My son will be 3 in July. In May, we are having another little boy. I am taking some of the advice I've seen given here before, and planning to have a gift "from the baby" waiting for my son at the hospital.
I was surfing around Toys R Us, and saw a really cute tricycle. I'm thinking about getting that, but I'm not really sure if that's the best choice. I'm worried that he'll outgrow it too fast, and I'd be better off with a bicycle with training wheels.
What age do you think is good for a bike? They make them in all sizes, so getting one that's small enough is no problem, I just don't know when I should expect him to be able to operate it without killing himself!
Thanks so much for the input, ladies! I talked to my husband, and we think we're going to go with the tricycle. Of course, the helmet was a given either way, but it's nice to see you are all so safety minded!
I'm not too worried about getting the thing into the hospital. He won't be with us for the first trip, he'll be coming to visit the next day.
He has already picked out a stuffed animal to give Jack when he gets here. He likes to take it and "walk" it across my belly and yell Jack Jack Jack! He tried to stick his favorite Tigger from when he was a baby into the basket of baby clothes I was folding when I explained that those were all things for his baby when he gets here. It was adorable!
I recommend a bike - I have a 3 yr old daughter - we got her the little tricycle at around 2 yrs old and by the time she was 3 she outgrew it easily - the bike would be a better long term investment - they have a bar that you can attach to the wheels so that an adult can help them balance when you take the training wheels off - I think it is calle the Balance Buddy.
good luck
Hi J.,
Bike aren't like when we where kids. My friend and I where just having this conversation. About all the differant sizes. I feel they have become disposible. Remember when there was two sizes kids and adults. And if the chain would come off we would work all day to fix it. But anyway go for the small bike with training wheels. And my feelings are you are not spoiling him, you where going to get the bike for him any way. You are just using creative parenting. We all do it. Enjoy your new little one and have fun with what ever gift you pick.
H. C
What you are thinking about is a good idea, and kids always need bikes, I believe that Tyco (Little Tikes) has a tricycle that converts to a bid wheeled two wheeler to it grows with your youngster, you may want to look into this. They are durable, stable and fun. Good luck and congrats on the new edition.
Just judge by the height and the benifit is you do have one right behind.
a tricycle is more stable then one with training wheels.
we started are son off on a tricycle when he was 3 and then for this Easter (he's 4) bought him a bike with training wheels an yup you guessed it .. should have bought the helmet. he downed it the first day outside. (turned to quick.) we should have gave him more time on the tricycle.
A little bike with training wheels is an excellant idea. I got my daughter a tricycle when she was two and a half and by the next summer (when she was three and a half) I had to replace it as she had outgrown it. She loved the new bicycle with the training wheels though. It made her feel grown up and since most are adjustable it lasted longer than the tricycle did. I took my daughter with me to the store to try them out before I bought one. That way she could sit on it and I could gauge what size would work best for her. Then, I went back alone and bought it to surprise her with.
Congradulations on the new addition to your family!
I wouldn't start with a regular bike. The pedals are in the middle and he could really hurt himself on them. My son got a big wheel for his second b-day. The seat is adjustable so it will last him a good long time. He will be 3 in June and he still can't use the pedals but he scoots around with his feet. Another thing. If this is a "gift" from the baby and you want to have it at the hospital don't you think a bike is a little to big. I would go with something much smaller like a toy truck or an action figure. Something that can be hidden in your suitcase or bag. A bike is a great idea but I'd wait for his b-day for that. Besides they have to be put together and that is the last thing you want to be thinking about right now.
My favorite was always the Kettler Happy Navigator Trycicle. They are very priced but I have never had to replace the trycycle. You can also customize the bike, use a push handle, add a bucket or a basket or a bell etc. I think its a great product and all my boys learned to ride on a kettler at about 2 and a half. The seat stretch is even adjustable so that their feet reach the peddles appropriately as they grow. Love this product.
C.
Hi J.,
Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here baby.
I would get him a tricycle if I were you. Get him something he can use to learn pedalling first.
Good luck.
L..
I would go with the tricyle and helmet. Both of my older boys started with tricycles and got two wheelers by about 4/5. They're "pros" on their bikes now, having upgraded at this point to 20/24 inch mountain bikes (they're 9 and 11 now). Helmets are a must, even with a tricyle. From my experience though, I would be careful with what you get your son as a gift from the baby. My MIL made the mistake, IMO, of getting my oldest a big gift when my second was born. To this day, he gets a bit of an attitude at both of his brothers' birthdays when he doesn't get anything. It doesn't help that my MIL coddles him more than she should, but that's another issue. Of course, the choice is yours to make, maybe I'm just projecting! Best of luck with the baby!
i got my son a bike last summer when he just turned 3. ithink it took him about a month to learn how to ride it. now he is so fast it scares me! When i had my second son i got my older boy a fire truck from his baby brother. i got something which i new my older boy was really into at the time, instant bonding happened because my older boy ryan was so happy his baby brothe matt got him his favorite toy! Good luck to you!
Hi there.
I think it all depends on the child. My oldest son picked up riding a bike real quick while my 5 year old still cant ride a two wheeler. If you get a trike just try not to spend too much money so if you have to replace it you won't feel so bad. Good luck!
Hi there J.,
My son's been riding a tricycle/big wheel/scooter since he tuned 2 and i had him try a cousin's bike with training wheels recently to see if he was ready for a 'real bike' (he's almost 3 1/2 now). Seeing that he loved it, my husband and I just ordered the 10" wheel Radio Flyer bike with training wheels yesterday (it has great reviews).
Check it out at: http://store.babycenter.com/product/classic+red+10%22+bic...
(it's on sale right now also) I love that he'll be able to grow with it - when he gets more confident I'll take the training wheels off!
I think every child is different, but as long as he/she can handle the physicality of a bike, and is willing to bide by your rules (ie. not to ride without a parent nearby, stay on the driveway/sidewalk only, etc.) I think a bike at this age is an inexpensive and surefire way to keep our kids active.
Best of luck, hope this was a little help.
Cograts on the new baby. Personally, I would stick with something small such as a matchbox car or action figure. It will mean more to him at this point. I would save something like a bike or tricycle for his birthday. Is he gonna get a "special" gift for the baby? That might mean more to him than getting something from the baby! Just a suggestion...again, congratulations on your new addition, I hope that you and the baby will be well!
My son was 3 in February and last christmas we got him a bright red radio flyer tricycle. We had taken him to the store a few times prior and although he was big enough to ride a 2-wheeler, he was a little unsure of the steering. I figured it would be best to start off with the tricycle to cut down on the "bumps and bruises". My neighbor's son is 5 and he will come over and ride the tricycle even though he has his own 2-wheeler, so I don't really worry about my son growing out of it any time soon, but I'm sure he'll get his own bicycle this christmas. If you do decide to get the tricycle, I recommend you get a helmet too. It's much safer and it will get your son used to wearing one for when he really needs it. Good luck to you. J.
