Bikes and wheeled toys

Bike

Bikes, tricycles and wheeled toys are fundamental equipment for early childhood education. Toddlers who are learning to walk can use small ride-ons. Preschool children can zoom fast around a bike track, pull trailers, and even use bikes designed for multiple children.

At home, children may have different wheeled vehicles like electric cars and rollerskates. New trends in wheeled toys arrive for each generation of children, but bikes are a classic that will always stay in demand.

Educators can offer children extended time with bikes and scooters so they develop their gross motor skills. Many childcare centres offer a range of different wheeled toys so children can choose one that suits their individual height and capabilities.

Children may also be interested in the sport of cycling or bikes as a method of transport.

Early Years Learning Framework

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for young children. Bikes symbolise independence, autonomy (1.2) and freedom. They are an excellent physical activity that strengthens muscles and cardiovascular health (3.2) while improving coordination and balance. Bikes will help children develop commitment, persistence and confidence (4.1).

Cycling is also an environmentally-friendly method of transport. As part of sustainability education, educators can encourage children to ride bikes or scooters to childcare (2.4).

Learning experiences

Decorate your bikes

Children can make their own decorations for bikes and trikes. An easy and popular option is streamers attached to the handlebars. Encourage children to paint or draw on strips of paper before taping them on the bikes.

Wash your bikes

In warm weather, create a bike and tricycle washing station. Provide children with sponges, bubbles, buckets of water, and towels to dry them off. Ensure everyone has spare clothes first!

Be a postman

Set up a system for children to deliver letters on bikes, pretending to be postmen.

Children write letters at a table.
The letters are given to a "postman".
The postman uses a bike to deliver the letters to the recipients.

Make tracks in mud

On a muddy day, find as many different wheeled toys as you can. Invite children to ride bikes and scooters through the mud (or wet sand) to see what tracks they make. Which wheels have the best patterns?

Ride somewhere new

Where do children usually ride bikes at your service? What other options do you have available? Close off your car park for one day and use it for bikes, tricycles and scooters. Let toddlers scoot their ride-ons down a long hallway for half an hour on a rainy day.

Count wheels

Look at various wheeled toys and count the number of wheels. Which ones have two, three or four wheels? Did you know unicycles only have one wheel?