10 Best Balance Bikes for Kids 2024

Strider has extensive experience in the design and manufacture of kid pedal-less bikes, having sold more than 2 million units around the world for the past 18 years. Strider put a lot of thought into making this bike as child-friendly and fully-featured as possible. One of the highlights of the Strider – 12 Sport Balance Bike are the built-in footrests, which are very functional features in a pedal-less bike.

There’s also the mini grip and the padded handlebars that offer better control and a comfortable grip since little beginner riders don’t exactly stick to holding the bars at the handgrips. Other highlights are the adjustable height feature, the padded seat designed for little hips, and the nine eye-catching colors the bike is offered in.

The Strider – 12 Sport Balance Bike is lightweight, weighing just 6.7 lbs. The bike is easy to put together with tools you most likely already have in the house in addition to the installation tools that come in the box.

The seat and handlebar of the Strider – 12 Sport Balance Bike have an adjustable height feature, allowing the bike to grow with your child from the time they’re a little more than a year old up to 5-years, although we don’t see kids taking that long to learn how to balance on a bike.

Still, the adjustable-height feature allows the bike to perfectly fit kids of different inseams. Strider makes it easy to understand what bike size is the perfect fit for the length of your child’s legs by measuring the bike’s size against your child’s inseam.

The bike comes with a steel frame that is as durable as the bike is pretty. The tires are made of tough puncture-proof plastic, which means you never have to worry about tire maintenance or flats, although you can’t expect the plastic wheels to ride as smoothly as inflatable rubber wheels. Still, you can easily get optional inflatable tires for your Strider – 12 Sport Balance Bike.

The “cool” aesthetic design of the Yvolution Y Velo Junior Toddler Bike is unmissable; this bike features a design model inspired by chopper motorbikes which means you risk triggering a child’s interest in motorbikes by getting them one of these lookers. But good looks are not all that the Yvolution Y Velo Junior Toddler Bike has going for it.

The Yvolution Y Velo Junior Toddler Bike comes with large 2-in-1 rear rubber over-mold wheels and 1 large front wheel that deliver a stronger grip even on uneven terrains. The wheels, too, are stylish with their realistic motorbike wheels and tire design.

The dual rear wheels improve the stability of the bike which further help children develop riding balance faster. These are sturdy, durable flat-free wheels so kids can have more time cruising the neighborhood and less time waiting for dad to repair or buy replacement tires.

This bike is good for indoor and outdoor use, but we recommend bikes with pneumatic tires such as the Bixe 16″ Pro Balance Bike for Big Kids if the bike is to be used mostly on rough terrains.

It also features a steering limiter that restricts the bike’s ability to rotate too much, which helps reduce wobbles and protect kids from falling. As an additional safety feature, this Yvolution balance bike comes with countersunk bolt screws to protect kids from scratches and scrapes.

The seat can be adjusted to fit heights of between 11 inches and 14.17 inches. Adjusting the handlebar is easy with the hex wrench that comes in the box with the bike, and no tools are needed to adjust the seat’s height. The bike can hold a maximum load capacity of 45 lbs.

While this bike isn’t as easy to get on as the GOMO Balance Bike, the short frame keeps it from being too difficult. Also, the frame clears the ground enough to avoid catching on uneven surfaces.

The Yvolution Y Velo Junior Toddler Bike is built with a durable, lightweight aluminum frame that rivals the all-aluminum frame of the Croco Lightweight Balance Bike. But many components of this bike are made with plastic; a minor blight on an impressive record, if you ask us.

The YGJT Baby Balance Bike is a cute little riding toy for babies and toddlers. This bike comes in two styles to choose from, inspired by a man’s four-legged best friend and a bee. The cute animal eyes in front of the bike actually blink which further entertains and inspires imagination in children.

Both dog and bee styles are really cute but aesthetic beauty is by no means all that the YGJT Baby Balance Bikes has going for it. This bike may be a baby balance bike but it is built with carbon steel instead of the usual plastic many children’s toys are made with. This is an impressive feature considering that carbon steel has better tensile strength and more durability due to its higher carbon content.

This bike sits somewhere between a 3-wheel, a quad, and a balance bike. For toddlers, this is simply an excellent pedal-less bike with which children can have fun and build better balance, coordination, leg muscles, and finger strength.

The handlebars, shaped like dog ears or a bee’s antennae, can rotate the “head” up to 130⁰ even with the two wheels in front, making it easy for children to steer the bike without sliding and falling.

The rear wheels are neither big nor spaced enough to be considered two wheels, or slim enough to be just one wheel. However, this design provides a thrilling, stable, and safe riding experience for toddlers. The wheels are made with Eco-friendly EVA foam, which may not be the best in durability, but allows the wheels to glide noiselessly around the house.

This balance bike is made in China and but passed the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines conducted in a US testing lab, and it also complies with ASTM and CE standards. The bike is easy to set up and comes with a assembly manual in the box with useful pictures. If you are looking for your toddler’s first bike, this product is an excellent choice.

Bixe is an American company that has been making children’s bikes for over 15 years. The Bixe 16″ Pro Balance Bike for Big Kids is essential for older children who haven’t learned or mastered how to ride 2-wheel bicycles. Additionally, it’s one of the best learning and fun tools available to children with special needs, autism, or health challenges that make riding a bike challenging.

Some children may find it difficult to muster the confidence and coordination of pedaling a bike to build a riding momentum. In such a case, a balance bike is just the right tool to help them develop the much-needed confidence they need before transitioning to a proper 2-wheel bicycle. Besides, confidence is essential for taking on other life challenges or projects, so this big kid balance bike is fun and useful in many ways.

Bixe also has a [amazon url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078YC9XM9″]12-inch size balance bike[/amazon] designed for toddlers that features a similar high-quality build and performance as this 16-inch big kid size. This Bixe 16-inch balance bike is built with extra-durable materials and thoughtful safety features, which is an especially important consideration for children with health issues.

The wheel comes with pneumatic tires providing a smooth enjoyable ride. The only downside is that pneumatic tires are prone to punctures and maintenance needs, but any grown kid will prefer the cruising feel of inflatable tires over plastic wheels.

The frame is made with steel which promotes the bike’s sturdiness and durability. The bike also comes with tamper-proof clamps and wheel safety washers which further safeguard little riders from scratches and injuries in case of falls. There’s even a little built-in ledge on the sides of the bike where kids can rest their feet when they want.

Assembling the Bixe 16″ Pro Balance Bike for Big Kids is entirely frustration-free. The bike comes to you partially assembled so all you have to piece together, using the wrench that comes in the box, are the handlebar and the seat. Then you just have to inflate the tires. The bike comes in 4 colors for customers to choose from.

The GOMO Balance bike is a good choice for shoppers looking for an affordable but great quality balance bike for children between one and five years old.

One of the reasons the GOMO Balance bike is on this list is because it did not sacrifice quality for a low cost. The bike features a simple but attractive S-curve design that comes in 7 eye-catching color combinations to choose from; we particularly liked the gold and black color. The S-curve design also allows kids to sit in an upright position while riding this bike which should help boost their confidence.

Although this bike is well-made and has great features, don’t expect premium attributes, such as hand brakes and inflatable rubber tires, like you’d find in models like the Bixe 16″ Pro Balance Bike for Big Kids. On the whole, we’re confident that parents and their children will be happy with this bike especially since you won’t feel a dent in your purse if you buy one.

This bike comes with 12-inch sized wheels and EVA foam puncture-free tires. The size of the wheels is a plus for the GOMO balance bike considering that similar budget balance bikes are typically fitted with 10-inch wheels. There’s nothing wrong with 10” wheels in a balance bike for little toddlers. However, 12” wheels can better handle uneven surfaces, especially when ridden by kids at the higher end of 3 to 5 years old.

Twelve-inch bicycle wheels can also go a lot faster than the ten-inch models. GOMO assures this bike can handle well in grass and mud as well as on concrete. The GOMO Balance Bike features a Turn Limiter mechanism that makes it easier for kids to ride in a straight line; it also prevents frequent slides and falls that may occur as kids struggle to hold a bike steady as they ride it.

This feature is augmented with the unobtrusive plastic footrests on the side ledge of the steel-framed bike. Even with a steel frame, this bike is still lightweight, weighing in at 6.7 lbs., so that kids will have no trouble lifting it. The few plastic components on this bike are ABS plastic making them less-likely to easily get scuffs and scrapes.

The GOMO balance bike wheels are also fitted with through-wheel axles to further support the sturdiness of the wheels and prevent them from falling off. The through-wheel axle, also known as thru-axle, is different from the quick-release skewer. The thru-axle is attached to improve the accuracy of the bike’s wheel placement.

The GOMO Balance Bike also comes with a wheelbase that is longer than what you’ll get in similar budget balance bikes. The distanced wheelbase improves the bike’s stability and maneuverability, especially when kids want to have a bit of fun pulling stunts. The seat is adjustable and also padded with foam for comfortable rides across different terrains.

If you liked the Strider – 12 Sport Balance Bike due to its popularity, price, and great functional features, then you should compare and contrast with The Croco Lightweight Balance Bike. The first difference between the two bikes is the build material of the bike frames.

While the Strider is built with pure steel, the Croco comes with a high-end lightweight all-aluminum frame that gives the bike a longer-lasting quality since the aluminum material is rust-resistant. The aluminum frame also gives the bike an extra lightweight quality that’s easier for kids to push around, steer, lift, and carry with them.

Putting the bike together post-purchase is a breeze with only the handlebars left to slide on before you can get the fun started. No tools are required to put the bike together or to adjust the seat and handlebar; the height adjustment feature works by quick-release tool-free clamps. Additionally, you get a manufacturer’s installation manual in the box as well as every component you need to put the remaining pieces together.

This bike also comes with a foam-padded seat that helps make each ride comfortable. And then there are Croco’s flat-free EVA polymer wheels. While a puncture-free tire is a great quality in a bike, the EVA material also reduces the tire traction.

However, since this is a balance bike for toddlers and preschoolers, the EVA-plastic material is just fine considering that kids of this age group mostly ride their bikes where their parents can see them, which is usually on smooth surfaces like indoors or on the patio. Besides, pneumatic rubber tires would have added considerable weight to the bike.

Also, the tires come with long-lasting sealed bearings on the wheels which helps to protect the bearings from wear and rust. Furthermore, the sealed bearings safeguard little legs from scrapes and scratches.

One of the best things about the Croco Lightweight Balance Bike is the adjustable features. The padded seat is adjustable from 11.5 inches to 18.5 inches, saving parents money and allowing kids of different heights and leg lengths to comfortable enjoy riding the bike. The handlebar can also be adjusted from 20-inches to 25-inches. This also means this balance bike can grow with children until they have developed sufficient balance and are ready to take on 2-wheel bicycles.

The bike’s handlebar also comes with an optional handlebar pad coupled with padded hand grips. Unfortunately, the Croco Lightweight Balance Bike does not come with a handbrake or any breaking mechanism.

The bike comes with a curved footrest design that kids should find to be a more natural position for their feet when gliding than flat footrests. On the whole, this bike is an excellent budget balance bike with an attractive finish. The bike is painted with premium paint and high-quality graphics prints. Shoppers have 8 fantastic colors of this bike to choose from.

If you liked the YGJT Baby Balance Bike built for babies and toddlers 10 months to 3-years-old, then you should definitely compare and contrast with the allobebe Baby Balance Bike. This allobebe bike model has a noticeable resemblance to the YGJT Baby Balance Bike, but both bikes have a few functional distinctions that just might make a significant difference for families.

For starters, the allobebe Baby Balance Bike comes in a mini size- weighing in at 3.85 lbs.; that is suitable for 12-month-old babies to 3-year-old toddlers. The bike’s dimensions are 19.9 inches long, 14.8 inches high, and it has a front 2-wheel base measuring 8.46 inches wide with a handlebar that is 8.7 inches wide.

While lacking the anthropomorphic features as well as the 2-in-1 rear tire of the YGJT, this allobebe bike still has an attractive design worthy of eliciting squeals of excitement from kids.

This balance bike is certainly a better play alternative to frequent screen time as kids can use it to have fun while building coordination, strength, balance, and confidence while mom and dad enjoy plenty of bonding time with their kids. supervision is recommended for the use of this toy.

Even so, the allobebe Baby Balance Bike comes with enough safety features to convince parents to buy the bike. For example, there’s the 50⁰ steering limitation engineered to reduce cases of kids sliding and falling off the bike while making turns. This feature also reduces wobbling; it also helps train kids to ride bikes in a straight line.

Also, every part of the bike has rounded edges so there’s no risk of kids hurting themselves on sharp ends on their bikes. So yes, cuts and bruises owed to bike riding are so 1980s.

This bike is built with non-toxic and durable steel and plastic materials that passed the US ASTM FM963-17 & CPSIA standards. The allobebe balance bike also has a soft rubber grip on the handlebar. The bike’s seat is adjustable between 10.2 inches to 11 inches allowing kids of different heights and leg lengths to ride the bike.

Most kids that are at least a year old should be able to sit comfortably on this bike, their little hands properly gripping the handlebars, and their feet bracing the ground. The bike has an advertised maximum carrying capacity of 55 lbs. Even the rear wheel comes with a double bearing which delivers a noiseless ride that does not damage the floor.

This bike is best used indoors because the 6-inch wheels made with soft EVA material are not suitable for concrete roads, wet grounds, muddy floors, and uneven terrains. However, the bike should handle just fine in the backyard.

Assembling the bike is frustration-free and you should be done with putting it together within minutes. The bike comes in 6 attractive and gender-neutral colors for shoppers to choose from.

The Retrospec Cub Kids Balance Bike looks and feels like a proper grown-up bicycle but without pedals or gears. This product is a budget balance bike that is definitely worth your consideration even with its seemingly disappointing oversize footrest.

As far as we’re concerned, the large footrest is a logical design feature that simply backfired. While the wide footrest provides enough room for kids to rest their feet, it also means that children will have to spread their legs a bit wider to avoid hitting their legs on the footrest while pushing the bike along.

But don’t mind our critical eyes too much. For a bike this good, there’s a good chance that kids won’t notice any difference; and if they don’t, then they won’t mind. The Retrospec Cub Kids Balance Bike comes with a mini city comfort saddle adjustable from 12.5 inches to 16 inches making it possible for children of different heights between 2 to 5-years-old to comfortably ride the bike.

Sadly, there are no coaster brakes or handbrakes in this bike. The feet do that job though, helping kids build leg muscle strength. In addition to the adjustable seat, the bike’s handlebar is also adjustable.

While this bike, weighing in at 9.2 lbs., is not as lightweight as the Croco Lightweight Balance Bike, it has a high-tensile quality and a higher load capacity for kids weighing even more than 30 lbs. The Retrospec comes with a curved steel frame that gives young riders easy access to the bike supported by tubeless puncture-free foam tires.

The upside of the tubeless tires, coupled with the lack of pedals, brakes, and gears, is that these eliminate the need for replacements and maintenance. The company built this balance bike with durable materials that met or exceeded all CPSC/CPSIA CFR 16:1512 safety standards.

With a high-tensile strength steel frame and fork that is guaranteed to take some serious beating without falling apart, as well as the low stand-over height step-thru frame, perhaps we should just focus on the bright side of the extra-large footrest we mentioned earlier.

The bright side of the large footrest is that it provides plenty of room for tiny feet and therefore reduces slipping. We have no doubt this was the safety and comfort feature the manufacturer was aiming for with the obtrusive footrest, and it does the job just fine. The Retrospec Cub Kids Balance Bike comes in 12 colors for customers to choose from.

The JOYSTAR 12″ Balance Bike is a lightweight model that performs as smoothly as it looks. The distinct design of the JOYSTAR 12″ Balance Bike makes it an excellent first bike for toddlers just discovering the world of ride-on toys.

This bike is designed to mimic the lean-to-steer mechanism often found in scooters. This feature encourages the child to quickly learn the correlation between balance and direction while they develop enough balance to move on to 2-wheel pedal bikes.

One of the highlights of this balance bike is the head tube clamp fitted onto the middle of the bike’s handlebar. This padded ball is an innovative way to protect kids in scenarios of sudden stops and unexpected slips of the hand or feet, which might lead to the rider falling forward and hitting their face or teeth on the bar.

The equally padded handlebar serves as extra protection to cushion falls. It’s not that the JOYSTAR 12″ Balance Bike is so flimsy that children often slip and fall. These extra safety features are thoughtful additions considering that this bike is meant for babies and toddlers who are prone to falls and tumbles.

The JOYSTAR 12” Balance Bike is definitely an excellent choice for children, but adult supervision is still recommended. Unfortunately, this bike does not come with a footrest built into the frame, but young riders can still reliably rest their feet on the c-curved frame.

Similar to other brands on this list of the best balance bikes, the seat of the JOYSTAR 12″ Balance Bike can be adjusted from a height of 12.6 inches to 14.7 inches. Also, the handlebar is adjustable from 20.4 inches to 22.4 inches.

Another main highlight of this balance bike is the fixation clamp that firmly secures the rear and front wheels.

This bike is built with a high tensile strength carbon steel frame with a curved stand-over design allowing easy access and exit from the bike. The carbon steel material also improves the lightweight quality of this bike. While bikes are mostly built with steel, carbon steel- though heavier than chromoly– is still a stronger and more durable alternative to aluminum or pure steel.

The bike’s 12-inch wheels come with EVA airless tires which means there’s no need to worry about repairs or replacement due to flats. If you’re looking for a low maintenance beginner bike for tots, the JOYSTAR 12″ Balance Bike is absolutely worthy of your consideration. The bike comes in 8 beautiful colors for you to choose from; plus, assembling the bike is easy.

If you have been debating inwardly whether to get your kid a scooter or a bike, or if your child wants a scooter but you know they don’t have the balance to ride one, the Swagtron Manual-Kick-Scooters proves that you can have the best of both worlds. What we have here is a balance bike that easily transforms into a balance scooter as quickly as you can say “Swagtron.”

Let’s face it, scooters are cool and some kids even prefer them to bicycles. The thing is, even though children as young as 2-years-old can start experimenting with scooters, toddlers are still at a developmental stage where they need to build enough balance and coordination to safely enjoy riding them.

Balance bikes are fantastic vehicles to help children build balance and coordination, so, the Swagtron Manual-Kick-Scooters is here to provide as much fun as possible for kids and parents who agree that scooters are just too cool to be sacrificed on the altar of balance bikes.

Kids can ride this Swagtron scooter in bike mode and kick scooter mode by adjusting the seat. This is done via a simple twist and lock procedure- push in and rotate the metal pegs to 180⁰ until you hear the lock sound.

You can also adjust the vehicle to fit kids of different heights. This bike/scooter can support weights of up to 44 lbs. It is built with a carbon steel frame for a tough and long-lasting quality.

The Swagtron Manual-Kick-Scooters come with two rear wheels providing additional stability for young riders. The rider’s weight is evenly distributed while straddling a bike but this is not the case with scooters, which means the best scooters have to be built with sturdy and durable frame/board.

Not only is the Swagtron Manual-Kick-Scooter’s frame adjustable but it is also built with durable carbon steel and plastic materials supported by three 7.5-inch sturdy wheels. This balance bike met the US ASTM F963 safety standards.

This Swagtron option is perfect for indoor rides. The wheels are made with tough plastic providing a noiseless ride around the house without damaging the floors. This K2 model will help children easily transition to either standard bikes or scooters.

You can get this balance bike/kick scooter in 3 child-friendly colors – blue, green, and pink – so your child can roll around the house and the neighborhood in stunning style.