7 Best Kids Mountain Bikes (2025 Reviews)

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If you love mountain biking, you may want to get your kids involved too. A mountain bike can allow your child to hit the trail with you and create some quality family time. Getting your child a new mountain bike can also help build their muscles, skills, and confidence.

Whether your child is just looking for a cool bike to ride around the neighborhood or is planning to try out the mountain trails, you’ll want to find one that’s designed just for kids. I’ve created a list of the 7 best mountain bikes to get them started.

Best Kids Mountain Bikes

  • 1. Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys

    (Most stylish — $)

    Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys
    Why it’s great: This bike was designed for kids ages 5-9 years old with 20-inch tires. It has a durable steel frame and a padded seat stitched for lasting quality. The frame is a gloss blue (or pink) and looks very stylish. This bike has 6 speeds that allow for an easy transition from pavement to dirt, uphill to downhill, or acceleration. It has hand brakes for consistent stops and a removable guard to protect the gears. It also has slight-rise handlebars for upright riding, which helps to lessen back and shoulder strain while riding. It also has suspension that offers a smoother ride, no matter the terrain.

    Keep in mind: There are kids’ and adult’s sizes available in this listing, so make sure you click on the correct option.

    Good for: Kids who want a cool looking bike that is also of great quality.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids

    (Best for older kids — $$$)

    Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids
    Why it’s great: This bike is perfect for older kids who already have some experience with shifting gears. It has 24-inch wheels and is best for kids ages 9-12 years old. It has 21 speeds, making it versatile enough to handle pavement, dirt, grass, trails, uphill, and downhill. It has dual-suspension, which offers a smooth ride on any terrain. It also has front and rear brakes with pull handles for consistent stopping power. This bike comes in bright pink with an adjustable seat and handlebars to get the right fit.

    Keep in mind: This doesn’t come with a toolkit for assembly, so you’ll need to purchase them separately if you don’t already own them.

    Good for: Older or taller kids that like having a lot of speeds.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Dripex Kids Bike, BMX Bike, Mountain Bike

    (Best budget option — $)

    Dripex Kids Bike, BMX Bike, Mountain Bike
    Why it’s great: This bike is very affordable and comes in different sizes, so you can find one that will work for 2-year-olds up to 13-year-olds. The smaller bikes even come with training wheels for those that are still learning. It has a durable steel frame and is backed by a limited warranty. Unlike most of the others, this bike has both a handbrake, in addition to a back peddle brake, giving your child more control. It has an ergonomic seat with foam padding for extra comfort. It even comes with an attached water bottle holder.

    Keep in mind: This one doesn’t have any gear shifting, so it may be a little more challenging to use on trails.

    Good for: Parents who need a quality bike on a budget.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Diamondback Bicycles Youth Mountain Bike

    (Best for girls — $)

    Diamondback Bicycles Youth Mountain Bike
    Why it’s great: This mountain bike was designed especially for little girls between 4-9 years old that want to take on trails. It has a bright pink, durable steel frame for lasting quality. The wheels are 20 inches, and it has a travel fork that helps keep the ride smooth over rockier terrain. It has 6 speeds with a trigger shifter that’s easy to use and gives riders a boost on uphill climbs. It also has a derailleur guard for protection. The linear-pull brakes keep your child in control at all times.

    Keep in mind: This one only comes in pink since it was made for girls.

    Good for: Little girls that are ready to try mountain biking.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Hiland 20 Inch Kids Mountain Bike Shimano 7 Speed for Ages 4-8 Years Old

    (Most color options — $$)

    Hiland 20 Inch Kids Mountain Bike Shimano 7 Speed for Ages 4-8 Years Old
    Why it’s great: This is a great quality mountain bike at an affordable price, and it comes in 6 different color options, so you’re sure to find one that your child loves. It has 20-inch tires and is suitable for kids ages 4-8 years old. It has a durable steel frame with a low step-over design, making it easier for kids to get on and off. It has 7 speeds, and the grip-type shifter teaches beginners how to shift gears. It has a suspension fork at the front for a smooth ride and linear-pull brakes.

    Keep in mind: This one is a little more difficult to assemble correctly. Make sure you read all the instructions before you get started.

    Good for: Kids that want an easy-to-use bike in colors that they like.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 6. Mongoose Argus MX Kids Fat Tire Mountain Bike

    (Best for younger kids — $$)

    Mongoose Argus MX Kids Fat Tire Mountain Bike
    Why it’s great: This mountain bike has wide tires with traction that can handle any terrain from dirt to snow. The wheels are 16 inches, and the durable steel frame was designed for kids ages 3-5 years old. It has a sleek design with accents that make it stand out. It’s easy to use, as it only has one speed, and it has a rear caliper hand brake. This is a fun bike for younger kids that want to ride offroad and on dirt trails.

    Keep in mind: This one only has rear brakes, so it doesn’t stop as fast or efficiently as some of the other options.

    Good for: Younger kids who want a bike they can use on trails.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Huffy Valcon 20″ Mountain Bike for Boys

    (Top notch Huffy — $$$)

    Huffy Valcon 20″ Mountain Bike for Boys
    Why it’s great: Huffy is well-known in the bike world, and this mountain bike is made with their high standards. It has a durable steel frame and is backed by a limited warranty. It has 20-inch tires with plenty of traction and fits kids 5-9 years old. It has a front suspension fork and rear shocks for the best absorption and smooth ride over rough terrain. It has 6 speeds with twist-grip shifting, making it easy for your child to change gears. It also has a guard to protect the gears. Plus, it has front and rear linear-pull hand brakes, so your child will be able to stop quickly and efficiently. Your child will also love the charcoal grey design with bright orange accents.

    Keep in mind: This one was designed for boys, so it only comes in one color option.

    Good for: Parents who want to get their child a high-quality mountain bike.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys

Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys
The Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys 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..

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Mountain Bikes for Kids

  • 1. What are the benefits of mountain biking for kids?

    There are plenty of benefits to mountain biking, whether it’s for adults or kids. It is great exercise and helps to build core strength and endurance. It also helps with balance. Mountain biking will get your child outdoors enjoying the weather and using their skills. It can even help them to build confidence in themselves.

  • 2. What is a mountain bike, and how is it different from other bikes?

    A mountain bike is very similar to other bikes, but it includes extra features that help them handle rougher terrain. It usually has multiple gears or speeds to deal with different situations. They are also usually more durable and built to handle rougher treatment. Most mountain bikes have suspension to give the rider a smoother ride over dirt and rocks. The tires typically have better tread to handle different terrain as well. They usually have flat or upward-rising handlebars to make upright riding easier.

  • 3. What size mountain bike should I get for my child?

    This will depend more on your child’s size than their age. Most bikes will tell you the age or height they’re suited for, so it’s best to check that on each bike you’re considering. As a general rule, 12” works for ages 2-3, 14” is for 3-4, 16” is for 4-5, 18” is for 5-6, 20” is for 6-9, and 24” is for 7-12-year-olds.

  • 4. How many speeds does a mountain bike need?

    Generally, mountain bikes need multiple speeds. For kids that are just starting out and riding on easy trails, one speed is fine. Once you get to more demanding trails with bigger inclines, you’ll want to get them a bike with at least 6 speeds. 6-9 speeds are more than sufficient. Most mountain bikes for kids come in 6-21 speeds, with higher speeds for regular pavement riding and lower trails.

  • 5. What features should I look for in a kid’s mountain bike?

    Besides the size and speeds, you’ll want to take a look at the bike’s suspension system and the brakes. These are both important things to consider for mountain bikes. A good suspension will make it much easier for your child to ride comfortably on rough terrain. Brakes are important because they’ll work differently on dirt and rocks. You’ll need to ensure the brakes are sufficient and teach your child how to use them properly, especially on declines.

Conclusion

Mountain biking is a great, healthy outdoor activity that you can do as a whole family. It encourages your child to be physically active while promoting gross motor skills and balance. If you want your child to enjoy mountain biking, you must get them a quality bike that can handle the terrain.
The bikes on this list should help you narrow down your choices. Consider the size and features that you need, and you should have no trouble finding one that’s perfect for your child.