The biggest day of the year 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 kids’ bikes for Christmas
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.
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.
The best Halfords kids’ bikes
Apollo Claws Kids’ Bike – 14″ Wheel (4-6 years)
Take a step back in time and cycle through the prehistoric jungle with Claws the Dinosaur! This funky orange and blue bike is perfect for little ones, with both Claws and stabilisers filling them with confidence as they ride!
There’s a cool guard featuring Claws to keep fingers safe, as well as front and rear brakes to slow them down quickly.
Carrera Cosmos Kids’ Bike – 16″ Wheel (5-9 years)
If your child is ready to step up to a more capable bike, the Carrera Cosmos is a great choice. Bringing some of the features found on adult Carrera bikes to the kids’ version, children who don’t need stabilisers can go faster and further on this light aluminium-framed kids’ bike.
Available in purple or blue, this Carrera Cosmos has 16” wheels fitted with V-brakes for reliable stopping power, along with genuine Kenda tyres that will keep up with them on off-road adventures. You can even fit quick-fit lightweight stabilisers (sold separately) if they’re not quite ready for two wheels just yet.
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 Vivid Junior Mountain Bike – 24″ Wheel (8 – 11 years)
It’s time to hit those muddy trails with the superb Apollo Vivid Junior Mountain bike. Designed for rough terrain, adventurous kids can get a taste of mountain biking with full front suspension to absorb bumps and an 18-speed gearing set to get them up hills more easily.
The blue and purple design creates a super-cool look that will make them feel like they’re ready to take on the pros!
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 Kinx Hybrid Bike – 24″ Wheel (8-11 years)
With its sleek-looking design, this fantastic hybrid bike is a great step up for kids who are ready to advance their cycling adventures.
Carrera Blast Junior Mountain Bike – 24″ Wheel (8-11 years)
If you’re looking for a Christmas morning jaw-dropper, then they’ll be blown away by a Carrera Blast. Packed with features usually found on adult bikes, they’ll think they’re cycling pros with a lightweight aluminium frame, 21-speed Shimano Revoshift gears, Clarks disc brakes and 24” alloy wheels covered in sweet Vee Crown Gem tyres. Inspire your next MTB champ with this brilliant mountain bike.
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.
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 bikes for daredevils
Older and more adventurous kids may need something a bit more exciting. This is where a BMX or mountain bike can really put a smile on their face on Christmas morning. Check out this Mongoose Switch R50 in black, which comes with a full-face helmet and gloves to help prevent any Boxing Day trips to the doctor.
On the subject of 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!
For extra peace of mind, we also offer free 14-day Cycleplan bike insurance to protect your bike against theft and damage. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
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 a road bike, mountain bike or something more fun like a BMX.
For true biking enthusiasts, one of our X-Rated BMX 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 and BMX bikes and deliver them to your door for just £20!
Hopefully, this handful of ideas will give you a starting point for choosing that Christmas bike. Remember to check our bike stock finder for all the latest stock updates to save you time this Christmas.
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.
You can always be assured that our kids’ bikes offer the best value for money with our lowest price guarantee. Should you find the price of your bike has been reduced on or before Christmas Eve, you’ll receive the difference back on a gift card.
Our price match promise means we’ll also match the price of a competitor if you find they are offering a cheaper price for your bike of choice.
