When Little Pudding turned two we made a really big mistake.  We bought her a balance bike, thinking it would be great for her to be able to practice on ready for a getting a big girls bike.  Well, unfortunately, she really didn’t get on very well with it, and it became quite apparent she was’t quite ready for that stage just yet.  Fortunately, shortly after, I was introduced to the Toddlebike, the pre balance bike for toddlers which sounded perfect for her and we’ve been very busy in the park trying it out.

The Toddlebike has 4 wheels instead of 2, so it’s stable for her to ride.  It’s a lightweight sturdy frame, so she  also doesn’t have the issue of having to keep it upright.  We found one of the problems with the balance bike we had bought was it was too heavy for her to manage, so balancing on it was incredibly difficult for her.

Toddlebike Review

At first, Little Pudding’s instinct was to use both feet at the same time to propel herself forward on the Toddlebike.  Because of it’s sturdy frame and 4 wheels it didn’t topple over when she tried to do this.

Once she felt confident on the Toddlebike, she realised that alternating her feet would propel her forward quicker so she could keep up with her sister.  It was lovely to see her bike riding skills progressing in a way that was manageable for her without all the frustration that falling off can bring.

Toddlebike Video Review

Do take a look at our video and see Little Pudding’s confidence grow as she masters going faster on the Toddlebike without any problems.

The Toddlebike works like a normal bike in that the handlebars turn so you can change direction or go around corners, but this skill is something that Little Pudding is still working on.  Her instinct seems to be to come to a stop and then lift the bike and point it in the direction she wants it to go in.

The Toddlebike is giving her the confidence to master turning the corners properly and develop this new skill.  She is stopping less and less as she realises the handlebars will do the work for her.

I’m really impressed with the Toddlebike and wish we had heard about it sooner.  It’s a great bike for toddlers and can be used from 18 months old so a perfect home play idea for 2 year olds.  It seems to really help them build the confidence and skills needed to go onto the next stage of riding a bike.

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Toddlebike review plus giveaway

We were provided with the Toddlebike in exchange for our honest review, but all thoughts and opinions are our own. 

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151 COMMENTS

  4. A nice grassed slope so they can get use to the balance of the bike as its always harder for them to have to push off and pedal

  5. Hold the bike and run with them but don’t let go until they have some balance and confidence.

  13. Lots of encouragement and let them gain thier balance with you holding on to them for a while x

  15. Support their shoulders to give confidence to start with, make it a fun exercise with lots of praise and encouragement

  20. First make sure they have an appropriately sized bike (One where they can easily reach the peddles and the brakes). Then, basically, sit them on the bike and run alongside them controlling the steering. Once they have demonstrated they can peddle, and brake. Run alongside them once more, and let go at some point, without telling them. That’s how I was taught, and it worked.

  21. My father taught me by holding me by the neck and running behind me as I was on the bike. Probably a bit extreme but it worked!

  22. Lots of practice and be patient, my kids learnt by me running behind them and holding onto the seat before secretly letting go!

  25. Take them to a big open space that is flat like a big empty car park or residential area. I found that having older children cycling around really inspired my son to practice and get better to be like the bigger boys.

  28. keep holding until they have that balance then let go without telling them (so run along side them still) then its lots of encouragement and rubbing of grazed knees until the skill is perfected

  30. I would definately recommend a balance bike to learn how to balance first. We did with my son and then when we introduced a pedal bike he went from wobbly in the garden to pedaling around the block within half an hour! The theory of balance bikes definately worked!

  31. With my son I ran behind him holding on to the back of his seat so I could straighten him if he wobbled then I let go but kept running and holding my arm out as if I was holding him because I found if he knew I’d let go he’d lose all confidence and swerve… so I fibbed that I was still holding on and before he knew it he was doing it all by his self 🙂

  33. We are not at that stage just yet, but I’d just say lots of encouragement and try to keep them positive even if they fall off x

  35. Don’t show your fear, that prompts nervousness. Stay calm and praise them, whatever they achieve.

  39. I have recently taught my 4 year old to ride his bike. I took him to the park with his cousin who can already ride and I think that helped him as he was watching her and learning from her xxx

  40. the biggest thing to keep in mind is patience. and find somewhere where there’s plenty of space xx

  42. Definitely invest in a balance bike before moving on to one with pedals so they get the feel for riding a bike without the fear of falling off. They then find it easier when they move on to a pedal bike.

  46. Don’t push too hard – they’ll crack it at their own pace – it’s nerve wracking enough without added pressure x

  48. Don’t try when child is tired. Their concentration will be poor and could be lots of tears.

  50. been patient with children so they dont get too scared while learning to ride a bike is important as too much too soon and they fall off puts them off wanting to try again

  56. A slight slope on a grassy surface is best. I remember when my nan pushed me down a steep hill repeatedly until I learnt to balance!

  57. Be patient and calm with lots of praise and go to a grassy field to do it so if they fall off it won’t hurt as much.

  61. Practise at the local park (on the grass!) where there are other children Bike riding who might inspire them

  62. Be patient, and a little bit sneaky! We always said we were holding up the back of the bike, which we were at the beginning, but then let go but didn’t tell them! After a few wobbles they soon realised they could do it!

  63. We have some land and when my niece comes to help nanny she would love this. It would be the perfect environment, she can do it at her own pace and lots of grass so if she falls off it won’t hurt her!

  66. A balance bike to start off is a fab idea. My son used to always ride on grass as he used to fall over a lot!

  67. I’m not sure I can give tips as my daughters are quite young, but I would advise to start them early with a helmet as my eldest always wears hers as she doesn’t know any different. We are hoping to get her a property big girl bike, we are not going to get a bike with pedals on the front wheel as I don’t think they help, they just look really hard to pedal.

  69. I am just learning my eldest son now and so far i’ve found that persistence is key as he gets easily disheartened if he falls or can’t pedal uphill.

  70. I found that having friends or older siblings that already ride helps as that gets/keeps them motivated to learn, some take to it faster than others

  72. Just a little patience until the child get their balance. Also expect a couple of grazes at first.

  77. have stabilisers definately and helmet and teach in an empty childrens plyground that has the recycled rubber type ground surface in case of falls-that’s how my children learnt

  78. we haven’t got to that stage yet. i’d imagine getting them used to other ride ons helps as does trying as early as possibe

  82. I don’t have any children but would love to win this prize to donate to charity, to go to Romania.

  83. We always held the back of the seat whilst the child pedaled just to give them a little bit of confidence

  86. I think it helps if they see grownups using and enjoying bikes, so they see it as something perfectly normal that they will be able to do when bigger.

  87. were not at that stage yet, but with everything else so far we have just encouraged our son to try it, and when he gets going lots of praise and then when he is confident let him try it on his own

  91. don’t rush them let them do it in their own time
    We find the best time is in the school holidays as there is more children around riding bikes which makes them want to learn as they don’t want to be the only one with stabilisers

  93. mine just decided one day they wanted the stabilisers off and they was off they had a balance bike before a pedal bike so think that helped x

  95. For us, with lots of patience, love, nurture and praise and then she got it! Plus I had to show her how to do it, that was probably more memorable for her! Then as soon as she achieved it the confidence flowed. So lovely to see!

  96. Enjoy it with them and keep on praising and encouraging them to do it! Don’t rush them or get frustrated as they will see that and just make it fun for them!

  101. Stay positive with loads of encouragement. Also if they keep slipping there feet off the pedal an elastic band over the foot and pedal helps.

  113. My son started riding a bike when he was 2,5 years old. He was on his balance bike since he was 20months and he loved it. Basically we used it instead of the buggy when his brother came along. When he was 2,5 years old we got him Islabike, very light bike with special design brakes too. He already had good balance but he didn’t know how to peddle. I took him to the playground where you can peddle on the special bike. After 2 weeks of practising at home how how to peddle he hoped on his bike and went.

  116. First you need patience and to go at the childs pace. Make sure the bike is the correct size / height – and that safety equipment is being used.

  125. Give plenty of encouragement and praise when they fall off to help them not to feel afraid and get straight back on the bike. Tell them to look in front as many kids always look around and that’s when their balance falters.

  135. Patience, Peaceful Enviroment and Praise. My sister was taught how to ride a bike (cycle) by Dad. Unfortunately he died whilst we were children. My sister enjoyed cycling. I learnt at a later age and stage than my sister, due to Dad not being around. I tackled it for myself, somehow. My Recommendations would be allow the children to gain the experience whilst young. As it gives the Best Opportunity for them to Master the skills, enjoy the experience. They may use it as a hobby, commute to school / work or it could be their “living” as Sports are being Encoraged as well as supported via The Big Lottery etc.

  136. Start with stabilizers till they get the hang of it then when they are ready take them off and hold the back of the bike while running along side till they get their balance .

  141. Let them fall off, but don’t make a big deal. Get them straight back on the bike. Falling makes them more careful 🙂

  144. Personally i’ve found you have to be patient and encourage them as it takes time to learn to fully ride a bike.

  148. We have just bought a balance bike for our 2 yr old grandson. My husband was very keen to get one but I feel that it is too big and too much for our grandson to manage. I wish we had seen one of these toddle bikes before. Perhaps I will win then he can try both bikes.

  150. Doing it in stages is a great way to ease into proper cycling, before going for a bicycle and stabilisers give them a balance bike that they can kick their way around the garden. Our 4 & 5 year old boys are brilliant with their bicycles now and their little sister at 2 is enjoying chasing them on her scuttlebug at the moment x

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