It's moments like this that seem monumental as your child grows up. It's up there with their first walk and the first word, surpassed only perhaps when they learn to ride a bike without the stabilizer wheels.
Teaching your child to ride a toddler tricycle is one of those rewarding moments as a parent you will cherish. In addition, it teaches your vital child skills that will help them later on, such as awareness, motor skills, and coordination.
At What Age Can a Toddler Ride a Tricycle?
As with many questions about what age a toddler can do x, y, or z, it depends on different factors. With so many tricycles for kids on the market, your toddler's age and size will depend on what trike you buy.
For example, some child tricycles have a handlebar that parents can use to push and even steer the trike. This type of trike can be used with much smaller toddlers (even under one year) than the kind where they are in complete control of it.
Another type is a multi-stage tricycle which can grow with your child. Some multi-stage tricycles, which double as a walker, can even be used by toddlers under one year of age.
It's generally thought that the age of between one and two is the time that a toddler can learn to pedal a tricycle. The muscle development and motor skills needed to start learning should be present at this age.
And by doing so, your little one can increase strength in their legs and improve coordination and visual awareness. They should have enough power to begin pedaling by themselves at about two.
How to Teach a Toddler to Ride a Tricycle?
Introducing your child to toddler tricycles
It may seem basic or unnecessary, but showing your child all the elements of a trike can go a long way to helping them understand it.
Introduce them to all the parts that matter, such as the wheels, the seat, the pedals, and the handlebar. Show them that the wheels turn, which is how the trike moves. Show them the pedals turn and power the wheels, and explain the handlebars steer the trike so that it can turn.
Demonstrate how the tricycle works to understand what it is and how fun it can be for them to ride it. In general, kids love freedom and movement, so it shouldn't take too much time to get them interested in this modern machine.
Let Your Child Practice Pedaling
The next step is to let your child practice pedaling. This can be done by starting by getting them to practice the motion of pedaling and not trying to push the pedals.
To do this, place your toddler on a chair that's a similar height to the tricycle seat and put the palms of your hands against your toddler's feet.
Push your hands in a circular motion to mimic the turning of the pedals. Alternatively, you can lie your child on their back and kneel on the floor in front of their legs.
Again, place the palms of your hands on their feet and push in the motion of how pedals move. This is a great exercise that familiarizes them with the needed action for pedaling.
Try to Ride the Tricycle
Finally, you can let your toddler try to ride their tricycle. It's important to remember a few things; be sure that the trike is a suitable size for your child, ensure their feet can touch the ground, and reach the pedals (legs should be bent slightly at the knee). They are comfortably able to get the handlebar without stretching forward too much.
Where to Buy a Toddler Tricycle?
There is no shortage of kid's tricycles on the market today, but choosing one may not be as simple as it sounds. The two most important things to consider are the size of the trike and safety.
Be sure the tricycle is suitable for your toddler's age and that the product is durable and certified safe. Always check the reviews to see what other parents have to say about it.
Here at Besrey, we are introducing our third-generation child's tricycle, which we think offers everything your child needs in a tricycle and more. Please read on below to find out about it, and don't forget to hit the links to view the full product page and reviews!
The Besrey 5-in-1 tricycle is the ultimate trike for teaching your child all the skills they need growing up; balance, coordination, strength, and awareness. It's also a whole load of fun that over 3,500 parents have rated positively.
It offers 3 riding modes - baby walker, tricycle, and balance bike. The best thing about the Besrey 3-in-1 tricycle is that it grows with your child and can be used from 10 months to 4 years.
The rear wheels are locked open like a tricycle, and the pedals are fitted. The rear wheels come together in a more narrow configuration in walker mode, and the pedals are stowed. The trike becomes a balance bike in the third mode as the two rear wheels come together entirely, and the pedals are stowed up.
The Besrey 5-in-1 tricycle comes in 5 stunning colors and looks fantastic. This is the trike on the street that all the kids will want!
Here are some key features of the Besrey 5-in-1 tricycle:
4 adjustable handle angles - 35° & 90° forwards, 35° & 90° backward offer a comfortable ride for any child aged 10 months to 4 years.
Soft PU leather seat - A cushioned seat that is height adjustable between 11.8 and 15.35 inches suits different age levels.
Anti-slip EVA foam tires - These wheels are non-slip, wear-resistant, and durable. They are closed wheels with no spokes to prevent pinching feet.
Strong steel frame - The painted carbon steel frame is durable to last years, while the steering is limited to 120° to prevent accidental rollover.
Convert button - The simple click of a button at the rear of the tricycle allows you to effortlessly switch between the 3 modes, while the pedals are also just as easy to stow away.
Safety Precautions for Toddlers Riding Tricycles
As mentioned above, the most important thing when choosing a trike for your toddler is that the size of the tricycle suits both their age and size. They should be able to reach the pedals and the ground and comfortably hold the handles. If they are stretching too far to do any of these, there is a risk of them falling off.
You may also want to drill in the importance of a helmet and knee & elbow pads early. Then when they transition to a real bike, the habit of wearing safety gear will be usual to them later on.
Conclusion
Learning how to ride a trike is a significant milestone in your toddler's development. It is their first taste of self-propelled freedom! The skills they learn from riding a trike will help them later on to transition to a proper bike. They should love it, and you will cherish it. Be sure to take plenty of photos and memories to show them when they are grown up.
