The best kids’ bikes make learning to ride as easy and enjoyable as possible. And whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or not, it’s impossible not to find joy in teaching your child how to roll on two wheels. Watching a little one master their balance and get to grips with cycling is right up there with the top parenting moments.

But to help them along, you’ll first need to invest in a children’s bike that can properly support their learning.

Whichever stage you’re at in your child’s relationship with cycling, our buyer’s guide is here to help. From toddlers to teens, this article will point you in the right direction for the best children’s bikes for all ages. This list is organised by wheel size first, then price.

How to choose the best children’s bike to buy

What size bike does my child need?

Many brands will have their own height or age recommendations. However, here is a rough guide to matching bicycle and rider by using the diameter of the wheel.

Size and age guide

How much should I spend?

Don’t put your tot off cycling for life by getting them a sub-standard bike. While it’s not necessary to spend loads, really cheap kids’ bikes will make learning harder and might not even last until they’re outgrown. Better to spend a bit, then look to swap with other parents later.

Smaller kids’ bikes cost less. The cheapest decent 12-inch wheeled bikes start around £150. Each size increase tends to add around £20 to £40 to this. By the time you get to 24-inch wheeled bikes the addition of gears and other components causes a rapid jump. From here on in expect to pay almost the same you would for an adult bike.

Should I fit stabilisers?

Almost all bikes up to and including a 20-inch wheel will accept stabilisers, and some will even come bundled with them. Although fixing on this extra set of wheels will allow your child to get riding straight away, we’re not fans. The reason is it’s impossible to learn to balance with them fitted, so removing them will feel like a backwards step.

Using a balance bike is a much better alternative. These crankless bikes allow kids to scoot along, teaching balance without ever building enough speed to get themselves in trouble.

Why take our word for it?

We live and breathe bikes at gorgeous, so we know what works. While we’re a little too tall to ride these bikes ourselves, we have the knowledge and experience to pick out the features that matter in a kid’s bike.

All the kids’ bikes featured here are from reputable brands that we’d consider for our own children.