*Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.*
Although I don’t have an official Holiday Gift Guide here on Listen to Lena, avid readers will take note of this post title and rub their hands with glee. Why? Because my “Put a Bow on It” series highlights some of my favourite gift giving ideas, and often, you can win them right here!
If you’ve got kiddos, chances are you’ve heard of the Strider Bike, available from Balance Bikes Canada. (And if you’re unfamiliar with the product, prepare to have your mind blown. Seriously.)
My first memory of learning to ride a bike was graduating from my Big Wheel to a small green two-wheeler, complete with rickety, hand-me-down training wheels. How I hated the “thump-thump-thump” of the wheels as I zoomed over the sidewalk, and couldn’t wait to learn how to balance on my own. While I can’t remember exactly how long the transition took, I do remember wanting to feel like a big girl – hey, even at 5 years old, I was embarrassed by my ride.
Ryder is now 4 years old, and until recently, showed little interest in riding a bike. (I blame the Fisher-Price Power Wheels Escalade in our garage, ha ha!) But, as he grew older and grew taller, I began thinking that maybe it was time to force the issue, because I didn’t want him to fall behind – even if it was just at play. My husband, bless his heart, was worried about what the neighbours would think because he was too old to be sporting training wheels.
“Ha!” I scoffed. “There’s no such thing as training wheels anymore! We’ll just get him a Balance Bike.”
Don’t know about Balance Bikes? Let me introduce you to their most popular model – the Strider ST-3 No-Pedal Balance Bike. “Give your kids a head start on learning balance and control of a two-wheeler! The Strider PRE-bike eliminates the need for a tricycle or training wheels and offers your child a vehicle he or she can have a blast riding for years. The Strider develops muscles, coordination, motor skills, and endurance… all under the guise of sheer fun!”
Here’s what makes it AWESOME:
Balance Bikes Canada generously sent one our way for review (and relief – finally, Ryder is on a bike!). Since he is on the taller side for a 4 year old, we also needed the Extra-Long Seatpost with Saddle. The seatpost extends the saddle height another 3″ to a maximum of 19″ from the ground….