A common concern when purchasing a new bike for your child is selecting the appropriate size. After all, if the bike is too small, it will not be comfortable for the child to ride it, and if it is too big, there is a danger that they cannot control it properly. Ideally, you will want to take your child along when you go shopping for a new bike and let them sit in the saddle.
Unfortunately, this is not always feasible if you purchase the bike online or surprise the child with it for their birthday or another special occasion. Since balance bikes come in all shapes and sizes, as do kids, there is no magical one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. There are, however, ways to determine more or less what size balance bike your child needs to ride safely and comfortably.
Measure Your Child’s Inseam
The most common way to determine what size balance bike would be appropriate for your child is to measure their inseam because their age alone is not reliable enough to determine the size of the bike as the child might be short or tall for their age. The simplest way to measure their inseam is to let your child stand up straight against a wall with their legs slightly apart. Use a measuring tape to record the distance from the bottom of their ankle to just below their crotch to determine their inseam.
Once you have determined your child’s inseam you can use the handy chart below to determine the correct size bike for them.
| Child’s Age | Inseam | Wheel Size |
| 2 – 4 | 14 – 17″ | 12″ |
| 4 – 6 | 16 – 20″ | 14″ |
| 5 – 8 | 18 – 22″ | 16″ |
| 6 – 9 | 20 – 24″ | 18″ |
| 9+ | 24 – 28″ | 24″ |
Easy Tricks for Measuring Your Busy Body Children
It’s tricky to get very active children to stand still, but we’ve discovered a trick. Many parents place a book or something that can substitute or act as the saddle just below the child’s crotch while they are standing against the wall. You are then able to measure the distance to the object without needing your child to stand still. Another easy option is to take a pair of pants that fit your child well and then measure the inside seam from the crotch to the hem while the pants are on a level surface.
It is not just the size of the bike that is important, but also the weight, so make sure that you do not buy a bike that is too heavy for your child to operate efficiently. Manufacturers usually indicate the tire diameter and weight of their bikes on the product page, so make use of this information.