Best Balance Bikes for Kids 4, 5 and 6 Years Old

A balance bike is a great way to teach kids who are 4 to 6 years old to learn to ride a bike. Whether your child has yet to learn how to ride a bike or struggles with the confidence to remove the training wheels, balance bikes can help.  While there are several different ways to help a child transition from training wheels, the use of balance bikes is the simplest and often the most effective way.

Balance bikes are very simple, lightweight, and easy to balance.  Their simplistic design allows kids to focus on the main goal – learning how to balance while seated on a bike.  Learning to pedal while also learning to balance splits a child’s focus into two very difficult tasks, which is why a child can’t learn to balance while using training wheels.  They place all their energy into pedaling and neglect the important task of learning how to balance.

This list is designed for older balance bike riders aged 4+. If you are looking for a younger child, be sure to check out our 10 Best Balance Bike list (for all ages) as well as our Best Budget Balance Bike list.

The list below is sorted by SIZE, from smallest to largest. Remember, the seat should be set 1″-1.5″ below a child’s inseam.

The Best Balance Bikes for 4 to 6 Year Olds

Why trust us? We haver personally tested over 100 different balance bikes over the last 10 years. We certainly know our way around balance bikes! As a result, we have also made several different list to help find the perfect bike for your child.

What makes a balance bike better for older kids?

Although often marketed as one-size-fits-all, balance bikes are definitely not one-size-fits-all.  Just as a 6-year-old can’t fit into the shoes of a toddler, a bike designed for a toddler will not fit a 6-year-old.  Taller and heavier kids simply require a larger bike.

To be considered for our best balance bikes for 4 to 6-year-olds list, each balance bike below had to satisfy three main criteria:

1. Higher maximum seat height
2. Wide handlebars
3. Long wheelbase

Combined, these three attributes make a balance bike larger, more comfortable, and easier to maneuver for an older or taller child. Just because a maximum seat height looks big enough for your bigger kid doesn’t mean that the bike is a good fit. A long wheelbase and wider handlebars are just as important! And then, of course, our testers had to love them. You can read our full reviews of each bike via the links below.

BEST BUDGET BIKES

Radio Flyer Glide & Go

MSRP: $40

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 14.2″ – 18.5″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 3T/4T pants

FULL REVIEW: Radio Flyer

The tallest 12-inch balance bike on the market (that we have come across), the Radio Flyer Glide & Go is a great bike for taller toddlers and preschoolers who need a good bike without breaking the bank. Unlike other budget balance bikes that simply put a long seat post on a bike with a short wheelbase, the Radio Flyer’s frame itself is actually extended to fit taller kids. Available in air and foam tires, as well as various different colors, the Glide & Go is a great, basic little bike.

Bixe 16

MSRP: $110

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 18.25″ – 22.4″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 6 – 8 pants

FULL REVIEW: Bixe 16

At just $90, the Bixe 16 is what we’d call a “short-term” balance bike. For grade schoolers struggling to get off training wheels, parents are often frustrated with their “older” kid who just “can’t get it”! Learning to balance is tricky – for toddlers and for older kids. If your older child is already on training wheels or is just afraid to try a pedal bike in general, the Bixe 16 is the most affordable solution for teaching kids to balance. We’ve used the Bixe 16 successfully with several kids in the neighborhood who rode the Bixe for a few weeks and were miraculously cured of their dependence on training wheels!

Strider 14x

MSRP: $150+

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 15″ – 22″

BEST FITS KIDS: While the manufacturer recommends from ages 3 to 7, based on our testing, we recommend only from ages 3 to 5, or with inseams ranging from 15″ to 20″ in balance bike mode and 14″ to 20″ in pedal bike mode.

FULL REVIEW: Strider 14x Convertible Balance Bike

The Strider 14x was a long time coming for the brand that made balance bikes a household name. With 14″ air tires (the traditional Strider has 12″ foam), a larger frame, taller handlebars to give the rider more room, and a larger footrest, the Strider 14x is the big, more sophisticated brother of the uber-popular 12″ Strider Classic and Strider Sport balance bikes. But it’s also one of only two good convertible balance bikes on the market. Coming standard with a pedal kit, once your child has mastered the balance bike, you easily attach the pedals to convert it to a small pedal bike – no need for training wheels! After a short time learning to pedal, your child will be ready to move on to a 16″ bike!

If you’re interested in other convertible balance bikes, check out our Balance Bikes with Pedals list.

BEST FOR AGES 4+

LittleBig Convertible

MSRP: $215

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 14″ – 21″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 3T/4T pants

FULL REVIEW: LittleBig Convertible Balance Bike

Over the years, several companies tried (and failed) to create a convertible balance bike that actually worked. LittleBig was the first to crack the code and continues to be the best. Built with top-of-the-line components, the LittleBig is lightweight, well-made, has dual handbrakes, and performs great as a balance bike and as a beginning pedal bike. While not ideal for all kids, the LittleBig is a good option for parents of preschoolers or taller toddlers who don’t want to purchase a balance bike and a beginning 12″ or 14″ pedal bike. Like all convertible balance bikes though, your child is likely to grow out of the pedal bike function pretty quickly – much faster than they would a traditional pedal bike.

Saracen Freewheel

MSRP: $225

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 13″ – 19″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 3T/4T pants

FULL REVIEW: Saracen Freewheel

As the smallest balance bike on this list, the Saracen is a good option for parents of confident kids who will probably move on to a pedal bike within a year to 18 months. With its knobby tires, it’s also one of the best-suited for all-terrain riding. From the pavement to the pump track, the Saracen is nimble enough for quick maneuvering, yet sturdy enough to stay grounded during leaning turns. It’s also more lightweight than many bikes on this list, which makes it a great option for lightweight kids!

Ridgeback Scoot

MSRP: $289

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 14″ – 20″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 3T/4T pants

FULL REVIEW: Ridgeback Scoot

Hailing from the UK,  the Ridgeback is a top quality bike brand available in the US through TikesBikes.com. Taller and longer than most balance bikes, the Scoot is one of few balance bikes designed to be a “bike” rather than a toy – it truly performs like a bike!  From country trails to city sidewalks, the Scoot effortlessly tackled any terrain we threw at it. Its slightly leaned forward body position is a great fit for confident or adventurous kids who are likely to ride more aggressively once they master the bike.

woom 1 Plus

MSRP: $299

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 14.8″ – 18.7″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 3T to 5 pants

FULL REVIEW: woom 1 PLUS

The woom 1 is our favorite balance bike overall, so when woom decided to come out with a larger version for older kids, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the woom 1 Plus. This scaled up version of the woom 1 has all the same benefits, but for bigger kids! Not every child starts out their balance bike journey as a toddler, so the woom 1 Plus fills that need for slightly older kids who benefit from a balance bike just as much as the littler ones. Because the woom 1 Plus positions the rider in a very comfortable, natural, upright position, it’s especially ideal for timid riders. And its  removable “surfboard” footrest and DUAL hand brakes (a rare find in balance bikes), are perfect features to allow kids to explore and be adventurous once they’ve mastered the balance bike basics.

BEST FOR AGES 5+

Ridgeback Scoot XL

MSRP: $299

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 16″ – 22″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 4T – 7 pants

FULL REVIEW: Ridgeback Scoot XL

The Scoot XL is the bigger twin brother of the Ridgeback Scoot. The Scoot XL is geared towards older kids aged 4 to 8 who have no biking experience at all, who have only used training wheels (and can’t get rid of them), or who have outgrown their small balance bike but don’t yet have the desire to move up to a pedal bike. Durable and made with impeccable quality, the Scoot XL is a steal for the price.

Strider 16

MSRP: **THIS BIKE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED, BUT MAY BE FOUND USED**

SEAT HEIGHT RANGE: 19.5″ – 24.5″

BEST FITS KIDS: In 6 to 8 pants

For any kids over 6 years old, there’s really only one or two balance bike options for them. Strider made our list for keeping it simple but good quality, as well as for its dedication to offering balance bikes for kids of all ages and abilities. 16″ and 20″ balance bikes are often great tools for special needs kids who may struggle on a pedal bike, but can dominate and feel awesome on a balance bike. For kids who feel more comfortable on a balance bike and don’t want to advance to a pedal bike, Strider also offers a 20″ balance bike.

Best Balance Bikes Comparison Chart: Kids 4, 5, and 6

Related Balance Bike Articles

10 Best Balance Bikes: Our ten favorite balance bikes for all ages.

How to Teach a Child to Ride a Balance Bike: For help teaching your child to ride their new balance bike