My oldest was pedaling before he was two and the youngest could just after two.

I don't know what you think about the trike inside, but we have the little trike inside quite often, especially that first winter he was really interested and I thought it was a great inside physical activity!

 

We got seb's trike for him as soon as the snow melted in the spring...so he was about 20 mos old or so. He's still not quite long enough to pedal, but he LOVEs sitting on it, being pushed on it, honking the horn, sitting on the back, etc etc etc... We even bring it inside sometimes when it's rainy or whatever.

If your dd is showing an interest, go for it! It doesnt sound like you're pushing at all, from what you've written it sounds like she's into trikes.

 

We got DS a trike on sale last month, and at 17 months, he loves riding it. I think he likes it mostly because it's different. We switch between the trike, a wagon, a backpack, the hip hammock, and the stroller for our two walks a day.

We actually got him a bike with training wheels today because it was on sale.

PS Remember the helmet. We forgot it for the first ride, but luckily DS was holding on tight because he was so excited.

 

We got ds a trike for his second Christmas, I think he was 18 mos. But he couldn't reach the pedals, he's short lol. He did figure out how to push himself around using his feet no the ground though. We used it inside for the first 5 mos b/c it was winter

 

My DS is short too, but we got one with a parent push bar.

 

For those with shorter kids - you can probably skip the trike altogether and just go straight to the bike with training wheels. Find your local bike shop and they should have a good selection of very small bikes for little ones. This works better for some kids because the seat is closer to the pedals (and can also be shifted forward/backward or up/down to accommodate different sizes). They also don't tip as easily and are easier to turn

.

 

We skipped the trike and got a 2 wheeler with training wheels for ds when he was 18 months. Passed it on to ds#2 when he was 2. They did fine. (with a helmet!!) Here's a pic:

http://picturecenter.kodak.com/share...8WmY5BO8SU78Ca

 

I bought one for my dd for her 2nd bday. She mostly still pushes it with her feet on the ground because that's faster, but just recently started using the pedals sometimes. We don't practice much because it's still too hot outside. I'm guessing she'll master it this winter.

Darshani

 

Dd was given a little bike with training wheels by our neighbor last spring/summer around her 2nd birthday. Until this time she had a little car that she Barney Rubble'd everywhere. While the little bike is nice, we found it was hard for her to pedal because the wheels are so small. Even after she turned three this year she still had problems with it. We bought her a trike with big wheels for her birthday this year & she can really motor on it!! Doesn't really need any help on most hills or anything.

 

Quote:

Originally posted by huskrkid Dd was given a little bike with training wheels by our neighbor last spring/summer around her 2nd birthday........ we found it was hard for her to pedal because the wheels are so small. .

Just curious about the bike.... was it a real bike, with a chain and tires? My kids were unable to manage the toddler bike that had plastic wheels and pedals attached directly to the front wheel. They just couldn't get enough leverage to make the bike move without a chain, and the pedals were hard to reach. It was pretty much a pointless toy. But a *real* bike was a whole 'nother story!

 

We used a ride-on toy - the Radio Flyer pony - in the house in the winter. Then shortly before ds#1 turned two (in April) we got a Kettler trike with a push bar. I like them because they're more stable (lower center of gravity). He was totally ready for it and able to pedal independently within a couple weeks. I have a few friends who've used regular trikes in the house - it just depends on your living space & tolerance level, I think.

 

Originally posted by mamaduck

Quote:

Just curious about the bike.... was it a real bike, with a chain and tires? My kids were unable to manage the toddler bike that had plastic wheels and pedals attached directly to the front wheel.

I'll go dig it out tomorrow & take a look. I don't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure it has a chain and everything. Momma brain don't you know.

 

Yup, Momma brain. No chain. Wheels attached to the pedals. She's 3 now & still can't ride that thing so well, but when she hopped up on the neighbor's bike she rode it just fine (well, sort of, it was much bigger & she is only 3). I'm hoping to be rid of the little bike at an upcoming yard sale...just have to find a way to sell it w/o her seeing!!! Not easy!!

 

We got dd a trike just after her second birthday and she took off pedaling thast afternoon- she probably could have ridden younger but it took us awhile to find one small enough- she's tiny. We have a deck that's big enough for riding a trike and she did that all winter in her raincoat. She has a big bike now at four.

 

We're getting Morgan one for her 2-yr-old birthday this December!