How to buy the best scooters, bikes and ride-on toys

First published on Tuesday 15 November 2016 Last modified on Monday 11 January 2021

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Pondering what to buy your child this Christmas? We’ve teamed up with Halfords to help you find a set of wheels that’s perfect for your little one’s height, age and ability.

We all love that moment of pure magic when our kids unwrap their Christmas present and their eyes light up at the sight of what's inside.

And a new set of wheels is always guaranteed to put a big smile on their face, on Christmas day and beyond.

Fads come and go, but every year, bikes, scooters and ride-on toys feature in the top 10 most wanted Christmas presents for kids.

Little ones love having the freedom to whizz around on their very first ride-on toy, while older kids can’t wait to start perfecting their stunt skills, whatever the weather.

A new ride-on toy, bike or scooter is also a great way to get the children away from screens and out of the house (and it means no moans when you suggest that after-lunch Christmas walk!).

The right scooter, bike or ride-on toy will give your child hours of fun and adventure, but it can be tricky to know exactly what to choose.

Which ride-on toy will help your toddler explore the big wide world? What type of scooter is best for your daredevil eight-year-old? Will they need a helmet or knee pads to keep them safe? So many questions!

We’ve teamed up with the experts at Halfords to help you find the scooter, bike or ride-on toy to suit your little adventurer – and your budget.

And because it can be nail-biting watching your kids whizzing around on wheels without a care in the world, all Halfords products are constructed to the highest standards, and their in-store experts are on hand to point you in the direction of any safety equipment you may need.

Porsche 911 Ride-On Car, white

Best for: toddlers

Porsche 911 Ride-On Car, white: was £70, now £35

Your toddler will be the coolest kid on the block when they're zooming around on their very first supercar.

Ideal for children aged 18 months and over, it's got bags of street style, and your child will love tooting the realistic horn as they're cruising the streets (or your living room!).

Roadsterz Electric Quad Black

Best for: pre-schoolers

Roadsterz Electric Quad Bike Black, was £80, now £40

This luxury quad bike is so swish, we wish we were three again!

Your little one can have bags of fun on the cool Roadsterz 6v Electric Quad Bike, which is guaranteed to provide hours of fast-paced action indoors or outdoors.

Powered by a 6V rechargeable battery, the quad bike features easy grip handles, four chunky wheels and has a top speed of approximately 3 km/hour. It's suitable for children aged three years and up.

Indi Lulu 12" Kids' Bike

Indi Lulu 12" Kids' Bike: was £120, now £60

No one ever forgets their first bike, and this cute and colourful model is guaranteed to be a winner on Christmas day.

Suitable for kids aged three to five, it has removable stabilisers to build confidence, and an adorable panda design, plus a handy basket to carry your child's treasured possessions while they're on the road.

Mongoose Stance Stunt Scooter

Best for: school kids

Mongoose Stance Stunt Scooter: was £90, now £45

From bunny hops to tail whips, the Mongoose Stance Stunt Scooter is just the thing for over-eights who want to get to grips with scooter tricks.

Solidly built with a non-slip deck and rear brake, it'll endure bumps and knocks in the skate park, but is light enough for learning tricks and the school run, too.

And if this one's not quite right, check out the wide range of scooters at Halfords from stunt to electric, and all in-between. Don’t forget, you can ask the in-store team for help choosing the scooter that perfectly matches your scooter king or queen’s needs.

Indi Demolition 16” Kids Bike

Indi Demolition 16” Kids Bike: was £160, now £80

If you're looking for a bike with attitude to match your child's, you can't go wrong with the Indi Demolition mountain bike, suitable for kids aged five to eight.

Its bold graphics, mudguards and suspension-style forks will make it the envy of the playground, and its rugged design will give your child miles and miles of fun and adventure.

Best for: keeping safe

Bike and scooter accessories
Whether your child is cycling to school or learning scooter tricks, it’s really important to stay safe.

A helmet is essential. Look for one that’s breathable (so they don’t get sweaty), and fits snugly to the head. You might want to ask one of the experts at Halfords to help find the right size for your child.

The Mongoose Urban Helmet is a great choice – it has a tough outer shell, but inside has 360° padding for a comfortable fit. It also has front, top and rear vents, so your little one can keep a cool head during those tricky 180s!

And because tricks don’t always go right on the first attempt, elbow and knee pads can help protect from bumps and scrapes, Halfords Kids' Cycling Pads are great value and also made of durable fabric with Velcro fastenings for a snug and safe fit.

If your child is a real bike or scooter addict, gloves will help protect them from scrapes and blisters. They need to be flexible and non-slip, so BMX or cycling gloves should do the job.

And with the darker days, don’t forget reflective clothing on the school run, so they can be easily seen in the dark.

Halfords

The journey to Christmas can seem like a long one, but imagine how much easier it would be with a helping pair of hands.

Get ready for big grins as you let Halfords get you from ‘help me’ to ‘under the tree’ – and most importantly, stress-free.

Whether it’s push, power or pedals they want, there’s an option to suit you. Charge their Christmas morning with excitement with our range of ride-on toys, or watch their eyes light up when they see that bike-shaped silhouette beneath the tree.

From the cute to the cool, you’ll find a scooter to suit their style for a guaranteed wrapping-paper-ripping frenzy.

At Halfords, we know that a little journey can lead to a much bigger adventure, and with our range of kids bikes, ride-on toys and scooters, there’s no better place to start.