Holding balance is the hardest part of cycling. Pedalling is simply the add-on. A balance bike strips away the distraction of pedals so children can focus on developing the fundamental skills: balance, coordination, and steering, right from day one.

Once those skills are second nature, pedalling becomes a much smoother step.

Training wheels do the opposite. They hold the bike upright artificially, meaning kids don’t learn to lean into turns or countersteer. Essential habits for safe cycling. 

Research backs this up: studies show stabilisers delay proper balance development, leaving children with extra hurdles to overcome later. (source)

Kids' bikes are often surprisingly heavy. Sometimes half a child’s body weight.

By contrast, Frog Bike’s 12-inch balance bike, the Tadpole, only weighs 4.17kg. This makes them easier to push, lift, and manoeuvre for small kids. But also for parents who inevitably end up carrying them home from the park. Parents love how easy they are to sling over a shoulder when little legs get tired.

Frog’s balance bikes are super-light and ergonomically designed with young children in mind. Features like narrow handlebars, small grips, and proportionate brake levers ensure comfort and control. They’re available in 10-inch’ and 12-inch wheel sizes for toddlers taking their very first steps into cycling, and also in a versatile 14-inch option that bridges the gap between balance and pedal bikes. Perfect for children growing in confidence at their own pace. 

With both feet flat on the ground, kids can feel secure and in control. Instead of wobbling and tipping (common frustrations with stabilisers), they can scoot forward with confidence. Many little riders even start gliding within days. An exhilarating moment that motivates them to keep going.

Balance bikes don’t just prepare kids for cycling—they support overall motor development. Using a balance bike builds core strength, postural control, and coordination, engaging key muscles like the quadriceps, calves, and gluteals. These skills also benefit other sports and physical activities.

Frog Bikes go further by including clever child-first features:

Steering locks prevent dangerous overturning.

Chunky tyres provide stability on uneven ground.

Small, responsive brakes give children control and teach safe stopping early on.

Parents are often amazed at how quickly balance bike graduates hop onto pedal bikes. With balance already mastered, the only “new” skill is pedalling.

Many kids who start with a balance bike can ride a pedal bike very quickly, without stabilisers, and without needing to learn to balance and pedal all at once. 

Frog recommends a simple, joy-first approach:

1. Sit – let your child get familiar with their balance bike. Encourage them to walk it around, sit on it indoors, or push it in the garden.
2. Scoot – as confidence grows, they’ll naturally start to push off with their feet.
3. Glide – Soon, they’ll lift both feet and glide—sometimes giggling, sometimes squealing—always learning.

The key? encouragement, patience, and celebration. Every tiny step is progress.

But never forget to put a helmet on your child for their safety!

Frog’s balance bikes stand out for their child-centred design, informed by sports scientists and real-world testing.

• Optimised fit & ergonomics – lightweight aluminium frames, low standover heights, and kid-sized components ensure a comfortable, natural riding position.
• Room to grow – adjustable saddles and a range of models mean there’s a perfect fit from 18 months upwards.

1. Tadpole mini (10") for ages 18 months-2 years
2. Tadpole (12") for ages 2-3 years
3. Tadpole plus (14’’) 3-4 years

• Seamless step to pedals – models like the Frog 38 (14") and Frog 44 (16") are lightweight pedal bikes that can double as balance bikes until your child is ready to pedal. Simply take off the pedals.

There’s no better way to enjoy the beauty of spring than by cycling together as a family. Whether it’s a ride through your local park, a nature trail, or planning a trip further away from your home, biking keeps kids active and engaged, while providing numerous health benefits for the whole family. Plan a spot for a packed picnic for the whole family, explore new routes in your county and make it a memorable family outing by capturing special moments with photos.

Encourage your kids to set small cycling goals, such as reaching a landmark, completing a certain distance or any other challenge that you can think of. Get inspired by our Fun & Games page and start planning your next cycling trip as a family to welcome the sun back. You can also bring a nature journal to document interesting sights along the ride and challenge your kids. This is a great way to welcome the sunshine, spend a sustainable Saturday together, and enjoy a healthy, environmentally friendly activity. There are no excuses, Winter is over and even though springtime can be unpredictable, even in the rain a cycling tour is great for the entire family to enjoy. 

Here you can find some great routes to explore in the UK>>>

Transform your garden, local park, or nearby woods into an adventure zone for your children! Use cones, ropes, hula hoops, and even natural elements like logs or stones to design an exciting obstacle course and add games to it. Enhance the experience by incorporating fun challenges, games, and cycling elements to build confidence and improve bike handling skills and most importantly, celebrate your kids' learning experiences and track their improvements together as a family. 

Encourage your kids to complete the course as quickly as possible or introduce creative variations, such as weaving between obstacles, or balancing with one hand in the air. This activity is perfect for beginners learning to ride their first pedal bike or balance bike, as well as for experienced, adventure-loving kids on their MTBs. It’s a great way to develop coordination, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun!

Encourage kids to explore the outdoors more and engage with nature through a fun scavenger hunt. Our Fun & Games page offers great activity sheets to help your kids complete challenges while becoming more aware of their outdoor surroundings. You can also create a list of spring-themed items such as blooming flowers, buzzing bees, bird nests, or even different shades of Frog green. Then, take a walk or let your kids hop on their Frog bikes to see how many they can find this spring! This activity is a great way to inspire curiosity, observation skills, and a love for the outdoors.

Spring is also a fantastic time to introduce kids to the joys of gardening. After a long bike ride, the fun of planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables is another great activity in spring. Let your children choose their own seeds and get their hands dirty in the soil, which fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their environment. As they nurture their plants and watch them grow, they'll develop patience and an appreciation for the environment.

Gardening is not only a relaxing and rewarding hobby but also an opportunity to teach kids about sustainability. Encourage eco-friendly habits by using rainwater for watering, composting food scraps, and avoiding chemical pesticides. You can even link gardening to other sustainable actions, such as cycling to school instead of driving and cooking healthy, homegrown meals together as a family. Add more sustainable habits to your family routine and enjoy them together. These small steps help kids understand the importance of caring for nature while making fun, lasting memories outdoors.