[jalapeno]

DD's ready for a trike and she loves those things. So I was shopping around and discovered that there are actual trikes with pedals made for as young as 18 month olds. I had no idea! So then I thought my boys definitely need trikes too. Because really, if I get one for my DD then my boys will be wanting to ride on it anyway. So I might as well get them something that's the right size. Well, in researching those I've come across this adorable little car made by Radio Flyer.

So here's my dilema. I think DS1 would love that car. He's into cars and has used other similar toys and loved them. I would rather get DS2 the trike since he will definitely try his sister's if he doesn't have one of his own. On one hand, I figure it would be fun to have two different things that they could ultimately share. But there could end up being frequent fights over who gets what. DS2 tends to want whatever his older brother has at the time. And the car just won't be much fun if DS1 can't actually use it very often.

My boys normally end up getting different toys. But maybe it makes sense to make sure each child has a trike of his/her own.

Another minor issue is in regards to speed. The trikes would be quite a bit faster than the car probably (since the car doesn't have pedals). So if we ever actually attempt a bike/trike ride, the car might not work too well.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

(DD is now 2 1/2 years, DS1 is 17 months, DS2 is 13 months)

[finallyamom0310]

I suggest getting the boys the same gifts. They are close in age and I remember growing up with a brother 2 years younger that we fought all the time over who had what. My DD isn't much older than your boys but her trike has a handle so we can control the speed. Maybe that would put your mind at ease.

[DPline]

Do you know if DS#1 can pedal? They may be marketing trikes to children as young as 18 months, but 2 of my kids were more like 2.5 before they got the hang of pedaling and my youngest son was well over 3.

Just a consideration.

[finallyamom0310]

Great point DPline. My DD is almost 20 months and still doesn't get it.

[jalapeno]

Originally Posted by DPline

Do you know if DS#1 can pedal? They may be marketing trikes to children as young as 18 months, but 2 of my kids were more like 2.5 before they got the hang of pedaling and my youngest son was well over 3.

Just a consideration.

Yes, it's an excellent point. My youngest won't even be 18 months for a few months after Christmas. But the thing is that both boys currently will attempt to ride trikes when they are around (like at playgroups or at grandma's house). So I figure if I get one for their sister, then both boys will try to ride hers anyway. So rather than trying to keep the boys off her trike, I figured it would make sense to at least have something their size to sit on. Recently we met our playgroup at a park. The older kids had brought trikes so I brought some ride-on toys for my boys. Didn't matter - they wanted the trikes. I could just hold off in getting my daughter a trike although she just loves those things when she gets a chance to ride.

I'm making too big a deal out of it I suppose. I'm pretty sure I'll just end up getting them each trikes and just see how that goes. (But I do just love those radio flyer cars!!)

Thanks everybody for the input!! And please keep the posts coming if you have more thoughts on this!

[DPline]

I am assuming this is for Christmas? Are you in a climate where they will be able to use them during the winter? I am just thinking, what about getting DD the trike and DS#1 the car, and then in the spring find another two trikes at garage sales. You aren't by any chance in Michigan are you? I have two trikes in my garage that need a good home!

[Free_to_be_me]

I've seen some trikes without pedals...they might be good for your boys. They are just like trikes except the kids can push them with their feet on the ground without bashing their shins on the pesky pedals that get in the way...

[jalapeno]

Originally Posted by DPline

I am assuming this is for Christmas? Are you in a climate where they will be able to use them during the winter? I am just thinking, what about getting DD the trike and DS#1 the car, and then in the spring find another two trikes at garage sales. You aren't by any chance in Michigan are you? I have two trikes in my garage that need a good home!

I'm in Southern Arizona actually. So we're outside a bunch in the winter. It's about 77 degrees outside now with a nice little breeze. Aaaahhhh

[DPline]

Originally Posted by jalapeno

I'm in Southern Arizona actually. So we're outside a bunch in the winter. It's about 77 degrees outside now with a nice little breeze. Aaaahhhh

Oh yeah. Go ahead and rub it in. LOL!

[jalapeno]

Originally Posted by Free_to_be_me

I've seen some trikes without pedals...they might be good for your boys. They are just like trikes except the kids can push them with their feet on the ground without bashing their shins on the pesky pedals that get in the way...

Hmmmm. Will have to keep doing my research I guess.

[redbonec]

We are also hoping to get DD a tricycle for Christmas. I think it is a good idea for when they outgrow the stroller, but walking all together can be a VERY long walk! The tricycle without pedals is interesting--I've also seen the tricycle that has the steering handle on the back for parents, so you don't have to lean over to the handlebars to steer. I am sure your boys and girl will love whatever you decide on!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by redbonec

I've also seen the tricycle that has the steering handle on the back for parents, so you don't have to lean over to the handlebars to steer. I am sure your boys and girl will love whatever you decide on!

Just be careful picking out one with a handle off the back. We have one. A very nice one that I am sure my parents paid waaaaaayyyyy to much for. And I can't stand it.

The pedals are attached to the front wheel and go around as the wheel turns. So you can push the child, but they have to keep their feet on the pedals as they go around (which if they aren't old enough to pedal, really doesn't work for long) or you have to find a place to prop the child's feet up out of the way of the pedals so they don't get whacked by them.

There might be one with a good design out there, but just something to keep in mind as you are looking. The only way we could ever use ours with the handle on was to tilt it back with the front wheel off the ground while pushing it and that doesn't work well for very long.

[redbonec]

hmmm, thanks for telling me. So you are saying that other trikes have pedals like a bike--in the middle, and so they could put their feet on them but the pedals wouldn't have to turn with the wheel turning?

[qs mom]

My son doesn't have pedaling ability. He was nearly 3 when I brought him home. He could not pedal a trike that summer. He had a Cozy Coupe and dragged his right foot. I asked the ped, they saw nothing wrong with his legs. The following year, he rode the trike. Still trouble with his right leg following through. For his 5th ot 6th birthday I got him the 2 wheeler. He's 8 and still can't ride it without training wheels.

I would get the trike for her and the car for the boys. Let them develop the skills first.

[RavenSong]

I have to admit, I LOVE Radio Flyer tricycles and cars (and wagons, too!) But I wanted to ask you if you've considered getting the boys Big Wheels? Every single child I've ever known who has a Big Wheels trike LOVES it! I'm not kidding...I don't know why they like them so much, but they really do. I could never get my nephew off his Big Wheels when he was little. Eventually, he did give his Big Wheels up for a bicycle, I'm glad to say.

I remember when my nephew first got his Big Wheels, he had just turned 2 years old. Half the time, he'd just use his feet instead of the pedals, at least until he got the hang of pedaling.

Does Radio Flyer only make the little cars, or do they make other ride-on's like fire engines, tractors, etc.? One possible solution could be to buy a car and a fire engine. I'm just rambling here, lol. Good luck with the decision. When my nephew and niece were little, I'd spend literally hours in Toys R Us making these same decisions. I kind of miss those days....