Balance bike or trike for 1 year old

[Starry4321]

Looking for recommendations on getting either a balance bike or trike for 1 year old. Which is better? It will be for his 1st birthday. He is walking with assistance and always on the go!

We got a scuttlebug at that age and it was very well loved! My kids wouldnt have been able to balance on a balance bike at 1.

We got our youngest a balance bike at 18 months and he was unstoppable. He was an early walker and loved it. It was great for us too as it meant no slow walks in the park - more trotting to keep up with him. I'm not sure if he'd have managed it earlier than that though - and he was fairly capable at that age. Might be good to see if any of your pals have a small one he could try out before you decide.

Thank you is this a scuttlebug? https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1391938

Yes! That is. We had a red one that was supposed to be ladybird patterned. The wheely legs fold down too so they're portable and easy to store as well.

100% scuttlebug from 1-2, then balance bike.

We got a balance bike when DC was 18 months and it was brilliant! He transitioned to pedal bike effortlessly as he was so good at balancing. 1 may be too young though.

Well all 3 of our things ddlers started with a scuttle bug, they are just now starting a balance bike at 2 and kindof not falling off haha

Another vote for Scuttlebug at that age. DD2 was using her sister's balance bike efficienctly just after 2nd b'day - it was lying around so just picked it up. Just make sure you get one with an adjustable seat - my two were quite short and couldn't reach the floor from the seats of a lot of the prettier wooden ones

Another vote for the Scuttlebug here! We started DS with one when he was just turned 1. Loved riding it in the park so much! Could just fold it up and stuff in pushchair when not using. Progressed to the Scuttlebug XL when he outgrew the small one. Now just started on a balance bike at 2.5 after he became obsessed with seeing others at nursery on them.

Best thing about scuttlebugs is that they can be used inside much easier than balance bikes as they’re more stable so require less supervision when you’re trying to crack on with other things.

My son is nearly 3 and still loves his scuttlebug!! 1 is very young for a balance bike - balancing is a hard skill to learn.

Have you looked into a mini micro scooter? It comes with a little seat which later you take off and becomes a scooter.

https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/mini-micro-deluxe-2in1-scooter-blue-9351#selection.color=5729&selection.size=5454

My son got a 10" balance bike when he was 21 months old and is still riding it now at the age of 3. He's on the cusp of moving up to his 12" pedal bike, but not quite ready yet, and my 17 month old daughter is not quite ready for the balance bike even though she's been walking for ages now.

I'm a big advocate of getting them on a balance bike as early as possible, but I think for a first birthday present it's too soon.

That said, my son never had a trike and I think he doesn't quite understand what to do with the pedals on his new bike. Maybe if he'd had a trike first he would have the muscle memory.

I would suggest getting a trike or maybe a scooter for the first birthday (ideally secondhand because it will be outgrown very quickly) and then maybe a 10" balance bike for Christmas.

Balance bike is more from about aged 2. If you do get one I recommend Strider bike- height adjustable, lightweight and totally awesome.

Scuttlebug is already suggested. A trike is very different - they can't actually pedal one till much older, and you would spend most of your time pushing them in it. So I suppose you need to decide if you want an active thing, or a more passive riding thing. Depends on your child I guess

I agree, too early for a balance bike. We got one for our daughter at 2 but she was 3 before she could really ride it. (Though her cousin could ride his before 2, so they are all different!) we then got her a pedal bike for her 4th birthday and she could ride it within a day as she was so good at the balance bike. That said, I think she learned the pedalling skill on trikes at nursery so there is benefit to those too.

my nephew also had a trike which came with a handle. So when he was one, my sister just pushed him and he didn’t pedal. As he got bigger he started pedalling and the handle could be removed I think. I think we are going to go for one of those for our younger child.

@modgepodge that's what I used. I think it was called a smart trike. Was wonderful. My youngest even slept in it. Trike with handle, then without, so good.

I genuinely never understood trikes.

scuttlebug

or from 18 months/ 2 years a balance bike but some kids just don’t take to them

Ok this is extremely helpful thank you. The scuttlebug seems like a very good option.

For context, I’ve realised the ‘balance bike’ one of our relatives is looking at isn’t a real balance bike it’s this one here https://amzn.eu/d/0fUt3YcR so I guess it’s more like a trike?

I think trikes have the purpose that they teach the skill of pedalling without worrying about balance.

my daughter had a balance bike, and rode on trikes at nursery. When we bought her a proper bike, she learned to ride it in one session (no stabilisers). I’m sure if she hadn’t had lot of experience on both the balance bike and the trike, this wouldn’t have happened.

OP the thing you’ve posted looks a lot like the scuttlebug lots of people have recommended so will probably be perfect.

I think the trike thing for me as well was a change from a buggy in lock down and something a bit different but the could jump in when tired. And we walked miles. Even now school run is miles and I usually take it or a festival trolley to give one a rest

We went for a Scuttle bug, then Micro Scooter, then onto a Be Fun Balance Bike from about 2. Found the bike great as it folds compact, so easy to pop in the pushchair and really light weight!!

We had a scuttle bug then a balance bike. Both were great