was tall enough and was riding a pedal bike just after three. Make sure you get one that goes low enough, there are many to suit two year old or younger children now.

TheWildOnesRunningWithTheDogs · 30/04/2023 15:30

It's tricky as it depends on how physically capable the child is. Many 2 year olds can ride balance bikes (and might be ready for a pedal bike at, say, 3 to 3 1/2), some don't get it until 3 or later.

A sand and water table is another idea if you don't have one.

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ChairOfInvisibleStudies · 30/04/2023 15:31

Pretty sure we got DS a balance bike for his 2nd birthday - it was winter so he probably didn't use it much for a couple of months but he was well away on it by late spring. I'd suggest looking on eBay or Marketplace for good brands second hand, as they will be lighter and easier for DC to start on. The good brands hold their value so you should have no problem reselling in a year or two to recoup some of the cost.

Stephhh87 · 30/04/2023 15:45

Balance bike is a great idea! They can still get used to it in their own time ie walk with for a bit before ‘biking’ with it. Get one where you can adjust seat so grows with them. Good investment. :)

Original poster

ZebraPeople · 30/04/2023 18:30

Thanks everyone! I think we'll go for the balance bike. Any recommendations?
He loves his mud kitchen so a water table is a great idea too.

OP posts:

Stephhh87 · 30/04/2023 22:25

ZebraPeople · 30/04/2023 18:30

Thanks everyone! I think we'll go for the balance bike. Any recommendations?
He loves his mud kitchen so a water table is a great idea too.

We were handed down a frog mini tadpole. It’s probably the smallest balance bike? . It has brakes but I’m not sure they’ll get used lol.
move heard good things about strider bikes - lightweight and really good second hand deals.
i was advised going lightweight in case I need to carry it a lot lol

ChicagoBears · 30/04/2023 22:27

It was the perfect age for my DC. They both learnt to ride an actual bike at the age of 3 and I attribute it solely to the balance bike.

kernowpicklepie · 30/04/2023 22:30

We bought DD a balance bike when she was 18 months. She hasn't mastered steering yet but she loves going on it and she's now 21 months. We got one from Halfords but Smyths do some aswell. Even our local TK Maxx had some in recently ( a bluey one and a peppa pig one).
The one we got from Halfords was just a red one but we put some tassels and a horn on it for her

ChairOfInvisibleStudies · 30/04/2023 22:40

I think ours was an islabike rothan. It was second or third hand but worked perfectly and surprisingly had hardly a scratch on. We've kept it for DC2 but have no doubt we could have sold it on as it's got lots of life left!

Rainallnight · 30/04/2023 22:44

If you can afford it, a Hornit Airo. Lightest on the market (and you do end up carrying it a bit!).

DS got his at either 2 or 2.5 (it was birthday or Christmas) and was a total whizz on it. Got his bike with pedals for his 4th birthday and got it straightaway thanks to all the time on the balance bike.

Rainallnight · 30/04/2023 22:52

Actually, a caveat to that. You’re the best judge of your child but you need to think through whether they will stop at kerbs and generally when you tell them to. If the answer is no, then hold off, or keep it for the park.

Lcb123 · 30/04/2023 22:54

Our nephew and niece rode a balance bike from their 1st birthdays!

Stephhh87 · 01/05/2023 08:17

Lcb123 · 30/04/2023 22:54

Our nephew and niece rode a balance bike from their 1st birthdays!

What balance bike did you use at that age? I found it hard to find one small enough but we were luck to be handed down a barely used frog tadpole mini from friends. It’s super small.
but just curious as I have a niece coming up for one and her parents are looking and the tadpole mini is expensive even second hand!
most I’ve seen are more 2 year old average height…

lorisparkle · 01/05/2023 08:45

Have you considered The Bike Club? You can get the Frog balance bike for a monthly fee and then when they grow out of it, swap it for a bigger bike. A couple of friends used it and were very happy. (We had already bought one when we heard about them!)

Stephhh87 · 01/05/2023 08:55

lorisparkle · 01/05/2023 08:45

Oh that’s a good idea!

MNHQ

PollyMumsnet · 05/05/2023 16:33

Hi @ZebraPeople thanks for your thread! If you're still looking for inspiration, check out our guide to the best balance bikes - it's based on in-depth reviews and Mumsnetter recommendations. If you have any thoughts or feedback on the article, do get in touch💐

10 of the best balance bikes: our pick of the UK's top balance bikes | Mumsnet

From Islabikes, Ridgeback and Hornit, we reveal the best balance bikes to buy in the UK right now. Read our verdict following months of in-depth research, testing and authentic recommendations from real parents.

https://www.mumsnet.com/reviews/balance-bikes

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