Author: Hannah Parker

What do you buy for the child who has everything? In this day and age it is really hard to work out what to buy for a beloved child – especially if it is a grandchild or a niece or nephew, when you’re not sure exactly what they have. They probably have the latest games console and the latest game to play on it. They also probably have all the usual board games and several hundred teddy bears along with 447 toy cars.

So what gift might they really love? Well all kids seem to love wheeled vehicles, whatever age they are. You would need to check with the parents to work out what they already have but wheeled vehicles of any sort of always popular. Here is a list of a range of wheeled vehicles and the age group they suit. They are ordered by age group.

Ride Ons: Suitable from 18 months. Ride ons are vehicles that usually have 4 wheels and balance in their won right. The child just has to sit on it and push themselves along with their feet, they’re good for getting a child used to moving around on wheels and great for the youngest of toddlers. They often say suitable from 18 months but my children started using them as soon as they could walk at around 1 year.

Trikes: Suitable from 2 years. These vehicles usually have 3 wheels with pedals on the front wheel. They also balance themselves so they are a good introduction to pedalling without worrying about balance.

Wooden Bikes: Suitable from 3 years. Wooden balance bikes have 2 wheels but no pedals so they are good for getting a child to practise their balance without worrying about pedalling.

Scooters:  Suitable from 3 years. These have 2 to 3 wheels. Three wheeled scooters are easier to balance so a god idea as the first scooter.

Bicycle: Suitable from 4 years. Once your child has mastered a couple of the above, they will be eager to move on to their first bicycle. Start them off with stabilisers and as soon as they are happy with that, have a session at the local playpark with knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet.