The 11 Best Toddler Tricycles with Push Handle (2024 Update)
Tricycles offer a variety of benefits from improving your child’s motor skills to helping them feel more confident. And with a toddler tricycle with a push handle, you can start your child’s exploration of bikes as early as 9 months.
This is a great option if you have a child like ours who hated being locked into a stroller. The push handle gives you the option to go on walks before your child understands the concept of pedaling.
If you’ve been looking into bikes, you’ve probably come across threads and articles praising balance bikes over tricycles. It’s good to remember that every child is different and our son was not a fan of the balance bike. He never took to it and we ended up selling it on Facebook marketplace and sticking to the traditional tricycle model.
If you’re searching for a tricycle, we have compiled a list of the best toddler tricycles with push handles on the market. Our reviews include top features as well as a pros and cons list so you can choose the right tricycle for your family.
Best Toddler Tricycle with Push Handle Reviews
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike
| Color Options | 1 color option |
| Age Range | 9 months to 5 years |
| Weight of Bike | 19.8 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 49 lbs |
This Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike grows with your child through four different growing stages. These stages include the toddler trike (9-18 months), steering trike (18-24 months), learn-to-ride trike (2-3 years), and classic trike (4-5 years).
Removable accessories include an adjustable UV protection canopy, wrap around tray, headrest and seat belt, foot rest, and parent push handle. The push handle is height adjustable and allows the parent to control steering. Maximum weight capacity is 42lbs.
PROS
- Grows with child
- UV protection canopy
- Adjustable push handle
- Secure 3-point harness and high backrest for safety
CONS
- Assembly required with lots of pieces
- Footrest doesn’t work with longer legs
- Seat is slippery and child slides to the side while riding
smarTrike STR5 Folding Toddler Tricycle
| Color Options | 8 color options |
| Age Range | 9 months to 3 years |
| Weight of Bike | 22.3 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 37 lbs |
With 7 “grow with me” stages, this trike is designed to evolve with your child’s developmental stages from 9 months to 3 years and older. This toddler bike comes fully assembled and no tools are necessary. It’s perfect for traveling and folds up easily for storage.
Accessories include a canopy and footrest. This trike also offers dual control. With a single click of a button, parents can decide if they or the child will control the bike. Includes a certified 5-point harness and adjustable safety bar.
PROS
- Folds up
- No assembly required
- Parent control button
- Multiple color options
CONS
- Visor is not included in purchase. Must visit the website with invitation code after purchase to receive free visor.
Costzon 6-in-1 Foldable Tricycle
| Color Options | 2 color options |
| Age Range | 19 months to 5 years |
| Weight of Bike | 24 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 55 lbs |
This Costzon all in one trike includes 6 stages that grow with your child. Starting as an infant tricycle this bike then transitions into a steering trike, learn-to-ride trike, and finally a classic tricycle. This trike was designed for children 19 months to 5 years old.
Features include a 3-point harness, anti-UV removable canopy, storage bag, adjustable parent push handle, direction-controlling rod, safe breaks, and durable shock absorption wheels.
PROS
- UV protection canopy with rain cover
- Adjustable parent push handle
- Shock absorption wheels
CONS
- Assembly required
- Not made for younger than 19 months
Bentley All Terrain Kids Trike
| Color Options | 7 color options |
| Age Range | 6 months to 5+ years |
| Weight of Bike | 28 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 55 lbs |
Designed by Bentley Motors, the Bentley All Terrain Toddler Trike is a 6-in-1 tricycle that transforms from a baby tricycle to a trike as your child grows.
This trike has a rear brake for safe stops and a 5-point seat belt for maximum safety.
With all terrain tires, this tricycle can easily go from dirt to snow while providing a smooth ride.
The rotating ergonomic seat and adjustable back support your child will fell comfortable at all times. If you’re out and about while your child starts to get tired, the seat slightly reclines for naps.
The 50 SPF waterproof canopy offers sun protection during hot days. The parental window allows you to easily keep an eye on your child while the canopy is being used.
PROS
- All terrain tires
- 5 SPF waterproof canopy
- Ergonomic seat and adjustable back support
CONS
- Expensive
- Bike is heavy compared to other tricycles
Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Tricycle
| Color Options | 7 color options |
| Age Range | 10 months to 44 lbs |
| Weight of Bike | 14.4 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 44 lbs |
The Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Tricycle offers four stages to adjust and grow with your child from 10 months old up to 44 pounds. Parents have full control of this toddler tricycle push handle which is adjustable and removable, ranging in height from 32.5 to 38 inches.
Features include UVF 50 canopy, cup holder, rear storage basket, 3-position adjustable seat, and shoulder and seat pads that are removable and washable.
PROS
- Removable and washable shoulder and seat pads
- Adjustable push handle
CONS
- Flimsy canopy
- Cup holder does not secure in place
Doona Liki Trike
| Color Options | 6 color options |
| Age Range | 10 months to 3 years |
| Weight of Bike | 14.7 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 37 lbs |
The Doona Liki Trike is the smallest portable trike. Its recommended ages are 10 months to 3 years. If you are going to be taking your trike with you in your car or on an airplane, this is a great choice.
Features include shoulder pads, five-point safety harness, peddle straps, a cup holder, a footrest, and a canopy for sun.
PROS
- Fully assembled
- Easy to fold/portable
CONS
- No handle covers
- Hard to steer
Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike
| Color Options | 3 color options |
| Age Range | 9 months to 5 years |
| Weight of Bike | 16 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 50 lbs |
This Little Tikes trike is a 4 stage trike designed for ages 9 months to 5 years. Features include an adjustable seat, high-back seat for comfort and safety, full shade canopy, and foot platform.
This push bar toddler tricycle also includes a large storage bucket and a convenient snack, drink, and cell phone tray.
PROS
- Storage options
- Tray for cell phone, drink, and snack
CONS
- Assembly required
- Push handle doesn’t always stay at adjusted height
- Parent steering doesn’t override child steering
smarTrike Breeze Toddler Tricycle
| Color Options | 5 color options |
| Age Range | 15 months to 3 years |
| Weight of Bike | 16.5 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 37 lbs |
This smarTrike Breeze 3-in-1 trike was designed for children from 15 months to 3 years old. With touch steering technology, parents are able to easily switch and hand over directional control to their child.
Features include safety bar, adjustable 3-point harness, front wheel shock absorbers, non-slip pedals, and a toy basket.
PROS
- Easily switch from parent control to child control
CONS
- Assembly required
- No canopy
- Narrow grip on push handle
Yvolution Velo Flippa 4-in-1
| Color Options | 2 color options |
| Age Range | 2 years to 5 years |
| Weight of Bike | 24 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 44 lbs |
This 4-in-1 trike is best for children 2 to 5 years old. This toddler tricycle makes it easy for you to go from trike to balance bike mode easily, allowing you to store the peddles in the bike seat. This is a great option for growing little ones as they prepare to learn to ride a bike.
Features include 4 ways to use trike, removable pedals, adjustable sliding seat and handlebars, and large wheels.
PROS
- Large wheels
- Parent steering tricycle
- Parent handle adjust heights
CONS
- No footrest
- Assembly required
Schwinn Roadster Easy Steer Tricycle
| Color Options | 9 color options |
| Age Range | 2 years to 4 years |
| Weight of Bike | 15 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 60 lbs |
This Schwinn Roadster tricycle with a push handle is perfect for young children as it is low to the ground. This trike is recommended for children 2 to 4 years of age.
The Schwinn trike features include a heavy-duty metal frame, adjustable seat, three-point safety harness, high-back seat, larger wheels, and front basket.
PROS
- Removable steer handle
- EVA foam wheels
- Footrest available
CONS
- Assembly required
- Peddles move when not being used
Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike
| Color Options | 2 color options |
| Age Range | 2 years to 5 years |
| Weight of Bike | 14.55 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 49 lbs |
The Radio Flyer Deluxe is a great classic tricycle for ages 2 to 5 years. This 2-in-1 trike has a removable push handle that allows it to convert easily to tricycle mode.
This push trike features an adjustable seat, a removable push bar, and a covered storage bin. This is the perfect trike for a safe, fun ride without all the bells and whistles.
PROS
- Adjustable seat
- Storage bin
- Pedals double as footrest
CONS
- Assembly required
- No seat belt
Benefits of Tricycles With Push Handles and Toddler Development
For most kids, riding a tricycle is a pretty significant right of passage. Many of us remember our first bikes and the fun we had as children riding around the neighborhood with our friends and siblings.
Bikes are one way we can encourage our children to take some acceptable risks. But as parents, this can make us very anxious as we strive to keep our children safe.
According to research, risky outdoor play has been associated with promoting children’s health and development. Finding the balance between outdoor activities that are deemed “risky” yet relatively safe can be tricky.
A toddler bike with a push handle is a great introduction into this world. Giving your child the opportunity to test their limits while still maintaining majority of control will help you, as the parent, ease into the idea of risk-taking.
Toddler Tricycles With Push Handles Build Confidence and Independence
Between the ages of 1 and 2, you may notice that your child has a stronger desire to start doing everything themselves. This new found independence is their way of exploring the world around them.
Riding a toddler tricycle helps build on this independence. As your child learns to pedal, steer, avoid obstacles, and maneuver their trike, they will learn that they need less assistance from their parents.
A tricycle with a handle is the perfect way to allow your child to hone in on these skills, and build confidence, while keeping you in control.
Coordination and Balance
Riding a tricycle helps your toddler improve both their fine and gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills involve the movement of smaller muscle groups such as your child’s hands, fingers, and wrists. Gross motor skills encompass the movement of larger muscle groups, like arms, legs and core. Riding a tricycle helps your toddler improve both their fine and gross motor skills.
Your child’s hand-eye coordination is practiced through combinations such as mastering steering and avoiding obstacles. Climbing up hills, riding down hills, and getting off and on the tricycle focuses on arm-leg coordination skills.
Exercise
Children should be physically active throughout the day for growth and development. Getting outside to play is a great way to ensure this happens. When children ride their tricycles they are increasing muscle tone, flexibility, and are getting a cardiovascular workout.
An added bonus of a tricycle with a push handle is that parents get exercise too. If your toddler is still mastering their trike riding skills chances are you are doing the majority of the steering work for them.
Adults should do at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking. This goal can be hard to reach as parents with a busy schedule. The toddler tricycle with push handle is a great way to reach this goal and promote physical activity in your family.
Prepares your Child for Riding a Bike
One of the main benefits of a toddler tricycle with a push bar is the many different stages the trike can accommodate. Children mature at different rates and being able to accommodate their level of readiness is important. Having a tricycle that allows you as the parent to be in control and slowly transfer that control over to your child as they become ready is a huge benefit.
As your child grows and you transition to a full fledged tricycle, your child will be even more ready for the transition to a bike with training wheels when the time comes.
What to Look for When Buying a Push Tricycle for Toddlers
Toddler’s Ability to Steer
If the push handle is attached can your toddler still steer on their own? This is an important distinction you will want to consider. Some tricycles allow your child to practice steering while the parent push handle is installed. Other tricycle’s override this ability.
As a parent you will want to decide what works best for you. You can opt to give your child the freedom to explore steering right away, or decide you don’t want to engage in a back-and-forth battle while you’re on the go.
Adjustable Handles, Seats, and Pedals
Toddlers come in all shapes and sizes and grow at different rates. It is important to make sure the tricycle you purchase can adjust to accommodate their body. You will want to make sure they are positioned correctly to prevent injury.
Ages and Phases
Some tricycles are suitable for children as little as 9 months and can accommodate up to 5 years old. While other tricycles are based on weight capacity. These large spans of ages means your child will go through many phases. Picking a tricycle that can accommodate all those transitional phases is important.
Safety
Safety is always key when it comes to our children. You will want to make sure your tricycle has important safety features like harnesses, safety bars, and foot rests when your child is on the younger side.
As your child gets older, material might be more important. Is the tricycle made from plastic or metal? Will the tricycle hold up over time or break easily? If your child does fall, what elements of the bike could potentially cause harm?
Finally, it’s never too early to introduce your toddler to a helmet. Protecting those heads from potential falls is so important.
How to Teach your Toddler to Ride a Tricycle
If you are introducing the tricycle to your child at a young age, your main goal will be getting them used to it. Allow them to ride while you steer the trike with the handle. This is a fluid transition from a stroller and gives them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the trike.
As your child becomes more familiar they may start to get curious about trying to steer. Let them explore turning the handlebars and making the connection of turning and direction.
Once they are familiar with steering you can start to place their feet on the pedals. Choosing a tricycle that allows you to lock the pedals in place can be a great option to start. This will let them get used to putting their feet on the pedals.
Pedaling is a crucial motor skill that might take some time for your child to master. Patience is key.
One method to teach your child how to pedal is to only push the tricycle when they pedal and stop pushing when they take their feet off the pedals. This will allow them to associate that the tricycle moves forward when they pedal.
Over time your child will put all the pieces together and before you know it they will be riding by themselves.
With so many options it can be hard to choose the best push tricycle for toddlers. Here is a selection of the top-rated toddler tricycles with push handles that we have reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Toddler Tricycles
How Old Does a Toddler Need to Be to Ride a Tricycle?
Between 2-3 years old. However; many tricycles on the market today cater to kids from babies through toddler years. As they grow you can make minor adjustments to the tricycle to fit your child’s skill level.
At What Age Can a Toddler Learn to Steer a Tricycle Independently?
Depending on your child, most children are ready to steer on their own between the ages 2 to 4.
How to Get My Toddler to Ride a Tricycle?
Some children pick up pedaling very quickly, while others may struggle with it. The best thing you can do is offer your child exposure to the tricycle and allow them to work at their own pace.
A tricycle with a push bar is a great way for your child to begin to explore the bike without worrying about balance.
Another option is to build a bike trainer to allow your child to practice pedaling in place. You can do this by stacking blocks and positioning the bike on the blocks so the rear tire is off the ground. An adult will need to support the bike to prevent it from falling while your child practices.
What Age Is a Push Along Trike For?
Most push trikes are designed for kids 1 to 5. Some, with the appropriate safety harness, can be used younger than 1.
How Old Should a Toddler Be for a Tricycle?
To ride on their own, toddlers are usually between the ages of 2 and 3. A lot depends on the tricycle and the size of the child. They need to be able to reach the pedals before they are able to ride a tricycle by themselves.
Do 3-Year-Old Still Ride in Strollers?
Yes, 3 year olds ride in strollers. Although they can walk, long distances can be tiring and difficult, requiring the use of a stroller.
Does a 3-Year-Old Need a Tricycle Helmet?
All children riding bicycles/tricycles should be equipped with the appropriate sized helmet for their age.
Toddler Tricycles With Push Handles: Final Thoughts
The best tricycle for toddlers is the one that offers a variety of benefits to your child, such as increased confidence, independence, and improvement in motor skills.
Choosing a tricycle with a push handle is a perfect introduction for your child into the world of bike riding. It offers them the opportunity to learn while allowing parents the ease of having a little more control in the beginning.
Make sure you take into consideration the different features each tricycle offers so you can pick the best one for your family.
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Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!