The Best Tricycles for Babies and Toddlers

Long before a child makes those first few turns around the neighborhood on their Christmas morning bike, they learn to ride on a simpler kind of racer. The three-wheeled convenience of a tricycle allows a child to enjoy the ride long before the real growing pains must be faced. Some are steel, some are plastic, and some cater to both infants and older toddlers. At the end of the ride, each one of those trikes knows how to slip a smile on a child’s face the way that few things can. If you’re in the market for a suitable or speedy kind of trike, here are a few options that we recommend.

What You Should Look for in a Tricycle

Consider these factors when making your selection:

• Frame Construction: A key factor you should consider when buying your child’s first tricycle is the construction of its frame. There is an assortment of pros and cons that go into this selection process, and they’re all influenced by the trike’s weight. A trike constructed from plastic material is easier to maneuver and may reach a faster speed, but they’re prone to toppling over given their lightweight frame. On the other hand, a trike constructed from hardened steel provides reinforced stability whenever its wheels are turning, though getting it in motion may take more leg strength than a child is initially prepared for.
• Center of Gravity: The lower a trike is to the ground, the better handling your child rider will have. Trikes that have a bit of distance between the seat and the ground allow a child full extension of their legs, but trikes that are wide and favor a low seat are equipped for sharp turns and ensure better stability overall.
• Adaptability: You should also consider a purchase that adapts and grows with your child for a multifaceted purchase. Too many trike options are stuck in between two age groups: infants and older toddlers. There are years in between the two stages that a child is missing out on with standard trikes, so when it comes time to make your selection, you should buy with growth adaptability in mind.

Best Classic Tricycle: Schwinn Roadster Tricycle

A giant of a name not just in the trike game but also the cycling world, this Schwinn Roadster for kids is a retro three-wheeler with a heavy frame and great stability. There’s a lot to like about this imitative yet solidly crafted option. From its growth adjustable seat positioning to its low center of gravity that makes it easy for riders between 2 and 4 to give it a ride, this is a trike that knows how to deliver. Complementing its classic chrome and firetruck red appearance is a rear deck of genuine wood with the Schwinn logo lasered in.

Best Shaded Stroller Design: Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kid’s Tricycle

Looking for a way to protect your baby from pulsing heat rays? This Joovy Tricycoo Kid’s Tricycle is designed with complete protection from the heat and is capable of supporting your child in the years to come. At the top of the trike is a multi-position UVF 50 canopy that’s capable of shading the entirety of your child’s upper body while a parent maneuvers the trike from behind using the removable and height-adjustable push handle. This trike’s biggest selling point, however, is its four-stage adjustment design; this design is adjustable as a child grows through babyhood to older toddler years.

Best Budget Growth Support: Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike

Another shaded and growth-friendly option, this Radio Flyer Stroll ‘N Trike offers four tricycles in one and won’t run up your credit card bill like others may. It’s an ideal and easily budgeted choice for users between the ages of 1 to 5 years. Of course, it is suggested that the purchase be made while your child is still in their infancy so as to reap the full benefits of the trike’s multi-stage design. The four growing stages are separated as such: the infant trike (12 to 18 months), the steering trike (18 – 24 months), the learn-to-drive trike (2 to 3 years), and the classic trike (4 to 5 years). Additional features include the trike’s total customization from stage to stage, its wrap-around storage tray, and its quiet, high-density foam tires.

Best for Older Kids: Razor DXT Drift Trike

For older kids and those interested in a bit of downhill bombing, this Razor DXT Drift Trike is perfect for freewheeling around tight curves and dusty courses. Its steel frame is combined with Super Slider POM rear wheels for distributed weight and speed capability. As seen in other dependable trikes, its low frame provides users with an enhanced center of gravity, while its moto-style handlebars and pro-style grips make for the utmost control of your ride. This is a sporting trike that isn’t afraid to get a little risky.