Balance bike | Balance bikes for children & toddlers

What types of balance bikes are there?

From the first ride-on to a two-wheeler – a different model is suitable depending on age:

• Two-wheeled balance bike – the classic balance bike with two wheels, from approx. 2–3 years.
• Tricycle (also called a "trike") – tip-proof for the youngest ones.
• Wooden balance bike – sustainable, robust, and timeless.
• Ride-ons & ride-on cars – the first rolling experience for toddlers from approx. 1 year old.

Balance bike from what age?

From 1 year: first ride-ons and mini balance bikes with a low step-through – little ones start rolling while sitting.

From 2 years: the classic two-wheeled balance bike; balance and coordination are trained through play.

From 3 years: larger balance bike, often with a handbrake – followed by the switch to a children's bike.

What to look for when buying

• Saddle height: both feet should be able to rest flat on the ground.
• Weight: the lighter, the easier to ride – ideally under 40% of body weight.
• Brake: the youngest ones brake with their feet; from approx. 3 years, a handbrake is a useful extra.
• Tires: pneumatic tires for comfort, foam tires for maintenance-free use.
• Steering limiter: prevents over-steering and provides safety.

When is your child ready? Our guide When to start riding a balance bike? shows you.

Balance bike made of wood or plastic?

A wooden balance bike is sustainable, robust, and looks timelessly beautiful. Plastic balance bikes are usually lighter and particularly easy to care for. Both are a good choice – decide based on weight, appearance, and sustainability.

What does a balance bike cost?

At Funwheel, you can get balance bikes from approx. CHF 30; high-quality, durable models are around CHF 100–200.

Quality pays off: a good balance bike often lasts for several children and can be repaired rather than replaced thanks to spare parts.

Our balance bike brands

We focus on hand-picked brands: Globber and Scoot and Ride for robust, adjustable balance bikes that grow with your child, and Kinderfeets for sustainable wooden balance bikes.

Balance Bike, Like a Bike & "Laufvelo"

You might also know the classic two-wheeled balance bike as a balance bike, Like a Bike, or – in Swiss German – a Laufvelo: they all refer to a bike without pedals and without a chain. It has a lower center of gravity than a standard bicycle but, like one, has a saddle and handlebars – this way, your child learns balance through play. A balance bike is a training bike and not a replacement for a bicycle. For classic two-wheelers with spoked wheels and pneumatic tires, we recommend Yedoo and ACADEMY (e.g., the 12-inch Grade 1 model); in addition, we carry S'COOL, the Globber GO BIKE series, and the sustainable wooden models from Kinderfeets. A 12- or 14-inch balance bike is generally suitable from approx. 2–3 years.

Why a balance bike?

For small children, it is often difficult or even impossible to operate pedals. That is exactly why a balance bike or "Like a Bike" is perfectly suited as preparation for a bicycle: your child first learns the most important skill – balance – and later switches to a bicycle with pedals almost automatically. Thanks to the adjustable seat height, a good balance bike grows with your child over several years.

Where can your child ride a balance bike?

Depending on the model, a balance bike has either solid rubber or pneumatic tires. Flat surfaces like asphalt or concrete are ideal; with a little practice, your child can also master gravel and dirt paths. Special versions like a "Like a Bike Mountain" are even suitable for off-road use. And because a balance bike is quiet and agile, you can also ride it indoors in the apartment during bad weather if you have enough space.

Safety: Helmet from the start

From the very first balance bike, a well-fitting children's helmet is a must. You can find out how to find the right size in our bike helmet guide.

Why Funwheel

We are the Swiss specialist for rolling sports with over 30 years of experience: a hand-picked, durable assortment, delivery from our Swiss warehouse (ordered by 3 PM, arrives the next working day), and our own service center with spare parts. Has your child outgrown their balance bike? Then it’s time to move on to a children's bike.

Frequently asked questions about the balance bike