Christmas is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about getting the gifts sorted. While PlayStations and Xboxes may be on Christmas gift lists up and down the country, a brand-new bike is also a consistently popular option for kids. Halfords kids’ bikes make the perfect Christmas gift, as kids can get outdoors with some valuable time away from screens.
Learning to ride a bike is an important moment for any child. The feeling of freedom and the thrill of speeding around the park are difficult to replicate, and bike riding is a great way to teach kids about road safety, balance, fitness and exercise. But with so many choices out there, how do you decide the best bike to buy for your child this Christmas?
The best all-round kids’ bikes
Apollo Police Patrol Kids’ Bike – 14″ Wheel (4-6 years)
If your little one dreams of stopping bad guys, then this police-themed kid’s bike will help them fuel their imagination!
You’ll find blue and white styling and decals across the bike to help your little one get into character – there’s even a rear toolbox complete with mini cones so they can help stranded ‘motorists’ in the park or garden! The on-theme stabilizers can also be taken off as your little one gains confidence and wants to pedal on two wheels.
Apollo Fire Chief Kids’ Bike – 12″ Wheel (3-6 years)
The Apollo Fire Chief kids’ bike is the ultimate option for your aspiring little fire fighter! The bright red design is perfect for bold and brave little ones, with the stabilisers filling them with confidence as they ride and the siren letting others know they’re on their way!
There’s also the matching Fire Chief Kids Bike Helmet and Apollo Fire Chief Bike Bell to keep them fully kitted out.
Apollo Sparkle Kids’ Bike – 12″ Wheel (3-5 years)
This superb Apollo Sparkle kids’ bike will certainly make learning to ride a bike fun. The bright pink sparkly frame turns this kids’ bike into a fashion accessory! The parent handle also ensures that you can support your child whenever needed.
With a built-in chain guard that prevents fingers from getting trapped and stabilisers to keep your child upright, you can concentrate on helping them to get their balance rather than worrying about crashes and accidents. The stabilisers can be removed as they build confidence and the shiny finish will certainly have them looking forward to that Boxing Day bike ride.
Apollo Outrage Kids’ Bike – 18″ Wheel (5-7 years)
If they’re ready to go off-path, then this Apollo Outrage is the machine for them! Powerful styling mixes with a strong steel MTB-style frame to make the Apollo Outrage a contender for the coolest bike in the playground.
Kids will be able to stop on a sixpence with V-brakes and the cool skull decal with have them excited to get riding on Christmas morning!
Apollo Glitz Kids Bike – 18″ Wheel (5 – 9 years)
The Apollo Glitz is designed for kids with an eye for style. The sleek rose gold frame will certainly have them looking the part wherever they ride. Stabilisers can easily be attached and removed as your little one builds up confidence and can be paired with many of our cool kids’ bike accessories for ultimate style.
The best Christmas bikes for younger children
For toddlers and early learners, a balance bike is a great starting point. These fun bikes don’t have pedals, so they can glide along, pushing their feet off the ground.
If they’re a little bit older, then the choices get a bit more wide-ranging. Kids’ bikes come in a huge range of colours, shapes and sizes, so this is where you might need some input. If you already know their favourite characters or TV shows/movies, then you’re laughing – we’ve got everyone from Peppa Pig to Buzz Lightyear emblazoned on a huge selection of kids’ bikes, so you’ll get instant brownie points for picking something they’re interested in to start with. You can easily add bike stabilisers to all our kids’ bikes if they aren’t quite used to two wheels just yet.
If they fancy something a little more grown-up looking, we have plenty of other options…
Apollo Wizzer Balance Bike – 12″ Wheel (First bike)
The perfect first bike for little adventurers! Built by one of the UK’s longest-running bicycle brands, the Apollo Wizzer Balance Bike offers quality, style, and safety for your child’s first bike.
The adjustable seat post means that this bike can grow with your little one, and it comes with built-in brakes to prepare them for riding with pedals.
Carrera Cosmos 12″ Balance Bike (1-5 years)
The Carrera Cosmos is the perfect balance bike for teaching little ones to ride. The lightweight aluminium frame is easy to transport, while the V-brake allows them to come safely to a stop.
Watch them ride in comfort thanks to the adjustable seat post and saddle designed especially for young riders. The bright blue design is sure to get them excited on Christmas morning!
Remember, there are plenty of accessories to add both fun and safety to their rides. Don’t forget to add a mirror, bike bell or horn, mudguards, reflectors, (deep breath) lights, front basket, stunt pegs, protective pads, cleaning gear, stickers and decals, valve caps, and of course a water bottle – all of which make great stocking fillers!
The best Christmas bike for dare-devils
Older and more adventurous kids may need something a bit more exciting. This is where a BMX bike can really put a smile on their face on Christmas morning.
Hyper Jet Fuel 26” BMX Bike (13+ years)
Check out the spectacular Hyper Jet Fuel BMX Bike with its stunning jet fuel paint finish. Complete with alloy handlebar stem, alloy platform pedals, and 3-piece chromoly crank, they’ll truly stand out from the crowd and look like a BMX pro.
A cool bike also calls for cool accessories! you’ll absolutely need a helmet if you’re thinking of revealing a bike at 6am on the 25th when they practically kick you out of bed.
If you aren’t sure which bike size they need, check out our bike size guide – all you’ll need is their height or inside leg measurement and our handy online tool will do the rest!
We also offer a fantastic one-year kids’ bike CycleCare package for just £10 to help keep your bike in tip-top condition. For more details of what’s included, please visit our kids’ bike CycleCare page.
The best Christmas bikes for big kids
For teenagers and big kids, the best Christmas bikes are ones that will last them a bit longer. Consider an adult bike if they’re over 11 and maybe ask them if they’d prefer something more substantial like a mountain bike.
For true biking enthusiasts, our Apollo and Carrera junior mountain bikes may be the dream bit of kit that they’ll want to take out for that Boxing Day bike ride. They’ll be more appreciative if you get a bike that they may have been coveting for some time, so get them involved with the buying process.
If you don’t fancy spending Christmas morning in the garage with just your spanner set for company, Halfords’ expert technicians can also build selected junior bikes and deliver them to your door for just £20!
Carrera Vengeance Junior Mountain Bike – 26″ Wheel (9 -12 years)
If your child wants to thrash it out on a hillside trail, then get them on a Carrera Vengeance Mountain Bike this Christmas.
Featuring a lightweight alloy mountain frame, 16-speed Shimano Altus gears with trigger shifters, and powerful disc brakes for performance-stopping power, our most popular mountain bike will put a smile on the face of any aspiring pro rider on the big day.
Apollo Interzone Junior Mountain Bike – 26″ Wheel (9-12 years)
If you need a great all-rounder that will keep them interested on family bike rides, then the Apollo Interzone is a good shout. The 18-speed Shimano gearing, V-brakes and robust steel frame ensure a sturdy ride.
With its sleek-looking design, this fantastic junior mountain bike is a great step up for kids who are ready to advance their cycling adventures.
Hopefully, this handful of ideas will give you a starting point for choosing the perfect Christmas bike. Remember to check our bike stock finder for all the latest stock updates to save you time this Christmas. We also have a range of finance options to help you spread the cost and make payments more manageable.
If you’re buying a Christmas present for a child this year and are stuck on what to get, you can always purchase a Halfords gift card so they can get exactly what they want. Our gift cards can be redeemed in-store and online so choosing the perfect gift is easy and hassle-free.
