Everyday I am discovering that the parenting world is different today than 15 years ago when I had Bella. For one, kids have the COOLEST toys now.
I went to my attachment parenting playgroup (through meetup.com) today and one of the kids had this wooden bike – it has NO PEDALS and is called a “balance bike.” The lucky kid got it in Germany and his mother sells it in her webstore, PlaynNature.com (check it out – great natural toy products there). The bike is appropriate for ages two through seven – and is the perfect alternative to training wheels. The only catch is that it is seriously expensive, to a tune of $315. But I swear, it’s the only thing Christian wants for his first or second birthday – the ONLY thing.
I even checked on craigslist for one today – I did find a pedal-less kid’s bike for $20 (also originally purchased in Germany). That may have to do for the time being.
Watch how much fun Finn is having on his bike. The first video (20 seconds) shows you how he uses the balance bike and the second shows you the long downhill cruise he took – Finn is only TWO YEARS OLD!
By the way, the dirt hill that Finn is trying to climb at the end of the first video? He gets up to the top and cruises down that hill too, much to his mother’s dismay. And in the second video, Finn is going much slower than he did for his first time down after a serious chiding from his mother (he wasn’t wearing his helmet). I was too astonished to video the first run downhill.
I’m joking when I say it’s the ONLY thing Christian wants…but we do prefer one high quality wooden toy to lots of plastic toys. My friend Darlene also recommends www.treasureboxtoys.com for good gifts. Speaking of whom, Darlene posted some touching pictures today from her cousin’s technology-free daycare; like pictures of her 89-year old dad, Grandpa Bob to many of us, having his hair combed by one of the little girls.
October 11, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hey, we got Pippa one last year. It’s called a Skut and it’s WAY cheaper, about $99 and identical. Pippa is still not big enough for it, even with it adjusted to the smallest options so I’d say it’s more for kids aged 3 and up. Clara rides on our neighbours (we got them together, combined shipping) and she loves it and Pippa is just starting to try it out. She is a teeny tiny two and a half year old.
October 11, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Ooops, it’s skuut (the other, expensive brand is Likeabike) and we bought them online here:
http://www.countrymoosekids.com/Ridetoys.html
with free shipping. You’ll see other balance bikes too, but the skuut, at $89.99 is a steal.
October 13, 2008 at 12:14 am
Thanks for the info Tiff!
October 13, 2008 at 3:25 am
[…] been a little fad brewing in the world of kids’ bikes — skipping the training wheels and getting the kid […]
October 13, 2008 at 10:31 am
Our kids never used training wheels. Just very little bikes that they could touch the ground easily… kind of like this one… only this one is better because there are not pedals to get in the way. Cool bike!
October 13, 2008 at 5:56 pm
i love nabi’s wooden drum set! how come there isn’t a video of her jamming on womantalk or did i miss it?
October 16, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I looked at all the balance/toddler bikes for my 2 toddlers the one that I ended up getting is very adjustable. It goes as low as 11″, perfect for a small or young riders.
It is the lightest on the market and has intergrated foot rests. These are the main reasons that I got the one I did not to mention price $98! (better than $300)
My kids love it! My son has excelled very quickly on it. I believe so stongly in this product that I am now an authorized dealer! Get all the details at http://www.besttoddlerbike.com
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