Looking for an Excuse to Buy My Son a New Bike

You don't need an excuse if he truly has outgrown it. In my opinion, that is like saying, "we only buy shoes at the beginning of school so even tho he has outgrown his shoes, I'm going to wait until school starts to buy him new ones." It doesn't make sense to make him wear shoes that are too small just because you bought him new ones. The bike is too small for him so get him a new one. Good luck.

Just get the bike!! My son is by NO means spoiled, but sometimes we just get him things. (Sometimes.) There doesn't always need to be an occasion, for an item. Growing out of the size, is a very legitimate reason.

You don't need an excuse. I think kids need bikes. It's great exercise, relieves boredom, and gives some independence. If he is going to experience this things, he needs one that is the right size.

I don't think you have to justify it. Around here if you need something we buy it. He has outgrown his bike. He needs a new one.

He achieved a goal... riding with no training wheels, this is a great thing.

It is summertime, what a better time for him to practice.

If you feel you need to justify it... then celebrate by him being determined enough to reach this goal. Help him continue to reach his goals as he gets older.

What is the difference between getting him a new bike because he out grew the old one and getting him clothining because her out grew the old ones... did you have to justify buying him a big boy bed because he out grew his crib? Or moving him to the "big boy" table because he out grew his high chair?

I can understand not buying them everything they want "just because", but if he out grew his bike - he may get hurt trying to ride one that is way to small. And why would you not want to get him something he can exercise with... everyone is so concerned about health & weight - so get him the bike. If for nothing else to keep him healthy & safe!!!

If my kids outgrew things, I didn't need a reason other than that to "upgrade." Bikes aren't that expensive. Just get him a new one. What a nice surprise that will be for him. Don't get too big a bike, though, for his size. That can be dangerous. Let him try some out to see what he fits on well.

I love spending money on my kids and I would buy it just because we can and they need it ! LOL

You don't have to justify it. He's your son. You love him. His other one is too small.

You can present it as a "graduation" gift. Nothing wrong with that.
I totally understand feeling like you need a "reason" to buy him an item like a bicycle.... but with his birthday and Christmas so far away, I wouldn't wait. He will get SO much use out of a bike that fits this summer.

You can even tell him... "normally, we wouldn't give you something this "big" except for a birthday or Christmas time, but you have outgrown the one you have and NEED a bigger one in order to use it properly." That should be sufficient.

We are "lucky" in that both our kids have summer birthdays. So we have mid-year points to spring for larger ticket items like that. It isn't your son's fault he was born nearer Christmas instead of the beginning of the summer, so don't make him wait that long for a bike that fits.
:)

I'd just get it. Providing your child with properly sized equipment is not spoiling. Make sure you explain to him why you are replacing the bike now though.

Sure, it can be a "graduating preschool" reward. It can be a "getting rid of training wheels" reward. Or it can be a "I want you to enjoy outdoor play and be healthy" reward. Whatever reason you want to use go for it. I honestly would not force him to use a bike that is too small if you have the means to get him a bike that fits. Want to find a reasonably priced one? Check out Craig's list.

For our oldest daughter, her learning how to ride her bike without the training wheels was such a momentous occasion for us, that we bought her a bike for that reason. I didn't need any more justification than that. She did it!!!

I think that's a perfect reason for a new bike!! Celebrate the fact that he set his mind on something and figured it out!! In life, determination always yields some sort of reward.

Graduating pre-school is fine, IF you need a reason!
For me, the fact that he mastered it, loves it, etc. would be enough incentive.

You've gotten lots of great answers, but I'll toss another one in there for you, too.

How does he know it's a big-ticket item? My 6 year old is learning what the different denominations of money are, and has even saved her own money to buy things, but she still has a hard time understanding big-ticket. He's too young to explain it to him now, so use that to your advantage.

I'm sure he gets lots of "just because" things. A new water toy at the beginning of summer. A new plant from the garden center (my kids have no idea that their "treat" cost me all of 10 cents from the sale rack!). A loaf of "fancy bread" from the grocery store (maybe that's unique to us - but the kids LOVE 7-grain bread from the bakery...kind of expensive, and that's why it's a treat..). A new bicycle to celebrate the beginning of summer? Why not. Explain big-ticket next year.

And get one with an adjustable seat and handlebars, so you don't have to go through this again quite so soon! :)

I think that would be a perfect excuse to get it for him. He's a big boy now!!!!!!!!

Aww, you should get him a bike. Let me tell you, nothing is better than a just because gift. He will be so excited!

I would just do it. We got our daughter a new bike on her first day of Kinder. Didn't even tell her why, just did it. I do that on occasion. Just yesterday I found a great deal on an air hockey table so I just got it.

In my home "just because" presents are usually bigger than Christmas. Don't think too much into it and just buy the bike because 1-he has learned to ride, 2 -his current bike is too small, and 3 -he can enjoy it this summer.

Get one now - it will be better for him & his body. He needs to be riding a bike that fits him correctly or else he will have pains in his knees/back and such. Graduating Preschool & learning to ride a 2 wheeler is a great reason.

Does it have to be new?
Maybe you could pick up a used one at a garage sale and let him use that for the summer.
Then for Christmas or birthday get him a shiny brand new bike (his favorite color).

Well, it could be a "you're gettin so big, you're going to kindergarten" sort of thing. If you're worried about the cost maybe check Craigslist or the thrift stores.

Does it HAVE to be a PRESENT? His bike is too small (and honestly, unless he is VERY small for 5, it's not really safe for him to ride a 12" bike). Can't you just get him a big-boys bike because he's a big boy? How about because he learned to ride without training wheels?

Side note, when you decide to get him one, take him to a bike shop (even if you're going to buy at Walmart or something) and have them size him for a bike. My six year old rides a 20" bike that he has had for almost a year. I wouldn't recommend a bike THAT big for a new rider (he's tall and had been riding since 3), but you might be able to get him an 18" and have it last until he's 8 or so, rather than a 16" he'll outgrow again in the next year. Just make sure he can touch both feet to the ground while on the seat, so he can catch himself without falling.

Hope this helps.

I agree that having properly-fitting sports gear is smart, and that it doesn't need a big to-do. Find a reasonably-priced bike his size and make sure his helmet fits correctly too... then let him have a great summer riding. Good exercise!

I understand wanting him to understand that it's a big deal, and so be sure to work with him on *being responsible* for the bike. Let him know that he should take good care of it now (put it away at night, don't leave it out) so that it will be nice to pass along or trade later on. (I am all about teaching our youngsters responsibility!)

You cannot spoil a good boy. You can give him treats just because you love him and you are proud of him.

I don't see why it needs to be a present at all! When he outgrew his crib you bought him a bed, right?
And it's not like it's a computer game, or just another random toy, it's EXERCISE, it's good for him, especially with summer coming up. Just do it and enjoy it, there's nothing to justify :)

In our house a bike for everyone is a necessity. Since his training wheels are off will your family ride togetheer this summer? What about camping, bike paths and parks?
It's also a safety issue, when my girls start to outgrow their bike they fall alot more. Little bikes can get pretty squirrly and with knees in the way I don't think it's safe.
If you can afford it, buy him a new bike, if you'd like to save a bundle check your local craigs list. You'll find really nice bikes at a great price.

tell him its because he finally learned how to ride w/o the trainers. That is a very good reason. He will not think he has to have a gift all the time for no reason, but I think that learning to ride is a VERY BIG reason.

I definitely don't see this as as "reward" type of thing. Yes it CAN be a nice present but it is also a practical thing. You want him to ride bikes right? If your answer is yes then you need to get him a new one because his old one is too small. IT isn't safe for him to ride a bike that is too small. Not only this but it will make riding less enjoyable for him. If you see the bike as a toy just like the rest of his toys then no, don't get him one until christmas but don't let him ride the too-small bike either.

I think outgrowing something is justification enough.

I think if he has outgrown the current bike. your the parent and as such if you think he needs a bigger bike then get him one. who do you have to justify it to? and why? I would not tie it in to graduating anything. just a hey you have outgrown the old one here is the new one. lets pass this one on to someone it fits.

I don't think you need to frame it as a gift at all. I mean, he has outgrown the old one and we don't make our kids "earn" new clothes or new shoes when they outgrow the old ones do we? Just let him know that since he is getting so big, he needs a bike that fits him better now so that he can continue to build his strength and confidence! Don't make it a big showy thing, just make it about his body growing and his new skills that needs some new equipment!

I was in the same boat this past weekend. We just ended up buying the bike and my son pitched a little money from his piggy bank . My son's birthday is not until February and we didn't want to wait. He loves his new bike more than any other toy we have bought for him

We actually did get our daughter her bike for pre-school graduation. Its not that pre-school graduation was that momentous, but starting kindergarten is. Its a very big deal and we wanted her to have her bike the whole summer before.

Best of luck!

We also have a child with a Christmas birthday. We do "half birthdays" for her six months opposite her birthday so she can spread her big gifts out over the course of the year and get something special for the summer months as well as winter. I know we all want to economize, but learning to ride a bike is an important skill and if he has to wait 7 months for a bike that fits, he might loose interest, or get hurt. Try to find a nice used one. He'll probably get a ton of use out of his 16" bike, so of all the things we buy for our kids, a bike is one of the best investments. We go bike riding nearly every afternoon and it's the best "free" fun.