I’ve been eying up the Tiny Bike from Fun4Kids for awhile now. Around a year ago I saw a little boy whizzing around on one, leaving his mum for dust. He looked happy, confident (and for want of a better description) like a proper little dude. As mum jogged on behind him I overheard her telling another parent that it’s the best thing she ever bought. That’s all I needed to mentally add it to my ever-growing list of Wants. Ordinarily I have to pester Craig for these things for a few months, but thankfully in this case I didn’t need to - Fun4Kids kindly offered to send me one to review.

Bonus. No need to stoop to back rubs and grovelling!

What is it?

Simply put, it’s a tiny bike. Made for tots, there are no pedals. A toddler will simply straddle the bike and learn to balance on two wide rubber wheels. When they gain confidence, they can push off, then lift their little feet onto the foot plate. This allows them to coast just like we would if riding downhill. It’s the new revolution in bike riding and a far cry from the days of wobbly stabilisers most of us all will remember.

The theory is that it enables a child to get to grips with all the coordination necessary to ride a real bike; balance, positioning and steering. Children (particularly the littlies who haven’t quite mastered the art of conversation yet) learn best through repetition and practical instruction. They’re also surprisingly fast learners and don’t tend to be deterred by the odd bump or crash. The old adage, “if at first you don’t succeed then try, try again” therefore suits them perfectly, and this is why the balance bike has really taken off here in the UK.

They say:

When pushed briefly, children instinctively learn how to reproduce this movement independently soon afterwards. The Tiny Bike helps develop a child’s sense of balance and stimulates their physical and mental development, improving general co-ordination.

So how did my 2 year old get on?

The Tiny Bike is best suited to children aged 2-4 years. Dexter is only just 2. I know that physically he’s where he should be, but he is at the lower age of the recommended age group and it really shows. His first attempts are bordering on woeful. The best he manage at the moment is straddling the bike frame and walking it along. It makes for very cute viewing but I doubt he’s learning anything.

Despite this, I don’t want to judge the Tiny Bike too hastily. My friends swear by them and Dexter isn’t one to give up easily. In fact, despite being utterly terrible at it, he’ll still rush over to it in the garden everyday. I’m sure in a few months time he’ll have it licked and will be begging me to take him up and down the hills outside our house. It’s also incredibly well built and sturdy, and is hailed as the lightest of its kind. It all adds up to being the best balance bike for first-timers, and I’m certain it’ll soon be a huge hit for my own little dude.

Putting it together was really easy. It arrived part-made with the back wheel already attached to the frame. All I needed to do was screw in the front wheel, build the handlebar and slot it into position. A quick tighten here and there and it was ready to go. All the tools required were in the box and the instructions were pictorial and simple to follow (even with an over-inquisitive toddler attempting to clamber over my back as I worked). In fact, I didn’t even have to chance to pop on the stickers as Dexter was already mounting it! Within seconds my little two-legged Bambi was toppling over in the dining room and begging me to squeeze my over-sized bum onto the miniature bike to show him how to use it.

This is another big plus for the Tiny Bike. It’s wide rubber compound wheels allow little people to get in some much-needed practice both indoors and out. They’re really wide to minimise falls and offer the smoothest ride possible for fragile bums. They’re also virtually silent meaning you’re not losing the will to live when your little one laps the dining room table for the twentieth time.

Safety-wise it has no spokes to trap tiny fingers and the seat and handlebars are fully adjustable to accommodate all those growth spurts you’re bound to see between the ages of 2 and 4. The handlebars are also easy to manipulate so even Dexter is able to cut tight corners as he waddles with his bike between his legs.

The best bit though, is that it looks just like mummy and daddy’s bikes and is sure to capture your child’s imagination - even when they’re not quite ready for it. I’d be inclined to say they’re more suitable for ages 2.5 and above but then what do I know?! Dexter is my first child and all I have to go on. Whatever the case, I’m sure it will withstand a real battering from Dexter and still have some life left for Heidi in a few years time.

My only sight criticism is that I like to see a kickstand. Although I can appreciate this isn’t likely to appeal to little ones, it would make it easier to store, make the garden look tidier and help prevent scuffs and scratches.

Currently priced at just £49.95 (down from £69.95) it’s great value for money. Available in 8 colourways (including lime green, baby blue, pink and purple) there’s one to suit every personality. You can grab yours at Fun4Kids where there’s also loads more low-priced outdoor and indoor toys to have you reaching for your purse. You can also find out more by visiting them on Facebook and Twitter.