Top 8 Best Tricycles for Toddlers On The Market In 2021 Review

Tricycles are a fun part of childhood. Even into our later years, most of us still have fond memories of our first trike. There’s not much that’s changed concerning their basic design, but happily, the choices available have never been better.

Our review of some of the best tricycles for toddlers contains a wide range of different types with something for everyone’s budget.

So, let’s get to it and find the perfect tricycle for your little one…

Top 8 Best Tricycles for Toddlers On The Market In 2021 Reviews

1 Radio Flyer Red Rider Trike, outdoor toddler tricycle, ages 2 ½ -5 – Most Durable Tricycle for Toddlers

This is an absolute cracker. It’s bright red, so we can just picture your toddler imagining they’re riding a fire truck on the way to rescue a cat from a tree. Give them a fire-hat instead of the optional bike helmet, and the scene is complete.

This is an all-steel framed bike that comes in at a hefty 10lbs. It’s a lot for a toddler’s tricycle but with the extra weight comes additional strength and durability. It’s a tricycle that will last till they out-grow it.

49lbs weight capacity…

It’s suitable for toddlers between two and a half and five years old. Though it would be fine for a larger child under the minimum suggested age limit. The tricycle has a generous weight capacity of 49lbs.

The seat can be suitably adjusted as your child grows. However, this is only for forwards or backward positioning. There’s no ability to move it up or down. Additionally, the handlebars can’t be adjusted, which is a bit of a shame.

We like the storage bin…

One of the niftiest features is the covered storage bin at the rear. It has enough space for a few good-sized toys. We’re sure your toddler will quickly find something to fill it with.

The wheels are solid plastic, which means there’s never a worry about punctures. Not so good is that they are noisy and also give a very bumpy ride. A solid rubber tire would have been a much better choice.

Simple to store…

One final useful feature is the carrying handle on the back of the seat. This is something you’re going to be thankful for when it’s time to tidy things away.

2 Schwinn Roadster Tricycle for Toddlers – Best Retro Tricycle for Toddler

We love the styling of the Schwinn Roadster but for very different reasons than the Radio Flyer. The Schwinn Roadster has super-cool retro looks everywhere you look. The headtube badge, spoke wheels, chromed fenders, and genuine wooden rear deck all have design cues running back to the 1950s.

Relatively big for a trike…

It’s an all-steel framed tricycle that’s suitable for children between the ages of two to four. Despite these age limitations, we think a much older child would still be able to ride it. It’s substantially bigger than a lot of trikes. Plus, it has a much more generous level of seat adjustment than most. The seat has five positions that can be changed by hand by moving the fixing bolt into one of the pre-drilled holes.

The front wheel is 12”, and this, together with the rear wheels, is air-filled. It does mean that you have to regularly get handy with the pump, but we think it’s a small price to pay. The improved ride quality of pneumatic tires over solid tires is large. It all equates to a more comfortable ride and more fun, and more time on the tricycle for your toddler.

Other retro features…

More retro features include mustache handlebars with tassels. Plus, you get a bucket seat with the Schwinn logo emblazoned on the front. For the parents, the seat is equipped with a handle at the back to make things a little easier during tidy-up time.

Finally, the tricycles come in a choice of six great colorways. All of them are fun but still are in keeping with the classic Schwinn looks of yesteryear.

3 Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kid’s Tricycle – Best Modular Tricycle for Toddler

Next up in our best tricycles for toddlers reviews is a rather clever and exciting design from Joovy. The Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kid’s Tricycle is modular and can be used even before your child is ready to use a tricycle. It initially starts as a pushchair, and in time, when your toddler is ready, it can be stripped down to a regular tricycle.

How does this work?

Fully loaded, the tricycle has a surround-seat with a three-point harness, a canopy, footrests, and a push handle. The three-point harness and canopy can be removed at the next stage, and the pedals can be engaged. The third stage involves taking away the three-point harness. In the final stage, you’re left with a normal tricycle as the surround, and the push handle is removed.

This all means that your toddler can start using the Joovy as young as ten months old and use it until they weigh up to 44lbs. To help them fit the tricycle as they grow, the seat can be pushed back to three different positions.

The construction…

It’s an all-plastic frame with mostly plastic components. This has the advantage of keeping down the weight and being corrosive resistant. On the other hand, it makes it less durable than a steel-framed alternative.

Despite being mainly plastic, it comes with rubber rather than solid run wheels. Although they’re not pneumatic, they are comfortable and are also maintenance-free. Additionally, there’s no doubt that the choice of a large 10” front wheel and two 7.5” rear wheels further helps to improve comfort.

Somewhere for their drink?

A couple of nice features to finish with is the cup holder situated on the front handlebars. Plus, the handy open storage tray at the rear.

4 Minnie 15” Fly Wheel Junior Cruiser, 1 Ride-on, Ages 3-7 – Best Highly Visible Tricycle for Toddler

This is loud and bright. It’s not for a child that wants to fade into the background. If your toddler is riding this, they’re going to be seen for sure. The styling and colors are firmly aimed at girls, though if boys like the look, then good for them.

It’s an affordable all-plastic affair that’s likely to have more than a few polar bears weeping. It’s mainly bright pink and has Minnie Mouse plastered on just about every available surface. Just in case all the pink isn’t enough to get you noticed, the front wheel also has flashing LED lights.

No one will miss your child on this…

As your child rides around, the lights will whirl around, as will the graphics of their favorite cartoon characters. It’s lots of fun, and we’re sure you’ll agree it offers plenty of incentive for your little one to enjoy being outside and pedaling.

The front-wheel measures 15” and sets off the trike’s design. The white, pink, and green handlebars, together with the low-slung seat, complete a cool and fun look.

Since the wheels are made from solid plastic, with no tires of any kind, it’s not built for comfort. On anything other than a super-flat surface, the rider is in for a bumpy ride. They’re also in for a noisy ride, particularly on harder surfaces like tarmac or concrete.

Suitable for 3 – 7 years…

The tricycle is suitable for children between three to seven years of age. There are different front wheel sizes dependent on the size of your child. These are worth paying close attention to because the tricycle has no adjustability.

Finally, it should be noted that although it comes mostly assembled, you have to apply the decal stickers yourself. It’s all a bit fiddly, but on the other hand, it does help to keep costs down.

5 Radio Flyer Deluxe Big Flyer for Kids Ages 3-7 – Best Heavy Weight Tricycle for Toddler

The Radio Flyer Deluxe Big Flyer is suitable for larger children than the Red Rider we reviewed earlier. Kids can ride it up to seven years old and as young as three years old. The maximum weight capacity is a generous 65lbs.

The seat is placed low and can be moved back on the pegs to three different positions. Unfortunately, the Radio Flyer does not include a size chart to give you a better idea about sizing. If you’re in any doubt whatsoever about its suitability, we’d advise you not to buy this for a smaller child as it’s a relatively large tricycle.

Pity about the plastic frame…

Unlike the Red Rider, the Big Flyer has a plastic rather than a steel frame. This has the substantial advantage of keeping the weight down to just 12lbs, which is good for such a big trike. On the other hand, it is at the expense of durability.

Another thing we’re less than happy to see is that the wheels are made from plastic. This creates loads of noise and less than optimal ride quality. Pneumatic or solid rubber tires are always preferred, so the Big Flyer tires go straight into the moans and niggles section.

Where it scores well?

The appeal of this trike is in the design and looks department. The low rider style seat, chromed handlebars, and large 16” front wheel give this trike plenty of presence. If only it wasn’t made of so much plastic, we’d be happy to recommend it more highly.

As it is, all in all, it’s still fair value, but we can’t get over the doubts of its durability with heavy use.

6 smarTrike 7J Folding Baby Tricycle – Best Premium Modular Folding Trike

This is an eight-in-one tricycle that’s suitable for children as young as six months. It differs from the Joovy trike we reviewed earlier in that the seat can recline for nap times, and it can also be folded away for transportation. Other than that, and the fact that it’s considerably more expensive, there are a lot of similarities.

Premium build…

The smarTrike is very well made, and this fact alone goes a long way to justifying its price tag. Although it’s predominantly made from plastic, it’s never the less high quality and durable. The smarTrike 7J Folding Baby Tricycle is very likely to survive all you and your little one can throw at it from six months up to three years.

The seat has a five-point harness. Unlike the Joovy tricycle, it can’t be taken off when your child gets older. While it’s a great feature when they’re small, it’s not so much so when they get older. Frankly, at some point, we’d probably take a pair of scissors to it!

The seat, as well as being well-padded and comfortable, can also be swiveled through 360 degrees, which is a neat feature. This means that when they’re smaller, the seat can be positioned, so your child is facing you. For your child’s further comfort, the wheels also come equipped with patented front wheel shock absorbers to help soften the ride.

Other clever features…

As your child gets on with life and wants to start pedaling, there’s an easy control switch to fold down and activate the pedals. When they’re younger, these are cleverly hidden away, and steering is down to mum and dad via the adjustable steering handle.

The trike has a canopy for hot or rainy days. This is easily removed whenever the occasion demands it. There is also a bag for keeping bits and pieces. A useful accessory that’s likely to stay put.

A bit high…

Overall it’s a great tricycle, but although the seat is adjustable for length, it still leaves your child sitting quite high in the air. This is a bit like being in an SUV rather than a sports car. It’s probably OK up to three, though soon after, you can expect some requests for a low rider!

7 Galt Toys Tiny Trike Ride-on Toy – Best 3 Wheel Balance Bike for Toddler

This is the kind of tricycle that your parents and their parents could very well have enjoyed riding on. The style is as old as the hills, but it’s still a classic. The looks alone will make you smile.

More of a balance bike…

It differs from all the other tricycles on our list by not having pedals. So, this is the equivalent of a balance bike on three wheels. There’s no doubt that this makes it more suitable for younger children. It’s also likely that, because of the lack of pedals, it will have a relatively short life of usage.

It’s mainly constructed from hardwood except for the wheels. These are made from solid plastic. It’s okay for indoors, but it would have been nicer if an alternative had been used. The wheels are noisy, and if they’re used outside will be anything but smooth.

Great for if you’ve got another one on the way!

The construction is very simple, and in part, that’s one of its fundamental strengths. The fact is that there are very few moving parts, and that means there’s just about nothing to go wrong. Together with a hardwood frame and seat, this thing could last forever.

Finally, although it doesn’t have any adjustability, it does have a long seat that your child can slide up or down on. This helps them to adjust their distance to the handlebars. However, they’re still stuck with the reach of their legs to the ground. Unfortunately, there’s nothing to be done there.

8 Xootz Tricycle for Kids, Trike Easy Clip and Portable – Best Budget Tricycle for Toddler

This is a no-nonsense, affordable trike. Despite its low price, it has plenty to offer and is not just an option as one of the best tricycles for toddlers when shopping on a budget. We believe this is a good buy, no matter how much you’re prepared to spend.

Here’s why…

Firstly, it has a sturdy all-steel frame that is more than a match for anything your toddler can throw at it. However, despite being made from steel, it still only weighs just 2.35 kgs. Even better, it can support a child’s weight up to 25 kgs.

As well as being strong, the frame has a very long wheelbase at the rear. This means that it’s a lot more stable than the majority of trikes. It’s a cool simplistic piece of design.

Happily, the welds are also very nicely done and don’t spoil the trike’s overall looks. Additionally, the paintwork for a trike at this kind of price is exceptional. It comes in a choice of either purple or green, and both colors pop.

Relatively comfortable…

The pedals and the seat are extra wide, which makes it comfortable and easy to ride. The seat is also adjustable, so your little one can get plenty of use out of it.

Finally, it comes with blingy alloy-like wheels clad with puncture-proof EVA tires. When your toddler is playing outside, they’ll be able to do so with some degree of comfort and without everyone in the neighborhood hearing them as they play.

It’s a great trike.

Best Tricycles for Toddlers Buying Guide

Construction

The use of materials includes predominantly steel, plastic, and wood. None are necessarily superior to another though they all have their particular advantages and disadvantages.

Wood is likely to be the most durable material. If it’s longevity you need, the…

Galt Toys Tiny Trike

…is the best choice. However, trikes manufactured from wood tend to have fewer features and functionality as they’re limited by what shapes can be safely integrated into their design.

Is steel better?

Steel frames are an excellent choice for trikes. A steel frame is strong and durable whilst still being able to offer plenty of scope for design and preference. Often steel frames can be heavy though this isn’t always the case. The Xootz Tricycle disproves this by weighing just 2.35lbs despite its sturdy all-steel frame.

Plastic has the advantage of being resistant to weather and corrosion. Another big advantage is that plastic is usually also the lightest material. Plus, it’s often the least expensive option.

Style

Trikes generally fall into just two categories. These are either the more traditional trike, like the Radio Flyer, or a more modern low rider trike, like the Minnie Fly Wheel Junior Cruiser.

More traditional trikes place your child in a more upright position and are generally easier for younger children to use. They have the additional advantage that it’s easier to build a modular trike around this kind of style.

What’s the benefit of a low ride?

When it comes to low rider trikes, we don’t think they can be beaten for looks. They tend to be better for older children as an older child is more likely to keep riding one long after they’ve forgotten about a more upright version.

Another big plus for a low rider is their low center of gravity. The fact is that this improves stability. Plus, they don’t have as far to fall in the event of an accident.

Adjustability

It’s essential to have a trike that has an adjustable seat. Kids grow up very quickly, and if there’s not a generous amount of adjustability, the trike you’ve paid your hard-earnt money for could soon become obsolete.

Other than the Galt Toys Tiny Trike, all the trikes in our review have adjustable seats. However, the…

Schwinn Roadster

…gets full marks as it has the most generous level of seat adjustability.

Adaptability…

Other than being able to adjust the seat, if you need a trike that can be used initially as a pushchair and later adapted as a trike, take another look at the…

Joovy Tricycoo and the smarTrike 7J Folding Baby Tricycle

Both of these are modular in design and can accommodate a very small child in the first instance.

Wheels and Tires

Wheels and tires on trikes are often less than ideal.

Plastic wheels with no tires are the least expensive option. However, they are easily the noisiest and give the least comfortable ride. What’s more, they are generally the least durable.

EVA or some kind of solid rubber tires are altogether a much better alternative. They may cost a touch more, but they provide a more comfortable ride, and your neighbors won’t be able to hear your child as he or she rides around in your yard.

The Xootz Tricycle has some excellent puncture-proof EVA tires.

Pneumatic tires…

Finally, you can’t beat good old-fashioned pneumatic tires when it comes to the ride quality. They may require occasional pumping up and a very rare puncture repair, but we think the effort is worth it. The…

Schwinn Roadster Tricycle for Toddlers

…is the ideal tricycle for toddlers when it comes to riding quality and comfort.

Kids on the move

Depending on the size and age of your kids, you may want to check out our reviews of the Best Bike Trailers, the Best Balance Bikes, the Best Tricycles for 2 Year Olds, the Best Child Bike Seats, and the Best Bike Helmets for Kids currently on the market.

If you have any older kids or if you like to ride together as a family, we’ve got some reviews worth a look for you. Head to the Best Bike Helmets, the Best Bike Racks, or the Best Trunk Mount Bike Racks for your money.

Got a furry kid? Check out reviews of the Best Dog Ramp for SUVs you can buy in 2021!

Back to the best toddler trikes…

So which of the Best Tricycles for Toddlers won our hearts?

So, there you have it. A fun selection of some of the best trikes for toddlers currently on sale. We’d be happy to buy any of these for our little ones, but if we had to choose only one, it would be the…

Xootz Tricycle

This is, therefore, our top pick even if you’re not on a budget.

Despite it being the most affordable on our list, this classic trike has plenty to offer. We like the fact that despite having a sturdy steel frame, it’s never the less lightweight too. Additionally, it has a long rear-wheel base, which creates extra stability, and it has a great paint job too.

It’s a tremendous little trike.