Balance Bike & Helmets questions

[hermione]

Have I missed the window on these? C is two. What ages do kids like them?

Also. Helmets? Do I have to take her and get her sized somewhere? If so, where? Or can I just order something on Amazon?

[Deleted]

2 is perfect. DD1 started on hers at close to 3 and got a solid year and a half of use before she outgrew her bike (Strider). I wish we had started her earlier. DD2 is still a tiny bit too small for it (but I know 9 month olds who are bigger than she is so she is sort of an anomaly). I think if she was big enough for the balance bike she'd love it.

I had to try helmets on DD1's head. I wasn't comfortable buying on Amazon, though I'm sure there are guides for how to measure your kid's head and choose the right one. She didn't want to wear a helmet to begin with so she had a great time choosing one at Target and was motivated to wear it. Plus I could ensure the fit before we bought.

[niq]

Apr 23, 2015 18:28:27 GMT -5 hermione said:

Also. Helmets? Do I have to take her and get her sized somewhere? If so, where? Or can I just order something on Amazon?

You can order off Amazon. The toddler helmets are adjustable and fit anywhere from about 1 year to I would guess age 3 or 4. V is 20m, at 90th percentile on height & weight, and he is nowhere close to being too big for the toddler helmet.

I'm no help on the other question.

[Alyssa]

You can start them at 18 months with a Strider.  My son is 3, we have a Strider hanging up in the garage unused for over a year now....he flat out refuses to ride on it.  It makes me sad because I see other little toddlers using their bikes at the park and I know he would love it if he just gave it a try.

[ssmjlm]

E got one at Christmas, but only in the last couple weeks has had any interest.

We got an adjustable helmet at Walmart when DH was randomly in there.

[water*drop]

We're getting DD one for her third birthday, but I wish we would have got her one lat year. We ended up going with a 12" TykesBykes. We haven't given it to her yet, so I can't say anything about how much she likes it or anything, but we used the Two Wheeling Tots website for research and found this comparison chart helpful: www.twowheelingtots.com/the-best-balance-bike-for-your-dollar-2/

We took her to Target to get a helmet.

[Saudade]

DS1 got one last year, at 2.25, and is still using it. We got a helmet the previous year (at 1.25) for riding in the bike trailer. We went to the bike shop to get it fitted. It has continued to fit since then.

[mainelyfoolish]

You can measure your kid's head with a tape measure and buy a helmet that corresponds with the size. The ages listed on helmets are average; if your kid has a bigger or smaller head you may need to buy a different size than her age. My big-headed two year old DS fits into a size 5+ helmet.

[pugz]

we got a helmet at Dicks Sporting Goods. None of the ones at Target/Walmart fit her giant noggin.

she just got interested in her balance bike at 2.5

[hermione]

pugz - Which scooter do you guys have? Like it?

[livinitup]

Balanced Bikes are great. They are awesome at teaching kids how to balance - which is basically teaching them to ride a bike. That's great at any age.

Plus riding a balance bike is a lot of fun - for a good long time. DD rode her bike (on 2 wheels) and balance bike interchangeably thru age 6.

[darnkatz]

Not too old. My 2 year old loves hers. My six year old can actually still fit on it (Strider) and likes it a lot. The seat is adjustable and so are the handlebars.

[cece]

I am getting one for DDs 2nd bday in August. Thanks for the idea!

[aspentosh]

2 is fine. That is when we got DD hers. She's still not that interested in it, except for sloooooooowly walking with it.

And just grab any ol' toddler helmet and it should be fine. We got ours from Target.

[lilac05]

2 is perfect for the bike!

I'd go to a bike shop and have someone help you find one with a good fit. I thought the ones at Target were fine until we went to the bike shop. I realized the helmets were way too small (the 3+ one was too small for my 1 year old!). Oops! My then 3 year old needed a youth helmet. They also adjust them so they fit well (& last longer).

[pugz]

Apr 23, 2015 19:20:08 GMT -5 hermione said:

pugz - Which scooter do you guys have? Like it?

a radio flyer one we got at a consignment sale. It doesn't turn great but she likes it

[spk926]

I was just at Sam's tonight and they had balance bikes on clearance for $39. I was thinking of getting one awhile ago but then decided against it. Every time they're brought up here I start thinking I should get one again! I watched this video and now I really think she needs one.

For >$40 maybe I'll go back on Saturday. I took these pictures when I first saw them there a few months ago.