Choosing the best bike for your 3 year old
Looking for the best bike for a 3 year old? You’re in the right place!
Buying a bike for a 3 year old can feel surprisingly complicated. Should you choose a balance bike or a pedal bike? What size wheels are right? Do they need stabilisers? And how can you be sure the bike is safe, fits properly, and is fun to ride?
So many questions - but that’s totally normal!
At Cycle Sprog, we’ve been helping families choose bikes for children since 2012, and we know that age three is a brilliant time to get started on two wheels. Whether you’re after the best balance bike for a 3 year old, or want to know which pedal bikes for 3 year olds are worth your money, we’ve got you covered.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from sizing and bike types to links to guides containing all our expert picks of the best bikes for 3 year olds available right now.
You’ll also find answers to the most common questions we hear from parents and grandparents at this stage — including tips to help you choose the best bike for your 3 year old, based on their height, confidence, and riding experience.
So if you're looking for a bike for a 3 year old that’s lightweight, easy to ride, and confidence-boosting from the very first ride, scroll down to discover our expert recommendations.
Cycle Sprog is a reader-supported website. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission.
What size bike does a 3 year old need?
Most 3 year olds will need a 12" or 14" wheel bike, but some taller 3 year olds, especially those who are approaching their 4th birthday, may need a larger 16" wheel bike.
Every bike brand varies, so always check the individual brands size guides before you purchase.
Here is our general guidelines, based on the range of brands we recommend.
What type of bike is best for a 3 year old?
There are five types of bike that might be suitable for your 3 year old, depending on their riding ability
Balance bike - This is the best choice bike for a 3 year old if they have never been on a bike before, as they'll have all the fun of riding a bike without needing to pedal
Pedal bike - if your child has already used a balance bike, or has very well developed physical skills, then they may be ready for a pedal bike by the age of 3 years. Choosing a lightweight, well proportioned bike will make this step much easier and enjoyable for them.
2-in 1 Balance to pedal conversion bike - these bikes start in balance mode and allow you to add the pedals when your child is ready to progress
Pedal bike with stabilisers / training wheels - we only recommend this option if your child is not able to use a balance bike or a pedal bike.
Tricycles - tricycles (aka trikes) can provide additional stability for children who need it, but are much slower and harder to manoeuvre than a balance or pedal bike.
A quick warning about character bikes and big-name retailers
If you’ve been searching online, you’ve probably come across a Peppa Pig bike for a 3 year old, seen an advert for a Spiderman bike for a 3 year old boy, or found options at Halfords, Amazon or Argos that look bright, fun, and affordable.
While these character bikes and big store brands can be tempting, they’re often designed more for looks than for learning to ride.
Many (but not all) Amazon, Argos or Halfords bikes for 3 year olds are:
- Too heavy for small children to control easily
- Fitted with stabilisers, which don’t help with balance (more on that in a moment)
- Poorly sized (based on age, not leg length)
- Made with solid tyres or stiff parts that don’t roll smoothly
Similarly, bikes themed around Paw Patrol, Disney Princess, or Spiderman are usually bulked up with accessories and poor-quality components, making them harder to ride — and less enjoyable for your child.
Instead, we recommend choosing a lightweight, properly sized bike your 3-year-old can actually ride confidently — and adding stickers or a favourite basket later if they want to personalise it.
Read on to find out which type of bike is perfect for your 3 year old.
Balance bikes for a 3 year old
At Cycle Sprog, we're massive fans of balance bikes, and if it's your child's first time on two wheels, we highly recommend one as a first bike for 3 year old riders.
Most balance bikes come with 12 inch wheels which are sized for an average height child on their 3rd birthday. Taller three year olds may need a 14 inch wheel balance bike which some of the premium brands offer.
Should you buy a balance bike for your 3 year old?
Reasons to buy:
Your child will learn to balance, steer, start, stop and move at speed.
Moving from balance bike to pedal bike is usually much easier than for a child who hasn't used a balance bike.
There is very little to go wrong with a balance bike, and they require minimal maintenance.
Balance bikes tend to be cheaper than pedal bikes.
They're easy to use and allow younger children to experience the joy of riding a bike, before they're ready to pedal.
They're such fun to ride that many children keep playing with their tiny balance bikes long after they've outgrown them and moved onto pedal bikes (we're not confessing to riding them ourselves, but lets just say it's very tempting when no-one is looking!)
Reasons not to buy:
Some children, especially those with additional needs, may struggle to balance, and appreciate the additional support that stabilisers or a tricycle provide.
If your 3 year old is advanced with their physical development they may only need a balance bike for a short time before moving onto a pedal bike.
Ready to buy a balance bike for your 3 year old?
If this is your 3 year old's first bike, they will probably really benefit from a balance bike.
Here at Cycle Sprog we know exactly what makes a good balance bike for 3 year old children, and our buyers guides will help you choose the one that's the right fit and price for your child.
Best balance bikes 2025 - our guide includes lots of 12" wheelers that tend to be the best balance bikes for 3 year old children
Big balance bikes for taller children - this might be helpful if your child is very tall and fast approaching their 4th birthday
We also have a number of balance bikes reviews and advice articles, so get browsing now!
Pedal bikes for 3 year olds
Some 3-year-olds are ready to move straight to pedalling - and there are some brilliant pedal bikes for 3 year olds available.
Remember that all children develop at different ages, and the most common age for children to start to learn to ride is 4 years.
Should you buy a pedal bike for your 3 year old?
Reasons to buy a pedal bike for a 3 year old:
A pedal bike is the perfect next step up from a balance bike for those who started early on two wheels.
If your child is ready to pedal then riding a bicycle is one of the most fun, exhilarating things in the world!
If you know what you're doing, you can take the pedals and chainset off a pedal bike and turn it into a balance bike.
Reasons not to buy a pedal bike for a 3 year old:
If your child isn't developmentally ready to cope with pedalling, steering, and braking all at the same time, a pedal bike can be scary and may put them off ever riding it.
Some push bikes for 3 year old riders come fitted with coaster brakes, which require pedalling backwards to stop. This can be confusing when they later move on to a bike with standard hand brakes.
If your child is not developmentally ready, you may be tempted to put stabilisers on a pedal bike, which will probably make it harder for your child to learn to ride in the long run.
There are many very cheap and heavy small pedal bikes, that can be very difficult for a 3 year old to ride (which you won't find recommended in this guide!)
Looking for the best pedal bikes for 3 year olds?
If your child has mastered riding a balance bike, and is ready to progress, there's a wide range of pedal bikes for 3 year olds to choose from.
We’ve picked out the lightest and most confidence-boosting models in our guide Best 14” kids bikes for 3-4 year-olds
Whilst some brands have 12" wheel bikes for 3 year olds, we don't usually recommend these. A 12" wheel balance bike will be much more fun to ride.
That's why we usually advise that the best first pedal bike for 3 year old children is one with 14 inch wheels.
Some very tall 3 year olds may be ready to move straight onto a 16" wheel bike, but please don't buy them a bike to grow into - it must fit them now or they'll get scared.
We also have some great reviews of 14" wheel pedal bikes, so do have a good browse of our website.
Before you start take a moment to GRAB YOUR FREE KIDS BIKE BUYING GUIDE to help you with all the information you need to find the perfect bike for your child.
2-in-1 convertible balance bikes with pedals for a 3 year old
A relatively new, but increasingly popular, type of starter bike is a 2-in-1 option that starts as a balance bike and can have pedals added to convert it into a pedal bike at a later stage.
Should you buy a 2-in-1 convertible balance bike with pedals for your 3 year old?
Reasons to buy a 2-in-1 balance bike for a 3 year old:
It can be cheaper than buying a balance and pedal bike in the same wheel size - and also reduces waste - if you child uses it in both modes.
It can be comforting for some children to be able to learn to pedal on the exact same bike as they're used to using as a balance bike.
These bikes come with brakes, which allows your child to learn to use in balance mode so they're familiar when moving to a pedal bike.
Reasons not to buy a 2-in-1 convertible balance bike with pedals for a 3 year old:
They can be more expensive than a standard balance bike and you may end up paying for the functionality that isn't used if your child outgrows it before they're cognitively ready to start pedalling.
These bikes tend to come in larger wheel sizes, so not suitable for smaller / younger 3 year olds.
You need to be happy to add the pedal conversion kit, which vary in complexity depending on the brand.
Very cheap versions (not recommended here of course!) can be poorly made and difficult to assemble.
Ready to buy a 2-in-1 balance bike for your 3 year old?
Convertible balance bikes are a relatively new idea - so there aren't as many available for sales as there are 14" wheel pedal bikes or balance bikes.
Some are poorly made, so do be certain to check out the reviews carefully, as being able to safely convert them is really important.
We have a guide to help you choose the right convertible balance bike for a 3 year old: Kids bikes that will grow with your child
If you're confident with basic bike tools and have a good-quality 14" pedal bike with easily removable pedals, you could take the pedals off and use it as a balance bike.
We have an advice guide on how to do this: How to turn a pedal bike into a balance bike
Pedal bikes with stabilisers / training wheels for a 3 year old
If you've read the rest of this article you'll know we're a massive fan of balance bikes over stabilisers for the majority of children, as it makes the transition to pedalling solo so much easier.
However, sometimes a bike with training wheels can be the right choice, especially for children with additional needs and / or balance issues.
Should you buy a pedal bike with stabilisers for your 3 year old?
Reasons to buy a pedal bike with stabilisers for a 3 year old
Provides additional stability for children who are unable to use a balance bike unaided, allowing these children to experience the joys of riding a bike.
You may want to read our article How to teach an autistic or neurodivergent child to ride a bike if this applies to your child.
Reasons not to buy a pedal bike with training wheels for 3 year old
Children don't get to learn the basic skills needed to ride a bike (balance, starting, stopping, steering, riding at speed) before introducing the added complexity of pedalling.
Training wheels (or stabilisers) require the rider to shift their weight the opposite way to when riding without them. This can make it very confusing when they're removed, as the child has to learn how to balance and steer all over again.
Most kids bikes sold with stabilisers as standard are very heavy, low quality bikes that can be frustrating and difficult for a small child to ride.
Stabilisers slow things down, and children can get annoyed that they're not moving very quickly, especially if their friends are zooming around on a balance bike.
Ready to buy a bike with training wheels for a 3 year old?
Rather than buying a pedal bike specifically advertised with training wheels fitted, we highly recommend that you choose a lightweight pedal bike, and then add good quality stabilisers to them.
Check out our guide Best 14” kids bikes for 3-4 year-olds
Tricycles for a 3 year old
Trikes, or tricycles, are having a bit of resurgence at the moment, with many pushchair and toy brands getting in on the act. Some are very complicated, with lots of different modes, and have a price tag to match,
In our experience, by the time most children reach 3 years of age they are ready for the fun, freedom and joy of being on two, rather than three wheels, and a trike can really slow them down.
Should you buy a tricycle for your 3 year old?
Reasons to buy a trike for a 3 year old
As with stabilisers, a tricycle can give additional stability for children who cannot use a balance bike or a pedal bike.
Tricycles can help children who struggle to pedal with their legs in a vertical position to get used to this motion in a more reclined position.
Reasons not to buy a tricycle for a 3 year old
The two back wheels on a trike mean your child learns to lean the opposite way to what's needed when riding a pedal bike. This can make them more prone to falling off when moving onto a pedal bike.
Tricycles don't have any "wobble" to them, meaning your child won't learn the balance needed to progress to riding a two wheeled bike.
The pedalling action is very different on a tricycle than on a bike, as the pedals are usually attached to the front wheel and your child will learn to pedal with their legs stretched in front of them.
Trikes are very difficult to ride at speed, especially when cornering.
Here at Cycle Sprog we have not tested any tricycles, so are unable to recommend one to you.
Buying a bike for 3 year old - FAQ's
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we get at Cycle Sprog HQ when discussing getting a 3 year old onto two wheels.
Should I buy my 3 year old a bike?
Obviously we're biased, but it's a definite "YES" to this question.
There’s a bike for 3 year old riders of all shapes, sizes and abilities — the key is finding one that fits your child’s stage of development and builds confidence.
Whether it’s their first balance bike for 3 year olds or a lightweight pedal bike, it’s a brilliant way to get them moving.
Which is better for a 3 year old - training wheels or a balance bike?
Unless your child has additional needs that mean they can't use a balance bike, we don't recommend using training wheels / stabilisers.
A balance bike for 3 year old children is usually much more fun to ride and makes the transition to pedalling much smoother.
Can a 3 year old learn to ride a pedal bike?
Some children can! If they’ve had time on a balance bike, are physically confident, and have spent time with other riders, then a pedal bike for 3 year olds might be just right.
Others might need a little more time — it’s common for children to master pedalling closer to age 4.
Our quiz will help you figure out whether your child is ready.
Take our quiz: Is your child ready to ride a pedal bike?
My 3 year old won't ride their bicycle, what's wrong with them?
There's nothing wrong with your child if they don't want to ride their bike.
Usually, when we get told this, it's for a predictable reason.
Reason 1: their bicycle is either too big, too heavy, or poorly made. These bikes can be difficult to steer, have really uncomfortable solid tyres, wheels that don't turn easily or brakes that don't work properly.
Reason 2: they are trying to learn to pedal before they're ready - this is why we recommend balance bikes for a 3 year old first
Reason 3: they're being put under pressure to ride, and need time and guidance on how to use their bike
This is why choosing the best bike for 3 year olds is so important — lightweight, well-sized bikes make all the difference. And remember, many kids suddenly get inspired after watching a friend ride theirs!
What size bike is best for a 3 year old?
There’s no “one size fits all” because a bike for 3 year old boy or girl needs to match their height and inside leg — not their age alone.
The best bike size for a 3 year old is usually one with 12” or 14” wheels, depending on their leg length and confidence.
Some taller 3 year olds may need a 16” wheel bike — especially if they’re nearing their 4th birthday.
You can read our detailed guide on how to easily measure your child for a new bike.
What size bike for a 3½ year old?
If your child is three and a half, they may be ready for a 14” or even 16” wheel bike — but it depends on their height and inside leg. Always measure before buying and avoid sizing up “to grow into” — bikes should fit now, not in 6 months’ time.
What size bike frame for a 3 year old?
Bike frames don’t have a standard size for age 3, so look at wheel size instead. That said, some manufacturers do provide frame size details — look for a frame that allows your child to put both feet flat on the ground when seated.
Be careful if you're buying a bmx bike for 3 year old with 12" or 14" wheels - these tend to be designed for older riders and your little one may not fit on the bike properly.
What's the difference between boys bikes and girls bikes for a 3 year old?
There shouldn’t be any difference — a bike for 3 year old boy or girl should be chosen based on fit, not colour or branding.
There's nothing at this age that necessitates a different frame, saddle etc. although these are things that may affect choices when they reach the teenage years.
What's the best bike for 3 year old girl?
You will see that some shops try to sell 12" and 14" girls pedal bikes with loads of accessories to make it into a "princess" bike or similar, and these bikes tend to be very heavy and difficult to ride (usually fitted with the dreaded stabilisers).
Our advice is to buy your three year old girl a gender neutral, lightweight, well made bike in her favourite colour so she can enjoy riding it as fast and as far as she wants. There's a whole range of add on accessories you can buy to make it unique to her.
For more advice on bike brands that appeal to girls check out our guide Best bikes for girls: Everything you need to know
What about Argos or Halfords bikes for 3 year olds?
If you've searched for a bike for 3 year old from Argos or Amazon or seen a Halfords bike for 3 year old that looks colourful and affordable, you're not alone — these brands dominate online searches and shop floors.
However, while these bikes are easy to buy, they’re not always easy to ride.
Many Argos, Amazon and Halfords bikes for 3 year olds:
- Are too heavy for young children to handle
- Include training wheels (stabilisers) which slow down learning
- Often have solid plastic tyres or poor-quality brakes
- Are sized based on age not leg length, meaning poor fit
There are a few exceptions (such as Halfords’ Carrera range), but generally, we advise looking for a lightweight, well-fitted bike your child can enjoy riding straight away.
Does my 3 year old need to wear a helmet when riding their balance bike or pedal bike?
If you live in a part of the world where helmet wearing is mandatory by law, then obviously the answer is "Yes".
If you live elsewhere (including the UK) then this is a decision you need to make for yourself, depending on your attitude to risk.
Check out our great article on the Best kids bike helmets to help you choose the right bike helmet for your child.
If you need help deciding whether you're going to enforce helmet wearing (not always easy!) check out Should my child wear a bike helmet?
What size bike helmet for a 3 year old?
Most bike helmets for 3 year olds fall into the 46–52cm head circumference range — but always measure their head with a soft tape.
See our article How to measure your childs head for a bike helmet for more guidance.
Are character bikes like Peppa Pig, Spider-Man or Paw Patrol good for 3 year olds?
A Peppa Pig bike or a Spider-Man bike for 3 year old can seem like the perfect birthday present. After all, what child wouldn’t be thrilled to see their favourite character on their new wheels?
But sadly, most of these character bikes (including Disney Princess bikes for 3 year olds and Paw Patrol bikes) are:
- Heavier than ideal (making them hard to ride)
- Often come with non-functioning or poor-quality brakes
- Include stabilisers that make balancing harder in the long run
- Built for shelf appeal, not ease of riding or long-term use
Instead, we recommend choosing a lightweight, properly fitted balance bike or pedal bike in your child’s favourite colour — you can always add stickers or accessories later to personalise it.
This way, they’ll enjoy riding much more, and learn faster too.
Should I buy a 3 wheel bike for 3 year old?
We highly recommend a 2 wheeled bike for a 3 year old (either balance bike or pedal bike) rather than 3 wheels, UNLESS your child has additional needs that means they can't balance on two wheels.
A 3 wheel bike or tricycle is much slower and harder to ride than a two wheeler, and most three year olds will much prefer the fun and freedom of two wheels.
Should I buy my 3 year old an electric balance bike?
No! We don't recommend this for various reasons including:
- Three year olds do not have the cognitive ability to cope with the faster speeds of an electric bike
- You need to be able to keep up with them if they head off in the wrong direction
- Three year olds should be getting as much physical exercise as possible - and they'll hopefully sleep better (and earlier) the more they get
- The planet doesn't need yet more battery powered toys
- You don't need more things to remember to recharge
- Save your money now and buy them a good quality, lightweight pedal bike next year
Which bike should I buy for my 3 year old?
Your next stop needs to be our specific bike guides, where we recommend the best bikes for 3 years olds.
They cover a range of brands, bike styles and price points so check out the right guide for your child:
Best Balance Bikes - focuses on 12" wheels which are great for 3rd birthday presents
Big Balance Bikes for taller children - as the name suggests is suited more for those approached their 4th birthday and needing 14" wheels and above
Best 14" wheel bikes for 3 and 4 year olds - the perfect sized starter bike for a 3 year old
Best 16" wheel bikes for 4 and 5 year olds - great for older and taller 3 year olds
You can also use our kids bike search to find the one that suits your child best - click on "more options" to personalise your choice:
Comments