Leisure biking is one of those outdoor activities that are accessible to most families. It can be done around the neighborhood, on the street, or in a park.
Yet, with so many options out there, it is difficult to decide what will work best for your family.
In this article, I summarize the best bike attachments for kids of different age groups and the best setups for biking with multiple little kids.
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Summary Table
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Front Seat  | Check Amazon | ||
Best Rear Seat  | Check Amazon | ||
Best Trailer  | Check Amazon | ||
Best Seat On Bike  | Check Amazon | ||
Best Tandem Bike Attachment  | Check Amazon |
The Best Bike Attachments for Kids
For young toddlers (12 – 20 months)
WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat
- Center-mounted child bike seat with safe, comfortable front-row view
- Sturdy steel/plastic housing installs on almost any adult bike
- Seat harness, padded front bumper and height-adjustable foot cups
- Steel support bar doesn't interfere with brake cables or bike gear
- For kids ages 1 year and up; maximum capacity of 33 pounds.Child's weight enhances rather than impairs your bicycle's stability.
By the time we started looking at bike attachments, we immediately looked for trailers instead of seats on bike. However, if I had done some research ahead of time, this is the seat I would have chosen to start with.
First of all, I love the idea of having the littlest ones right in front of you so that you can see how they are handling the ride. This seat also has a rather simple installation that should fit most bikes, and the footpegs adjust to the child’s height.
I think my favorite feature, though, is the resting pad right in front. If you have not gone on bike rides with little toddlers, then you may not know that they tend to fall asleep. This is something that always worried me because their heads hang in an awkward position, especially with the added weight of the helmet. With this resting pad, they would at least be able to have their little heads in a safer position!
Hamax Caress Rear Child Bike Seat
- Rear position seat for children 9 mo to 48.5 lb
- All adjustable features designed for single-hand operation to ensure stability.
If you are not a fan of having your child sitting in front of you and limiting your leg space, then a rear seat is the way to go. What I love about the Hamax Caress is that the seat is shock-absorbing. The back of your bike is the bumpiest part, so having that option with little ones is a great feature.
The design also allows room for helmet, footpegs are adjustable, and the seat can recline to let the little ones have a more comfortable nap! If your bike already has a rack in the back, then take a look at the Hamax Caress Rack Mount version.
In our case, we started with the Bell Cocoon 300 Child Carrier, which is the cheaper alternative. That being said, I was not a fan of this seat and couldn’t wait to move on to something different. The installation was not easy, and it was uncomfortable for my little girl. However, if you are on a budget, this is certainly an option for you.
Burley Design Bee
- Seating for one child
- Compact fold flattens the trailer for easy storage and transportation
- 20" push button wheels for quick removal
- Tinted side windows
- Ready To Bike: includes hitch, tow arm and safety flag.
- Five-point harness system.Full internal aluminum roll cage for protection in an accident.Wheel guards for protection from unforeseen obstacles.
- Hammock style seat provides passive suspension for rider comfort.
- Water resistant 600D polyester cover and seat fabric.
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of having your child on the bike with you, or you have multiple kids, then a bike trailer is the next step. It is, in my opinion, much safer because there is no balancing issue and your little ones will be riding much closer to the ground.
Can you believe that bike trailers can be as expensive as $800??? Well, I am not going to go there…The Burley Design Bee is a great mid-price trailer that comes in 1 seat and 2 seat versions. The hammock seats allow for a comfortable, cushioned ride. While trailers can be bulky, it can fold for storage or transportation. There is also ample room for storage behind the seats, which is awesome for long trail rides.
Burley quality is certainly difficult to challenge, but if you need a more affordable alternative then the Instep Bike Trailer is an option. This is what we started with and it worked well for the most part, but we did have tire blowouts a couple of times.
The thing about trailers, especially the two-seater ones, is that they are wide. That limits your access to certain places, and it also means you have to pay attention to sidewalk edges and other road features. A slimmer, in-line option is the Weehoo iGo Blast Bike Trailer. While it solves the issue of a wide trailer, you do need to make sure you can balance the trailer properly.
- Safe, engaging, and fun, you and your kids will have a blast on long rides, around town, on singletrack, and everywhere else a bike can take you
- Enjoy meltdown-free riding with the Weehoo iGo Blast
- Fits ages 1 to 4 with quickly adjustable seat and harness
- Maximum weight limit of 80 lbs
See also: Easy Outdoor Activities at Home or Near
For older toddlers and preschoolers (20 months and up)
This is the stage my kids are in, and the attachments I recommend here have worked great for us for the past year. We wish we had started with this set up sooner, so take a look at these options if you are in the market for bike attachments for older toddlers.
DO LITTLE Front-Mounted Kids Bike Seat
- This mid-mounted bicycle seat gives your kid the same view as you
- Positioned comfortably and securely between your arms
- The fully CPSIA-compliant Do Little becomes an integrated element of your bike
- Rigorously tested mid-mounted kids bike seat
- Highest passenger weight rating (up to 66 lbs);
- Durable rubber pads at every contact point protect your frame and improve hold
- Each Do Little comes with 2 adjustable adaptor fittings that make it compatible with almost any double tube bike, from cruisers to commuters to mountain bikes;
- High quality, high strength steel, and a 3-point bolted anchoring system for ultimate stability;
- Wrap-around steel stirrups keep little feet out of the way
I LOVE this seat for many reasons. It was rather easy to install and can be removed between uses, although I just leave it on. It is also easy to pedal! The seat is narrow and has a very slim profile, so there is hardly any obstruction when moving my legs.
Keep in mind that I would not recommend this for a young toddler. There are no restraints or buckles, so your child needs to understand the importance of hanging on to your bike handle. This will depend on your child, but I would say 20 months or over.
We started using this seat when my daughter was about 2.5 years old, and I probably could have started earlier. The only thing stopping me was the price! But it has been so worth it! We use it regularly, and it will last for a long time because it has a maximum weight of 60lbs! In fact, I can comfortably take my 45lbs, 5-year-old son on it.
Alternatives:
I have not tested these, but I am adding them because the installation will depend on your bike frame. The two options below have great reviews and offer different installation modes!
- TYKE TOTER Front Mount Child Bike Seat for Toddlers: slightly cheaper, and it has a handle your child can grab on to
- Mac Ride Child Bike Seat – Stealth/Black: More customizable to your bike frame, and the stirrups are adjustable!
See also: Coolest gifts for outdoorsy kids
Burley Kazoo
- Single-Speed Trailercycle
- Lightweight aluminum frame for durability, high performance and a solid ride
- Seamless single speed lets young riders focus on biking basics
- Adjustable handlebars and seat quickly adapt to growing kiddos
- Moose Rack provides hitching point for trailercycle and doubles as a rear bike rack when trailercycle is detached
- Patented hitching system improves stability for both riders
- Safety Flag for added visibility
- Innovative Burley patented hitch system with ball-bearing guided pivots to provide shimmy-free performance and double locking mechanism for extra security
- Hitch sits perpendicular to the ground, providing superior handling and stability-stable and snug in-line handling with over-axle pivot attachment
I hesitated getting this tandem bike attachment for MONTHS. One reason is that I was unsure it would work on my bike. My bike is odd in that it tends to be incompatible with many attachments.
The other reason, and probably the biggest one, is the price. It is not cheap! In case you haven’t noticed, we tend to be thrifty and usually go for cheap alternatives. This tag-along bike costs more than my husband’s hybrid bike!
So, no, it is not cheap. I was so nervous when I finally decided to pull the trigger.
But this bike attachment has made such a huge difference in our family outdoor adventures. If anything, we regretted not getting it sooner. It would have come in handy during many of our camping trips! The trailer was not working for us anymore, and while our son can ride his own bike, there is only for fast and so far he can go.
It is also large enough that it will last a long time!
So what is so great about it? The biggest thing is that it attaches to a provided Burley Moose bike rack instead of your seat pole. This makes this tandem bike attachment significantly more stable than other, cheaper alternatives (which you can find below).
There is no concern going over bumps because the tag-along pole will not hit your rear wheel, which is another common complaint about the bikes that attach to your seat post.
When the tag-along bike is not attached, you can use the rack to carry different items. You can also purchase extra Burley Moose bike racks and attach them to other bikes so that you can easily switch!
The cons, in addition to the steep price, have more to do with installation.
While the only part that needs to be installed is the Moose rack, you do need to make sure your bike has the right frame and attachment points. First, your bike needs eyelets at the base of the seat stays. You will also need eyelets underneath your seat post, although you could also use the clamps provided. The second requirement is that your bike has a rigid frame with no suspension system in your rear wheels. Lastly, if your bike already has a rack, then this option will not for you.
Alternatives
- WeeRide Kids Co Pilot Tagalong Trailer Bike: significantly cheaper option that attached to your bike’s seat post.
- Burley Design Piccolo: A step up from the Kazoo, this version includes changing gears. It is a great way to introduce kids to bike gears!
Why invest in bike attachments for kids?
Family bike rides are an easy outdoor activity that can be incorporated right at home. It allows the whole family to get some fresh air and healthy exercise. While older kids can ride on their own, depending on the neighborhood it may not be safe to let the little ones ride by themselves. For example, if you will be going through traffic or if you have to cross major roads.
Going on bike rides is also one of the best ways to explore long trails. It allows families to cover long distances while letting kids get some rest. Indeed, it is one of our favorite activities when we go camping!
Some trails are suitable for kids to ride but themselves. Others may either be too long or have too many changes in elevation where a young child may have a difficult time keeping up with their short legs and smaller bikes.
For those reasons, if you would like to include family bike rides as a way to get outside your house and explore new places, then you will need to invest in the right equipment.
Safety Considerations
What age can babies ride?
In the United States, we follow the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In that regard, the AAP states that infants younger than 12 months are too young to be carried on an adult bike. Part of the reason is related to the strength of their necks to hold their heads and helmets steady on bumpy rides.
Bike path considerations
I think that will depend on your level of experience, but in general you should avoid busy roads and challenging terrain. It is safest to stay in parks, quiet streets, and bike paths. Accordingly, the attachments I will recommend here are for the purpose of leisure bike rides and exploration.
Types of Bike Attachments for Kids
There are two general ways you can bring your kids with you on bike rides: they can ride your bike, or you can pull them.
- For kids riding on your bike, they can go behind your bike seat, or between you and your bike handle. In my experience, when the child is behind you it is more difficult to balance your bike, but you can pedal freely without any obstructions. If the child seats in front of you then it is easier to balance. However, depending on the seat, you may have a difficult time pedaling.
- Pulling your kids in a bike trailer or a tag-along bike is easier in terms of balance. Depending on the trailer you purchase, they may also be able to pull up to two kids. However, these systems are also quite a bit bulkier.
As you can see, each system will have pros and cons. Which system will work best for you will depend on how many kids you will have with you, their ages, and your own bike frame (not all systems will be compatible).
How do you attach a kids bike to an adult bike?
If you would prefer having the flexibility of your kids riding their own bikes and only attaching them to your own when your children get tired, then you have a couple of products that can help you with that.
Trail Gator
- Fits 12" (30.5cm) - 20" (50.8cm) tire diameter size child bikes
- Adult bike minimum size tire diameter 25" (63.5cm)
- Tow bar receiver fits child bikes with head tubes up to 45mm (1.77") wide in diameter and expand for bolting distance of 105mm (4.1") for top and bottom U-bolt spacing
- Fits adult bike seat post diameter 1" (25.4mm) - 1.25" (31.8mm)
- For use with children up to 70 pounds (32kg)
- Adult rider must weigh at least twice that of the child rider
- Child bike must have rear free wheel capability. (Bike capable of coasting with out pedaling)
This is essentially a tow bar that connects your bike seat post to the front of your child’s bike frame, right above the bike wheel. It works on bikes from 12″ to 20″, and can support riders up to 70lbs. This means that you can get many years of use with this product! Another convenient feature is that it folds away when you are not using it to tow your child’s bike.
A few issues you will find with this product is that, depending on the size of the bikes being connected, your child’s bike may end up being at an odd angle. Some reviewers mention this being uncomfortable for the child, particularly in longer rides. Other reviewers also mention the setup being unstable for that reason.
Another thing to consider is your own bike frame. The seat post needs to be long enough to have plenty of room above the back wheel for this bar attachment to work.
In conclusion, for the price, this towing bar is still a good option if your seat post has room for attachment, and your kids are old enough that they can ride their own bikes for a long period, only needing the occasional help to make it to the end of your ride.
FollowMe Tandem
- This device lets you safely tow your childs bike through road traffic.
- Ideal for bicycle trips in case the child gets tired.
- Quick and easy mounting, it is the ideal accessory to connect an adults bike to a childs bike.
- Suitable for tubes of all shapes and sizes.
This bike attachment looks complicated, but it can solve some issues that the Trail Gator above presents.
The FollowMe tandem attaches your bike’s back wheel to your child’s front wheel. Because of this point of contact, it provides a much more stable ride than the trail gator. The attachment works on child bikes from 12″ and 20″, and it retracts closer to your own bike when not in use. Another great feature with this bike attachment is that your child’s front bike is closer to the ground, avoiding the excessive tilting that occurs with the Trail Gator.
All of these features come at a price, of course, with the FollowMe tandem costing you three times as much as the Trail Gator. Installation of this attachment is not particularly easy and will need a bit of elbow grease, decent tools, and the ability to troubleshoot. Lastly, for this attachment to work, your bike’s back tire must have a quick-release back axle.
If your bike meets the requirements, and your budget allows, and you are comfortable with the installation, you will find this parent-child bike coupler much more stable and enjoyable in the long run.
When you have multiple kids
If you have two little kids that you want to bring along on your bike, here are some of your options:
- Get a two-seated trailer like the Burley Design Bee.
- Combination of child bike front seat and child bike rear seat installed on your bike – These two seats should be able to be installed on the same bike, but make sure you put the oldest in the front seat. Beware of your bike getting top-heavy, therefore needing a good deal of balance.
- Combination of front child bike seat, and single-seat trailer or tandem bike attachment.
If you have three little kids, your options are:
- Two-seater trailer + Front child bike seat.
- Front seat + rear seat + single-seat trailer – You could also use a double seat trailer if you have four little kids.
Our Current Setup…in Action
Our kids are 3.5 and 5-year-old at the time of writing this review. We have been using the Do Little Bike seat and the Burley Kazoo for over a year and we are still very happy with our system! Here is a quick video showing you the system in action.
Summary
I love family bike rides because they are a great way to easily incorporate outdoor adventures. If this is something you have also been considering, then I hope this list helps narrow down your options when deciding the best bike attachments for your family biking needs.
Now get outside and get some much-needed vitamin D!
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