11 of the best trikes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers

Whether powered by parent push, leg shuffling or proper pedalling, riding a trike is an excellent way of building confidence, learning how to steer and, when they're moving under their own steam, burning off lots of energy.

"A push-along trike is a fun way to travel – particularly for babies who aren't fans of the pushchair!" says 'Auntie K', otherwise known as parenting expert and consultant Kirsty Ketley. "They can also help your toddler learn to pedal without needing to balance, which means they will be less frustrated, and for preschoolers, a trike offers a real sense of independence."

Best trikes at a glance

• Best trike to scooter conversion: Micro 4in1 Mini 2 Grow Scooter, £119.95 at Amazon
• Best lightweight trike: Kinderkraft CUTIE, £29.99 at Very
• Best trike for longevity: Xtend Ride-on by smarTrike, £149.99 £131.54 at Amazon (Save £18.45 or 12%)
• Best multi-mode toddler trike: Kinderkraft 4Trike, £54.90 £49 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £5.90 or 10%)
• Best trike for added excitement: Xootz – Bubble-Go Trike, £64.99 £49.99 at Amazon (Save £15 or 23%)
• Best multi-mode preschooler trike: Globber Explorer Trike 4-in-1, £139.99 £109.99 at Amazon (Save £30 or 21%)
• Best balance trike: Trybike Steel Balance Trike, £139.95 £119 at Samuel Johnston (Save £20.95 or 15%)
• Best for eye-catching colour: Beehive Toys Ladybird Balance Bike, £39.99 £31.99 at Beehive Toy Factory (Save £8 or 20%)
• Best small and compact-sized trike: Tricycle MINIBI by Kinderkraft, £39 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best budget toddler trike: Scuttlebug, £22 at Argos
• Best multi-mode trike for comfort: TP Toys 4-in-1 Trike, £84.99 £80 at Amazon (Save £4.99 or 6%)

Learning to ride a trike is also fantastic for toddler development as it helps to develop motor skills and build up muscle strength, plus, it will massively improve their hand-eye coordination.

So, we've looked at dozens of children's trikes and, with the help of our child and parent testers, selected 11 of the very best in a range of prices, style and age suitability. For more bike recommendations, have a look at our balance bikes, pedal bikes and even kids' helmets for safety.

Best trikes for children, toddlers and preschoolers for 2025

1. Micro 4in1 Mini 2 Grow Scooter, £119.95

— Best for converting from trike to scooter

Age suitability: 12 months to 6 years | Seat height: Not specified | Weight: 3.48kg | Max child weight: 20kg with seat, 50kg without seat | Batteries: None | Awards: Gold, Best Convertible Ride-On, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024

Pros:

• Versatile
• Good value for so many options
• Great build quality

Cons:

• Seat isn't adjustable

This innovative design is instantly recognisable as part of the Micro stable. What's really great about the 4in1 Trike Mini is the potential to take your child through the tricycling stage seamlessly into scooting territory. As a trike, the ergonomic seat design will help younger children feel confident when you feel they're ready to shuffle themselves along without the parent handle. And as a scooter, it offers all the control and quality you expect from Micro, and grows from toddler to Grown Up scooter mode. And then of course there's the battery-free light-up wheels, which children will love.

I think the light up wheels added a sense of fun to the scooter, which both my sons liked. My toddler loved being pushed around on it as a fun alternative to his buggy. It was great for short walks, relatively easy to steer and it pushed well even on gravel paths.

Available at: Micro, Pramworld and Amazon

2. Kinderkraft CUTIE, £44.90

— Best lightweight trike

Age suitability: 1+ | Seat height: 26-28cm | Weight: 1.8kg | Max child weight: 15kg | Batteries: None | Awards: Silver, Best Ride-On, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024

Pros:

• Good value
• Adjustable saddle
• Very lightweight
• Sturdy seat

Cons:

• Limited lifespan
• Doesn't fold

There's lots to love about this lightweight ride-on from Kinderkraft. Not only is it the lightest trike on our list that makes it easily portable for toddlers, it also has an adjustable saddle, non-slip rubber handles and puncture-resistant foam wheels that are outdoor and indoor-floor friendly.

It's a great starter trike to help toddlers learn how to balance due to its design and the angle lock on the handlebar, its limited range of motion reduces the risk of falls whilst toddlers learn to turn.

It's also suitable for use from 1 years old, or older when your baby can walk, but does have a limited lifespan due to its 15kg weight limit. We also love the beautiful, pastel colours and minimalist design of the trike.

My daughter has really enjoyed the trike and likes using it in and outside the house. She grew confident in using it quickly and likes pushing it around with teddies or babies on, as well as riding it herself. As it feels sturdy and safe, I feel happy for her to use it outside when we go for a walk and she loves this! It is super easy to use.

Available at: Kiddies Kingdom and Very

3. Xtend Ride-on by SmarTrike, £149.99

— Best trike for longevity

Age suitability: 12 months to 12 years | Seat height: Not specified | Weight: 4.7kg | Max child weight: 50kg | Awards: Silver, Best Convertible Ride-On, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024

Pros:

• 5 modes
• Light-up wheels
• Sturdy and durable
• Storage compartment
• Can be folded easily
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Pricey
• Tricky to convert to different modes

Lasting from an incredible 12 months to 12 years, the Xtend Ride-on is the ultimate choice if you want to buy your toddler a trike that really will grow with them. It has 5 modes: a push-along ride-on with parent handle; a foot-to-floor ride-on that's created by removing the footrest and parent handle; then a 3-wheeled scooter that has 3 stages — 3-5 years, 5-9 years and 9-12 years.

Not only this, it also has a host of child and parent-friendly features, such as light-up LED wheels, a storage box and a super easy and compact fold. Whether you want a ride-on that multiple kids of different ages can use, or a trike to invest in that will grow with your baby, the Xtend Ride-on is a really great choice.

All three children enjoyed riding the scooter. The light up wheels caught all the kids attention straight away so we all liked this feature. Teddy had a go on it as a ride on and enjoyed putting his toy and water bottle in the storage compartment. I was a big fan of the foldable feature and overall I think this is a very well-made scooter, if you get it from 12 months you will definitely get your money's worth.

Available at: Amazon, Currys and Very

4. Kinderkraft 4Trike, £54.90

— Best multi-mode toddler trike

Age suitability: 18 months to 3 years | Seat height: 29.5-31.5 cm | Weight: 3.5kg | Max child weight: 25kg | Awards: Gold, Best Convertible Ride-On, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024

Pros:

• Lightweight
• 3 modes
• Adjustable seat
• Folds easily
• Easy to assemble
• Smooth to ride

Cons:

• Not suitable for babies

This lightweight offering from Kinderkraft is 3 ride-ons in 1: a tricycle with pedals, a push-toy and a mini balance bike. And what's more, it can be converted without the use of tools.

The frame is made from a durable but light aluminium which our parent testers found sturdy and their children found smooth to ride. The ride-on has a sleek design and the puncture-resistant foam tyres make it suitable for use both outdoors and indoors, so your child can grow their confidence while riding. Elisha, mum to child tester Freddie, 20 months (pictured above), said "he enjoyed using it as a push toy, using his feet to move himself forwards and backwards. He was able to use it ewll and found it easy to get on and off."

It also folds up easily and compactly and the seat is adjustable so should grow well with your child — from 18 months to around 3 years of age. Our parent testers also loved how easy it was to set up, Elisha said "my partner did it in minutes without even reading the instructions!"

Hallie has enjoyed this toy a huge amount. She has played with it from start to finish and been smiling the entire time. She has enjoyed that it is light and she can use it independently for the most part. The wheels aren’t stiff at all and the handlebars are smooth so she can change direction without any issues and get to wherever she likes.

Available at: Kiddies Kingdom, Very and Boots

5. Xootz – Bubble-Go Trike, £64.99

— Best trike for added excitement

Age suitability: 3+ | Seat height: Not specified | Weight: 5.8kg | Max child weight: 25kg | Batteries: 6 x AAA (not included)

Pros:

• Bubbles add a unique fun element
• Competitively priced
• Smooth and easy to ride

Cons:

• Batteries aren't included

A trike with added bubbles, the Xootz – Bubble-Go Trike is a fun and colourful first trike for little ones who would like a fun ride in style. The trike has a front mounted battery-operated bubble machine, meaning children can leave a cloud of bubbles behind them as they go (500ml of bubble solution is included). It has a lightweight steel frame, and there are also foot pedals and puncture-proof EVA tyres, meaning it can be ridden in and out of the house. When it comes to comfort, there’s an adjustable seat and soft-grip handles.

I am so excited to go on this trike and I just want to play the bubbles all the time. I love riding outside with all the bubbles coming out of the bike.

Available at: Amazon, JD Williams and The Entertainer

6. Globber Explorer Trike 4-in-1, £139.99

— Best multi-mode preschooler trike

Age suitability: 10 months to 5 years+ | Seat height: 31cm to 35cm | Weight: 7kg | Max child weight: 20kg

Pros:

• 4 modes
• Tool-free mode conversion
• Adjustable and removable parent handle
• Adjustable seat
• Suitable for babies, toddlers and older kids

Cons:

• Doesn't fold
• Pricey

The lightweight, aluminium-framed Globber Explorer cleverly converts from an infant trike into a guided trike, a training trike, and finally into balance bike mode as your toddler develops their riding skills and grows in confidence. It's quick and easy to build (less than 10 minutes) and no tools are needed to convert between modes.

The adjustable parent handle in guided trike mode is great for teaching your toddler how to steer and allows you to remain in control. Once their confidence has grown you can remove it and the trike will easily convert into training trike mode. Finally, change the two wheels into a double-width wheel to create a stylish balance bike. Impressively, you can also store the pedals in the rear of the saddle when they're not in use.

My son loves this trike. He cannot reach the pedals yet, but I like that they can be removed so that he doesn’t get his feet caught as we move along.

Available at: Amazon, Mamas&Papas, KIDLY

7. Trybike Steel Balance Trike, £139.95

— Best balance trike

Age suitability: 15 months to 6 years | Seat height: 30cm to 45cm | Weight: 6.3kg | Max child weight: 35kg

Pros:

• 2 modes
• Sturdy frame
• Adjustable seat, wheel and handlebar height
• Suitable for babies, toddlers and older kids

Cons:

• Pricey
• Doesn't fold
• Not lightweight
• Needs tools (included) and time for mode conversion

This vintage-style, steel-framed trike can be converted (with supplied tools) into a balance bike and features 12" spoked steel wheels (the front wheel is height-adjustable), extra wide pneumatic tyres, a very generously adjustable-height saddle and handlebars, built-in footrest and easy-grip handles. It doesn't have pedals in trike mode, though: the idea is that your child pushes it along with their feet, just as they would in balance bike mode.

It's very sturdy and strong and, as it's pretty low to the ground, even our youngest child testers found it easy to scramble on and off. We really like that the front wheel is height-adjustable as well as the seat and handlebars: this is a trike that should fit your child well for years.

Available at: Samuel Johnson, Pramworld

8. Beehive Toys Ladybird Balance Bike, £39.99

— Best trike for eye-catching colour

Age suitability: 1 to 2 years | Seat height: 28cm | Weight: 2kg | Max child weight: 20kg

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Sturdy frame
• Minimal assembly
• Good value

Cons:

• Seat isn't adjustable
• Single mode
• Doesn't fold
• Not suitable for younger babies

We love the wonderfully quirky, eye-catching design of the Beehive Toys Ladybird Balance Bike that's sure to make your toddler stand out. It takes just a few minutes to put together so your toddler will be out and about on their ladybird in no time. It's not style over substance with this trike, either. Its sturdy, lightweight frame is made from high-quality PP plastic and provides stability and durability. It has a comfortable saddle, cushioned handlebars, a washable frame and fully enclosed safety wheels that prevent little fingers getting trapped. Also, with anti-skid EVA wheels that can tackle any floor type.

It doesn't offer the longevity of some other trikes due to its non-adjustable seat and handlebars, but it's comfortable and easy for toddlers to use. We really rate its striking, bright design. The Beehive Toys balance bike comes in a giraffe and a zebra option too.

My son loves this bike. It’s bright and attractive to little ones and the quality of the bike is excellent. My son has been able to ride over carpet, sand, patios and grass, and it really does glide over all surfaces.

Available at: Beehive Toy Factory

9. Tricycle MINIBI by Kinderkraft, £39

— Best small and compact-sized trike

Age suitability: 1 to 3 years | Seat height: 24cm to 27cm | Weight: 2.1kg | Max child weight: 15kg

Pros:

• Lightweight
• 2 modes
• Adjustable seat
• Minimal assembly

Cons:

• Not suitable for babies
• Doesn't fold

This stylish, plastic toddler trike has wide EVA foam wheels, a padded adjustable seat unit and an incredibly lightweight design that means your toddler can easily carry it out and about with them. Despite its small size and weight, its incredibly durable and robust. What's more, its wide, non-scratch wheels not only guarantee stability, but also allow it to be ridden easily outdoors on different surfaces. They also protect your flooring when the trike is ridden indoors!

Its comfortable, adjustable seat allows it to grow with your child, and with a 10-year warranty you can count on its longevity. The Tricycle MINIBI comes in green, yellow and pink.

This product is well made and of high quality, it is a robust and durable item, which is likely to stay in good condition. My daughter was really excited to see a trike which was the perfect height and scale for her size. This bike has been intuitively and carefully designed in order to allow a very young child to safely mount and ride it.

Available at: Kiddies Kingdom, Amazon and Pramworld

10. Scuttlebug, £22

— Best budget toddler trike

Age suitability: 1 to 3 years | Seat height: 25cm | Weight: 2.4kg | Max child weight: 20kg

Pros:

• Brilliant value
• Lightweight
• Minimal assembly
• Folds very easily

Cons:

• Seat isn't adjustable
• Single mode
• Not suitable for young babies

This sweet, brilliant-value plastic 'foot-to-floor' toddler trike has front-wheel steering and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Like a 2-wheel balance bike, the absence of pedals means your child scoots rather than having to learn to pedal. It's single mode though, so no balance bike variations. Price aside, the star feature of this trike is how quickly and easily it folds down – and how compactly. In 3 steps, you can fold your trike down into a lightweight package that'll fit into most pushchair storage baskets.

The Scuttlebug comes in 4 bug-themed colours: green grasshopper, a red beetle (pictured, above), pink butterfly and yellow bumble. You can also buy a Scuttlebug XL (£32), a slightly larger version that's suitable for 1 to 4 years (pictured with our child tester Finley, above).

It’s really sturdy and solid but light enough to carry. It's great value and has been much loved over the 18 months or so that we’ve had it.

Available at: Argos and Amazon

11. TP Toys 4-in-1 Trike, £84.99

– Best multi-mode trike for comfort

Age suitability: 10 months to 3 years | Seat height: 31cm | Weight: 6.1kg | Max child weight: 23kg

Pros:

• Lightweight
• 4 modes
• Super-comfy seat
• Adjustable and removable parent handle
• Tool-free mode conversion
• Suitable for babies

Cons:

• Seat isn't adjustable
• Doesn't fold

This metal-framed 4-in-1 trike converts from stroller mode, to push trike, to training trike, to independently pedalled trike. It has a luxurious padded seat that makes it a lovely ride for babies but it doesn't extend in age-range beyond 3 years. It has a detachable adjustable-height parent handle and wide, shock-resistant wheels. It also features easy-grip handles, a retractable sun hood, removable footrests, a drink holder and a storage basket. And there's a parental steering lock, which means you control the steering even if your child's pedalling until you feel they're ready to take over.

You feel like your child is really safe in this, The seat seems much comfier to sit in than other trikes we've tried. Bonnie's quite happy to sit in this trike for ages.

Available at: Amazon, TP Toys and Argos

Which kind of trike is right for which age?

For babies: Trikes can be suitable for babies as young as 9 months old. There are models packed with special features, like a 5-point harness and footrests to keep your baby safely and comfortably in place. These trikes come with a large handle at the back, so you can push and steer your little one around as they take in the world from a sitting position (make sure the handle is height-adjustable and, if you're tall, that it adjusts high enough for you). Many of these models will then convert into variations on the conventional trike that your child can learn to ride as a balance trike or a pedal trike (or both) as they get older.

For toddlers: Don’t worry about trying to introduce moving pedals at this young age; instead, opt for simple, sit-on trikes, either without pedals or with lockable pedals, that your toddler can move by pushing (or, more likely, shuffling) along the ground with their feet as they hold onto the handles. It will take a while for children this age to understand and master steering but practice makes perfect, so encourage them to persevere and always be on hand to help out.

For 2 to 3 year olds – and older: Trikes with pedals are a great choice for preschoolers, who will now have the muscle strength to put these into action – and they will relish the independence as they whizz along. There are a number of very cool trikes marketed for older children but do bear in mind that kids over the age of 4 may be more interested in getting their first pedal bike and learning to cycle on 2 wheels.

If you’re not sure which steering/pedalling skills to teach your child when – or how to teach them – read our guide on how and when to teach your toddler to ride a trike. And whether they stick with trikes or move on to bikes, make sure they always wear a helmet.

Read more:

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• Best ride on for toddlers
• Best scooter and bike helmets for kids
• Best scooters for kids
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