
As children reach the age of 3-5, many parents start considering bicycles for their little ones, hoping to help them develop strength, agility, and balance. So, should parents buy a bicycle for a 3-5-year-old? Let’s explore this topic with AVAKids in the article below!
Should you buy a bicycle for a 3-year-old?
The answer is yes. Cycling is one of the activities that helps children aged 3 and above develop their overall health and physical fitness. At the same time, cycling is also a way for children to effectively practice coordination skills.
Initially, parents should buy a 3 or 4-wheel bicycle with multiple functions for their child to get acquainted with. Later, they can switch to a larger size bike for more comfortable movement. However, parents should only choose lightweight bikes to ensure the child’s safety.
Criteria for choosing a bicycle for a 3-year-old
Brake System
In reality, the bones and teeth of children aged 3-5 are still developing and quite weak. Therefore, the first criterion when choosing a bicycle is its safety. Specifically, parents should pay attention to the safety of the braking system and whether the parts and screws on the bike are securely assembled.
Bike Size and Weight
After checking the bike’s safety, parents should consider its size and weight. The appropriate wheel size for children aged 3-5 is between 12-16 inches. If the wheels are too large, the child won’t be able to fully control the bike while riding, which can easily lead to falls. Conversely, if the wheels are the right size, the child will pedal comfortably and easily control the direction.
Color and Design
A common characteristic of most young children is their attraction to eye-catching, cute, and pretty colors and designs. Girls tend to prefer sweet colors like pink, light blue, yellow, and feminine bike styles. Boys often like bolder colors like black, red, etc., with sporty and stylish designs.
Frame Material
One criterion often overlooked by many parents when buying a bike for their child is the frame material. Currently, two common frame types are aluminum and steel. While aluminum frames are lightweight, steel frames are more durable. Parents can choose the appropriate type of bike based on their child’s needs and preferences.

Consider the frame material
Training Wheels
For children aged 3-5 who are learning to ride for the first time, if they are not confident and parents are worried about falls, training wheels can be added for easier riding. However, once the child is accustomed to cycling, parents should gradually remove the training wheels to allow the child to practice balancing better and avoid over-reliance on them.

Parents should add training wheels if the child is not yet steady
Most Popular Bikes for 3-5 Year Olds in 2024
1. Dai Phat Tai Captain 12-inch Children’s Bicycle
The Dai Phat Tai Captain 12-inch children’s bicycle has a beautiful design and bright colors, suitable for children aged 3-5 to ride around the house. The product has a sturdy iron frame. The braking system is very responsive, helping children easily slow down and stay safe while cycling.
2. Dai Phat Tai Speed 12-inch Children’s Bicycle
The Dai Phat Tai Speed 12-inch children’s bicycle has a dynamic, modern design with eye-catching colors, suitable for children aged 3-5 and with a height of 100cm. The product has a comfortable saddle, giving children a comfortable feeling when exercising. In particular, the bicycle is equipped with two small rear wheels, so children can easily maintain balance when they first start riding.
3. Dai Phat Tai Zero 14-inch Children’s Bicycle
The Dai Phat Tai Zero 14-inch children’s bicycle stands out with its sturdy design and eye-catching colors, attracting young children. The product is equipped with 14-inch wheels, suitable for children aged 3-6, with a height from 90cm. The frame is made of durable iron, ensuring safety during use. Additionally, the bike has supportive features such as an adjustable saddle and safe brakes, providing an enjoyable riding experience for children.
4. RoyalBaby Freestyle
The RoyalBaby Freestyle RB16B-6 16-inch children’s bicycle is a product from the British brand RoyalBaby. Established in April 2009, with the motto “Define the best kids bike”, the brand has gradually asserted its position in the world by offering high-quality bicycles.
The RoyalBaby bicycle is designed for children aged 4-6 with a wheel size of 16 inches, a recommended height of 100-110 cm, and a load capacity of 70 kg. Both the frame and rims are made of durable steel. RoyalBaby offers many attractive features for children, such as reflectors, a bell, training wheels, a water bottle, and assembly tools.
5. Royal Baby RB14B-6-3 Children’s Bicycle
The RoyalBaby RB14B-6-3 14-inch children’s bicycle is also a product from the RoyalBaby brand. RoyalBaby always has a team of highly qualified and experienced staff who are passionate about their craft. Therefore, each year, this brand consistently obtains more than 10 patents for new bike models.
The Royal Baby RB14B-6-3 children’s bicycle is suitable for children aged 4-6 with an average height of around 90-130 cm. Both the frame and rims are made of sturdy steel. The wheel size is approximately 14 inches, and the tires are 2.4″ wide pneumatic rubber tires with multiple treads for friction and 40psi. The brakes require light pressure to ensure the child’s safety.
6. Stitch Knight JY903-16 Children’s Bicycle
The Stitch Knight JY903-16 16-inch children’s bicycle is a product of the Stitch brand – one of the leading reputable bicycle brands in Taiwan – China. Stitch specializes in providing high-end children’s bicycles with a wide variety of models and beautiful designs.
The Stitch bicycle, with its compact, dynamic, and robust design, is very suitable for children aged 4-6 with an average height of 100-110 cm. The bicycle has a load capacity of up to 40 kg. The frame and core materials are meticulously crafted from steel, ensuring safety and durability. Two training wheels and a small bell help children ride steadily and safely.
7. RoyalBaby Freestyle RB12B-6 Children’s Bicycle
The RoyalBaby Freestyle RB12B-6 12-inch children’s bicycle is a product from Royal Baby UK, with a 12-inch wheel size that is very suitable for children aged 2-4, with a height of about 80-100 cm. The bicycle is very durable and sturdy thanks to its TIG-welded steel frame. The load capacity of the bike is 70 kg.
8. AVAcycle Paris JY905-12 12-inch Children’s Bicycle
The AVAcycle Paris JY905-12 12-inch children’s bicycle features vibrant colors and cute patterns, suitable for girls aged 2 and above. The product has a steel frame, making it very sturdy and impact-resistant. In particular, the frame and pedals are installed to fit the child’s leg length, allowing them to cycle comfortably without hunching their back.
9. AVAcycle Princess JY906-12 12-inch Children’s Bicycle
The AVAcycle Princess JY906-12 12-inch children’s bicycle has an adorable design and bright colors. The product is powder-coated for high durability and good scratch resistance. Besides, the AVAcycle Princess bicycle is also integrated with the SSY-05C braking system, helping children slow down and stop safely with just a light squeeze.
10. Dai Phat Tai Supper 12-inch Children’s Bicycle
The Dai Phat Tai Supper 12-inch children’s bicycle has a dynamic design. The frame and pedals are installed in the correct position, helping children avoid hunching or back pain during exercise. In addition, the product has a thick padded saddle, so children won’t feel uncomfortable during long rides.
Notes when buying a bicycle for a 3-year-old
Test the bike before buying
Another crucial point is that parents should let their child try the bike before purchasing. This not only avoids waste if the child cannot ride the bike after buying it but also helps the child have a real-world cycling experience and choose the most suitable and satisfactory bike.
Reputable Brands
When buying a bicycle for a child, parents should prioritize reputable brands to clarify the origin and avoid buying counterfeit or low-quality products. Also, choosing a bicycle from a reputable brand ensures the child’s safety throughout their physical activity.
Royal Baby, AVACYCLE, Vinbike, Chipmunk, Life, Stitch, Phoenix, Fascino, etc., are some highly regarded children’s bicycle brands today. Therefore, parents can consider the design and price to choose a suitable bike for their child.
Bike Size Suitable for Height
The average height of a 3-year-old is 95 cm, so they are suitable for bicycles with wheel sizes around 12 inches. If parents choose a bicycle with larger wheels, it will make it difficult for the child to maintain balance, increasing the risk of falls and making it uncomfortable to ride.
Conversely, if parents choose a bicycle with smaller wheels, it will hinder the child’s leg movement, causing them to feel cramped and potentially leading to hunching.
Design Suitable for Preferences
When buying a bicycle for a child, parents should choose a bicycle with colors and designs that match the child’s gender.
- Bicycles for girls: Girls often prefer bicycles with cute designs, adorable patterns, and gentle colors like pink, purple, light blue, pastel blue, etc.
- Bicycles for boys: Boys are generally more active and tend to like bicycles with sporty designs, sturdy and durable frames, and bold colors like black, gray, dark blue, red, etc.

Parents should choose a bike with colors and designs that match the child’s gender
We hope that with the information in this article, parents can choose the most suitable bicycle for their child.