Everyone has to start somewhere, right? And if you’re looking to ignite a love for cycling in your little ones, then a balance bike is a great place to start. But we’re not here just for the fun and games, even though balance bikes are a whole lot of fun. No, no. We’re here to talk about all the benefits that your kids get when they start riding a balance bike.
First, How does a Balance Bike Work?
Until kids can get the hang of using pedals, balance bikes are the way to go! How it works is they will perch themselves on the saddle of the balance bike and propel themselves forward with foot power – no need for pedals! The whole concept and operation of balance bikes relies on kids learning to hone in their balance and postural control.
For braking, some balance bikes will rely on kids to stop the bike with their feet, while many have a handbrake. The handbrake on a balance bike helps young kids get used to operating brakes on a bicycle.
What are the Benefits of Getting Your Kid a Balance Bike?
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of getting your kid a balance bike is all the fun they’re going to have, but there’s so much more! Here are some of the benefits you and your kids will experience when they get a balance bike.
Safety First
Something that is always going to be at the top of your priority list, and the reason why it’s mentioned first, is how safe balance bikes are. Instead of using the traditional training wheels on bikes, balance bikes are considerably more stable and have a smaller risk of tipping over.
Getting your kids a balance helps them learn to ride in a more controlled way, thanks to the kids being lower to the ground, which gives them better stability. And if they need to stop, they can just put their feet down.
Easy Transition to Traditional Pedal Bikes
Balance bikes give kids a controlled way to prepare for their future “big” bike. The balance bike aims to help kids master the posture and balancing skills needed to ride a bicycle. Most even have hand brakes to help kids with the concept of braking properly (which can be one of the scariest parts of learning to ride a bike). When they get the hang of these skills, they’ll find adding pedalling to the equation easy.
Enhanced Coordination, Strength and Motor Skills
There are so many skills being developed all in one go when kids play on balance bikes, especially their coordination and motor skills. As they maneuver around different pathways and obstacles on the bike when they steer, they’re developing better hand-eye coordination and find motor skills.
When they’re propelling themselves forward, they’re building up the strength of their legs. All of these skills go far beyond benefitting playtime and cycling, but they are vital for all kinds of daily tasks.
Better Posture
The way kids have to position and balance themselves on the balance bike does wonders for their posture from a young age. They’ll learn to sit up straight and gain the necessary posture for a pedal bike.
It’s so Much Fun
What’s the best way for kids to learn anything? Focus on the fun! With balance bikes, kids can enjoy cycling at its simplest. No need to worry about too many complicated things like pedalling while learning how to brake and steer, just the fun of cycling.
This way, they build a positive association with cycling, which will make them all the more eager for a traditional bicycle when the time rolls around.
Instils Confidence
As kids develop that positive association with their bike, it also instils a great sense of confidence. Learning to ride a balanced bike is an accomplishment for kids, and this boosts their confidence and self-esteem (while still keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground) and helps them tackle new challenges.
Economical
A benefit for parents is that most balance bikes are affordable. Due to their size, they don’t require as many materials to manufacture them. This means your kids can have tons of fun without breaking the bank, and they’re super durable, so they’ll last for years to come. Plus, they make perfect gifts for different occasions.
More Eco-Friendly
For those concerned about the environment, balance bikes are a wonderfully eco-friendly toy for your toddler, in relation to other toys that use batteries and electricity.
Final Thoughts
Balance bikes were made for toddlers, which means every component of this is designed to help your little one find it enjoyable to learn how to ride. From helping their motor skills, balance, coordination and confidence, when your kids learn to ride a balance bike, they learn how to take on the world in one of the most fun and beneficial ways.
