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7 Best Bikes for 3-Year-Olds (2025 Reviews)

best bikes for three year olds
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Teaching your child to ride a bike is a rite of passage, and it’s a super fun one! Toddlers love trying new things, so it’s the perfect time to get them interested in learning to ride a bike. Not only will they get some exercise, but they’ll have fun doing it.

There are hundreds of options on the market, making it difficult to figure out which bike is best for your child. Style, weight, materials, and more play a huge factor. I’ve found the 7 best bikes for 3-year-olds to help you narrow down your options and pick the right one for your child.

Best Bikes for 3-Year-Olds

  • 1. Schwinn Grit and Petunia Steerable Kids Bike

    (Best quality — $$)

    Why it’s great: Schwinn is one of the top bike brands, so you know you’re getting a quality bike for your child. This one is unique because it features a steerable handle for the parents, allowing you to help your child steer while they’re focusing on pedaling and balancing. It comes in four different color options, so there’s something for everyone, and with 12” wheels. It also comes with removable training wheels, a bell, and a water bottle and holder.

    Keep in mind: The water bottle holder is attached to the steering handle, so they won’t have a place to store their bottle once they’ve outgrown the need for that.

    Good for: Kids who may feel intimidated by bike riding and need extra support and help from their parents.

    Schwinn Grit and Petunia Steerable Kids Bike

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Huffy Marvel Spider-Man 12” Kid’s Bike for Toddlers

    (Best for boys — $)

    Why it’s great: Huffy is another popular bike brand, especially for kids. This cute bike is all decked out in Spiderman colors and designs. It even has cute webs strategically placed around parts of the frame. You can also choose from a couple of other Spiderman designs or Black Panther. The 12” size comes with training wheels, but you can also get this bike in 16” with training wheels for taller kids. It’s got a strong steel frame and is built to last.

    Keep in mind: The four design options all come in different sizes, so make sure you pay attention to the details of the one you choose.

    Good for: Little boys who love Spiderman.

    Huffy Marvel Spider-Man 12” Kid’s Bike for Toddlers

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Huffy Disney Princess Kid Bike

    (Best for girls — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This is another great choice from Huffy. It’s perfect for little girls who love pink and princesses. The pink and white design is super cute, and you’ll find Disney princesses scattered throughout the frame. The pink and white tassels streaming out of the handlebars give it that extra flair. The front basket even has an interactive display that lets your child pick their favorite Disney princess. This bike comes with training wheels and 16” wheels, making it the perfect choice for taller girls who are growing quickly.

    Keep in mind: This bike may be a little too big for smaller 3-year-olds, so it’s best for kids at least 42” tall.

    Good for: Little girls who love Disney princesses.

    Huffy Disney Princess Kid Bike

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. JOYSTAR Vintage 12 & 14 & 16 & 18 Inch Kids Bike with Basket & Training Wheels

    (Most unique — $)

    Why it’s great: This cute vintage bike has an old-fashioned style that’s super adorable. It has training wheels and a front basket for storage. The seat and handlebars are adjustable to get the perfect height for your little one. It has a steel frame that’s sturdy and durable, and the 12” wheels have off-road tires to handle any terrain. The chain guard is fully enclosed for added safety, and the seat and handlebar cushions are super soft.

    Keep in mind: This only comes in one color (tan with brown accents), which may not appeal to many kids.

    Good for: Kids who like having a usable basket and an old-fashioned style bike.

    JOYSTAR Vintage 12 & 14 & 16 & 18 Inch Kids Bike with Basket & Training Wheels

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Kids Bike

    (Best budget option — $)

    Why it’s great: This 12” bike is the perfect starter bike for kids just learning to pedal. It comes with training wheels, and the pedals are easy to turn, increasing your child’s confidence and ability. Your little one will love the brightly colored Paw Patrol design. The seat is easy to adjust, with no tools necessary, and the training wheels are easy to remove when needed. You can also choose from a few different Paw Patrol designs, including options geared more towards girls with pink colors featuring Skye and Everest.

    Keep in mind: Some design options are only available with 16” wheels.

    Good for: Parents on a budget or kids who will likely outgrow their bike quickly.

    Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Kids Bike

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 6. Schwinn Jasmine Girls Bike with Training Wheels

    (Best value — $$)

    Why it’s great: If you love Schwinn, but the first option on the list was too small, this 16” bike is a perfect choice. The seat height is adjustable and can be lowered enough to accommodate kids 34” tall. Most other 16” bikes are best for kids at least 40”, so this bike offers more room to grow. It comes in super cute, bright colors and with a usable basket on the front. It also has both coaster brakes and hand brakes, so your child can start learning how to use each type or use what’s most comfortable.

    Keep in mind: This one only comes in one color option, so it’s best for girls.

    Good for: Girls who want a bike that’ll last through multiple seasons.

    Schwinn Jasmine Girls Bike with Training Wheels

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids Bike

    (Most options — $)

    Why it’s great: This bike is a great choice because it comes in 12” through 20” options and several different colors, so you can personalize it to your child’s wants and needs. It comes with removable training wheels, and the back of the seat has a handle so you can help guide your child when they’re learning to balance. It also comes with a water bottle and holder attached behind the seat. This bike has coaster brakes and a hand brake, giving your child more options, and adjusting the seat height is quick and easy.

    Keep in mind: This is one of the heavier options, so it may be a little more difficult for first-timers to handle and maneuver.

    Good for: Kids who want to pick their bike color and parents who want to be able to get the next size up in the same style as their child grows.

    RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids Bike

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Schwinn Grit and Petunia Steerable Kids Bike

The Schwinn Grit and Petunia Steerable Kids Bike is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Schwinn Grit and Petunia Steerable Kids Bike

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Bikes for 3-year-olds

  • 1. What size bike should I get for my 3-year-old?

    Most 3-year-olds will need either 12” or 14” wheels, but if your child is very tall, they may need 16” wheels. A great way to figure out the proper size is to have your child sit on the bike. If this is their first bike with pedals, they should be able to have their feet flat on the ground while sitting on the seat. You can also measure their inseam. It should be as long as the minimum seat height of the bike.

  • 2. Other than size, what is the main consideration when picking a bike for a 3-year-old?

    It’s important to pick a lightweight bike. The bike you choose shouldn’t be more than 40% of your child’s body weight. Heavier bikes will be too difficult for toddlers to maneuver.

  • 3. How much do bikes for toddlers cost?

    Bikes come in a variety of prices, but you’ll likely be able to find a decent one for your child in the $100-$300 range. If your child is growing quickly, you may want to go for something cheaper and save your money for the next size up. However, if your little one is at the minimum height for a size, they’ll likely be using it for a while and it’s worth spending the extra money on a quality bike.

  • 4. Is aluminum or steel better for toddler bikes?

    Both aluminum and steel have their pros and cons. Aluminum is lightweight, which is important for kids. On the other hand, steel is more durable and will withstand falls and drops better.

  • 5. Does a 3-year-old need to wear a helmet when riding a bike?

    Absolutely! Every child should be wearing a helmet to protect their head when riding a bike. Teaching them and getting them used to wearing a helmet when they’re young will help to reinforce the behavior when they get older.

Conclusion

Getting your toddler a bike is a great idea. It allows your child to get outdoors and get some exercise. It also helps them to learn the skill early and get the hang of bike riding.

When you’re choosing a bike for your toddler, pay attention to the size and the weight of the bike. After that, it’s all about personal preference. Involve your little one and let them help you pick out the perfect bike. This will entice them to learn to ride and keep them interested in learning this skill.

There are plenty of options with different sizes and styles on this list, so you should easily be able to find the right one to suit your child’s needs and preferences.