Toys Toys Toys

The Next BIG Thing In Outdoor Toys-Strider Balance Bikes For Kids

As a Kindermusik educator, Moms have entrusted me with the musical education of their families. Our relationships go far beyond just the classes, and I am always on the lookout for new ways to nurture and develop their children. As a Mom, I know what it means to be quality conscious and penny thrifty, so when I came upon this unique “toy”, which has quite literally changed our lives, I was thrilled to share with anyone and everyone.

I am a cautious shopper and yet when I saw the potential that this bike offered, not to mention the beatific grin on my son’s face, not only did I purchase the bike on the spot but convinced the owner/inventor to let me become one of his distributors. I knew that this would be the end of a dinosaur. The tricycle as we know it – unwieldy, cumbersome, dangerous, frustrating and heavy may be put to rest. Usher in a new era, a bicycle ergonomically designed to accommodate the natural movement of a developing toddler. This is the bike for the next generation of riders.

Ryan Mcfarland, the inventor of this priceless item, is a family man who recognized the need to improve the safety and design of bikes for children who were learning to ride. He and I shared the common desire to provide appropriate outlets for our active children. How ingenious, to create a vehicle that could accommodate even the littlest one just learning to walk. The beauty is in the design. The child merely sits on the bicycle and begins to “stride”. Who knew exercise could be so much fun!

My life’s direction changed one ordinary Sunday afternoon, when we chanced upon a demonstration Ryan was holding at the annual International Motorcycle show. I eyed the bike with skepticism. After all, who wants a bicycle with no pedals? My son was growing bored with the exhibition, so I thought it would buy me a few moments of distraction if I let him “test drive” the item. It was cute, a miniature replica of a bicycle, sans the pedals. I was confident this wouldn’t last more than a few minutes. The child was just 2 and I was sure he would become frustrated as with all the other riding toys piled up at home. To my surprise and delight within moments he was scooting around the test arena and drawing quite a crowd!

I was impressed with Ryan’s warm demeanor and his genuine interest and passion in his product. He provided me with some tips and techniques to enhance the riding experience and we were on our way! I chose to have the bike assembled and we were actually able to hang it on the back of our carriage. Mind you, as we wended our way through the throngs of people the lightweight tiny vehicle remained steady the entire time. I knew that with an ordinary tricycle, within minutes the wheels or handle bars, would have injured a passerby. This was true freedom! I was sold.

The minute we returned from the city, my son tried’ out his bike, ignoring the fact that we were in midst of a substantial snowfall. Surprisingly, he was able to maneuver the bike quite well, despite the snow. The strider can ride anywhere a child can walk. Sand, dirt, land, snow and of course the street are some of the places to “stride”. The best part is all the movement is controlled by the child’s legs. He is able to stop and start at his own pace.

This little bike is small, compact and featherweight. Throw it in the back of your trunk and you’re ready to ride-anytime. No more backs aching from pushing the tricycle that your child’s little legs aren’t strong enough to push. No more whining to re-position the trike every few minutes because your child hasn’t mastered the pedals. Enjoy the freedom to allow your child to experiment with his bicycle while you watch his progress. Share in the successes as a family-applaud each new physical milestone and watch your child’s confidence grow.

The 360 degree swivel of the handle bars prevents chest, stomach and spleen injuries, one of the causes of emergency room visits. The handlebars collapse flat when the child falls as opposed to the 90 degree fixed position of a tricycle. Case in point, the other day my son fell on the bars on a cheap plastic riding toy, fashioned after a tricycle. It took me awhile to sort through the screams to locate the source- a nasty abrasion on his chest.

This bike is the only form of outdoor recreation your child will ever need or want. How many types of riding toys are collecting dust awaiting their proper burial at the garage sale? I will never have to search again for the annual spring outdoor toy, knowing it will join its brothers in a few months. This bike grows with the child as the adjustable seat allows a 50 pound weight limit. Never worry about the training wheel nightmare, again. The bike is designed with the premise of allowing the child to find his/her natural balance which eliminates the need for stabilizers once transitioning to a regular bike. Your child will naturally shed the “Strider” like outgrown clothes, once he/she is ready for a regular bicycle.

About the Author

Annette Simmons is a Mom, Entrepreneur, Kindermusik educator / owner and Independent Distributor of Strider Running Bikes For Kids.

She is passionate about sharing with friends and family her personal experiences and prides herself on providing the most accurate information and research to help better families.

Visit her website to purchase a Strider Bike

Strider Balance Bikes

Riding the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train, Indian Himalaya Adventure

Baby Einstein – On the Go – Riding, Sailing and Soaring $11.45 Baby Einstein celebrates things that go–from trains and planes to boats and bikes–in this 40-minute foray into the world of transportation for the toddler set. Called a “digital board book,” the film is divided into segments of land, air, and sea. The deliberately paced scenes feature classical music by great composers (such as Haydn and Mozart) integrated with puppets, live action, and compute…

Chuggington: Let’s Ride the Rails $5.98 Includes the episodes “Braking Brewster,” “Clunky Wilson,” “Can’t Catch Koko,” “Old Puffer Pete’s Tour,” “Koko on Call,” and “Hodge and the Magent.” 62 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; games….

Thomas & Friends: Come Ride the Rails $4.01 THOMAS & FRIENDS:COME RIDE THE RAILS – DVD Movie…

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Corn Popper Push Toy $8.88 12 months & up. Popping with colorful balls to entertain and encourage walking, as well as counting and visual tracking. Helps little ones learn numbers and counting skills. Push it along for sounds and lights, as the colorful balls pop inside the plastic dome. Requires 3 AA batteries (not included) for sounds and lights….

Playskool Step Start Walk ‘n Ride – Colors May Vary $20.00 When little wobblers are bored with walls and sofa edges, and there’s no one to offer a hand, they can two-foot it safely across that open ocean of living-room floor with the help of the Step Start walker. This dual-purpose toy acts as stable support as they learn to walk, then lets them roll along when they want to ride. Once they are secure on their legs, the walker converts easily to a fir…

Balance Buddy (Adjustable) $19.99 An adjustable, removable handle designed to provide greater safety to both the parent and child throughout the process of teaching balance and riding skills on a bicycle. Product of the USA….

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Pet Vet Double Treat: 3D Animal Hospital & Wild Animal Hospital $8.99 Hours of Fun with 2 Pet Vet Simulations in 1 Collection!Product InformationHave twice the fun with running two Pet Vet simulations!  Run your very own pet vet clinic with Pet Vet 3D Animal Hospital.  As doctor you’ll get to take care of fuzzy bunnies adorable cats dogs horses ponies and even piglets. Enjoy awesome activities from check-ups dog training and even horseback riding.  Pet Vet 3D Wil…

Barbie Horse Adventures Riding Camp Join Barbie at Riding Camp! Product Information Embark on an amazing summer adventure at the Roberts Stables. While learning to groom, feed and care for your horse, you´ll take on riding lessons across five different equestrian disciplines. Explore a vast island, undertake time trials and join in fun tasks like gathering blueberries for a slumber party at the bunkhouse. You´ll train, ride and ju…

Christmas Postcard with Santa Riding a Train with Toys – 24H x 15W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Toccata for Toy Trains $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Toccata for Toy Trains is a 1957 short film by Charles and Ray Eames. It is also the title of the instrumental music composed for the film by Elmer Bernstein. The film features mostly antique toy trains moving within fanciful settings to a toccata. The film is shot from a toyseyeview. A short narration at the beginning extols the design merits of toys versus scale models.Charles (19071978) and Ray (19121988) Eames were American designers, married in 1941, who worked and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial design, fine art, graphic design and film. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 98 Publication Date: 2010/08/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.23 inches

101 Classic Toy Trains: Best of the Postwar Years $19.52 Collectors and operators alike will find 101 Classic Toy Trains a valuable reference guide to the finest toy trains produced in the classic post-World War II era. Roger Carp, toy-train historian and Classic Toy Trains senior editor, presents the top toy train accessories, locomotives, and railcars and explains why each one is so collectible. For each item, you’ll find a colorful photo, fascinating history, fun facts, collectible information, and approximate value. Includes 101 detailed color photos.

Old Toy Trains $4.99 By Roger Miller. For easy piano. Christmas; Country; Pop. 2 pages. Published by Hal Leonard – Digital Sheet Music

Command Control for Toy Trains $14.95 No Synopsis Available

Trackwork for Toy Trains $17.11 Nothing characterizes a lay train layout like its three-rail trackwork, and nothing is more important to a lay train operator’s enjoyment. This essential guide addresses O gauge trackwork from nearly all of today’s major manufacturers. The author provides an overview of the various lines of sectional and flexible track, then demonstrates with step-by-step photography the basic techniques for cutting, bending, wiring, and layout installation. Also includes tips and tricks for working with special trackwork, such as switches, crossings, and accessory activation sections.

40 Dolphin Riding Toy/ Wooden Stick(Pack of 6) $39.6 40″ Plush Dolphin Riding Toy with Wooden Stick.

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40 Orca Riding Toy/Wooden Stick W/Sound(Pack of 12) $19.8 40″ Plush Orca Riding Toy with Wooden Stick and Sound.

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Wiring Handbook for Toy Trains By Plummer, Ray L. $22.87 Author: Plummer, Ray L. Subtitle: Traditional Layout Wiring Publication Date: 2008/09/12 Number of Pages: 95 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 5.50 Height: 8.50

Scenery Techniques for Toy Trains By Riddle, Peter H. $22.87 Author: Riddle, Peter H. Publication Date: 2011/12/01 Number of Pages: 79 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 8.25 Height: 11.00

101 Classic Toy Trains By Carp, Roger $28.24 Author: Carp, Roger Subtitle: Best of the Postwar Years Publication Date: 2010/12/01 Number of Pages: 127 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 8.25 Height: 10.75

Le Toy Van BK934 New Budkins Bendy Wooden Riding Girl $22.75 Fun bendy wooden character that s great for Le Toy Van dolls houses and play sets. This Riding Girl is perfect for little hands and big imaginations. Designed in the UK by Le Toy Van. Made from sustainable wood with fair trading at every stage.

Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2011 $10.71 This is the essential guide that collectors need before buying, selling, or trading any Lionel toy train or accessory. The latest edition of the famous Greenberg’s Guide lists current prices and other reference information for prewar, postwar, and modern trains. A thorough introduction offers collectors helpful hints on collecting, buying, and determining condition.

Universal Riding Goggles $22.6 Universal Riding Goggles is in stock and ready to ship from TrendTimes.com. Our toy stores sell Universal Riding Goggles for the best price of $16.85 and personal shoppers are standing by to assist you.

Universal Riding Gloves $19.94 Universal Riding Gloves is in stock and ready to ship from TrendTimes.com. Our toy stores sell Universal Riding Gloves for the best price of $14.87 and personal shoppers are standing by to assist you.

Topics Entertainment Fun With Trains 4 DVD Box Set $6.95 4 DVDs full of non-stop fun and learning! Youngsters learn all the inner workings of everything from steam-powered locomotives to modern-day engines with Fun with Trains, the 4-DVD collection of fascinating, behind-the-scenes videos with bonus cartoon classics. I Love Big Trains crosses from America to Europe, stopping at historic railroad landmarks and revealing railway legends worldwide. Talk to an actual train engineer to discover what it’s like to work onboard a powerful diesel, in I Wanna Be A Train Engineer. Witness the amazing tools used to power these enormous engines, and the men and women who keep them running, with Awesome Trains. Finally, exciting toy train action rides into town with I Love Toy Trains, a compilation of the country’s most popular children’s series. From steam-powered whistles to toy train bloopers, Fun with Trains travels down the track to video excitement.

Wooden Horse-Riding Pen Container Holder DIY Puzzle Toy $2.2 Description:Brand new and in good condition.This fascinating and challenging Wooden Pen Holder Puzzle Toy brings great fun to you when you are playing.You can assemble a wooden horse-riding pen holder when finished. Made of high quality no-toxic, harmless and lightweight wooden material.It improves hand-eye coordination, provide practice in visualization, planning and encourage creativity.No glue or tools needed, simply push out the pre-cut pieces and put them together in the appropriate slots.This DIY Wooden Puzzle Toy can be finished with paint or varnish or left in natural wood.Once assembled, this model is an excellent educational tool for teaching in school!The DIY Horse-Riding Pen Container Toy is also a great collectible item for home display and great gift for family or friend.Suitable for kids age 3 and up.Package Dimension: ~23(L) x 18.6(W) x 0.6(H)cm.Weight: 125g.Package Contents:1 x Wooden Horse-Riding Pen Holder Puzzle Toy

No Toy $10 No Toy

The Original Toy Company T2268 Red Riding Hood Tellatale Hand Puppet $28.73 Stories can be made up told and retold using these soft to the touch hand puppets. This beautifully detailed hand puppet Red Riding Hood is super. She has lovely red shoes and dress and is wearing her hooded cloak. She is carrying her picnic basket all ready for going to see Grandma. A must for any imaginative childs toy collection. Features Hand embroidered and partially stuffed so it doubles as a huggable soft toy Made from highquality fabric than can be surface washed Ages 1 year and up Spot clean only Dimensions 12.5L x 12W inches

Transportation Toy Box $168 1-2-3 Cleanup This attractive and adorable toy box will delight your child and encourage him to clean up his toys Decorated with airplanes trains trucks and fire engines this toy box features a spacious interior as well as two safety-lid supports and finger-hole cutouts to prevent pinching Hand Painted

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE:RIDING THE RAILS BY AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (DVD) $23.37 Tells the story of the 250,000 teenagers who left their homes and hopped freight trains during the Great Depression, including interviews and archival footage of teens riding atop speeding trains. Artist: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Genre: Television: WGBH Rating: NR Release Date: 25FEB2003

Horseback Riding for Dummies $16.3 You’ve always dreamed of riding horses. So what are you waiting for? It’s time you realized your equestrian dreams and learned to ride like a pro on the back of a noble steed. And "Horseback Riding for Dummies" shows you how. Don’t know a horse’s head from its tail, a trot from a canter, withers from a fetlock? No problem. Coauthored by a medal-winning equestrian and nationally respected equestrian trainer, it tells you what you need to know about that elegant animal, body and soul, to become an accomplished rider. And it trains you in all the technical basics of riding for fun or competition, including how to: Find a good stable and instructor Select riding gear Warm up and keep riding muscles fit Establish a rapport with a horse Cue a horse to walk, jog, trot, lope, and cantor Ride in the ring and on trails Improve your balance and timing Compete in horse shows Buy and care for your own horse Stop dreaming about it and learn to ride like the wind with "Horseback Riding for Dummie"s–the ultimate beginner’s guide to all things equestrian.

Ceiling Fan Designers 42FANKIDSTTTL Toy Trains Lionel Ceiling Fan 42 in. $105.71 Brand new 42 Hugger Ceiling Fan with Schoolhouse Style Light. It is a hand crafted ceiling fan perfect for any child s room office den garage playroom bedroom restaurant etc. The blades are reversible with an white finish on the other side. It has a convenient three speed switch for year round comfort. Summerforward air motion creates cooling breeze and winterreverse air flow recirculates rising warm air. The light uses a 60W candelabra bulb. This fan comes with a 15 year manufacturer s warranty. White finish with an attractive schoolhouse globe light. Flush mount design for low ceilings. Measures 12.5 from ceiling to bottom of fan. 120 volt 3speed reversible motor. Dualcapacitor speed control. Double seal bearings for quiet smooth operation. Self aligning blade arm eliminating any wobble. Forward reverse switch. Uses single 60 watt candelabra bulb (not included). For indoor use only.

Ceiling Fan Designers 52FANKIDSTTTL Toy Trains Lionel Ceiling Fan 52 in. $227.81 Brand new 52 Ceiling Fan with Light Kit. It is a hand crafted ceiling fan perfect for any child s room office den garage playroom bedroom restaurant etc. It has a convenient three speed switch for year round comfort. Summerforward air motion creates cooling breeze and winterreverse air flow recirculates rising warm air. The (3) alabasterstyle glass lights use 60W bulbs. This fan comes with a 30 year manufacturer s warranty. 120 volt 3speed reversible motor. Uses (3) 60 watt bulbs (included). Comes with 2 4 down rods. Measures 17 from ceiling to bottom of fan with 4 down rod. For indoor use only.