While the push handle isn't really meant for steering, it's great for regulating speed. Even though its small and low to the ground, my son enjoyed the trikes big pedals, fat wheels and super-large underseat storage container. Tricycles are great for helping kids develop critical physical and cognitive skills. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. The trike also didnt adjust in any way, which means it would be usable for only around a year or two before a child would outgrow it. The Steer & Stroll has an adjustable seat that you can move back to accommodate longer legs, just like you can on the Joovy trike. Quality and safety come before everything else, David Curry, the VP of merchandising and product development at Angeles Corporation told us. Both Wang and Talmud work with tricycles in teaching pedaling and balance to kids. Some users have complained that their childs foot has gotten caught between the pedals and the footrest while the trike is rolling; we could see how that would happen (maybe if you were pulling the trike backward) but we havent experienced it firsthand. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. In addition to standing by our original top-rated picks, we've also added two new trike recommendations, the XJD 3-in-1 Kids Tricycle and the Radio Flyer Classic Tricycle. After conducting preliminary interviews with physical therapists, talking with bike shop owners, polling parents from around the country, and reviewing the top choices of blogs like Babylist and the most popular and well-reviewed models on sites like Amazon, Target, and other top retailers, we researched more than 30 tricycle models and settled on a testing pool of 12 that were recommended, well-reviewed, and/or included the features parents said they wanted. Rachel is the chief technologist & executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs. The spokeless wheels require no maintenance, they have no parts sticking out, and nothing can get caught in them. She recommends parents focus on one skill at a time; taking on both steering and pedaling at once may overwhelm a toddler. (The Joovys pedals rotate as the trike moves.). With an average weight and one of the most stable designs we tried, the Joovy was easier to start, pedal, and maneuver than any of the other 10 top trikes we tested. The Midi is designed for kids 3 to 6 and can accommodate riders up to 70 pounds, which includes many 7- and 8-year-olds, too. The testing for this article was overseen by Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute's Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering. My 1-year-old was able to sit comfortably in the seatunlike the Joovy and Radio Flyer this trike has no strapsbut he kept sliding forward onto his crotch and standing on the foot rests. On the other hand, the SmarTrike has a completely independent push-steering system, so even if a kid is jerking the steering column to the left, you can still turn right. The removable, machine-washable padding surrounding the plastic infant ringit circles your babys waist, keeping them from falling off the trikeis comfy-seeming and keeps a baby from slipping, which happened with the other convertible tricycles we tested (the Joovy was the only grow-with-me model we tested that had padding). The Angeles Midi, intended for kids 3 to 6 and rated up to a whopping 70 pounds, is the midsize version of the companys Myrider trike linethe Mini is for kids 3 to 4 and the Maxi for kids 4 to 8. What distinguishes a tricycle from a bike (besides the obvious wheel count!) It even has an adjustable seat feature to accommodate their growing legs. The plastic trike can convert to work for four different stages of development. These simple, all-metal, industrial-strength trikes are built to last not just through two or three kids in a family, but through two or three hundred kids over many yearseven decades. Kid testers were fans of the included ringing bell and covered storage bin for stashing away favorite goodies. The Joovy TriCyCoo 4.1 is far more versatile than the shiny-red metal trike or the ground-hugging plastic Big Wheel you had as a kid (modern replicas of which we also tested). This can come in handy when you are first teaching kids they can still steer without pedaling to acclimate. Nonetheless, this sturdy, metal tricycle has serious nostalgia appeal. It wouldnt be an issue for storing in most garages, but I found it was a challenge to navigate my narrow walkways with this trike (and without a push bar, in narrow spaces, youre relying on your kid to steer precisely). Other negative reviews have reported getting tricycles that were missing pieces, or trikes that broke shortly after purchasing. *At the time of publishing, the price was $160. A company rep told us Joovy is rolling out additional colors next year. The sun shade is skimpy and the front wheel is smaller than Joovys, making for a bumpier ride. Personally, Im a science writer with more than a decade of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including health, parenting, and child development. It doesnt have storage and doesnt come with a bell (or tassels). The handlebar grips felt rougher on young hands than the grips on other trikes. It also doesnt ride quite as well for older kids, and isnt quite as good as the Joovy at smoothness and ease of starting. I used the US Consumer Product Safety Commissions database to see which trikes had been recalled recently and why. The High Bounce comes in a cool lime green or blue and is recommended for ages 3 to 6. The Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll N Trike has many of the features we were looking for in a convertible trikebut a few flaws too. One unusual advantage to the Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll is that the pedals dont move if the child isnt pushing thembasically turning the pedals into footrestswhich is helpful in preventing kids from getting their feet caught in the pedal churn when they just want to rest their feet. Have the ability to grow with a child: Though we didnt consider it a requirement, we knew from our parent surveys that many people are looking for a versatile trike that can be used with the same child over a number of developmental stages. We tested trikes made from steel, aluminum, and plastic, in varying compositions. Safety note: Children should always wear an appropriately sized helmet while riding a tricycle and parental supervision is always paramount for safety. The platform on the rear wheels is wider than the one on the Angeles, making this trike the easiest of any we tested for a second kid to stand on. Like its namesake, the modern Big Wheel is better for bigger kids: It accommodates those up to 70 pounds and 8 years oldthe oldest age of any trike tested. And its still awesome at skidding out. When you feel your kid can go off on their own, you can easily remove the handle and watch them cruise around. When we did the cornering tests at speed on the Angeles, the wheels didnt budge from the ground. Its available in six vibrant colors. For those early days, you can have them in the harnessed, removable seat enclosure for added support and security. Learn more about our They also help develop a childs visual processing abilities while in motion. Our experts love that it folds down compactly so that it can fit into an airplane's overhead bins. Usually, these trikes are made from plastic. The Joovy TriCyCoo works for a baby, converts quickly to a big-kid bike, and is easier and more fun for bigger kids to ride than most traditional tricycles. At 28 pounds, the Midi was by far the heaviest of all the trikes we tested, and user reviews and years of seeing these tricycles in action at schools and other public places tell us theyre also by far the most durable. I had my 3-year-old ride a block on a concrete sidewalk and take a corner at full speed while timing and recording him. Though the Deluxe Steer & Stroll wont work like the Joovy for the youngest kids, its still a good option to use as a stroller alternative with older toddlers. Some Wirecutter testers and Amazon reviewers have seen their kids feet get caught between the frame and the wheels, but we see this more as a point of caution than a serious design flaw. It's made of durable materials and can be navigated by both parent and child. At age 1 to 2, kids can sit securely in a trike, and around 2 to 3, on average, they are able to start pedaling on their own. Our 3-year-old tester proclaimed the trike to be completely awesome.. If your child isn't into Harleys, it's also available in Barbie, Hot Wheels and Thomas and Friends themes, among others. My son learned to pedal on an Angeles trike at his preschool, and when the yellow tricycle arrived at our house, he immediately hopped on, ready to go. I lost interest even sooner when it took a whopping 54 minutes to assemble, mostly due to the number of decals. This trike lacks a restraint system and sunshade for small kids, and its not as easy to ride as our pick, but it usually costs less. Our reviewers love how easy it is to assemble and appreciate its solid steel construction that makes it stronger than other plastic tricycles. The Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll isnt as versatile as our pick for littler kids, because it doesnt have a protective ring and straps to hold a baby in place and lacks a sunshade. These trikes come with a push bar and often a sunshade and security straps and/or belt as well. In tests with bigger kids, though, we found that their knees were hitting the handlebars, even when the seat was pushed back all the way (if youre looking for a big-kid trike and this is not big enough, our upgrade pick, which comes in three sizes, is your best bet). Like the seats on those bikes, the High Bounces seat moves forward and backward to accommodate growing kids. The trike is the hardest to tip because of its weight and welded steel frame designthe Midi feels more like the body of a high-quality bicycle than a toy. We approached this guide with families in mind, focusing on tricycles that we think will get the most use over the longest time frame. We determined a great trike should: Be made of quality materials: We wanted a trike that can be passed down from child to child, so the materials have to stand up to being roughed up a bit. We also looked at traditional three-wheelers, which are fun to use and help kids practice physical skills like pedaling and steeringskills that come in handy when transitioning to a bicycle. When it comes to a low-rider-style trike, overall we think the Schwinn Roadster provides a better ride. Many of todays parents (and grandparents!) Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. When parents are in control, children can rest their feet on the footrest with the clutch open, disengaging the pedals from impacting the ride. Its steel construction is durable, with pneumatic tires that support weight up to 50 pounds. For the combo grow-with-you models, I assessed how difficult and time-consuming it was to convert the trike from baby mode to toddler mode. I also interviewed product designers, marketers, and owners at four companies that make tricycles, among them a trike designer at Fisher-Price and the VP of product development at Radio Flyer. Like many other tricycles, it is possible to tip over the Joovy if, say, a bigger kid pulls down from the push bar (if its installed). We sought a trike with a push bar that can propel a toddler who is still learning to pedal, and an ability to convert to a big-kid bike for independent riding by older kids. We had six kids test seven scooters and found that the Micro Maxi Deluxe gives kids a great ride over the widest age range. We independently review everything we recommend. Parent and kid-testers alike loved the "secret" compartment under the seat for storage. The Fisher-Price Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Tough Trike was a surprising amount of fun. Like the Joovy, the Deluxe Steer & Stroll has a 10-inch front wheel. It comes in one color: bright red. The Midi, one of Angeless simpler and less expensive models, cost $160 when we first named it our upgrade pick, but has now more than doubled in price. Its also easier to steer than other push trikes we tested, including the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll N Trike, a clearly inferior model thats similar to the Joovy (and easily mistaken for the Deluxe Steer & Stroll). any moving cars) or a pool. We tested each trike on grass, pavement, and bumpy broken concrete surfaces, paying attention to how the wheels performed on each surface and how long it took to get the bike going. At 10 inches, the front wheel is larger than that on many other convertible trikes, making it easier to roll over grass, gravel, and other rough surfaces. I then spent 18 hours evaluating the tricycles in everyday conditions with my two sons, using each trike for several strolls around the neighborhood and the top contenders for a dozen or more walks. Ahead, you'll find the best tricycles for toddlers and kids, based on rigorous testing the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab. With fun, kid-friendly colors, this trike helps kids develop skills starting as they ride with their parents pushing them, then learning to steer and pedal and finally using the tricycle independently. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. I considered how easy each tricycle was to roll or lift out of the way if a parent has to push a child on it. It works as a stroller alternative for smaller kids who are still learning to pedal on their own, and allows a smooth, fast, fun ride for bigger kids, too. Pediatric physical therapist Rebecca Talmud suggests starting with a riding toy to practice climbing on and off, forward movement and steering and navigating around obstacles. The Radio Flyer Big Flyer is a better version of the big-wheel-style trike, and is meant for kids ages 3 to 7. (The blue is an aqua-like blue.) Be safe and easy to ride: The trike should have a wide wheelbase that provides stability and grips the roadway. The Roadsters size and weight makes it better balanced than our pick, even in fast turns. Maybe, but if youre looking for something that is absolutely durable, close to maintenance-free, and easy and fun to ride past the time your kids would outgrow our other picks, you may decide an Angeles is worth the investment, which is considerable. The Schwinn Roadster is a retro low-rider available in lots of fun colors like hot pink, teal and orange and the chrome details and tasseled handlebars top off the Insta-worthy photo backdrop! After considering more than 30 of todays tricycles and test-driving 12 of them with a dozen kids, we think most people whose kids are still toddlers should get the Joovy TriCyCoo 4.1. Wirecutter engineering manager Courtney Ivey, who bought this trike a year ago for her toddler, found that it was difficult to turn due to the same issue of subpar bolts attaching the handle to the trike that some Amazon reviews mention. Infants can start to explore with parents pushing, then learn to steer, progress to learning to ride and then into classic trike mode. We're also fans of the S5 model, which is a deluxe version that includes a more premium storage bag, higher-end finishes and a travel bag. To make decisions on overall value, we considered price alongside the trikes warranty, how long they seemed like theyd last (based on our observations and the user reviews), as well as general features and abilities. The SmarTrike Lollipop 3 in 1 Baby Trike is designed for babies starting at 10 months up to kids 3 years, a narrower age range than other convertible trikes. The Liki also costs twice as much as the Joovy. Be fun: We wanted a trike that kids would find appealing and want to play with, ideally for many years. If youre shopping for tricycles for a daycare, this is clearly the best brand for you. Even though the company sells more to institutions than directly to parents, you can buy an Angeles tricycle at retail. We also found that its not quite as nimble to steer and easy to pedal as the TriCyCoo once kids are riding on their own. In our long term testing over two years, weve had no problems with the trike. For bigger kids, the Schwinn Roadster 12-inch Trike is a shiny, gorgeous tricycle thats fast and fun to ride. Ive pushed, pulled, rolled, and cajoled kids on tricycles for countless after-dinner strolls and park dashes over the past three years. The plastic seat that holds a baby in place is more slippery than the Joovys seat, and my 1-year-old was sliding all over the place, even when strapped in. Radio Flyer products have a two-year warranty. But is it overkill to keep one of these trikes at home? It's constructed with a durable steel frame and fork with an easy-to-grip rubber handlebar. After spending hundreds of hours reviewing nearly 20 trikes in the hands of our engineers and kid testers, we're confident that these are the best tricycles to provide both developmental skills and hours of entertainment for your toddlers. The trike has a bell that was a hit with my then 3-year-old son (the Joovy comes bell-less) and like our pick it has a storage compartment in back. Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. may have fond memories of rolling down the drivewayand perhaps over homemade jumps, definitely helmet freeon an Original Big Wheel. It has a bell, but no storage. This adorable retro trike is a fan favorite for a reason. Tricycles also teach important skills like steering and pedalingboth of which lay the foundation for eventually becoming a confident big-kid-bike rider. Despite its heavier weight, we found that the smooth-riding Angeles was as easy to start and pedal as our pick. A tricycle is a beloved toy for many families. The Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll isnt as versatile as our pick for littler kids, because it doesnt have a protective ring and straps to hold a baby in place. The TriCyCoo has a parent push bar, padded seat, five-point harness, and sunshade in its baby configuration (first photo), with footrests for kids too small to reach the pedals (second photo). This pedal-powered ride is sturdy for little riders to gain balance and coordination skills. The adjustable sunshade has two panels, compared with the Joovys three, which we found makes a big difference in how much toddler you can keep in the shade. Our experts love that the Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer and Stroll can operate either as a parent push or child pedal trike. The Radio Flyers storage space is covered, which keeps precious items from flying out (the Joovys compartment is open). In 2019, we tested a new grow-with-me style tricycle, the Doona Liki Trike S5. Here are the REI-made picks that Wirecutter recommends. They also provide children with a sense of independence and help build confidence. Tires made from rubber or foam are softer, which can help cushion the ride; hard plastic tires can ride a little rougher and be slippery on the pavement. We enjoyed its three-second fold, padded straps and sleek look. I spent seven hours researching tricycles, starting by identifying popular models used in schools and recreation centers. We found that the Steer & Stroll took a little bit longer to reach speed, and its center of gravity was a bit higher than the Joovys. This tricycle has the largest footprint of any we tested. The molded plastic seat slides back on a track to be adjustable for bigger kids. Finally, the wheels are smaller than those on some of the other convertible trikes like the Joovy or even the same companys Steer & Stroll, making getting over bumps in the sidewalk challenging. The Joovys UPF 50 fabric sunshade has one more panel than the sunshade in the similar Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll N Trike, which makes it easier to keep both arms and legs protected when youre using the trike in baby mode. The Joovys performance was consistently smooth in our cornering tests. They were: To test the trikes, I timed the two-person assembly of each of the 11 tricycles, noting any particular difficulties or frustrations, as well as if extra tools were needed. The tricycle does not come with a bell, but for less than $10 you can add a perfectly fun one like the Incredibell that kids as young as age 1 can enjoy. The Roadster features a shiny red and silver metal body, black tassels on the handlebars, a bell, and a wooden deck in backa platform where a friend can hitch a ride. Subscribe now for unlimited access. The design replicates that of tricycles from decades ago, though in fact Radio Flyer only started making trikes in 1999 (the company is best known for its red wagons). This took about two hours with my son (we had to take snack and water breaks because, man, trike riding is exhausting). We preferred the Schwinns grippy tire to the Original Big Wheels plastic wheel, which felt not-that-durable and slipped all over the placewhich, yes, is sort of the idea. In our tests, the Classic Red was harder to ride than the Joovy or any of our other picks. In the older-kid configuration the trike seemed a little small and underpowered compared with the other convertibles we tested. Storage for stuff kids might needlike a cupholder for a sippy cup, or a trunk or basket for toys and other essentialswas also a plus. The Joovys parent push handle is adjustable, extending more than 5 inches from its lowest setting to its highest. It was difficult for my son to get started on the trike, and he soon lost interest. However, we found that the plastic wheels ride really rough, especially on hard surfaces and bumps. There are a host of removable included accessories like an adjustable UV canopy, tray and height adjustable parent push bar. But many modern tricycles also serve as a tool to transport toddlers too young to ride independently around the neighborhoodto the park, a friends house, or a local restaurant. The Doona Liki Trike S5 has some great features, like the ability to fold down to a 12.5 inch by 24 inch by 9 inch rectangle for travel (its designed to fit in airplane overhead bins). The 4-in-1 we tested is the newest model, replacing an older version that doesnt have a footrest and has a slightly different infant ring and handle design. For some kids, the fun is all in the speed, for others extra pizzazz like a bell, basket, appealing colors and/or tassels may mean a lot. Parent testers noted the seat was larger and more cushiony than most others.As your child physically and cognitively develops, you can expand from a push trike into them being in control. Many of the best gifts for 3-year-olds encourage role-play and make-believeor help teach cooperative play. Another low-riding option, the Fisher-Price Harley Davidson Tough Trike is a fun, affordable ride for little ones. One parent tester shared that this was the only trike that "motivated her child not to give up and learn pedaling. Judy Wang, clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy, phone interview, June 15, 2017, Rebecca Talmud, pediatric physical therapist, email interview, June 15, 2017, Gary Collins, senior manager of design at Fisher-Price, phone interview, July 19, 2017, Tom Schlegel, VP of product development, Radio Flyer, phone interview, August 2, 2017, David Curry, VP of merchandising and product development, Angeles Corporation, phone interview, August 9, 2017. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Its one of the more expensive tricycles out there, and it doesnt include a bell, but with such a wide age range its still a good value for the price. Like the Joovy, it has a sunshade and converts to five different stages that take a kid from a pre-walker (10 months) all the way up to age 3. Definitively not a trike for little tykes, this low-rider is designed to perform stunts like drifting and 360-degree spins! While we haven't yet tested this one in our Labs, our experts think its 4,500+ five-star reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Im also the mom of two small guys who were 1 and 3 when I was initially reporting and testing for this guide. Though it costs a bit more than the typical tricycle, we think its still a good value because it offers much more than mostincluding the possibility of up to four years of use with a single kid and a durable build that will let it survive long enough to become a hand-me-down. Trikes are really the first tool that give kids the sense of moving forward, says Judy Wang, a physical therapist based in Los Angeles. The seat is adjustable forward or backwards, so it can grow with your child, as well. We tested the Roadster side by side with two other Big Wheel-style tricycles, the Original Big Wheel and the Radio Flyer Big Flyer, which are both made of plastic. *At the time of publishing, the price was $100. Grow-with-me trikes that evolve with a child through several developmental stages obviously fit this bill well. The actual original Big Wheel was manufactured in Pennsylvania by a company called Marx, which went out of business in the 1980s. *At the time of publishing, the price was $85. Tricycles are becoming stroller alternatives, and many of the features of the TriCyCoo allow it to go beyond the abilities of a traditional trike. This stylish Schwinn is best suited to kids age 3 and up, who can tear up the road on this larger, heavier, more stable modern take on the Big Wheel. Because it doesnt have a push-bar option, its not nearly as versatile as our pick (or our runner-up) but if youre buying a tricycle for a kid who is already 3 or older they may prefer the style of this more sophisticated-looking trike. We updated this article in February 2022 to reflect newer models tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab. You can buy a brand-new tricycle that looks exactly like one you rode as a kid. The Joovy TriCyCoo 4.1 is a versatile, stable, easy-to-use tricycle with the ability to safely and comfortably hold babies as young as 9 months and sturdily ferry big kids up to 4 years (or 44 pounds). The bike is rated to 50 pounds, 6 pounds more than the Joovy (many kids dont hit 50 pounds until theyre 7 or 8 years old). Its also handy if an older, experienced toddler needs a little break! The Deluxe Steer & Stroll weighs 14 pounds, just a smidge more than the Joovy. The high seat back on this trike helps provide the support new riders need to learn to pedal (its slightly higher than the Joovys) and the bike comes with an old-school bell for signaling parents to get out of the way. This is minor but the storage area is open (unlike our runner-ups, which has a lid) and stuff can fall out. I sometimes helped my son out with a little foot-push when he was trying to get going, but once he got started he had no problems. Going uphill, the Angeles ties with the Joovy for ease of use, even though it weighs nearly twice as much. Despite its heft, the Midi gives a very smooth ride and is easy to start pedaling. For older toddlers, you can transform the trike into a 2-wheeler perfect for developing balance and coordination. The Radio Flyer was the least stable of our four picks, although it cornered fine at speed, and was more stable than competitors, with a ride that seemed softer over bumps than the Joovy. The push bar is more loosely attached than the Joovys, which made it difficult for an adult to push the Liki in a straight path, especially one-handed. While this trike is exceptionally great for your 18-month-old, kids age 10 months to 3 years can enjoy it during playtime.