Balance Bike Vs Tricycle, Which Is Best For Kids?

Top Tip!

For most kids, the trickiest part of learning to ride is figuring out how to balance—and that they need to keep moving to stay upright.A balance bike is the perfect way to learn the essential skill of balancing.

Key Differences between Balance Bikes and Tricycles:

• Pedalling: Balance bikes don't have pedals, while tricycles do. 
• Stability: Tricycles have three wheels, making them more stable than balance bikes while on flat surfaces. However tricycles cannot be used on rough or sloped ground. 
• Balance: Balance bikes focus on teaching balance, while tricycles primarily teach pedalling. Kids do not develop their balance while riding a balance bike.
• Independence: Balance bikes encourage greater independence from parents, while tricycles may require more parental push or assistance. 
• Transition to Bicycle: Balance bikes prepare children for a faster transition to a two-wheeled bicycle as they have a similar layout and riding posture.

Why Balance Bikes Are Better for Learning to Ride

While tricycles may offer short-term stability, balance bikes prepare kids for real biking. Here’s why:

1. They Build Real Biking Skills

Balance bikes teach kids the core skill of balancing—something tricycles don’t address. When it’s time to switch to a pedal bike, children who start with a balance bike will skip training wheels altogether.

2. Balance Bikes Encourage Adventure

A balance bike’s lightweight frame and intuitive design help kids stay in control and reduce the risk of tipping over. Tricycles can be top-heavy and harder to manoeuvre, especially on uneven surfaces. 

3. They Encourage Active Play

With no pedals in the way, balance bikes let kids walk, stride, and glide, keeping them engaged and active. This helps develop coordination, strength, and confidence—all key milestones in early childhood.

4. Balance Bikes Make the Transition to Pedal Bikes Easier

One of the biggest frustrations parents face is the leap from a tricycle (or training wheels) to a pedal bike. Balance bikes eliminate this struggle by already teaching the hardest part—balancing. Once kids are confident on a balance bike, adding pedals is just a small step, not a whole new challenge. No more tears, stalls, or extended learning curves.

5. They Promote Independence and Confidence

Because kids can use their feet to stop and start, balance bikes give them more control over their riding experience. This sense of independence helps build confidence. Instead of being pushed or guided, children naturally progress at their own pace, learning how to manage speed, direction, and balance all on their own.

6. They’re More Practical for Parents

Let’s face it—carrying a tricycle up steps or loading it into the car can be a hassle. Balance bikes are much lighter, easier to store, and often convertible, meaning they last longer as your child grows. Models like the LittleBig balance bike even convert into a pedal bike, giving parents better value and fewer gear changes over time.

7. Balance Bikes Help Kids Ride Further, Sooner

Unlike tricycles, which are slower and harder to pedal over long distances, balance bikes allow kids to glide effortlessly once they gain confidence. Because they’re lightweight and don’t rely on constant pedalling, kids can cover more ground with less effort. This makes balance bikes ideal for family walks, park trips, or even school runs—turning short strolls into mini adventures without needing a stroller or carrying your child.

8. Balance Bikes Eliminate the Need for Training Wheels

One of the biggest advantages of starting with a balance bike is that training wheels become completely unnecessary. Since kids already master balance and steering from the start, there’s no need for the extra step of training wheels. This not only saves parents time and money but also prevents the common frustration kids face when transitioning from being supported by the training wheels, to being unsupported while pedalling on 2 wheels. Training wheels are essentially like a crutch that the child comes to rely on. With a balance bike, they’re already there—ready to ride confidently on a pedal bike without any extra support.