Get on Your Bikes and Ride … Even If You’re Only One Year Old
When I think about my own personal quintessential childhood memories, I think about the time my parents surprised me on my birthday with a big dollhouse, an epic trip to Disney World, going fishing, and my first bike. My first bike was a BIG DEAL. And later, learning how to ride it without training wheels was an even bigger deal. I mean, I didn’t call it this at the time, but riding without training wheels was badass. Because — I know for myself — it was scary to ride without them. I relied on them for balance and comfort. And it took me years to be convinced that I didn’t need them.
But Gwen? Well, she’s gonna skip the whole scared part and go straight to feeling like a badass because we were sent a Strider Sport Balance Bike ($119) to review and it, like, completely changes the future of childhood bike memories. In a really awesome way!
These are pretty popular and we see them out at the park and around our neighborhood all the time — and with good reason. Balance bikes basically help teach young kiddos the basics of riding by using only foot propulsion. They still get the feel of leaning and steering and balancing in a safe way that builds balance, coordination and confidence. Once they master balance and steering on the bike, then transitioning to a normal bike is way easier — no training-wheel-removal needed.
Gwen really loves her bike, too. She’s not doing a ton with her Strider except walking and saying “mine” (that’s a fun phase, huh, mamas?), but with a recommended age range of 18 months to five years, she’s got plenty of “mine” time with it. And, for our next kiddo, we’ll totally invest in this new Rocking Base ($79) to get the Strider fun started even earlier (recommended for 12 to 24 months old).
Oh, and for the super Strider fans, they even have something called the Strider Cup National Race Series for Toddlers. Check out the event series here and see how you can get your family on bikes and ride! (This one is coming up in Lincoln, Neb. on June 10!)
Have a great childhood bike memory of your own? Does your family have a Strider or two? Not to sound like I’m a million years old, but kids have the coolest stuff these days! —Jenn