Top 9 Best Wooden Balance Bikes and Buying Guide

Balance bikes are a great first step towards learning how to ride a bike. Find detailed reviews of the best wooden balance bikes that are sure to provide your child with a fun and engaging learning experience and get them ready for a big bike!

There is perhaps nothing more heartwarming and exciting to a parent than to see their child attempt to walk for the very first time. But it isn’t long after that your little one is romping all over the house, ready to take on the next challenge.

And that challenge is most often the bicycle. To a child, taming this wild beast is considered a personal badge of honor. But the journey there is usually fraught with a mix of fear and determination.

As a parent, you want nothing more than to help your child overcome this obstacle. Then perhaps it’s time you invested in a wooden balance bike. This unique yet effective tool is very beneficial in assisting youths with their stability.

There are many different options out there, so we researched and narrowed down the best entries for your consideration. We’ll tell you all about balance bikes and why they are a great investment for your child’s development.

And be sure to stick around after the reviews for our handy buying guide. It’s filled with information that will help you in determining which bike is best for your child’s needs.

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9 Best Wooden Balance Bikes

Check out the nine best wooden balance bikes below. We’ve conducted extensive research and narrowed our search down to the top nine wooden balance bikes. Take a look and determine which is the best for your child.

Early Rider Balance Bike

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With its natural wood color and flame pattern, the Early Rider is sure to be a hit among boys. It comes with a comfortable leather seat to ensure that they have an enjoyable time riding this balance bike.

As the old adage goes, “Boys will be boys”, so it’s nice to see that the Early Rider is both water- and weather-proof. You can trust that this bike will hold up to even the messiest of conditions, ensuring that you are investing in a product that lasts.

Another big plus lies in the bike’s construction. Thanks to FSC-certified birch, you won’t have to worry about the wood rotting or decaying. 

The Early Rider grows with your child, too, thanks to its adjustable seating and two steering height options. And with its huge pneumatic tires, your little one is sure to feel safe and secure as they learn to master riding.

What is even more impressive is the incredibly lightweight design of the Early Rider. Weighing in at just seven pounds, your child will have a much easier time learning how to properly control the bike.

Pros

• The natural wood is both water- and weather-proof
• The bike features an eye-catching design
• Adjustable seat and steering height
• The bike weighs just seven pounds

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

Wishbone Design Studio Original 3-in-1 Bike

This unique balance bike is made just for smaller riders. Its handy 3-in-1 design allows the bike to transform as your child grows and is able to provide a safe riding experience for children as young as 12 months.

Best of all, they can enjoy this bike all the way to five years of age. With versatility like this, your little one is sure to get plenty of use out of this investment. 

And thanks to its sustainably-harvested, non-toxic birch and eucalyptus wood construction, you can trust that your child is safe while riding.

Wishbone Design Studio engineered this balance bike to work in three ways. It can be used as a baby walker, a push tricycle, or a balance bike. Each one is designed for different stages in your child’s life, providing them with years of enjoyment. 

At just a little over eight pounds, this balance bike is a breeze to handle. Plus, its assembly is quick and easy. It comes with an adjustable seat and thick, 12-inch rubber tires for greater stability.

Pros 

• Surpasses safety standards in the US, Europe, and Australia
• Made from recycled, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials
• 3-in-1 design that grows with your child
• Durable and long-lasting

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

Tour de France Wood Running/Balance Bike

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Le Tour de France’s wooden running/balance bike features a sporty design that is sure to turn heads. Its construction is solid and sturdy, ensuring that your child is riding in safety. 

Thanks to adjustable seating and steering, this balance bike grows with your child to provide them with years of use. The seat is made from soft foam padding to ensure that your little one is comfortable while they ride.

We like that you can limit the amount of steering that your child can perform at any given time. If you don’t think they are ready to start driving in any direction they please, simply make the appropriate adjustments for added safety.

The bike features a comfortable and adjustable padded seat. This seat adjusts from fourteen to twenty inches. This permits the bike to be used for a longer time period. The bike also allows you to limit your child’s steering. This allows them to ride on the balance bike more safely.

The wood-grain frame features a ford that comes down on either side of the pneumatic tire. This tire is twelve inches in diameter. The entire bike weighs roughly thirteen pounds. This Tour de France balance bike is an inexpensive option that works well.

Pros 

• Seat adjusts from 14 to 20 inches in height
• Comfortable foam-padded seating
• Attractive sporty design
• Limited-steering option

Cons

• A bit heavy at 13 pounds
• No option for adding pedals

Kinderfeets Kids Tiny Tot Plus Balance Bike

Kinderfeets’ Tiny Tot Plus is ideal for toddlers and children, as it is recommended for ages 18 months to five years. It is available in rose, sage, and slate blue, allowing you to pick out the perfect color for your little one.

You can look forward to investing in a bike that lasts thanks to its birch and bamboo construction. The Tiny Tot Plus can be converted into either a two- or three-wheeler, ensuring that your child is riding the safest option for their skill level.

At just seven pounds, this bike is a breeze to control. And it comes equipped with thick rubber tires that assist your child in maintaining their balance. 

If you want a well-made training bike that is built to last, the Tiny Tot Plus is sure to provide your child with a fun and exciting learning experience for years to come. 

Pros

• The bike is available in three stylish colors
• High-quality and long-lasting construction
• The seat adjusts from 10 to 14 inches
• Lightweight and easy to control

Cons

• Limited height adjustment
• No option for adding pedals

Lil’ Rider Wooden Balance Bike

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If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that is well-made and reliable, the Lil’ Rider is right up your alley. This affordable balance bike is sure to provide your child with a safe and fun learning experience.

It comes with a bright red color scheme and sporty design that is sure to captivate your little one. Made for children between the ages of two and five, the Lil’ Rider is the perfect addition to your child’s development.

And although this balance bike weighs just nine pounds, it has a weight capacity of up to 75 pounds! This ensures that the Lil’ Rider will support your child as they get older.

The seating is nicely padded, too, providing your young one with a safe and comfortable riding experience. Even better, the large, wide rubber tires assist in keeping your child’s balance as they learn to ride.

Pros

• Solid and sturdy construction
• Sleek and sporty design
• Highly-affordable

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

Kinderfeets Bike

Your kid’s safety is the top priority when designing the Kinderfeets’ balance bike. It provides a safe and comfortable learning experience thanks to its solid bamboo construction, soft handlebar grip, and soft padded seating. Moreover, the seat can easily be adjusted in height to make sure that your child is riding safely at all times. 

You’ll appreciate the positioning on the handlebars and seat, as it is designed to promote excellent posture as your child rides. The bike also comes equipped with foot pegs that assist with learning proper foot placement.

The wheels on Kinderfeets’ bike are airless EVA rubber tires, so you don’t have to worry about punctures or flats occurring while your little one is riding. 

Designed for children between the ages of two and five, the balance bike is an excellent learning tool for improving balance and coordination.

Pros 

• The seating adjusts from 33 cm to 41 cm in height
• Built-in foot pegs promote proper foot placement
• Eco-friendly bamboo wood design
• Easy to assemble
• Puncture-proof EVA rubber tires

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

DipDap Luxury Wooden Balance Bike

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DipDap delivers another budget-friendly option that is sure to provide your little one with a lot of enjoyment. It comes in three fun and exciting designs that make it easy to find the perfect balance bike for your child.

You can also choose between 10- or 12-inch models to ensure that you get the size that best suits your little one. Not only that, but the balance bike also comes with an adjustable seat to provide the most comfortable riding experience.

Designed for children between the ages of 18 months and five years, you’re getting an affordable balance bike that is sure to last. It is made of organic birch that is both safe and sturdy in its construction.

Other features include a removable seat cover, air-filled pneumatic tires, and limited steering for added safety. And at just 7.5 pounds, this bike is easy for your child to control.

Pros 

• Steering joints prevent the bike from excessive steering
• The padded seat cover is removable for easy cleaning
• Attractive and fun designs to choose from
• Each option features an adjustable seat

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

Prince Lionheart Whirl Balance Scooter

Although technically a scooter, this attractive balance bike sports a simplistic design that is highly effective in helping your little one learn the ropes of riding a bike. And thanks to its adjustable seat, the Prince Lionheart bike can provide your child with enjoyment for years to come.

If you like to play your role in protecting the environment and supporting suppliers, you’ll be pleased to know that this balance bike is made from eco-happy birch. 

The Prince Lionheart balance bike comes equipped with rubber handle grips and large, 12-inch rubber tires. It is also very easy to assemble, so your little one can get right to enjoying their new balance bike. 

It’s important to note that the Prince Lionheart bike is designed for children who are two years old and up. If your child is not yet two, check out the next entry in our reviews.

Pros

• Lightweight design that weighs just 10 pounds
• Adjustable height that grows with your child
• Made from 100% eco-happy birch 
• Fun, scooter-style construction

Cons

• No option for adding pedals

Kinderfeets TinyTot 2-in-1 Balance Bike

This Kinderfeets wooden balance bike transforms from a tricycle to a small balance bike! This 2-in-1 design is perfect for growing toddlers between the ages of 12 months to two years. 

This high-quality bike is produced by one of the best wooden balance bike manufacturers in the world. So you know that you’re getting a well-made product that will assist in your child’s development.

You can get this model in either cherry red, coral, or sage. Everything about this bike is eco-friendly and non-toxic – even the paint used to color it!

The frame is made from durable and long-lasting birch, and the wheels are tough plastic to prevent potential punctures while riding. 

There is, however, a 40-pound max weight limitation. So be sure to keep that in mind when looking for the right wooden balance bike for your little one.

Pros 

• Transforms from a tricycle to a small balance bike
• Ideal for toddlers between 12 and 24 months
• Three stunning color options available
• Made from durable birch wood

Cons

• 40-pound weight limit

Compare the Top Nine Best Wooden Balance Bikes

The following chart compares four of the key features to consider when selecting a wooden balance bike for your child or toddler.

Bike	Wheel Type and Size	Suggested Age	Seat Height	Bike Weight
Early Rider	Pneumatic	20 months – 5 years	11.75 – 13.25 inches	7 pounds
Wishbone Design Studio Original 3-in-1 Bike	12-inch air-filled rubber tires	12 months – 5 years	18 – 24 inches	8.4 pounds (bike) 5.4 pounds (trike)
Tour de France Running/Balance Bike	12-inch pneumatic tires	2 – 5 years	14 – 20 inches	13 pounds
Kinderfeets Kids Tiny Tot Plus	9-inch rubber tires	18 months – 5 years	10 – 14 inches	7 pounds
Lil’ Rider Wooden Balance Bike	12.5-inch rubber tires	2 – 5 years	14 – 22 inches	9 pounds
Kinderfeets’ Bike	Airless EVA tires	2 – 5 years	13 – 16 inches	8 pounds
DipDap Luxury Wooden Balance Bike	Air-filled pneumatic tires	18 months – 5 years	11.8 – 15.4 inches (10-inch model) 13.4 – 17.7 inches (12-inch model)	7 pounds
Prince Lionheart Whirl Balance Scooter	12-inch air-filled rubber tires	2 – 5 years	15 – 17 inches	10 pounds
Kinderfeets TinyTot 2-in-1 Balance Bike	Airless rubber tires	12 months – 2 years	8.5 – 11 inches	6.5 pounds

What is a Balance Bike?

Balance Bike vs Tricycle vs Training Wheels

A balance bike differs from a tricycle or a bike with training wheels by focusing on balancing rather than pedaling. By mastering their ability to stabilize themselves, they will have a much easier time transitioning to a traditional bicycle.

Why Buy a Wooden Bike?

Wooden bikes serve as the perfect tool to teach your child how to ride the bike. Teaching them to peddle is easy, teaching them to retain their balance is much more difficult. A wooden balancing bike makes this task easier – and safer!

Wooden bikes are also thicker than aluminum frame bikes, allowing for a larger center of balance. This difference assists in keeping your child well-balanced as they learn to ride.

6 Things to Consider When Buying a Wooden Balance Bike

To ensure that you get the best balance bike for your child’s needs, let’s explore some key factors that will play a role in your purchase.

Bike Weight

The rule of thumb to follow when investing in any bike is that the bike should not weigh more than 30% of your child’s weight. 

So if your child weighs 50 pounds, for example, the bike should weigh around 15 pounds. With this in mind, you will be able to choose the best balance bike based on your child’s weight.

Seat Height and Adjustability

When purchasing a bike, especially your child’s very first bike, you want to make sure that you choose one that fits their size and weight. This means selecting a bike that isn’t too big for them, as this can lead to injury.

While it’s certainly alright to invest in a bike that grows with your child, you never want to get a bike that your child has to grow into. You can make sure that a bike is suitable for your little one by measuring their inseam and subtracting an inch.

If the seat’s lowest height equals the number you got, you know that the bike is safe for them to ride. And if you buy a bike with an adjustable seat, your child is sure to get many years of use out of it.

Tire Type

There are five tire types: EVA foam, pneumatic, rubber, hard plastic, and big apple tires. Each of these tires has its own unique benefits and applied uses. 

EVA foam tires are very light and require little maintenance. These tires are ideal for children three years of age and younger.

Pneumatic tires are prone to popping and weigh much more than EVA foam. Pneumatic tires require frequent maintenance and will become a pain for a parent of a younger child. 

Rubber tires also weigh in on the heavier side. These tires rarely pop but are better suited for indoor use.

Hard plastic tires are the lightest of all the tires, but they are also the lowest in quality. These tires are generally used with indoor riding toys. 

And lastly, big apple tires are much wider than other options. They offer a built-in suspension system that provides the user with a smoother ride. These tires are ideal for anyone, including younger children.

Frame Materials

Wooden bikes are environmentally-friendly, with a focus on teaching kids better balance. However, they are less adjustable than most other bikes and should be used on flat, hard surfaces, like sidewalks.

Design

Most kids like personal items that speak to their unique preferences. When it comes to buying a bike for your child, the design is just as important as every other consideration.

If the bike is something that they like, your child is more likely to spend the necessary time on it to practice improving their balance.

Warranty

Whether a product comes with a warranty is a consideration that should be made on any purchase. Since bikes are prone to get bumped and scuffed, it’s important to have the proper coverage in the event that something breaks.

Balance Bike FAQs

What age is best for a balance bike?

Children who are aged anywhere between 18 months and five years old can benefit from a wooden balance bike. Oftentimes, a child is ready to safely transition to a traditional bicycle once they reach the age of five. 

With that being said, children typically benefit the most from balance bikes between the ages of 18 months and 2 ½ years. It is during this time that a child begins developing the necessary motor skills to keep themselves well-balanced.

Are balance bikes worth it?

Balance bikes are excellent tools that go a long way in assisting with your child’s development. By focusing on balance instead of pedaling, your child is sure to benefit from using a wooden balance bike.

Can you add pedals to a balance bike?

Some balance bikes have the option of adding pedals. But remember, the goal here is to teach your child how to properly maintain their balance.

While you certainly can invest in a model that accepts pedals, you want to be sure not to overwhelm your child or deviate from the main learning objective.

When they get to the point that they are able to ride a pedal bike without losing balance, the best thing to do is buy them their first pedal bike.

Can I take the pedals off a bike to make a balance bike?

Taking the pedals off of a bike to create your own balance bike is a good idea. In fact, once your child has mastered the wooden balance bike, it is suggested that you do this. 

However, it is always better to start your child on a thicker wooden balancing bike. This allows them to start off with a larger center of gravity, which will allow them to retain their balance much more easily. 

What makes a wooden balance bike high-quality?

Wooden balance bikes are used to teach your child how to maintain and regain their balance. This is an important development for any child, especially children eager to ride a bike. 

We believe that a high-quality balance bike will grow with your child between the ages of 18 months and five years. Once your child turns five, they will likely outgrow any wooden balance bike and be ready for the real deal.

The best wooden balancing bikes also use the best materials. A wooden balance bike should weigh around 10 pounds, making birch the ideal wood for balance bikes, as it tends to weigh less. 

How can I encourage my child to use the balance bike?

The most important thing you can do is buy a wooden balance bike that speaks to your child’s preferences. Whether the bike is their favorite color or features their favorite cartoon character, your child will appreciate the uniqueness of it and be more apt to use it.

Another way to encourage your child to use a balance bike is by demonstrating how to use it; perhaps by a sibling or friend. Young children mimic what they see. So by seeing someone they look up to using the balance bike, they are more likely to give it a go themselves.

Above all, however, try to make the experience fun. Allow them to enjoy being on the balance bike and create an enjoyable atmosphere that they can associate with riding the wooden balance bike.

Will a scooter teach my child the same skills as a balance bike?

A scooter essentially teaches the same skills as a balance bike. Both teach balance and allow your child to get a better understanding of how gravity works. 

However, children often struggle with balancing on a scooter, as more support is needed.

Riding a scooter requires more skill than using a balance bike. 

Think about it this way: you can start your child on a balance bike shortly after learning to walk, but you can’t say the same for a scooter.

Is my child already too old for a balance bike?

Unless your child is over the age of five, it is unlikely that they are too old to benefit from a balancing bike. Children as young as 12 months can use these types of bikes all the way up to the age of five.

The use of a balance bike is recommended to get your child ready to ride a bike. Once they have mastered riding the balance bike, they will then be ready to safely transition to a conventional bicycle.

Conclusion

We hope you found our guide to the best wooden balance bikes to be helpful. With the proper research, you are sure to end up with a bike that your child loves. 

But regardless of which bike you end up choosing, you can trust that the entries we reviewed are some of the very best available. In fact, there were plenty of excellent models that just barely missed the cut.

These nine best balance bikes are sure to provide your child with a fun and engaging learning experience that will serve them well for the rest of their life. And we’re glad that we are able to play a part in your child’s development!

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