Who could forget their very first bike? It’s one of our earliest childhood memories that we love to look back on.
So, it’s not surprising that bikes are a pretty big deal, for both kids and their parents! The kids want to have a good time and feel confident, while parents want their kids to learn an essential skill safely while still having fun.
Throughout this article, we’ll be taking you through the top bikes for kids.
We’ve also prepared a handy buying guide to help you feel comfortable enough while making your final purchase decision, so don’t worry if this is your first time buying a kid’s bike!
Our List of Best Bikes for Kids
You’re about to read our full list of the best kids’ bikes and our honest reviews as to why these bikes are the best, in our opinion.
Let’s get started.
Dynacraft Gravel Blaster
Summary
The Dynacraft Magna Gravel Blaster BMX Bike comes in black and green with 12-inch wheels and has a coaster brake for easy braking.
The bike is a BMX street/dirt type, which is great if you like taking your child riding through rough terrain, such as gravel.
This rough Dynacraft bike can withstand weight up to 50 lbs.
This bike is would make a great gift for a 3 year old boy!
Pros
- Comes with adjustable and removable training wheels
- Affordable price
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Too heavy for a child
- Available in one color combination (black and green)
What age is this recommended for?
This bike is recommended for children aged 3 to 5 years old.
What makes this bike stand out?
This bike stands out with its coaster brake that enables safe riding and more control.
Schwinn Elm
Summary
The Schwinn Elm bike for girls is as sturdy as it is cute.
It comes with 18-inch wheels and is built of durable high-quality steel material.
The design of the bike is different from others, as the pedals are built in narrower to better fit a child’s hip-width. It also has a lighter bike frame for stability and smaller grip diameters to fit smaller hands.
This Schwinn cruiser is a great option for any 5 year old girl!
Pros
- Comes in many sizes to fit various ages
- Available in a variety of colors (teal, purple, pink)
- Includes training wheels, saddle handle, kickstand, chainguard, and number plate
Cons
- Assembly may be tricky
What age is this recommended for?
The 18-inch Schwinn Elm is recommended for kids aged 5 to 7 years old.
What makes this bike stand out?
The SmartStart redesign makes the bike fit a child’s proportions well.
Schwinn Koen
Summary
The Schwinn Koen boys’ bike is a 20-inch wheeler and many tool-free adjustable features.
It includes a rear coaster brake and a front caliper brake, ensuring your kids have more control of the bike as they ride.
The Schwinn Koen boys’ bike also comes with the SmartStart design, as well as an adjustable saddle, seat post, and slack seat-tube angle.
[Related: Best Tricycles for Little Kids]
Pros
- Comes in black, red, and blue
- Available in many sizes to fit various ages
Cons
- Handlebars are not adjustable
- Pedals might be too sturdy for a child
What age is this recommended for?
The Schwinn Koen is designed for children 6 years old and up.
What makes this bike stand out?
The many adjustable features in this bike make it a good investment as it can be adjusted to fit your child’s growing body.
Huffy 12″ MotoX Boys Bike
Summary
The Huffy MotoX is a steel-built bike with 12-inch wheels and two extra training wheels at the back.
The bike also has a feature called the alloy quick seat release, which allows simple height changes to ensure your little one is comfortable.
The railed seat and handlebar can be modified to ensure proper fit as well.
Another beneficial feature of this single-speed bike is the front handbrake. A rear coaster brake is also available, which is easy to use.
This boys bike is perfect for a 4th birthday boy!
Pros
- Available in different sizes
- Comes in various colors (black, yellow, red, blue)
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Pedals are stiff
- The metal used in training wheels is weak
What age is this recommended for?
This bike is ideal for kids ages 3 to 5 years old.
What makes this bike stand out?
The alloy quick seat release makes sure you can adjust the height of the seat accurately and quickly.
RoyalBaby Kids Bike
Summary
The RoyalBaby Freestyle Bicycle comes with sturdy training wheels and adjustable features that ensure comfortable riding.
The grip length of this bike’s brake lever is shortened by 23% than the standard bike. This allows your little one to brake efficiently, which ensures safe riding and better control.
The tires are also built wider to add stability and better a child’s balance.
[Related: Top Rated Big Wheels for Kids]
Pros
- Non-slip resin pedal for a stronger and control grip
- Chain-guard prevents the chain from trapping the child’s pants or scratching their leg
- Soft but sturdy foam seat
- Comes in a wide variety of colors (blue, red, orange, green, pink, white, fuchsia)
Cons
- Heavy for a child to handle
- Too many decals on the bike
What age is this recommended for?
The recommended age range is 2 to 9.
What makes this bike stand out?
It’s a versatile bike and offers special features such as the chain guard.
Strider Sport Balance
Summary
The Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike is a highly durable bike that can withstand a child’s tumbles. Unlike the other bikes in this list this bike is more tailored toward Toddlers.
The heights of the seat and the handlebar can change to fit various ages, meaning this bike can stay with your child for a long time. The bike is also suitable for future modifications, such as a foot brake or heavy-duty tires.
You also don’t have to worry about durability or maintenance, as this bike has a durable steel frame and puncture-proof tires.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors (red, green, blue, yellow, pink)
- Doesn’t need to be assembled with tools
- Lightweight and easy for kids to manage
Cons
- No written instructions for the assembly process
What age is this recommended for?
The recommended age is 18 months to 5 years.
What makes this bike stand out?
The main feature in this bike is how adjustable and durable it is, making it last with your little one for years.
Thomas the Train
Product Currently Out Of Stock!
Summary
The Thomas the Train bike by Nickelodeon comes with 14-inch wheels and training wheels.
For safe riding and better control, the bike also comes with the coaster brake feature, which is activated by pedaling backward.
If your child is a fan of Thomas the Train, they will especially love the graphics and the Thomas sound feature on the bike’s headtube.
Pros
- Available in red, blue, and black
- Adjustable training wheels
Cons
- Might be too heavy
- Requires batteries to activate Thomas sound
What age is this recommended for?
The recommended age is 3 to 6 years old.
What makes this bike stand out?
The Thomas the Train graphics and sound feature would make this bike the favorite of any young Thomas the Train fan.
Mongoose Switch BMX
Summary
The Mongoose Switch BMX bike has 18-inch wheels and comes in black with orange and blue decals.
The bike has a low, stand-over steel frame, which allows easy access and increased control for young riders.
It also comes with training wheels that can be adjusted or removed.
Pros
- Comes with foot brake for better control
- Chain-guard protects kids’ legs and clothing
Cons
- Unavailable in more colors
- Assembly instructions are difficult to follow
What age is this recommended for?
It’s recommended for ages 6 to 10.
What makes this bike stand out?
The bike has a sturdy build and a color palette that kids would enjoy.
Joystar Totem
Summary
The Joystar Totem bike is a 16-inch wheeler that’s made of premium steel material to keep it sturdy.
The Joystar bike comes with training wheels to help stabilize early riders. The training wheels are also easy to remove once your child has mastered the art of balancing on a bike.
Even the seat saddle has a handle for parents to help their child get on the bike safely, should the training wheels be removed.
Pros
- Comes in 6 colors (ivory, red, blue, orange, pink, green)
- Available DIY decals for children to customize their bike
- Coaster brake available and easy to use
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- Seat can be too rough for long rides
What age is this recommended for?
The 16-inch size is recommended for children ages 4 to 7.
What makes this bike stand out?
The handle on the seat saddle is not a common feature, and neither is the ivory color.
Huffy’s Frozen
Product Currently Out Of Stock!
Summary
Huffy’s Frozen bike comes with 12-inch wheels and a fabric basket for some extra flair.
The bike also comes with training wheels and coaster brakes. The frame is made of steel to maximize durability, while the seat is padded generously for comfortable riding.
The seat is also adjustable in terms of height, which is a good option to have for when your little one grows in size.
Pros
- Frozen-themed decals
- Attached basket with snowflake tire tread
- Comes in white or blue
Cons
- Too heavy for young children to manage alone
- No hand brakes
What age is this recommended for?
It’s most suitable for kids ages 3 to 6.
What makes this bike stand out?
The fabric basket with snowflake tread adds a cute touch to the bike that isn’t available in most bikes.
Firmstrong Urban Girl
Summary
This beach cruiser model has 20-inch wheels and fenders in the front and the rear.
The white-ballon tires enable the child to ride smoothly, and the pedal-backwards coaster brakes make riding more controlled.
The bike also comes with an oversized seat, which ensures comfortable bike rides.
Pros
- Available in 3 colors (baby blue, pink, dark green)
- Single-speed bike for easy handling
Cons
- Not built for rough terrain like gravel
- Training wheels sold separately
What age is this recommended for?
This bike is ideal for kids ages 4 to 10 years.
What makes this bike stand out?
The dual springs ensure the seat is soft and comfortable to sit on.
If none of these bikes is a match for your little one then you can have a look at the following related gift guides:
- Best gifts for 5 year old boys
- Best gifts for 5 year old girls
- Best gifts for 6 year old boys
- Best gifts for 6 year old girls
Buyer’s Guide to Choose the Best Bikes for Kids
It’s important to know what to look for when purchasing a kid’s bike, especially if it’s your child’s first!
Let’s go through some questions.
Should the bike seat be comfortable or sturdy?
It should be both. Children need to be comfortable on their bikes, especially when learning. Sturdiness also plays a big role as the seat needs to be stable for your child to feel confident and safe.
What does single-speed mean?
Single-speed bikes have a single gear ratio, meaning they don’t have speed control. This makes them low maintenance and easy to ride, which is why this feature is common in children’s bikes.
How do I pick the right bike size for my child?
By measuring the inseam, which is the distance between the ground and lap. When you do this, you ensure the ideal match for your child’s bike.
Final Thoughts
So that’s it for our list of best kids’ bikes in the market today!
Make sure to check out the bikes online, and if the bike isn’t a surprise, you can always take your little one’s opinion and make the final decision together.
Happy riding!
