With the wind rushing through their hair and the freedom to ride wherever they please, there aren’t many things better than a good bike.

And, if your little one is brave enough, a bike is one of the few toys they can turn to all year round. Rain, snow or shine, it’s always a good day to get some fresh air and explore. With all the joy a bike brings to children, it pays to make sure you’re buying from trusted manufacturers to ensure a safe ride.

Don’t fret! There are loads of great kids’ bicycles out there; it’s just knowing where to look. That’s where we come in. Stick with us to look at some of the best kids’ bikes for 2024.

Why choose a bike for your child?

Everyone knows the exhilaration of gripping those handlebars, roaring through an open field, moving at the speed of light, one pedal at a time.

Beyond this simple yet magical pleasure, riding a bike has a wide range of benefits for your children:

• Exercise: Everyone knows the benefits of keeping your body moving, and having a bike does just that! They’ll be flying around smiling and keeping fit while they’re at it without even realising it.
• Fresh air: Take in all of that sweet air! There’s nothing quite like having clean air in your lungs and being exposed to sunlight. These things are good for your little one and will benefit their physical and mental health.
• Motor and coordination skills: Riding a bike takes a lot of skill. Getting your child into cycling at a young age makes their brain and body move quicker, providing good practice for the rest of their lives and polishing their coordination skills.
• Confidence: Learning a new skill makes you feel good, whatever age you are. If your little nipper is zooming around on their bike and feeling real improvements to how they operate it, that’ll make them more confident in their ability to learn new skills.
• Social skills: Being outside can expose children to their peers, encouraging some friendly chatter and collaboration in the process. This newfound love could even encourage your child to join a bike club!

In our modern age, convincing a child to get off their iPad or console can be challenging. Hopefully, the reasons above can give your little one the kickstart they need to get outside and try something new.

The best kids’ bikes in 2024

Bikes are technical toys, so you’ll need one perfectly suited to your little one’s legs. With the market for kids’ bikes being so large, we’ve divided them into sections depending on age so that you can pedal to the right category. 

• The best bikes for kids aged 2 to 4
• The best bikes for kids aged 4 to 8
• The best bikes for kids aged 8 to 12

The best bikes for kids aged 2 to 4

There are some great toddler bikes out there for younger riders. Whether you’re looking for balance bikes or their very first pedal bike, the market is rife with some stunning options. 

Let’s take a look at some of our favourites.

Kids Huffy Disney Princess Balance Bike in pink – 12 inch wheels

Is your child a Disney Princess in the making? Well, they’d need the perfect set of wheels.

The Huffy Disney Princess Balance bike is a great choice for any aspiring Princess looking to learn how to ride a bike. Truly fit for royalty, this stylish ride features decals from some of the best princesses from the Disney franchise. You’ll see the likes of Belle, Ariel, Jasmine and Cinderella on this stunning ride as your little one whizzes around the garden.

Spiderman Balance Bike Marvel Huffy 12″ 27661W

Even superheroes have to start somewhere! What’s better than a Spiderman Balance bike?

Another great curation by Huffy, the Spiderman balance bike is sure to evoke intense excitement for any Marvel lover. What does Spiderman do when he doesn’t want to swing through the streets of New York? He rides his bike; that’s common knowledge!

These balance bikes are a great way for a child to first get to grips with two wheels, as they use their feet and legs to keep their balance safely and without stabilisers.

Here are some of the other key talking points for this spiderman bike.

The best bikes for kids aged 4 to 8

Whether you’re looking for bikes for boys or bikes for girls, there are some brilliant models available for children aged 4 to 8. These are key years for children on their journey towards being confident cyclists, so they need the best tools possible.

See below our top picks for these crucial years!

Kids 14″ Bike Disney Cars by Huffy

Is your little one a movie buff with a need for speed? We’ve got just the bike for them!

This 14″ Cars-themed bike looks back at the 2006 Disney classic. With the help of this nifty little bike, your child can jump into the world of Radiator Springs with Lightning McQueen and friends. They’ll be able to curate their own stories with the stars of the show, turning their garden into the iconic world that many children know and love

The best bikes for kids aged 8 to 12

Now we’re taking steps into the big leagues as your child edges towards adult bikes, “proper” mountain bikes and freedom. 

They might think they know it all around this age, we all did, but they still need a sturdy bike to keep them safe on their adventures.

GORGEOUS 24″ Boys Mountain Bike ideal for 8 to 11 Year Olds

As we said, if your (not so) little one has a taste for adventure, they need to be equipped with the best kit.

This 24″ Mountain bike from Huffy is the real deal. You can take on any terrain with technical gearing, reliable construction and top-quality brakes. This mountain bike is a great final frontier for children on their journey towards an adult bike, allowing freedom, stability and an excellent ride.

GORGEOUS Mountain Bike 26″ Matt Gunmetal

This 26 inch gunmetal mountain bike is a crucial navigation tool for any aspiring explorer.

A good mountain bike will make them feel like anything is possible. As they cycle through the beautiful British scenery, you can see stunning trees, amazing indigenous wildlife and the purest rivers and valleys. 

What’s more, they’re getting out in the fresh air, safe in the stability of one of the top bikes around.

Shop more bikes at GORGEOUS

So, you’re interested in making your little one’s day with a brand-new kids’ bike? Choosing from some of the best bikes in the business makes sense.

Whether your child is a tricky toddler looking for their first bike, or a pre-teen hoping to hone their cycling skills, we have a range of top bikes for a range of children of different sizes and interests.

Our range of great bikes is made from top-quality, durable materials that ensure a safe experience for cyclists. Your child’s perfect ride could be a balance bike, mountain bike or a Disney-themed bike, we’ve got all the best bikes all in one place. 

Picking the perfect bike can be hard, we know that! Feel free to get in touch with one of our team who would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We also stock a wide variety of ride on cars suitable for a variety of ages. Take a look at our stock of kids’ electric cars today!

FAQs about kids’ bikes

Is a 16-inch bike good for a 4-year-old?

Yes. A 16-inch wheel bike is designed to be suitable for 4 to 6-year-olds. With this being said, it’s important to consider that bike sizes are closely related to the child’s actual size. So, a 16-inch bike is technically best suited for children around 104-122cm tall.

Beyond this age, a child would want to upgrade to a bike with 20-inch wheels.

What is a good first bike for kids?

It’s hard to say and largely depends on the age of your little one. If your child is 2-3 years old, the recommended bike size is 12″. With that being said, if your child is 3 years old and growing quickly, it may be a wiser choice to get the next size-up bike for your child.

If you aren’t sure about measurements, take a look at our blog post on how to measure a kids bike.

What age is an 18-inch bike for?

An 18-inch bike is best suited for children aged 5 to 7. If you’re unsure about the best-sized bike for your child, we’d recommend taking them to a local bike shop or measuring and weighing your child and checking it up against a bike sizing chart.