A balance bike is like a training bike – without the training wheels, or pedals. The idea is that if your child can learn to balance and steer on 2 wheels first, then the move to mastering a pedal bike is much, much easier because it's only the pedalling and braking bits that they need to learn, rather than everything all at once. (Some balance bikes even have brakes, too.) So when the time comes, your child will take to a pedal bike confidently and quickly – which will save everyone time, tears and scraped knees.

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Your child starts off sitting on the bike and pushing themselves along with their feet, learning to steer. Soon, as their balance improves, they'll start to whizz along with both feet off the ground.

There's a huge variety of balance bikes to choose from: some cheap and cheerful; others much more pricey and made to super-high specs. And some balance bikes also come with pedal attachments, so that you can turn it into a pedal bike later. We've tested loads of them – and come up with a top 15 list of really great balance bikes at a range of price points.

While price is, obviously, a key factor, do bear in mind that if you have several children, a more expensive balance bike may end up being great value for money if it can be passed down from sibling to sibling. And it's definitely worth considering some key technical details before you buy – see What to consider when choosing a balance bike for your child, and How to get the right size balance bike for your child, below.

Best balance bikes at a glance

  • Best balance bike for starting out: Kinderkraft Rapid, £69.00
  • Best balance bike for 2+ years: Q Play SPARK, £49.99
  • Best balance bike for a lightweight smooth ride: Hornit AIRO, £139.00
  • Best balance bike for easy height adjustment: Strider 14x Sport, £229.99
  • Best balance bike for longevity: Black Mountain PINTO 14, £399.00
  • Best lightweight bike: Vitus Nippy Superlight Bike, £44.99
  • Best toddler balance bike with rear brake: Frog Tadpole, £230
  • Best for design patterns and personalisation: LIFERYDER Vogue Balance Bike, £89
  • Best balance bike for sturdiness and saddle shape: PUKY Learner LR M, £71.90
  • Best balance bike for gently learning to balance: Micro 2-in-1 Chopper, £99.95
  • Best value toddler-to-preschooler balance bike: Kidvelo Rookie 12, £130.00
  • Best lightweight 2+ balance bike with rear brake: Squish 12, £179.99
  • Best balance-to-pedal bike for older children: LittleBig Bike, £230 (with pedal kit)
  • Best balance bike for taller toddlers: Raleigh Balance Banana Bike: £119.00
  • Best vintage-looking balance bike with a basket: Bobbin Gingersnap, £109.00

What to consider when choosing a balance bike for your child

  • Solid or air-filled tyres? Air-filled or pneumatic tyres make for a comfier, smoother ride but can puncture. Solid tyres – either plastic or rubber, often filled with foam – are a bit bumpier but are cheaper and don’t puncture.
  • Brakes or no brakes? The higher-spec balance bikes tend to have brakes, scaled down to child size, either on both wheels or just on the rear wheel. Budget bikes tend not to have them. Opinion is divided on what's best: balance bikes can be stopped perfectly well with feet but some argue that it's good to learn about braking before you venture on to a bike with pedals – and better for your shoe leather. We'd say that, roughly speaking, a child probably doesn't have the hand/eye co-ordination for using brakes until about 2.5 to 3.5 years.
  • How heavy is it? Most balance bikes are pretty lightweight, which is handy for a toddler trying to pick it up and a grown-up having to lug it home. But some are definitely lighter than others. And balance bikes that do other things, like turn into pedal bikes, tend to be on the heavier side.
  • How adjustable is it? Good adjustability means the balance bike's likely to fit your child better and last longer as they grow. Do check out our tips on How to get the right size balance bike for your child, below. Find out if the handlebars adjust, as well as the seat – and how much they adjust by.

How to get the right-size balance bike for your child

There are no standard sizes for balance bikes, so pretty much every make and model is different – even if they have exactly the same size wheels. And to make things even more complicated, manufacturers often detail different measurements in their technical specifications (as you'll see from our list of the 15 best, below).

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So, how do you reliably find the right-size balance bike for your child? You need to know your child's inside leg (or inseam) measurement and you need to know the seat height of the balance bike. What you're looking for is a seat height that's 1.5cm to 2.5cm less than your child's inside leg measurement and will, preferably, adjust higher as your child grows.

How do you measure your child's inside leg? Stand them against the wall (shoes on) with their legs hip-width apart and place a hardback book, spine up, between their legs. Gently raise the book till the spine touches their crotch. Measure from the floor to the spine of the book – and that's the inside leg measurement.

Here is our pick of the best balance bikes for toddlers and preschoolers

1. Kinderkraft Rapid, £69.00

– Best for starting out

RAPID Kinderkraft balance bike being tested by child

Age: 3+ | Weight: 3.7kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33.5cm to 41.5cm | Max child weight: 35kg | Awards: Bronze, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

The Kinderkraft Rapid is sturdy yet lightweight, and it’s ideal for children coming to cycling for the first time as its limited-turn handlebars stop little ones careering out of control while they find their confidence. The low frame also helps smaller and younger children to feel a bit more secure. It’s also a wallet-friendly option, along with other bikes in the Kinderkraft range.

For our 3-year-old child tester, this was his first experience on a bike. His mum Kayleigh said it was light enough for him to get full use out of it, adding, “It also seems very durable and could be used for multiple ages due to the changing height of the seat. My son hadn’t been on a balance bike before but he took to it really easily as we could move the seat to suit him perfectly.”

Pros: Inexpensive, can add bell and basket, helps first-time cyclists to become confident
Cons: Tricky to assemble, straps to add basket don’t look great

Available at: Lesters Nurseryworld and Amazon

2. Q Play SPARK, £49.99

– Best for 2 years+

q play spark balance bike

Age: 2 to 4 | Weight: 3.9kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Rubber/foam (EVA polymer) | Seat height: 32cm to 37.5cm | Max child weight: 30kg

The SPARK is a midweight balance bike with a height-adjustable sponge saddle, height-adjustable handlebars with grips, steering limiter and large solid rubber tyres. Plus, it has LED lights on the wheels that flash as you pedal.

This stylish balance bike has a low saddle starting position, making it a good choice for 2 year olds and smaller 3 year olds, especially as it has a steering limiter. But it's the light-up wheels that make it stand out from the crowd – and as one of our child testers, Arthur, 2, said, the LEDs make it feel "very cool" to ride. Jayne, mum of Zara, another of our child testers who has just turned 3, said, "Zara struggles with the other balance bike we have but she was successful with this one – it was very easy for her to use and she was super proud of herself. I was genuinely shocked this was £49.99, as it looks and feels comparable to the much more expensive brands." As for Zara (pictured above), she said, "I love it! My magic wheels shine when I go super fast.”

Some light self-assembly is required.

Pros: Great value, light up wheels, low saddle height starting position
Cons: Saddle height range limited, wheels small for children at upper end of age range, foam tyres not as bouncy as air-filled ones

Available at: Smyths Toys and Amazon

3. Hornit AIRO, £139.00

– Best for a lightweight smooth ride

hornit airo balance bike

Age: 18 months to 5 years | Weight: 2.95kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 29cm to 44cm | Max child weight: 30kg

A very lightweight toddler balance bike, the Hornit AIRO comes in a range of bright and beautiful colours – Hammer Yellow, Orca White, Magma Red, Flamingo Pink, Mavericks Blue and Tuvalu Turquoise. It has a height-adjustable saddle that spans 15cm, grip-taped footrests, handlebar grips, padded stem cover, thick air-filled tyres and wheels with sealed bearings,

This previous MFM silver Toy Award winner is very well made and looks superb. Its thick, pneumatic tyres make for a smooth, bump-absorbing ride. We like the moulded footrests and the padded seat and stem. And it’s great that it comes almost fully assembled – all you’ll need to do is tighten the screws (Allen key provided) and top up the air in the tyres. Emma, mum of our 19-month-old child tester, described the AIRO as "sleek, smart and beautiful quality" and she was particularly impressed by how well it fitted her young son. "The seat goes very low, making it suitable for 18-months+ riders as they can comfortably put their feet on the ground. Plus the padded seat and easy-to-grip handlebars show the bike is absolutely built with smoothness and comfort in mind."

The Hornit AIRO comes with a lifetime warranty (on frame and forks).

Pros: Very lightweight, available in a great range of colours, suitable for large range of heights and ages, minimal assembly required
Cons: Wheels small for children at upper end of age range, pricey

Available at: Amazon and Hornit

4. Strider 14x Sport, £229.99

– Best for easy height adjustment

strider 14x sport

Age: 3 to 6 | Weight: 5.7kg without pedals; 6.9kg with pedals | Brakes: Yes - in pedal bike mode | Wheels: 14in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 38cm to 55cm | Max child weight: 36kg

This steel-frame balance bike has an easy-to-move, height-adjustable padded seat and handlebars, plus safety grips, footrests with grip tape and big, bouncy air-filled tyres. Its standout feature is an additional pedal kit (sold separately) that transforms the Strider 14x Sport from balance bike to first pedal bike. Suitable for riders with a minimum inside leg measurement of 40cm, the bike is ideally suited to taller 3 year olds and 4 to 5 year olds who want to get to grips with balancing and steering before moving onto pedalling on the same cycle. It comes in Blue, Green, Tangerine and Pink. It's also available in a 12 Sport version (£129.99) which isn't convertible but it's a bit cheaper and suitable from 18 months to 5 years.

It’s a well-balanced bike with a seat that can be adjusted by almost 20cm, and thin, child-friendly handlebars. We also like the footrests and the quick-release clamps for tool-free handlebar and seat adjustment. Our child tester, Jenson, 4 (pictured above), found it fun to ride, and his dad, Andrew, said, "It's easy and comfortable to ride, especially in balance bike mode, and fitting the pedal kit was straightforward. For the money, the bike has plenty of play value with the added flexibility of adding pedals when your child is ready."

Pros: Converts from balance to pedal bike, easy to adjust height of saddle and handlebars, suitable for large range of heights
Cons: Wheels large for children at lower end of age/height range, very pricey

Read the full MFM Strider 12 Sport review (the smaller alternative to the balance bike profiled here)

Available at: Strider, Skate Hut and John Lewis

5. Black Mountain PINTO, £399

– Best for longevity

bestbalancebikesblackmtnrs

Age: 3+ | Weight: 5.7kg | Brakes: Yes, front and rear | Wheels: 14in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 42cm to 54cm | Max child weight: 35kg

This innovative aluminium-frame toddler balance bike converts to a small pedal bike and then a larger pedal bike. It features a ‘growing’ frame and gear system, rubber belt drive, front and rear brakes with easy-pull brake levers, and a height-adjustable seat. It comes with pedals that can be added once your child gets the hang of balancing and is available in Neon Green, Sky Blue, Orange and Purple.

It’s very expensive but super high-quality and you are effectively getting a balance bike and 2 sizes of pedal bike in 1. The saddle sits nicely low on the frame and the large wheels are tough and roll well, but because of its conversion potential it is a bit heavier than other balance bikes. It arrives set up as a balance bike; changing from balance bike to pedal bike and, particularly, from the small-size pedal bike to the bigger size is not difficult (the instructions are clear and tools are included). But it does take time, a certain amount of jiggling and some bike-tinkering confidence.

Pros: Frame extends to accommodate growing rider, converts to pedal bike, includes gears and front and rear brakes
Cons: Heavy for children at lower end of age range, very pricey, changing bike between modes can be time-consuming

Available at: Black Mountain

6. Vitus Nippy Superlight Bike, £44.99

– Best lightweight bike

vitus nippy superlight balance bike

Age: 3+ | Weight: 1.9kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 10in | Tyres: Solid foam | Seat height: 31cm to 38cm | Maximum child weight: 30kg

The Nippy Superlight is a lightweight aluminium balance bike, with a height-adjustable padded saddle, height-adjustable handlebars (with grips) and wide solid foam tyres. Its super-lightweight frame means it's easy for parents and even children to lift or carry the bike where necessary.

It’s light and nippy-looking yet sturdy, with nice wide handlebars. This would make a great first bike to ease your child into the world of cycling, and is especially enticing with the affordable price tag.

Pros: Affordable, very lightweight and easy to carry
Cons: Wheels small for children at upper end of age range, limited range of colours

Available at: Wiggle and Chain Reaction

7. Frog Tadpole, £230

– Best toddler option with rear brake

frogtadpole

Age: 2 to 3 | Weight: 4.17kg | Brakes: Yes, rear only | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 34cm to 42cm | Max child weight: 120kg

An aluminium-frame toddler balance bike with height-adjustable saddle, Tektro rear brake, pneumatic tyres and locking headset, the Tadpole comes with a bell and is available in Electric Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, Spotty White, as well as Yellow. It's also available in other sizes: Mini for 18 months+ and Plus for 3 to 4 years.

It’s nicely put together and a really quite zippy, well-cushioned ride. It’s not built to span a big age range – it fits a child with an inside leg measurement of 31cm to 41cm – which might limit its appeal if you’re looking for longevity. But it does mean it 'fits' a 2-year-old rider very well. This midweight bike also has brakes, which you might see as a real plus. We like the quick-release seat post and the long wheelbase – and, icing on the toddler cake, the little bell. It also uses adult spec components so has an incredibly high maximum user weight of 120kg.

Pros: Excellent 'fit' for younger children, bell included, rear brake included
Cons: Very epensive for a bike designed to fit a narrow age/height range

Available at: Frog Bikes and The Little Bike Company

8. LIFERYDER Vogue Balance Bike, £89.99

– Best for design patterns and personalisation

LIFERYDER Vogue Balance Bike tested by child

Age: 2+ | Weight: 3.5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 32cm to 45cm | Max child weight: 30kg | Awards: Gold, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

For a fun first experience on two wheels, Vogue from LIFERYDER is a brightly patterned kids' balance bike that is made in the UK. As well as a host of safety features, it will grow with your child.

Safety is a key consideration with this bike, which has an anti-jackknife steering mechanism that restricts the handlebars from fully rotating, reducing the risk of accidents. Combined with soft child-size handlebar grips, the bike provides a stable and secure platform for children to develop their balance and co-ordination on two wheels.

With a lightweight composite frame, it has 30cm air wheels for a smooth, safe ride and is made of replaceable, recyclable components. The adjustable seat height accommodates children from 1.5 to 5 years old, providing long-lasting adaptability.

The Vogue has a colourful, customisable design that comes with more than 40 stickers and unique accessories including mini private registration plates.

“Wow! My bike!" was the reaction of our child tester Flynn, 3 (pictured above), who was a big fan of the multi-coloured design. He wanted to test ride it straight away, according to his mum Jaimie, who added, "The sturdiness and quality of the frame and wheels is fantastic. The patterns available online mean there's so much choice when it comes to choosing your design to showcase your child's personality.

"The bike came with his name on, which really made Flynn feel so special and that it belonged him. Great touch!"

Pros: Optional name personalisation, lots of pattern designs, sturdy yet light, easy to build
Cons: Wheels big for children at lower end of age range, no bell included

Available at: Liferyder

9. Puky LR M, £71.90

– Best for sturdiness and saddle shape

puky

Age: 2+ | Weight: 3.5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 8.4in | Tyre type: Rubber/foam (EVA polymer) | Seat height: 30cm to 40cm | Max child weight: 25kg

The Puky LR M has a scratch-resistant frame, foot platform and an adjustable, ergonomically shaped saddle. The handlebars are also adjustable, and the bike also sports safety grips, crash pads, ball-bearing wheels and steering, and soft foam tyres. It comes in Red and Pink.

It’s super-sturdy with a low, step-through frame and soft, grippy tyres. We like the large foot platform and the banana shape of the saddle that stops your child sliding forward as they ride. Made by a German firm with a great reputation for quality kids’ balance bikes (they offer bigger balance bikes too), this is a great choice if you’re looking for a robust, modestly priced balance bike for a child under 3 and an inside leg measurement of 30cm to 43cm.

Pros: Ergonomic saddle stops rider sliding forward, sturdy, low step-through height
Cons: No bell included, very small foam-filled tyres, heavy for very young riders

Available at: Hardloop

10. Micro 2in1 Chopper, £99.95

– Best for gently learning to balance

Micro 2 in 1 Chopper being tested by child

Age suitability: 2+ | Weight: 2.45kg without stability wheels | Brakes: No | Wheels: 8in | Tyres: Solid rubber | Seat height: 35cm to 46.5cm | Max child weight: 20kg | Awards: Silver, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

Scoot around safely on the Micro Balance Bike 2in1 Chopper, a lightweight balance bike with clever features and a cool, retro design that parents and kids alike are sure to love.

The balance bike has a 2-in-1 convertible design. For stage one, there is a detachable two-wheeled back stabiliser, to help small children master balance quickly and easily. Once they gain confidence, the stabiliser can be removed and the bike converts to a traditional 2-wheeled design.

The lightweight frame offers children greater control when riding and the retro-style chopper handlebars look fun but also offer greater balance and control. The Micro Balance Bike 2in1 Chopper is a balance bike that will grow with your child, as the handlebars and the seat are adjustable.

“I can go super fast now on this new bike,” was the verdict of our child tester Jack, 3 (pictured above). His mum Louise added, “You can tell it is from a good brand as it is sturdy, and it looks expensive too. I liked that you could move the seat up and down to your child’s height without having to use tools like previous bikes we have had. You can tell that it would grow with your child so would definitely last a few years.”

The Micro Balance Bike 2in1 Chopper comes in 2 colourways, Pink and Blue.

Pros: Stability wheels included, very lightweight, retro look
Cons: Very small foam-filled wheels, low clearance from the ground

Available at: Micro and Amazon

11. Kidvelo Rookie 12, £130.00

– Best value toddler-to-preschooler balance bike

kidvelo rookie 12 balance bike

Age: 18 months to 4.5 | Weight: 2.89kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 30cm to 48cm | Maximum child weight: 30kg

With a sturdy frame, bouncy air-filled tyres, bell and angled footrest, this well-built bike will last for years. Thanks to a seat post that can be adjusted with a lever and handlebars that can be rotated with an Allen key (included) to alter the reach, it can be perfectly adjusted to fit a growing rider. The saddle drops low enough for a child with an inside leg measurement of 30cm, making it suitable for first riders, while the upper weight limit of 30kg means a child could ride it for years and at least until they're old enough to transition to a pedal bike. It comes in Green, Blue, Red and Pink. It's also a previous Gold MFM Toy Awards winner.

Kellie, mum of our child tester, Chester, 3 (pictured above), found the Rookie's impressively low weight and adjustable reach made the bike easy and enjoyable to ride. She said, "Chester is able to hold his bike up on his own and pick it up to tackle kerbs, meaning he can be more independent and have more fun. He also love ringing the bell to let everyone know he's coming."

Pros: Bell included, great range of seat heights, high upper weight limit
Cons: Wheels small for older/taller riders, pricey

Available at: Kidvelo

12. Squish 12, £179.99

– Best lightweight 2+ option with rear brake

squish balance bike being tested by child

Age suitability: 3.5 + | Weight: 3.8kg | Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33cm to 42cm | Maximum child weight: 20kg | Awards: Gold, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

The Squish Balance Bike is a colourful and lightweight first bike that helps to build confidence and also makes parents' lives easier.

This brightly coloured bike is decorated with distinctive paint splodges and for further personalisation, a Squish sticker set is included. To encourage kids to get moving, the frame is designed to be low enough to stand over with confidence, but high enough to sit on. It is constructed of a lightweight alloy that makes it easy to use and scoot around on, and the handlebar grips are designed to make it easier for little hands to hold.

And for parents? There is a nifty handle that makes it easier to carry the bike home if your mini cyclist tires mid-journey.

Child tester Rex, 4.5, pictured above said, “I like the spikes on my wheels, I really like the loud bell. I love riding it because it goes really fast, and I like to use the brake.”

His mum Aimee added, “I do think the bike is worth the money, it’s the best balance bike we have tried for my son. I like the colourful and attractive design, it’s lightweight and a really good quality build. It has a really useful handle, which is great when their little legs get tired, and we end up carrying the bike!”

The Squish Balance Bike is available in two colour options, Orange and Blue.

Pros: Seat design allows your child to stand easily and feel confident, handy carry handle for parents, sticker set included
Cons: Pricey

Available at: TGC

13. LittleBig with pedal kit, £230 (with pedal kit)

– Best balance-to-pedal bike for older children

littlebig bike

Age: 3 to 6 | Weight: 4.9kg to 6.6kg | Brakes: Yes, front and rear | Wheels: 14in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 37cm to 55cm | Max child weight: 40kg

For a child starting their cycling journey a little later, this convertible balance-to-pedal bike is ideal it converts in 2 ways, both from a smaller balance bike suitable for riders with a minimum inside leg measurement of 37cm (around 3 to 4 years old) to a larger balance bike suitable for riders with an inside leg measurement up to 55cm (around 6 years old) and to a first pedal bike for riders from about the age of 4. Once they've mastered the art of staying upright, older cyclists will benefit from front and rear V-brakes and pedals, which can be fitted onto the frame with the tools provided.

This previous Bronze MFM Toy Awards winner has large, fast-rolling bouncy tyres that offer a stable and smooth ride, even over bumps. It is available in Flame Red, Apple Green, Electric Blue, Sparkle Pink and Brushed Edition.

Our child tester Brooke, 4, could see herself transitioning from balancing to pedalling on the LittleBig and said, "I can't wait to go to the forest to ride my bike and when I am older, I can use the pedals like the big kids do." Meanwhile Gino, dad of child tester Eliza (pictured above), 3, was impressed with the bike's versatility and durability. He said, "This well-made bike is fairly priced as it can transition from small to large and from balance to pedal, so you are essentially getting 3 bikes for the price of 1. The bike feels robust and I have no doubt it could be passed on once my daughter outgrows it."

You can also buy the LittleBig without the pedal kit (£175).

Pros: Front and rear V-brakes included, large tyres give a stable and smooth ride, optional pedals, great longevity
Cons: Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range, larger tyres make bike fast for smaller/younger children, pricey

Read the full MFM LittleBig balance bike review

Available at: Little Big Bikes

14. Raleigh Balance Banana Bike, £129.99

– Best balance bike for taller toddlers

raleigh balance banana bike

Age: 2.5 to 4 | Weight: 5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33cm to 41cm | Max child weight: 30kg

Designed to look like the iconic Raleigh Team Banana road bike, this mini balance bike version boasts a striking black and yellow glossy paint job on its sturdy aluminium frame. It also has air-filled tyres that roll smoothly over small bumps and ridges. The seat post goes low enough to accommodate a rider with a 33cm inside leg measurement, which is average for a 2 to 3 year old, but the 5kg frame and long reach make this a bike ideal for taller (up to 98cm) and stronger children.

The price is really decent for a well-built bike from a reputable British brand, as Gemma, mum to child tester Myles, 2 (pictured above), explained. "I know with Raleigh I'm putting my son in safe hands as it's a trusted heritage brand – and the high quality is obvious straight away. I can tell we're going to be going on a lot of bike rides in the coming months!"

Pros: Decent height range for riders, distinctive design and finish
Cons: Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range, no bell, only available in 1 colour

Available at: The Bike Factory

15. Bobbin Gingersnap, £109

– Best vintage-looking balance bike with a basket

bobbin gingersnap

Age: 2 to 4 | Weight: 5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 41cm to 50cm | Maximum child weight: 35kg

This beautiful hand-made bike will be the envy of the playground thanks to its solid cream tyres, sturdy steel frame in a classic shape, real wicker basket and vegan leather saddle. The alloy seat post is adjustable and goes down to 41cm. It's available in a chic range of colours, including Blossom Pink, Duck Egg Blue, Cerise, Yellow and Green.

Our child tester Lizzie, 3, was very taken with the basket and silver ding-dong bell. She said, "I like the colour of the bike and putting Bunny in the basket then ringing the bell." Her mum Nicola thought it was the best-looking balance bike she'd seen and was impressed by the hard-wearing paint. She said, "The bike is aesthetically pleasing, the colours and components make it look high value and, despite being thrown to the floor a couple of times, the bikes hasn't scuffed badly at all, which is great."

Pros: Bell included, distinctive design and finish, premium features including hand-made wicker basket
Cons: Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range, narrow seat height range, pricey

Available at: Bobbin Bikes and Smallable

About the author Helen Brown

Helen is Deputy Editor of MadeForMums, the author of Parenting for Dummies (Wiley, £17.99) and the Head Tester for our MadeForMums Toy Awards. She has written about parenting for Mumsnet, Pregnancy & Birth, Prima Baby, Boots Parenting Club and She Magazine and she's also been Consumer Editor of Mother & Baby. She has 3 boys and a heavy-duty washing machine.

Pictures: Product websites

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Gabrielle NathanContributor

Gabrielle Nathan has been a journalist for 20 years, writing lifestyle features for publications including Red, Women’s Health, Wildflower and Condé Nast Traveller. She has been writing about parenting since 2012, the year she became a mum.

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