The birth of the Big Wheel tricycle took place at the 1969 Toy Fair in New York when Louis Marx first introduced his Big Wheel for kids. This particular kind of tricycle was different from the regular tricycles in two aspects.
- The front wheel was extremely large compared to the other two
- It rides very low, just inches above the ground
Soon after its introduction in 1969, it got immensely popular and soon became one of the most popular toys in the 1970’s. In fact, in November 2009, The Big Wheel tricycle, together with a few other famous toys was inducted to Toy Hall of Fame for the amazing popularity it had had during the last few decades. The term ‘Big Wheel’ was trademarked by Louis Marx, but that didn’t stop other companies from producing Big Wheels for Kids, that looked like the original Big Wheel. Various different kinds of big Wheeled Tricycles were produced and we have provided 10 examples on our homepage and you can read it here >> Big Wheels For Kids
Empire plastics took over the production of the Big Wheel Tricycle, however declared bankruptcy in 2001. However, this did not stop production of other Big Wheel Tricycles. Many toy companies including and not limited to Fisher Price, Razor, Huffy etc. went on designing and producing newer and more modern versions of the Big Wheel at regular intervals. As a result, today there are over a dozen Big Wheel Tricycle models available for kids. There are also Big Wheels for Adults, but we limit information on this website for Big Wheels for Kids.
Few examples of Modern Big Wheels for Kids
One of the more popular models of the modern Big Wheel is known as the Huffy Green Machine. As the name or the trike implies, it is a green color three wheeler. There is also a Pink Huffy Green Machine that is produced for girls.
Another very popular model is the Radio Flyer Big Flyer. It has got a 3 position adjustable seat and an 11.5 inch Big Wheel. Kids absolutely love this little three wheeled bicycle and the reviews are awesome.
Another popular Big Wheel for Kids is known as the Original 16 inch Big Wheel Tricycle. As the name implies the front wheel is a massive 16 inches. However the reviews are not very good for this product. Some of the buyers go on to say that the plastic is very flimsy and cheap and that it cannot be compared to the actual ‘Original’, which is the tricycle that came up in the 1970’s.
Although some of these newer models of Big Wheels for Kids are made of plastic, others are made of steel/metal thus strength and durability is not a problem. Some of them also come with extra bonuses like the capability to spin and drift yet maintaining the stable low ride that rules out tripping over. An ideal example is the Razor Rip Rider 360.
As you can see, if you are looking to buy a Christmas gift for your kids this thanksgiving or later there are many models of Big Wheel Tricycles to choose from. The prices start at as low as $30 and go well beyond $250.
