3-year-old children are rambunctious, constantly curious, and are typically up for anything you present to them as parents. They’re a lot of fun to spend time with because of that.
Biking is a great hobby to pick up for a 3-year-old, and as long as you can give your child a good bike to play around with, they will surely love it.
In this article, we will closely examine some of the top bikes for 3-year-olds currently on the market. After reading up on them, you should be able to determine which particular bike is going to be the best one for your kid.
Best Bike for 3-Year-Olds Comparison Table
| Product | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strider 12 Pro | 5.6 | n/a | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Ridgeback UK | 10.5 | 12'' | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Cruzee | 4.4 | n/a | Adjustable | Check Price |
| MyKick | 11 | 12'' | Adjustable | Check Price |
| 19 | 12'' | Mid-rise | Check Price | |
| 19 | 12'' | Mid-rise | | |
| TheCroco | 4.3 | n/a | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Bixe | 4 | 12'' | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Critical Cycles | 9 | n/a | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Banana | 7.28 | n/a | Low-rise | Check Price |
| Magna | 17.6 | 12'' | Mid-rise | Check Price |
| Costzon | 6 | 12'' | Adjustable | Check Price |
We can now move forward to discussing the best bikes for 3-year-olds in greater detail.
Best Bike for 3-Year-Olds Reviews
We can now move forward to discussing the best bikes for 3-year-olds in greater detail.
Strider 12 Pro – Best Balance Bike for 3-Year-Olds
The bicycle you are getting for your 3-year-old is supposed to either teach him/her about the basics of bike riding or represent a reasonable step-up in difficulty from the bike they may have used as a 2-year-old.
The Strider 12 Pro Balance Bike can play both roles easily.
This Strider bike is also remarkably lightweight and that allows for easier steering. Your child will be able to better understand exactly what steering does because the bike reflects their actions clearly.
Kids can also learn more about how to position themselves properly on the bicycle, and should the need arise for adjustments, this bike will allow for that.
It’s not the main selling point, but it’s also hard to deny the stylish form of the Strider Pro 12. The silver color scheme serves to highlight the coolness of bike riding, and it also works as something that can entice your child to hop on.
The Strider Pro 12 can truly be considered one of the best bike for 3-year-old learners, but if it does possess a flaw, it’s the material used for its tires. Even though the foam tires are durable, they are still not what you want to see even in a child’s bike.
Bikes with foam tires ride differently from ones that come with conventional rubber options. When your child moves on to a tougher bike, there’s a chance they may encounter some difficulty because they are unfamiliar with how the rubber tires work.
- You can consider this bike as the closest thing to the total package in terms of being a good bike for a 3-year-old, except for…
- …The rubber tires that stand out as suboptimal additions to an otherwise fine bicycle
Ridgeback UK 2018 US Edition Scoot – A Suitable Bike for the Quick Learner
Children learn at different rates. Some may pick up on things quickly and are able to make adjustments right away, while others may need more time before they can fully grasp what they are being asked to learn.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with kids needing extra time to learn, but there’s also no reason to hold back a child that gets a handle on things quickly.
This bike has several features that are reminiscent of the parts found on bicycles for older kids. The wheels aren’t made of rubber or plastic, and are instead fashioned out of heavy duty rubber and are made to look like the tires you would see on bigger bikes.
You also won’t find coaster brakes on this kid’s bike. It makes use of a v-brake instead, and the inclusion of that is going to teach your kid to stop in the same way they would with more advanced bikes.
The designers intentionally added those parts because they wanted this bike to act as an accurate stand-in for what your kid will use later in life.
That’s not necessarily a negative point, but it’s just something to keep in mind because you don’t want to buy this for your child thinking it looks cool and then it turns out that he/she won’t even be able to use it.
- This is probably the closest thing to an advanced kid’s bike that you will see on the market
- Being so advanced means that this bike is unusable for a significant number of children
Cruzee Ultralite – For the Little Kid with a Need for Speed
Once you see that your child has a clear love for biking, it’s best to encourage him/her to nurture that because bike riding is the type of hobby that can remain beneficial in so many ways even later in their life.
The challenge though is actually finding a way to keep them interested in bike riding. 3-year-olds aren’t exactly known for having long attention spans, and they may get tired of biking as well if it becomes too boring.
That’s why the Ultralite Balance Bike from Cruzee is so special.
Don’t worry about the bike being too fast though. Because it is a balance bike, it still doesn’t come with pedals, so your kid will not be in any real danger of being involved in a high-speed collision.
This bike is also a good one to purchase if your child is a bit smaller than the average 3-year-old as it will not be difficult for him/her to handle.
Positioning can be an issue with this bike, however, especially if your kid is bigger. The lowest adjustment for the bike seat is situated very close to the rear wheel and that could force your kid to adopt an uncomfortable riding posture. He/she may not like using this bike for any extended period of time because of that.
- Because it’s so lightweight, this is a bike you can take just about anywhere easily
- Some kids may struggle trying to find a comfortable sitting position on this bike
MyKick Balance Bike – A Model for Durability
3-year-olds are not super coordinated. They have a tendency to fall over and trip even while they are just walking around, so you can imagine that they will also be tipping over a lot while they are riding bikes.
Several components of this bike have durability-focused features.
The tires are indeed unlikely to flatten even after an extended period of use, but it’s not because they are made out of foam. They are rubber tires that are quite similar to the ones used for more advanced bikes. It’s just that they have been designed not to flatten while being used by a lighter rider such as a toddler.
Also included in the MyKick Balance Bike are ball-bearing wheel hubs that significantly reduce the amount of friction that the tires are subjected to, enabling them to remain functional for longer.
The seat and handlebars are all well-made and built to withstand a good amount of wear and tear.
If this bike were just a bit more forgiving in terms of difficulty, you could give it to your kid and not have to worry about them using it. As it stands, kids may need some help getting used to this bike at first, so make yourself available for at least the first few riding sessions.
- Durability is the calling card of this particular bike
- You’ll likely have to carve out some time in your schedule for training sessions with this bike because it’s unlikely your child will master riding it right away
DisneyPixar by Huffy – Best Pedal Bike for 3-Year-Olds
Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” franchise has proven itself to be among the most successful and profitable multimedia properties of this young century. Chances are if your toddler saw “Cars 3” in 2017, he’s also asked to watch the other movies in the franchise and the spin-offs too.
The best way to reward your little “Cars” fan then is to get him a vehicle of his own. It’s not a car, but it’s at least something close.
The Cars Boys’ Bike from Huffy features many of the memorable characters from the franchise.
The bike doesn’t just feature characters from the series as it also has several design elements that pay tribute to the movies.
The color scheme featured is very reminiscent of the franchise, and you can also see additional elements such as the silhouettes of familiar settings.
Another standout feature of this bike is the handlebar tire case. Your child can decide to remove the tire placed inside the case and replace it with whichever toys he wants to bring along.
From a design standpoint, this Huffy creation gets high marks for sticking to the theme very well, but it doesn’t score as high in other areas.
While you can appreciate them using a strong, steel frame, that gives the bike extra weight that is unwelcome.
It’s still going to be a good purchase if you have a young “Cars” fan in your household, but outside of that, there’s no other compelling reason to buy this bicycle.
- The designers stayed on subject and have created something that is evocative of the popular animated movie franchise
- Coaster brakes are not great even for kid’s bikes
Paw Patrol Bicycle – For the Fans of the Popular Animated Series
“Paw Patrol” made its U.S. debut back in August of 2013, and it has since become a favorite show for many preschool-aged kids. Fans of the show have followed Ryder and his canine companions as they have continually offered protection to the residents of Adventure Bay.
It’s easy to see why kids have fallen in love with that show, and if you want to use your child’s love for the program to sell him/her on getting a bike, then you can absolutely do that.
The Paw Patrol Bicycle features the many characters your kids know and love from the show.
They will see Ryder joined by some of his constant companions such as Marshall, Rubble, and Chase featured in the 3D plate that is included with the bike itself. The characters and the logo of the show can also be seen on the pedals and the frame of the bicycle.
As for how the bike itself will perform in the hands of your child, there’s no guarantee that he/she will be able to handle it properly.
The foot brake and training wheels also do a disservice to the bike because they serve to make it less suitable as a teaching tool. Kids won’t find those components on more advanced bicycles, and that could make the eventual transition trickier.
- It’s easy to convince your 3-year-old to give bike riding a try with some help from Ryder and his friends
- This bike is big, bulky, and potentially hard to handle, especially for the smaller 3-year-olds
TheCroco Premium & Ultra-Light – A Good Option for Seekers of Lightweight Bikes
Here we have another bike that is on the lighter side and that is why you should look for it if your child is smaller in size.
It weighs just a little more than the Bixe Extreme Bike mentioned below.
The advantage it has over the Bixe Extreme is its look. The design is also on the simpler side, but the monotony is broken up by the presence of TheCroco’s logo.
The soft handgrips will ease the stress on your child’s fingers as he/she uses the bike.
It will be easy for your child to feel comfortable while using this particular bicycle, but there are some downsides to using it too.
Because it is both lightweight and made out of aluminum, the bike itself cannot handle that much weight. Its reach is limited due to that.
The material used for the tires is a polymer. These are necessary for maintaining the lightweight nature of the bike, but it lacks the durability you want from components included in a bike intended for heavy use.
- It’s lightweight and stylish, making it ideal for the small child who wants to stand out from the crowd
- The bigger 3-year-olds should steer clear of this bicycle
Bixe Extreme Light – The Lightest Bike for the Smallest 3-Year-Olds
Riding a bike comes naturally for many kids, but for a significant segment of the young population, managing that seemingly simple feat is tough mainly because the majority of bikes are too heavy.
Ideally, you want to give your kid a bike that only weighs about a third as much as he/she does. Anything over that results in difficulties emerging.
That’s why the smaller 3-year-olds may struggle to find a bike that fits them well.
The Bixe Extreme Light Balance Bike caters to those smaller children.
Now, just because this bike is capable of catering to the smaller 3-year-olds, that does not mean that other children won’t be able to use it. Kids who weigh up to 60 lbs can continue using this bike with no issue.
Not a lot of kid’s bikes provide that kind of range, and that’s one of the standout features of this item.
All that said, you will probably have to get a different bike not long after purchasing this one.
The foam tires used for this bike wear down easily and they prevent long-term service. As long as you purchase this bike knowing that, you should be pleased with it.
- You will find it difficult to spot any other bike that can work with as many kids as this one
- The foam tires used for this bike lack durability
Critical Cycles Balance Bike – Smartly Designed to Prevent Injuries
As much as possible, you want to protect your child from any kind of injury when he/she is riding a bike, but that’s a task that is easier said than done.
Even if you take every precaution possible, there’s still a small chance that he/she will sustain a minor injury.
For instance, stopping the wrong way could cause your child to slip off the bike seat and get injured.
Therein lies the brilliance of the design featured by the Cub Kids Balance Bike from Critical Cycles.
It’s a minor design addition, but anything that provides extra protection is always welcome in a child’s bicycle.
Your child will also get some decently sized footrests to use when he/she is getting tired.
There’s honestly a lot to like about this Critical Cycles product, and that’s why it’s so frustrating to see that they installed plastic tires on the bike.
The plastic tires work well enough, but it’s easy to see that they just can’t perform as well as their rubber or even foam counterparts.
- Numerous safety features are included in this bike, so you can rest easy when your child is riding it
- Those plastic tires end up hurting the bike’s performance and they offer a different feel during riding as well
Banana Bike LT – Sensibility and Style Combine to Create a Beautiful Banana
What you will easily grow to love about this bike is the way it does so well in so many areas.
The design is nothing too bold, but it’s still eye-catching in a good way. Your kid can ride this bike for hours remaining comfortable all the while as well.
It’s a perfectly solid bike, and one you would have no issue with your kid steering.
Still, it struggles to break into the upper tier of bikes of 3-year-olds because of some durability issues. The handgrips, in particular, may get torn up quickly if your child falls over on this bike frequently.
The footrests are also awkwardly positioned and some kids may not even be able to reach them comfortably.
There are better choices out there on the market, but your child won’t complain that much if you ask him/her to use this one.
- The more you look at this bike, the more you will appreciate the brilliance of its understated design
- Plastic tires are never ideal for a bike
Magna Girls Sweet Heart – A Safe and Beautiful Bike for Your Little Girl
Bikes specifically designed for little girls are a little tougher to find. If you happen to be one of the parents on the hunt for such an item, you’ll be thankful for the availability of the Sweet Heart Bike from Magna.
This bike is proudly girly as it features a bright pink and white color scheme. Covering the bike are hearts of varying hues and they work well together with the main pink and white.
It’s not just your little girl who will fall in love with this bike because there are different safety features you will love too as a parent.
It’s also worth pointing out the reflectors placed on the pedals that will also work to keep your little lady safe from harm.
The brakes of this bike aren’t optimized for safety, however. Coaster brakes can be problematic because they can be activated your kid unintentionally, resulting in an accident.
The pedals are also somewhat stiff, and your little girl will need to have good leg strength to keep them churning. You can also keep applying lubrication to the pedals, but that can be bothersome.
- This is a bike that many little girls with love for its looks
- The pedal reflectors are welcome additions
- Working the pedals can be a challenge for your little girl because of how stiff they are
Costzon Balance Bike – For Kids Who Want to Ride in Style
Design is always a subjective thing, but every now and then, there are certain items that come along that are just beautiful no matter how you look at them.
The Costzon Balance Bike is one of those items.
The designers took a minimalist approach to this bicycle. Instead of using tons of patterns and colors to make it appealing to kids, the designers just opted to prominently feature a simple color pattern and focus more on fine craftsmanship.
By going in that direction, the designers are able to just let their skills speak for themselves.
Beyond just its looks, this Costzon bike also appeals to parents and kids alike by being highly customizable, safe, and easy to handle.
Even the grips are designed so well that they will be easy and comfortable for your kid to grip.
Bigger 3-year-olds can also comfortably use this bike as it is able to support a good amount of weight.
Unfortunately, the foam tires stand out as the substandard components of this bike.
- From the perspective of design, you will find it difficult to spot any other kid’s bike that will look better than this one
- The foam tires are durable enough, but they still feel different enough from rubber tires that they could present issues down the line
Best Bike for 3-Year-Olds Buyer’s Guide
This section will serve as a reminder of the things you need to take note of before putting your money down for a 3-year-old’s bike.
- Bike Type: Balance bikes are still recommended for 3-year-olds as they may not be ready yet for the variants that make use of pedals.
- Weight: A bike that weighs only a third as much as your child is ideal and ones that exceed more than half of his/her weight should be avoided.
- Wheel Size: 12-inch wheels will work fine for most 3-year-olds, but the larger kids may be more comfortable with 14-inch wheels.
- Handlebar Type: Always try to look for adjustable handlebars.
- Brake Type: Most 3-year-olds will be capable of handling bikes that make use of hand brakes.
Feel free to check out our extended buyer’s guide to find more information pertaining to the things you need to look for in kid’s bikes.
As you can see, bicycles for 3-year-old kids come in all shapes and sizes and feature all kinds of strengths and weaknesses. That’s a good thing though because the abundance of choices means it will be easier for you to find one that is perfect for your kid.
Hopefully, these reviews have provided you with enough information to make a smart purchase. We also hope that whichever bike you choose to get will be one your kid absolutely adores.
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