10 Best Tricycles of 2023

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Your toddler will love these trikes.

We updated this article in February 2022 to reflect newer models tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab. In addition to standing by our original top-rated picks, we've also added two new trike recommendations, the XJD 3-in-1 Kids Tricycle and the Radio Flyer Classic Tricycle.

Tricycles are great for helping kids develop critical physical and cognitive skills. They also provide children with a sense of independence and help build confidence. What distinguishes a tricycle from a bike (besides the obvious wheel count!) is that they tend to be l ower to the ground and have larger wheels, making them better suited for young children who have not yet mastered balancing — many tricycles have age ratings that start at (or before) 2 years old. There are also great ride-on toys that can be suitable for toddlers at this age, too. Ahead, you'll find the best tricycles for toddlers and kids, based on rigorous testing the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab.

Safety note: Children should always wear an appropriately sized helmet while riding a tricycle and parental supervision is always paramount for safety. It's ideal for children to learn to ride in a safe, restricted area that is not near a street (a.k.a. any moving cars) or a pool. But remember, children are inventive! Be sure to keep an eye on your child to ensure they are riding appropriately and safely.

Our pros love that this trike grows with a child as young as 9 months through five years old. Infants can start to explore with parents pushing, then learn to steer, progress to learning to ride and then into classic trike mode. There are a host of removable included accessories like an adjustable UV canopy, tray and height adjustable parent push bar. One parent tester shared that this was the only trike that "motivated her child not to give up and learn pedaling."

Ages: 9 months-5 years oldMax Weight: 49 pounds

Another low-riding option, the Fisher-Price Harley Davidson Tough Trike is a fun, affordable ride for little ones. Parent and kid-testers alike loved the "secret" compartment under the seat for storage. This pedal-powered ride is sturdy for little riders to gain balance and coordination skills. Since it cannot adjust, you may have to wait a bit for your child to fit properly on the seat and reach the pedals, and they may outgrow sooner than other adjustable trikes. If your child isn't into Harleys, it's also available in Barbie, Hot Wheels and Thomas and Friends themes, among others.

Our experts love that the Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer and Stroll can operate either as a parent push or child pedal trike. The seat is adjustable forward or backwards, so it can grow with your child, as well. Kid testers were fans of the included ringing bell and covered storage bin for stashing away favorite goodies.

The Schwinn Roadster is a retro low-rider available in lots of fun colors like hot pink, teal and orange — and the chrome details and tasseled handlebars top off the Insta-worthy photo backdrop! The Good Housekeeping Institute's engineers love that this tricycle is well-constructed with a durable steel frame, allowing for higher weight support.

Babies can get started on the Joovy trike as young as 10 months, helping them gain a sense of confidence and better coordination. For those early days, you can have them in the harnessed, removable seat enclosure for added support and security. Parent testers noted the seat was larger and more cushiony than most others.As your child physically and cognitively develops, you can expand from a push trike into them being in control. It even has an adjustable seat feature to accommodate their growing legs.

Doona's sleek Liki trike comes fully assembled in box, so your little one can get right to cruising when it arrives. It's made of durable materials and can be navigated by both parent and child. Our experts love that it folds down compactly so that it can fit into an airplane's overhead bins. We're also fans of the S5 model, which is a deluxe version that includes a more premium storage bag, higher-end finishes and a travel bag.

With fun, kid-friendly colors, this trike helps kids develop skills starting as they ride with their parents pushing them, then learning to steer and pedal and finally using the tricycle independently. When parents are in control, children can rest their feet on the footrest with the clutch open, disengaging the pedals from impacting the ride. Our pros love that it includes features usually reserved for more expensive trikes like an adjustable seat and removable push bar.

Definitively not a trike for little tykes, this low-rider is designed to perform stunts like drifting and 360-degree spins! It's constructed with a durable steel frame and fork with an easy-to-grip rubber handlebar. Parents of testers noted it offered a smooth, easy-to-drive ride, and reinforced that you should make sure your child is always wearing a helmet when riding, given the thrill-seeking nature of the product. That said, adventurous kids will definitely be tempted to give this one a spin.

This adorable retro trike is a fan favorite for a reason. Our reviewers love how easy it is to assemble and appreciate its solid steel construction that makes it stronger than other plastic tricycles. While the push handle isn't really meant for steering, it's great for regulating speed. When you feel your kid can go off on their own, you can easily remove the handle and watch them cruise around. The adjustable seat grows with your little one and rubber tires and steel frame mean it's durable enough to last.

While this trike is exceptionally great for your 18-month-old, kids age 10 months to 3 years can enjoy it during playtime. For older toddlers, you can transform the trike into a 2-wheeler perfect for developing balance and coordination. It's easy to assemble, available in seven colors and features fully enclosed wheels to avoid catching your baby's little toes. While we haven't yet tested this one in our Labs, our experts think its 4,500+ five-star reviews on Amazon speak for themselves.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab vets hundreds of toys each year, looking at safety, durability and ease of use — plus, they're kid-tested for the fun factor! In the end, our top picks are products that both parents and kids love. After spending hundreds of hours reviewing nearly 20 trikes in the hands of our engineers and kid testers, we're confident that these are the best tricycles to provide both developmental skills and hours of entertainment for your toddlers.

The best type of tricycle depends on your preferences, but there are two main types of trikes:

✔️ Big wheel tricycles are low-riding with a very large oversized wheel in the front. Usually, these trikes are made from plastic.

✔️ Push tricycles can be pushed by a parent. This can come in handy when you are first teaching kids — they can still steer without pedaling to acclimate. It's also handy if an older, experienced toddler needs a little break!

If you're on the hunt for a great tricycle, keep the following things in mind:

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including tricycles. The testing for this article was overseen by Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute's Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. Plus, as a mom to three kids under five, she has plenty of first-hand experience.

In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping, as well as BuzzFeed; she has also covered parenting at People.

Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH's growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH's annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor's degree in journalism and psychology and a master's degree in journalism.

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