Babies & Kids Blog

We talked this week about how to buy a tricycle, which tricycles are worth taking a look at and now: tricycle safety. Kids between the ages of 2 and 5 are extremely curious and overly brave. It might seem silly to worry about tricycle safety, but accidents happen all the time.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t buy a tricycle until your child has the basic coordination to ride it appropriately. Usually, this is around age 3.

• Make sure the tricycle that you buy is of solid construction and the right size for your child (he or she can pedal while sitting squarely on the seat).

• Watch your child closely while he or she rides. Avoid all areas that are close to cars, swimming pools, or other hazards.

• Always make sure your child wears an approved safety helmet while riding a bicycle. Some experts advise wearing helmets when riding tricycles as well. Children who from the start associate wearing a helmet with riding a bike or trike are likely to adopt the habit permanently.

source: MSN

image: about.com

Monday, I showed you how to shop for a tricycle. Today I am sharing my top 3 tricycles for all price ranges.

Barbie Princess Tough Trike $25.00

Don’t let Barbie fool you, she’s a tough chick and she’s got the trike to prove it! At $25 bucks you just can’t beat this one.

Styled for a princess, yet tough enough for years of fun and adventure! Girls can hop to troll around their entire kingdom. Trike features a pretend key that turns and clicks, and there’s a secret storage compartment under the comfort-ride seat for trinkets and treasures. Durable tires and rugged treads pair up for “off-road” fun. Trike has all the essentials that parents look for, too, like a wide, stable wheel base, easy-grip handlebars and big no-slip foot pedals. For outdoor use only. Holds up to 55 lbs.

Radio Flyer 53 Steer & Stroll Deluxe Trike $65.14

Innovative internal geared steering feature, freewheeling pedals, oversized steel tubular frame, durable molded wheels with grip tread, ringing bell, covered storage, adjustable seat.

This is one sturdy trike. The push handle is a bonus and it has a bell too! That could be awesome….or obnoxious. You decide!

Pilot Series Double Orange Tricycle $264.99

If you have twins, or run a daycare this may be the trike for you!

Italtrike’s Pilot Series Double Orange Tricycle is perfect for preschool and daycare students ages two to four years old – right at the age where kids need the freedom to move around and explore on their own. Up to two children sit comfortably on the ergonomic seats with backrests. The special steering design eliminates pinch points to prevent playground injuries, and the wide wheel base prevents tipping. Pilot Series trikes feature sturdy steel frames, rust-resistant finishes and spokeless wheels with solid rubber tires, so they’re safe and durable.

Shop for discount tricycles at Smarter.com.

Looking into buying a tricycle for your child? Here is what you need to consider:

• How old is your child? Most trikes fit and are enjoyed by kids 2-4 years old.

• Do you want a plastic or metal tricycle? Plastic is usually less expensive but isn’t as durable as metal.

• Notice the size of the tricycle. Metal tricycles come with 10- or 12-inch wheels. Plastic tricycles come either very low to the ground or at a height in between a ground hugger and a classic trike.

• Is your child pushing the peddles on their own yet? If not, consider a tricycle with a parent handle that you can push.

• Look for a tricycle that your child can get on and off of easily. At the same time, try to get one that won’t be too small next year. If the child can get on a larger-size tricycle, it’s usually wiser to buy it rather than a smaller one that will be quickly outgrown.

• How much you want to spend? Tricycles range from around $25 to $130 for a model with all the bells and whistles, such as under seat storage.

This is the tricycle my daughter is getting for her birthday this week from grandpa and grandma! Shh, don’t tell her! It’s got rave reviews so we are very excited!

Schwinn 12″ Roadster tricycle

“Your child will enjoy a classy ride with the red Roadster, Schwinn’s retro-modern take on the classic tricycle. It features a full-steel, heavy-duty frame, scalloped chrome fenders for flare, and a real wood back deck for an added passenger. It has wide design for an extra-low center gravity, helping to prevent tip overs. The sculpted seat is adjustable for growing riders. The cool “moustache-style” chrom handlebar features padded grips, long tassels, and a bell. The front wheel measures 12 inches in diameter and the back wheels measure 8 inches in diameter.”

Shop through a variety of affordable tricycles at Smarter.com.