Tricycles can easily be used to replace strollers when little ones get older, or when they are too big for their stroller. These are built to be durable enough to last until your little one is ready for a bike.
There are a lot of benefits to picking up a tricycle for your toddler, but it’s important to choose one that will meet your needs too.
In this article
Short On Time? Here Are Our Choices
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | smarTrike 7 Urban Folding Baby Tricycle, Black | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike, Red Toddler Tricycle for Ages 9 Months | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Little Tikes 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax, Reclining Trike - Red | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
What To Look For In A Tricycle
Tricycles are more than just another way for your little one to get around. They offer quite a few key benefits that both parents and children will enjoy!
This is a great way for your child to enjoy the great outdoors, develop coordination, enhance their motor skills, and more.
To make sure that you get the most out of your little one’s trike, it’s important to find one that meets your and your child’s needs. Keep these things in mind when deciding which tricycle is best.
Price
It’s important to have a budget in mind when you’re shopping for a tricycle. Some of these are obviously more expensive than others are.
For example, adjustable tricycles that are designed to fit a child until they are eight years old tend to be a bit more on the expensive side.
It can be easy to get carried away when you see all the cool options you have to choose from. Before taking a look at what is on the market, make sure that you have a budget in mind.
Weight Limit
Most tricycles have a weight limit. Plastic ones typically have a weight limit that is lower than metal frames. Likewise, the smaller a trike the lower the weight limit usually is.
Make sure to check the weight limit so you can determine how long it will last your little one, and to make sure that they do not exceed the weight limit.
Explore The Different Types Of Tricycles To Determine What You Want
There are a lot of different kinds of tricycles on the market. Tricycles that are parent-steered are ideal for parents that want to help their children learn how to ride a tricycle and use it as a substitute for a stroller.
These are also a great idea if you live on a busy street! Adjustable trikes are another great option. The metal frames on these are adjustable so that you can make them larger as your child gets bigger.
Some of them are adjustable so that they are large enough for an eight-year-old!
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Double Check To Make Sure It Has The Safety Features You Prefer
Tricycles are designed to be extra safe for little ones! Most of them are, anyway! Some of them have a little bar for your tiny one to rest their feet on when they are not pedaling.
This guarantees that they do not get caught when the pedals are still going around. Most of these trikes also come with straps to keep young ones in their seats when you’re on the go.
Occasionally, you’ll come across one that has a metal bar across the front of it in place of or in addition to straps. This extra safety measure can give parents peace of mind if their little one is known for unbuckling straps.
Make Sure It’s Portable For Days At The Park
If you’re planning on taking the trike for more than a walk around the block, it’s important to make sure that you’re able to do that. There are several models that are smaller than others.
You can even find tricycles that fold up to conveniently fit in your trunk! However, there are plenty of models that are big and bulky, too. Those aren’t ideal if you don’t have space for them in your car.
Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes
These are the three most popular brands of tricycles. They each come with their own unique pros and cons. This usually means that one is better for one group while another one might be better for another group.
We’ll go over everything you need to know about each brand to make sure that you’re making the best decision for your little one.
SmarTrike
This smart trike is an impressive eight in one trike. It goes from a stroller for infants to a training tricycle and then converts to a full tricycle when your little one is able to start steering and pedaling.
It definitely looks impressive, but we have to take a look at all of the pros and cons of the SmarTrike to make sure that it’s right for you!
Price
This trike is going to cost you more than the average one out the door. On the other hand, it can also save you money in the long run.
Instead of spending money on a stroller, training tricycle, and then a trike later one, you only have to spend your money once. If your budget is large enough to spend the money on now, it’s well worth it.
Weight Limit
This trike is designed for six-month-olds up to toddlers that are three years old. The weight limit is 38 pounds, so you might be able to use it for older children as long as they don’t exceed the weight limit, too!
Type Of Tricycle
This is a convertible stroller that turns into a trike. It’s one of the most convenient, and popular, types of tricycles. It can be used as a stroller during the early stages. Then, you can slowly get your little one used to learning how to ride all by themselves.
Safety Features
There are several safety features that you are going to appreciate about this one. The five-point harness for little ones is similar to the harness that you’ll find on a car seat.
This makes it impossible for younger infants to get out of the seat while you’re on the go. The lock for the wheel keeps the stroller, or trike, in place when you’re standing still too! The trike control button is something I really like.
To switch who controls where the trike goes, you just hit a button and turn the wheel around. Then, you’re the one steering instead of your little one.
It’s so easy, but you don’t have to worry about accidentally hitting it and handing the wheel over to your little one at the wrong time. You don’t have to attach the pedals until you’re ready, and there are footrests included in the box!
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Portability
It’s easy to fold up and take with you. The SmarTrike collapses like most strollers do, and only weighs in at 22 pounds. You won’t have to carry it through. You can easily push it utilizing the sturdy wheels on the bottom!
Convenience For Parents
The SmarTrike was designed to be one of the best on the market, so you can trust that it’s going to be convenient. It’s easy to fold up. A drink holder is included.
There’s even a little basket for you to store your personal things if you’d like! If your little one spills something, it’s okay because the fabric is washable.
The One Downside
You knew it was too good to be true, didn’t you?!? There is one small downside. Several of the reviews claim that the trike seat does not turn around 360-style like it is supposed to. If this is a big deal for you, consider the other options.
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Radio Flyer
Radio Flyer is one of the oldest trike brands around. Their products are known for being durable, and they’re readily available at most department stores.
When you’re looking for a standard tricycle, you can usually find a Radio Flyer one at your local department store. This Radio Flyer convertible stroller gives you everything you love about the brand with a twist.
Price
The Radio Flyer Stroll N Trike is more than affordable. It’s under $100, and barely costs more than the trike would by itself.
However, you aren’t going to be using this one for a newborn stroller, so you do have to spend more money in the long run if you would like one of those.
Weight Limit
This cool Radio Flyer trike is designed for babies that are ten months old to five-year-olds. The weight capacity is 49 pounds. That means that you won’t have to worry about your little one outgrowing it too soon!
Type Of Tricycle
Just like the other ones in this comparison, this is a convertible tricycle that doubles as a stroller. It allows you to push the stroller, and then slowly transform it into a trike as your little one grows.
Safety Features
A safety harness on the seat guarantees that your baby will be safe while you push them along on a daily walk. A removable footrest blocks your little one from being able to touch the pedals until they are ready to start learning how to ride a trike.
The pedals can also lock into place for added convenience and safety. It is important to note that you have to select the option with the footrest or it will not be included in the box.
The steel frame is so durable that it should be considered an exceptional safety feature. (My son had one of these trikes when he was a toddler, and it lasted through everything.)
Portability
This particular product does not fold up. It is the opposite of portable. However, if you click on the link above and scroll down, you can see a complete graph of their other products.
They do have various versions of this same product available, and one of them does fold up.
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Convenience For Parents
There is a little bucket on the back of the trike to put things, but it does not offer any other storage. This is a trike that was designed for children learning to ride, not a stroller so you don’t have the same options that you do with other products.
If you are planning to use it to teach your little one how to ride, it does turn the wheel in the front (and the handlebars) with the parent handle so you can teach them how to steer. That eliminates having to bend over to steer for them!
The One Downside
The one downside to this is that you have about 10-15 degrees of slack in the parent handle. If you turn it a tiny bit, the trike isn’t going to turn. There is definitely an adjustment period.
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Little Tikes
Little Tikes is another company that you can trust to build high-quality children’s toys. They are known for their outdoor cars but are no stranger to the world of trikes either.
They have quite a few toddler tricycles on the market that are specially designed to help your little one learn how to ride while you go on a family walk.
This one is designed to slowly be converted into a trike as your little one gets older, much like the radio flyer one.
Price
This one is going to cost you just over $100. It’s just in between Radio Flyer and SmarTrike when it comes to affordability. Still, with how much you spend on a stroller and a trike, the price evens out nicely.
Weight Limit
Little Tikes designed this toddler trike for children that are nine months to four years old. That means that it can handle weight up to 50 pounds, so you can rest assured that your little one will be riding by the time that they outgrow it.
Type Of Tricycle
This is a convertible trike that can also be used as a stroller. The reclining seat and pedal lock let you push your little one on a walk. The adjustable features let you slowly let them take control of the wheel, and the pedals, when they are ready to.
Safety Features
It does come with a three-point harness for younger children that would like to sit back and enjoy the ride. In addition to that, there is an extra safety bar just to be on the safe side. A foot pedal lets them rest their feet comfortably until they can reach the pedals. A full canopy shade helps protect little ones from the sun while you’re out for a stroll.
Portability
The Little Trikes toddler tricycle does not fold up like a stroller. Double-check the dimensions on the trike and your trunk if you would like to take it with you on the go.
Convenience For Parents
As a bonus, it does come with a detachable cup holder that clips onto the back. If your little one can’t make it through a long walk without getting sleepy, you can recline the seat for them to take a nap.
The One Downside
The one thing that I am not a fan of with this tricycle is the plastic frame. A few people that purchased this one said that it felt wobbly or unsteady, yet no one mentioned that it was unsafe either. That did make me feel a bit uneasy about this one.
Buy on Amazon
Which One Is Better?
If you’re looking for one that is more versatile for infants and can go with you anywhere, SmarTrike takes the cake. This one gives you all of the convenience that you want and is suitable for children up to three years old.
However, if you’re looking for something for an older child, such as a toddler, and don’t mind it not being portable, Radio Flyer is your best bet. These are durable, sturdy, and are designed for children that are older than three, unlike the SmarTrike.
In Conclusion
Finding the perfect toddler trike can be hard, especially when you’re searching for something that is nice for you as a parent and your child.
These three are considered the best of the best, but it’s important for you to decide what’s right for your little one. I love the Radio Flyer for 1-2-year-olds, but also love the SmarTrike for children younger than that.
