A helmet that fits and they will wear. This is the very first step… no wearing a helmet no riding. For further information see the Right Kids Bike Helmet. What they wear on their feet is also important.  Get them into the habit now of choosing to wear closed in shoes when they ride.

Expose them early. Let them get familiar with it. Let them see it and know it is their bike. When they check it out make a big deal out of it… how much fun it is to ride

Let them love that balance bike. You can add some accessories to personalise the bike, Reflective Stickers, .  or let them make noise with a Mini-Hornit,.  A Handlebar Bag to take their favourite small toy along for the ride or collect things along the way.

Start small. Be consistent. A little bit each day. Start inside or somewhere familiar outside on the flat. Facilitate their use – help them pick it up, it may be as simple as walking beside the bike to start with. When they are ready help them get their leg over the bike so they are straddling it. This may be all the are ready for.

The next step is to get them to sit on the seat while you support the bike so they can get a feel for it.  They may choose to walk on or off the seat, let them do whatever feels right for them. From here they will progress to running and gliding in their own time. See Learning to Ride a Balance Bike.  You may feel like nothing is happening and they’ll never ride. They will. be patient, be consistent. The time frame to ride is different for every child.

Once they start to make some progress… progressively expose them to different and more challenging environments. Little by little… no big jumps or hurdles, you want them to develop a love for moving, for exploring, for the outdoors. Progress from outside at home, to the local school or a park and when you and your child are ready – footpaths. See Balance Bike Safety Tips. Once they are established balance bike riders there is a lot you can do to challenge them allow them to grow and develop, add a slope, vary the surface, vary the terrain they ride on. Let them have a go on a pump track.

Role models are a great way to help them progress. They get to see others using a balance bike, what they are doing and they want to join them. They will see the fun others are having and want this for themselves.

Make it and keep it fun. There will be days where riding is just not what they are in too. Don’t push it. Don’t fight it. Tomorrow will be different. Treasure hunts, obstacle courses in the park. Head out for morning tea, lunch, take their favourite small soft toy, collect treasures, meet friends at the park… keep it new, keep it interesting and keep it simple.

Happy learning. Before you know it they will be full of SMILES, walking and running on their balance bike… growing and developing.