Category Archives: Preschoolers

Two Wheels At The Front Or At The Back

Is It Better To Have Two Wheels At The Front Or The Back of a 3 Wheel Scooter?

When looking for scooters for younger children  some 3 wheel scooters have 2 wheels at the front whereas others have 2 wheels at the back. Which is best for your child?

Sturdy And Stable

Both are sturdy and stable designs for young children. However, the designs with 2 wheels at the back offer more stability. Please note that this is not always a good thing. Some scooters with 2 wheels at the back can be so stable that it is difficult to get up much speed which can be frustrating for young children, especially as their confidence grows on the scooter.

Scooters with two wheels at the back may require more kicks or pushes with their foot to get the scooter moving which is tiring for little ones. They also may be more difficult to manoeuvre​. If a child lacks confidence or doesn't want to go too fast, this type of scooter may suit them. My own boys become frustrated at not being able to move quickly. However, a scooter that doesn't go fast may suit a lot of parents. At least you can keep up with your little one and not have to chase them when they have gone too far ahead.

Kick Path

Another problem with two wheels at the rear is that the wheels can obstruct the kick path. So as they use their foot to push along, they may hit their feet and ankles on the two back wheels of the scooter. This is worse on some scooters and not a problem on others. It's worth reading the reviews to see if it’s a problem with the scooter you are considering.

Steering

Most scooters with two wheels at the front have a lean and steer mechanism where the child has to lean to steer the scooter. They lean to go right and left instead of turning the handlebars. Most scooters with two wheels at the back use the handlebars to steer the scooter.

I think both ways of steering have merits. The lean and steer mechanisms are great for promoting balance, which is good. However, many scooters for older children have handlebar controlled steering. If the child already uses a scooter with handlebar controlled steering, the transition to a big two wheel scooter can be easier.

The steering method isn’t the most important consideration on which scooter to choose unless they are already using a particular method of steering on another scooter or bike. In this case, I would stick with what they already know.

My Personal Opinion

I prefer the scooters with two wheels at the front for young children. This is because of the risk that the two wheels at the back can often impede the kick path. Check scooter reviews first to see if this is a problem - it may not be on the scooter you are considering. I also prefer two wheels at the front because they tend to glide more easily and gather more speed. Scooters with 2 wheels at the front are mostly lighter, which makes them easier for kids to control.

Having said this, I might consider getting a scooter with 2 wheels at the back for children who don't want to go too quickly on their scooter.

My advice is read reviews and consider your child to decide which type of 3 wheel scooter they would prefer.

Thomas the Train Scooter - 2 wheels at the back

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The Thomas the train scooter looks super hero cool. It has 2 wheels at the back and offers extra stability for beginners.

The wheels are bigger than tri scooters with 2 wheels at the front. The front wheels measure 150mm (compared to 120mm on most tri scooters with 2 wheels at the front). The back wheel is 100mm, which is comparable to most other tri scooters. Although the ride may be slower the larger wheels will help absorb the bumps from the pavement.

It features an adjustable handlebar height up to 69cm

The wheels are puncture proof.
The scooter also features an anti slip deck.
If you're looking for a stable, slower scooter this may be the one for you.

Frozen Scooter

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Another option with 2 wheels at the back is the Frozen scooter.

Again the scooter offers extra stability and low speed for beginners. An adjustable handlebar has a low setting of 67cm and a high setting of 70cm.

There are puncture proof tyres with fairly big wheels. The wheel at the front measures 150mm and the wheels at the back are 120mm.

The deck is anti-slip for added safety.

Obviously a great option for fans of the movie Frozen

Other Options of Tri Scooters

Peppa Pig Scooter

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Batman Scooter

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Mini Micro - 2 wheels at the front

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There are many tri scooters with 2 wheels at the front and one at the back. Perhaps the most well known is the mini micro scooter which is featured.

The mini micro really excels in its this class. It's lightweight, so easy for little ones to control and pick up to change direction or go up and down kerbs when they first start scooting.

As they grow and get more confident, the design with 2 wheels at the front helps little kids pick up more speed when they get more confident.

Another one to check out is the 3style scooter which is top selling three-wheel scooter on Amazon.

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The 3 style also has a design of two wheels at the front and one at the back.

It doesn't quite match the features of the mini micro. It's slightly heavier. The handlebar has 4 height adjustments whereas you can adjust the height to any point on the telescopic handlebar of the micro.

However it is cheaper, so it's a good option of a three-wheel scooter with 2 wheels at the front.

Check out a comparison between the mini micro and the 3 style scooter for more info.

Balance Bike Vs Scooter

Balance Bike or a Scooter? Which One Should I Get?



My son had a balance bike for his second birthday and a scooter for Christmas when he was 21/2.

So should you get a balance bike or a scooter for your 2 or 3 year old? 
Well, my son had both and I don't think there is a right answer to this question. They will get something out of both a balance bike and a scooter.

However in this article I will share with you my son's experiences with a scooter and a balance bike, what I personally think of each one and the advantages and benefits for both.

The One You Buy First Will Probably Be Their Favourite

My son had a balance bike for his second birthday. It took him a couple of months to really take any interest. But when he did he loved it and was zooming around. We couldn't get him off. He would want to take his bike everywhere he went, to the park, to his Nan's house, to his friends, on the school run, to nursery.

He loves the balance bike, so he will love a scooter too... Right? 
He loved his balance bike so much I figured he would love a scooter too. So for Christmas when he was 2 1/2, I bought him a scooter. The thing is he loved his bike so much, it took a real effort to get him to have a go on the scooter. The bike always came first and was always the first choice. I had to really encourage him to use his scooter in the beginning. Wheras his older brother (who had a scooter before a bike, always preferred a scooter when he was younger).

Balance Bike Wins...
Now he loves his scooter and his balance bike. However, the balance bike is the favourite. I don't think this is because balance bikes are better in any way. I think that he found the balance bike easy and fun so in the beginning using the scooter took more effort for him. I think that if we had got the scooter first, he would have loved that more. But it's something to bear in mind when choosing whether to get a scooter or a balance bike.

Lightweight or Heavy?

Scooters are lighter
Generally a scooter will be lighter than a balance bike. Although this will depend very much on the brand of scooter and balance bike that you buy.

The mini micro deluxe scooter weighs 1.8kg whereas the strider balance bike weighs 2.4kg. Most balance bikes weigh more than the strider. A scooter is easier to carry when he kids no longer want to scoot around.
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Having said this you couldn't get my son off his balance bike so I didn't have to carry it much. But on the occasion I did, it was certainly heavier!

Consider hilly areas
There are occasions where you might have to carry a balance bike and a scooer like when you are going uphill. It's hard on their little legs to get that balance bike up a steep hill. If you live in a hilly area, as a scooter is lighter to carry it might be the best choice!

​Although on both the balance bike and the scooter I would be very careful about letting them go down hills. They can get up a tremendous speed which can be extremely dangerous.

Make Sure You Buy The Right Size

Common mistake - buying a balance bike which is too big
Parents will often say my child preferred a balance bike or a scooter but quite often it could be because they didn't buy the right sized balance bike or scooter for their child. Many people make the mistake of buying a balance bike which is too big for their two year old. When a child sits on a balance bike their feet must be able to touch the ground. They use their feet to push them along so if they can't touch the ground, they can't use it. If you are buying for a 2 year old, the strider bike is a fantastic option. It's small enough for little legs to use. My son had a bike for his second birthday and he used it constantly for 2 to 3 years until he grew out of it.

The handlebars on a scooter should be around waist height
The same goes for a scooter. A child will be much more inclined to use a scooter if it's the right size for them. The handlebars should come up to around waist high. Any higher and it will be difficult to control. Any lower and the user will be hunched over. For young children (around 2 years old) I really recommend the mini micro scooter deluxe (the lowest height on this scooter is 44cm  which makes it easier for little children to control.

Steering

Another thing to be aware of is the steering on a scooter and a balance bike.

Traditional steering vs lean to steer
My son's balance bike had traditional steering where you use the handles to steer the wheels in the right direction. In contrast, the mini micro scooter has a lean and steer mechanism, where you lean to the left to turn the scooter to the left and lean right to go right. As my son got used to his balance bike first, it did confuse him a little bit when he first started using the scooter as the handlebars didn't control the wheels and you had to lean to steer the scooter in the right direction. He did get the hang of it fairly quickly but in the beginning it did confuse him.

What Happens When They Get Tired

When they get tired both a balance bike and a scooter have an advantage.

Can rest feet when riding on balance bike
On the balance bike, their legs get a rest as they can sit down and just cruise for a while. I think another reason why my son didn't ask me to carry his bike so much is that he could always sit down and just cruise when he was tired.

No place to rest feet on a scooter
When their on a scooter, if they get tired and you don't want to carry it, you can get straps which you can use to pull them along. Just attach the strap to one end of the scooter and pull with the other end. Check out the Scoot and Pull.

Beware - Overuse

Obviously both scooters and bikes are great. However I would say to be careful they don't get too reliant on either of them and that they do plenty of walking too. As I said, my own son loved his balance bike and he wanted to take it out everywhere we went. But as kids are still developing you have to ensure they do a wide range of activites and movement to make sure their muscles and bones are not overdeveloping in one area and not in another. For example, overuse of a scooter can result in one side developing stronger than the other side due to one foot being used to push you along.

 Advantages And disadvantages

Both scooters and balance bikes have other pros and cons. Here is a summary:

Balance bikes Pros:

  • Balance bikes are great to get kids ready for the transition to a pedal bike.
  • They are perhaps a better choice if you intend to commute long distances with your child (to nusery or school). Kids can go quite quick on them with little effort.

Balance Bike Cons:

  • No brakes on balance bikes for young children. Can scuff shoes quite easily when stopping. (Balance bikes for older children do often have brakes)
  • Bigger, bulkier and heavier so harder to store and transport. Not easy to carry.

Scooter Pros:

  • Scooters  are lighter and smaller and some fold up and so store better than balance bikes. They are perhaps a better option if you want to take it on public transport as they are lighter, take up less space and are easier to carry.
  • Better for hilly areas as you may want to carry them when your child goes up and down hills.

Scooter Cons​

    • The lean and steer steering can make it confusing for them when they transition onto other rides ons or bikes with traditional steering which is controlled by the handlebars.

Strider Balance Bike

Strider balance bike is an excellent choice for a first balance bike.

  • The age recommendation is 18 months to 5 years.
  • Lightweight for a balance bike at 2.9kg
  • Adjustable seat height from 27cm to 48cm
  • Adjustable handlebar height
  • Maintenance free, puncture proof wheels
  • Padded seat
  • Footrests
  • Lightweight steel frame
  • Mini handlebars and mini grips perfect for little hands.

Mini Micro Deluxe Scooter

It's difficult to go wrong with the mini micro scooter for kids aged 2 to 5.

  • Lightweight at just 1.8kg
  • Adjustable handlebar from 44cm to 69cm to accommodate most children between ages 2 and 5.
  • Not foldable but stem can be taken out of the base for easy storage and transportation.
  • Built to last. Each main part is either repairable and replaceable so scooter can be passed onto younger siblings or sold secondhand.
  • Easy and safe rear brake

Videos

Top 6 Best Travel Scooters For Kids

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What Is The Best Travel Scooter for Kids?

Are you looking to take a lightweight and compact travel scooter for your kids on your travels? Taking a scooter on holiday means that kids who are reluctant to walk can keep up without moaning. They can also be fun for exploring!

However, packing a scooter in our luggage can bring challenges. If travelling by airplane, you will have weight limits with your luggage or have a limited amount of luggage you can take on board. If you are travelling by car, a scooter may be hard to fit in the car with all the other bags you are taking. This may put you off taking a scooter along with you. But fear not, there are many scooters that can accommodate for these problems.

Wherever you are going the important considerations for a scooter to take on holiday are that it is lightweight so is easy to carry and will fit inside your luggage. It must be able to fold or have an easily removable handlebar so you can fit it in your suitcase or the car.

Here are some options of good scooters for travelling with the kids.

Mini Micro Scooter (Classic)

It's no secret on this website that I love the mini micro scooter and I think you will find most people who make the investment and buy one feel the same. It also makes the best scooter for travelling with young children.

✔️ Super Lightweight - Probably the most lightweight scooter on the market coming in at 1.5kg. This means it won't add much to your luggage weight which is great if you are flying and don't want to pay extra for luggage.

✔️ Removeable Handlebar - Although this scooter cannot fold you can very easily remove the handlebar to fit it in your car or your suitcase too.

✔️Age Recommendation - 3 to 5 years

Check out my full review of the scooter.

 

Mini Micro Scooter (Deluxe)

The Mini Micro Deluxe is very similar to the classic scooter above expect it's foldable, it's age range covers 2 to 5 years and it has an adjustable handlebar. The adjustable handlebar and folding mechanism adds just a little bit more weight to the scooter. So it weighs 1.8kg and not 1.5kg like the classic. It has more features than the classic but does costs a little bit more.

✔️ Very lightweight - next to the micro classic, it probably is the lightest scooter for young children out there with a weight of just 1.8kg

✔️ Adjustable handlebar - the handlebar adjust from 48 to 64 cm

✔️The t-bar can be removed from the base for easy transportation.

✔️Age Recommendaton - 2 to 5 years

Which scooter you get may depend on the age of your child, how much you want to spend and if it's important the scooter can quickly fold and unfold.

Globber Primo Elite Scooter

The Globber Elite Primo has some great features which make this a great 3 wheel travel scooter for little kids.  It's aimed at kids between ages 2 and 6 and has some fab features which make it super handy to have on your travels.

✔️  Trolley System -  Once folded an adult or child can easily pull the Primo scooter along behind them using the trolley system. This is ideal when little kids have had enough of scooting but you still need to walk somewhere.

✔️ The scooter is light, weighing 2.5kg so easy to carry (although not as light as the micro deluxe scooter)

✔️ "Lean to steer". Lean left to go left and right to go right (exactly the same steering as the mini micro scooters).

✔️4 height adjustable handlebar.

✔️A steering lock. Press the button and the scooter can only go forwards and backwards. This is great for young rider who are learning to scoot as they don't have to worry about turning until they can scoot in a straight line.

Zinc Flyte Case Scooter

Would the kids love to scoot with their luggage rather than walk? This suitcase/scooter combo could be the optimal choice for them.

It's both a scooter and a suitcase. Pack your suitcase (it has a 25 litre capacity) and then ride it along as a scooter. The scooter can be folded down into the suitcase when needed. You can also just use the scooter handlebar to pull the suitcase along as well. And the handles can be used to carry the case.

There are lots of different designs to choose from including a space, dinosaur, unicorn, shark and owl design. It's aimed at kids between 4 and 8 years old.

The scooter should be fine to fit as cabin luggage although the size you can take on varies between airlines, so check with your airline before you buy and fly.

Maxi Micro Scooter

For older kids, another great lightweight scooter option is the maxi micro scooter. It's a 3 wheel scooter which is designed by the same people who make the mini micro above but it's designed for kids aged 6 to 10 years old. It's super lightweight for a scooter at just 2.5kg so again shouldn't add too much to the weight of your luggage. You can also remove the handle for easy storage and transport.

✔️ Very lightweight for an older child's scooter at just 2.5kg

✔️ Removable Handlebar - the scooter isn't foldable but the handle can be detached from the base. A folding mechanism adds weight to a scooter which is why to keep the scooter lightweight, micro haven't added one.

✔️Height adjustable handlebar - from 68cm - 91cm

✔️ Age Recommendation - 5 - 12 years

JD Bug Street Scooter

If you're looking for a lightweight and foldable 2 wheel scooter to take on holiday with you this is a fantastic option.

✔️ Weight - weighs just 2.8kg

✔️Height adjustable - the handlebar adjusts from 63cm-95cm.

✔️ Foldable - easily folds and unfolds with a quick release clamp. The handlebars also fold down which means the scooter is more compact to fit in a car on in a large suitcase.

✔️ Carry strap - it comes with an detachable shoulder strap to make it easy to carry.

✔️ Age Recommendation - 5 to 12 years

 

JD Bug Junior Street Scooter


Another option of 2 wheel scooter for a younger child is the JD Bug Junior scooter which is slightly smaller than the JD Bug street scooter featured above, weighs less and has a slightly younger age recommendation. It's also cheaper so worth considering for younger children.

✔️ Super light - This is the lightest two wheel scooter featured on the page at just 2.3kg.

✔️Height adjustable - the handelbar adjusts from 63cm - 85cm

✔️ Smaller footplate - the deck is shorter for a smaller foot. The size is 44cm by 9ccm.

✔️ Foldable - like the street scooter, the junior is easy to fold and unfold with a quick release clamp

✔️ Age Recommendation - 4 to 8 years

See an indepth comparison of the JD Bug Junior vs JD Bug Street.

Micro Sprite

If you're a fan of the micro scooters, the micro sprite is a lightweight two wheel option. It's not quite as light as the jd bug scooters and the sprite is more expensive. However, the micro family of scooters is well known for their high quality so you can be in doubt that this will last for years.

✔️ Weight - the micro weight 3.28kg

✔️ Foldable - it is easy to fold and unfold with a quick release clamp

✔️Height adjustable - the handlebar can height adjust from 64cm to 95cm

✔️Age Recommendation - 5 to 12 years

Lightest Stunt Scooter

Older kids and teens may request to take a stunt scooter away with them on holiday to use at the skate park. Stunt scooters don't have foldable or removable handlebars so they can be quite difficult to pack away in luggage. If you do want to take a stunt scooter away on  your travels, it is best to choose a lighter one so it's easy to carry. Some stunt scooters are lighter than 3.5kg, so these are always a good option.

Grit Elite Pro Scooter

 

✔️ Weighs 3.44kg which is light for a stunt scooter

✔️ The scooter dimensions are 530mm wide and 580mm high

✔️ Durable and well built with alloy core 110mm wheels to withstand the impact of jumps and tricks.

✔️ For beginners and intermediate scooter riders from 8 years plus.

Folding Scooters

There are tons of folding scooters out there. The weights vary from scooter to scooter but it's worth checking out the weights of some and see if they would be an option for you to take with you when you travel.

Buy a Cheap Scooter And Get It Delivered On Arrival

Another idea is to buy a very cheap scooter and have it delivered to the location where you are going so you don't have to travel with it.  So if you are going to visit family or friends in the UK, you could consider having it delivered to their house before you arrive.