Riding a bike is one of the most enjoyable hobbies you can do as a child. We all remember that feeling of freedom as we learnt how to cycle without stabilisers for the first time. The best kids’ bikes will encourage children to take to two wheels, offering a great way to explore the local area or enjoy an adventure on holiday, while improving health and fitness, too.
Infants can start to use balance bikes from as early as 18 months if they’re confident at walking and can straddle the bike. Starting early can help improve a child’s balance, independence, coordination and motor skills. As your child grows and transitions to a pedal bike, the options of what kind to choose really opens up for them.
You’ll need to think about the terrain on which your kids will use the bike. Is it for cycling to school or just for weekends exploring the parks and countryside around you? Whether your child is ready for gears or not is also a consideration, and you’ll need to think about where the bike will be stored when not in use.
Children’s bike sizes are usually referred to by their wheel size, with common sizes ranging from 14in to 24in. When looking for a new kids’ bike, you might also want to consider whether it will still be suitable for your child as they grow. For example, look at whether the bike has an adjustable saddle and handlebars. You might also be planning to pass on the bike to a younger sibling, which means it’ll be part of the family for even longer, so you can stretch your budget a bit more.
Remember, no matter what age your child is, they should wear a helmet every time they use their bike. As with choosing a bike, the best way to find the right size helmet for your child is to take some measurements, in particular the circumference of their head. Don’t be tempted to buy a larger helmet for your child to grow into, as it won’t fit properly at first and therefore won’t offer the right protection.
With all that in mind, keep scrolling for my pick of the best kids’ bikes on the market.
Read more: Best kids’ scooters, tested
The best kids’ bikes for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Hornit Hero 16in: £359, Hornit.com
- Best mid-range pick – Squish 16in pedal bike: £330, Argos.co.uk
- Best for school run – Frog 44: £390, Evanscycles.com
Read more: Best kids’ bike helmets, tested
Hornit hero pedal bike
Best: kids' bike overall
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-use brakes
- Easy to assemble
Take note
- No mudguards
Hornit’s hero really is the full package and the best kids’ bike I’ve tested. At 5.55kg it’s one of the lightest first pedal bikes on the market at the moment. The fact that it’s so lightweight took my young tester by surprise after he’d tested other heavier bikes.
The frame of the hero has been designed to be a perfect fit for children. Its upright design, narrow handlebars and easy-to-squeeze brakes mean children don’t need to think about anything apart from just having fun. The handlebars are soft for small hands and the bell was effective and easy to use.
My mini tester put this bike through its paces at the park and on the school run and found it was easy to manoeuvre and ride. It’s a stylish-looking bike that my boys loved showing off, while I loved the fact that it was easy to assemble and light to carry.
Key specifications:
Buy now £359, Hornit.com
Squish pedal bike
Best: mid-range kids' bike
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-use brakes
- Reliable on all terrains
Take note
- No mudguards
Squish bikes have been created to make life on two wheels as easy as possible for younger children. The 16in bike is fairly light at 6.3kg, while features such as grippy pedals makes those first wobbly forays into independence less stressful for both children and adults.
My mini tester has been riding a bike for a few years now but still loved the Squish for its manoeuvrability. The CNC braking surface on the tyre rims means the wheels feel powerful and sturdy when the bike’s being ridden. The responsive alloy V-brakes have adjustable reach levers, which means hands of all sizes can reach them and stop safely. And the fully enclosed chain guard is a good feature to keep clothes and little fingers safe when using the bike.
We found this bike to be solid and reliable on all terrain, although slightly small for my testers who would be more suited to a 20in. It’s a great mid-range bike, with fun paintwork that comes in a variety of colours, including purple, red and green.
Key specifications:
Buy now £330, Argos.co.uk
Woom go 4
Best: first gear bike for kids
Why we love it
- Easy-to-change gears
- Can handle bumpy terrain
- Comfy handlebars
Take note
- No mudguards
- Pricey
Once your child has mastered cycling on their first pedal bike, the Woom go 4 would make a perfect first gear bike. My seven-year-old tester had never used gears before but took to this bike so easily because of the simple-to-use twist gear shifter on the handlebars.
The low seating position made it a great bike for pedalling to school or around the park, but it can also handle bumpy terrain. The BMX-style handlebars, slim grips and aluminium bars were all comfy for my mini tester and his small hands. As well as the vibrant red colour, the bike is also available in pink, turquoise, blue and yellow, which all look great against the white wheel-base and front frame.
If you’re heading further afield for a ride, the quick release skewer on the front wheel means it can fit easily in the boot of the car. This isn’t a cheap bike but it’s one that see your child enjoy many adventures.
Key specifications:
Buy now £485, Woom.com
Frog 44
Best: kids' bike for the school run
Why we love it
- Sturdy
- Comfy on all terrains
- Easy-to-use brakes
Take note
- Child might outgrow it quickly
- Pricey
The chances are that if you’ve been in your local park recently you’ll have seen a fair few Frog bikes being ridden. They’ve become one of the most popular brands for first pedal bikes because of their child-friendly designs, fun colours and durability. There’s also a great second-hand market for this brand.
The 16in Frog 44 is a great choice for your child’s first pedal bike because it’s easy to ride and sturdy. At 6.39kg it’s slightly heavier than the Hornit hero, so our tester found he was a bit less whizzy when riding the Frog 44. However, the Kenda tyres make it a comfy ride for all terrain whether you’re going to school or into the woods. My mini tester found the brakes easy to reach and loved the fact that this bike came with a bell included.
As well as red, the 44 is available in electric blue, green, orange, pink, and a spotty design. If your child is too big for a balance bike but isn’t quite ready for pedals, this bike could be a great choice because its pedals can be removed and it’s lightweight enough to feel steady when kids are powering along using their feet.
Key specifications:
Buy now £390, Evanscycles.com
Banwood classic bike
Best: kids' bike for urban bike rides
Why we love it
- Stylish
- Can handle bumpy terrain
- Can adjust handlebar to be straight or curved
Take note
- Heavy
Inspired by Scandinavian bike designs, this Banwood bike has a gorgeous retro look that will turn heads. With its faux brown leather saddle and handlebars, it’s eye-catching while also being lovely to ride. This is a heavier bike than others on this list but with a suggested age range of 6-10, it’s not too heavy for slightly older kids to handle.
While the boys definitely preferred the sportier look of other bikes on the list, I appreciated the aesthetically pleasing design. This is a great bike for riding around town, visiting friends or going to a local park for a picnic. But with its seven Shimano gears, it can also hold its own off-road. You can adjust the handlebar to be straight or curved, depending on where, and how, you want to ride the bike, too.
One negative for this bike is that the cream tyres didn’t feel very practical and became dirty very quickly, but the mudguards did mitigate against some of the dirt. It’s also much heavier than others on the list which was fine for the nine-year-old tester, but a bit trickier for the six-year-olds.
The bike comes with two sets of pedals; the brown vintage rosewood pair and a white PVC set. A basket for the front is an optional extra and the bike is also available in pink, cream and forest green.
Key specifications:
Buy now £399, Scandiborn.co.uk
Yomo 26
Best: bike for preteens
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to move through gears
Take note
- Gears are quite noisy
Yomo is solely focused on making comfy, safe and fun kids’ bikes well. We tested the 26in bike in the vibrant green colour. This size is aimed at riders aged 10 and over, and it arrived 90 per cent assembled, making it a doddle to put together. I only needed to attach the front wheel, rotate the handlebar, tighten the stem and install the pedals.
The box also included a bell and reflectors, which will give parents a little extra peace of mind if their child is riding somewhere independently.
The saddle height was easy to adjust and my mini tester was able to move through the gears swiftly and simply. My only criticism is that the gears were a bit noisy, but it’s something you get used to after a few rides.
Key specifications:
Buy now £480, Yomobikes.co.uk
LittleLife balance bike
Best: kids' bike without pedals
Why we love it
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Sturdy and stable
Take note
- White frame will show dirt
The LittleLife bike is a great first balance bike for children aged two to six and it’s easy to ride, right from the get-go. Our three-year-old tester barely hesitated before she jumped on the bike and was off. It’s a sturdy and stable product, aided by the aluminium handlebars and wheels, and tough frame.
While balance bikes aren’t the easiest to ride on rugged terrain, the air-filled rubber tyres on this balance bike meant it was a comfy ride on most surfaces. Our tester loved doing laps of the park on it and had no problem steering or balancing. Again, this is a really lightweight bike that is easy for children to pick up and ride, and for parents to carry when little legs get tired.
The contrast brown handlebars and seat look stylish and the bike is also available in a pink and black colourway. The seat height is adjustable from 34-44cm, so it can be used for a few years before your child moves on to a pedal bike.
Key specifications:
For more recommendations, see our guide to the best balance bikes
Buy now £69.99, Littlelife.com
What is the best kids’ bike?
The Hornit hero 16in bike takes the title for top kids bike of 2026. It’s super lightweight, simple to assemble and a great choice for a first pedal bike. It is easy to handle too, so it will help young riders gain confidence, whether they’re cycling to school or around the park.
How I tested kids’ bikes
I had a ready-made team of volunteers willing to put some pedal power into testing out these bikes. Three boys, aged nine, and twins who are seven, put each product through its paces on the school run, out in the park and on our local common. We looked at how comfortable the bikes were to ride, how sturdy and stable they felt and whether the price gave good value for money. We also borrowed a very willing three year old to test out the balance bikes.
There were a few factors to take into consideration when trying out these bikes.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest is The Independent’s product review section, where experts cut through marketing jargon to bring you products that actually work.
Kat Storr has been a writer for more than a decade, becoming especially interested in parenting after becoming a parent herself. She has tested remote control cars, kids’ scooters and kids’ desks for IndyBest, each time prioritising what parents actually care about, such as quality, safety and affordability. Recruiting her own kids as tough critics, Kat has put these bikes through their paces in real-world conditions, so you can be confident that her verdict is based on hands-on experience.
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