The Jakayaan 3SIXTY Wooden Ride On Review

We absolutely adore wooden toys in our house, they stand the test of time and still look fabulous. Last year I told you all about our experience with the Jakayaan Balance Bike, a year later and it is still getting just as much use as it first did, and Leo is getting faster by the day.

In the year since the Jakayaan Balance Bike, Max who own’s Lloyds Worcester has dreamt up a new creation that means even younger children can enjoy the range. The latest product addition is the 3SIXTY, a toddler ride on for the ages of 12 months right up to 3 years.  It is a product that enables younger children to take part with their older siblings before they are old enough to use a balance bike, and has a number of different uses.

I first saw the 3SIXTY quite early on in its development process, before it had been through testing and I absolutely loved the concept. Max wanted to see how an older toddler got on with it, and Leo at the time was around 2 and a half, all be it a very tall 2 and a half year old. Leo demonstrated exactly what to do with it and had a great time taking it up and down the drive at home. We decided that Leo was getting a little bit too big for it due to his rather long legs, but for the average 2 and a half year old this would not be an issue.

The 3SIXTY has 2 main features, it’s a multi-directional ride on and a walker for the younger. On the front of the ride on is a handle that little one’s can pull themselves up against to aid walking. What I really love about this is that the whole ride on is so solid, you can rest assured that if your little one does decide to use it as a walking aid, it won’t topple or buckle. As it moves so freely on castor wheels toddlers can direct it wherever they wish to go, so if you have something you are trying to keep out of your little one’s way… You may want to rethink where you store it!

The 3SIXTY is set on top of castor wheels which gives toddlers the ability to scuttle round in any direction that they please. It means they don’t have to worry about steering, they really can just use their balance to push them any which way they like.

My nephew Josh has been enjoying the 3SIXTY over the last couple of months now, and he has been thoroughly enjoying his new set of wheels. At 1 years old he has been able to make the most out of the different features, and although he already walked prior to receiving the 3SIXTY the first thing he wanted to do with it is push it around. Of course Leo soon showed him how to ride it, and since then there has been no stopping him.

Josh can make the 3SIXTY go in any direction he pleases and has absolutely no problem getting where he wants to be. He uses his feet to propel him along and is getting faster all the time. I love that the 3SIXTY is set on castor wheels as I think it is a great way for little ones to learn to navigate around, they have to use their balance and weight to get where they want to go which of course encourages them to use their motor skills.

In terms of the 3SIXTY itself I really cannot fault it, it’s well made and provides a solid base for little ones to learn to walk and ride around on. It is made in the UK (about 20 minutes from where I live) and is constructed out of European Birch Ply, complete with a smooth finish.

The 3SIXTY can be purchased directly from Lloyds Worcester,and at £68.99 it doesn’t break the bank. This would be an ideal first birthday present that really does have the promise of growing with your child. We are all big fans of Lloyd’s Worcester and love being able to support a local business that we are incredibly passionate about. The 3SIXTY is the perfect first step before moving onto a balance bike, and the idea is that when your little one outgrows the 3SIXTY… They will be ready for the Jakayaan Balance Bike!

Disclaimer: We were sent the Lloyd’s Worcester 3SIXTY for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

The Jakayaan Balance Bike Review & Giveaway

I am sat here watching my little man.

My little man who has suddenly become a very grown up two year old.

A little boy who now whizzes circles around me on his very first bike.

Wow!

Just look at him go…

This is the Lloyds Worcester Jakayaan Balance Bike, and it is the perfect first bike for toddlers aged 2 and up. This bike is extra special as Lloyds Worcester are actually a local company for me. They are a small family run business based in Worcestershire and their main aim is to provide top quality products at realistic prices.

The Jakayan Balance Bike is constructed out of solid Birch Plywood which gives the structure of the bike a lovely solid feel, but at the same time keeps it light enough for a toddler to maneuver and handle all by himself.   

Leo has been completely smitten with his new bike since it’s arrival just over a month ago, he has taken every single opportunity to get outside and go up and down Granny’s long winding drive. Over the weeks I have seen how Leo handles the bike improve dramatically, and now he is exceptionally confident in getting on and off, turning the bike around at the top and bottom of the drive and is even picking up a bit of speed on the small slope!

Max at Lloyds Worcester Ltd has very kindly sent the Jakayaan Balance Bike over for Leo to try out, he even put it together for us and personally dropped it off so that it was all ready for Leo to find when we got back to Granny’s. As I personally haven’t put it together I cannot tell you exactly how long it takes to assemble or whether it is a complicated process, but the end result is sure to get the same level of hype from your little ones as it did from Leo.

If you do struggle putting it together or just want to see how it is done, Lloyds Worcester do have a great guide on how to get it up and running. Having watched the video on how to assemble the bike I can see that it is very straightforward, and it won't be long before your little one is whizzing circles around you too. 

As soon as Leo saw his new set of wheels he was up and gone. On that first evening we were outside over an hour as he rode up and down the drive. Leo sat on the seat walking the bike along, he looked so incredibly proud of himself while he followed his young Auntie along on her electric scooter.

I think this is one of the reasons that the Jakayaan Balance Bike has been such a big hit with Leo, he can get out and play with the big kids. He can try his luck in keeping up with them, and when he is on it everyone watches him…Boy does my little guy love an audience.

In recent weeks Leo has become so much more confident in how he rides his bike, I have noticed him picking up more speed as he pushes himself around. Leo can push himself up the bump on the drive and even back down again (he loves the speed he picks up as he goes).

The bike doesn't have pedals or brakes and it is for this reason that it is perfect for younger children, Leo uses his feet to start moving and also stop. He has had no issues at all in getting used to riding his bike, and I think it is such a great way for him to learn all about balancing himself as he learns to ride a bike.

The fact that the balance bike has no pedals makes it perfect for Leo who is just learning how to get around on it. I don’t have to worry about Leo getting any clothes caught up in a bike chain and he doesn't have to worry about learning to pedal just yet. The Jakayaan bike is giving Leo a chance to find his feet and his balance, in the not so distant future I can see Leo zooming down the drive with his feet firmly off the ground as he balances the bike to go exactly where he wants.

In fleeting moments where Leo has got off the bike, I have stolen the chance to have a proper look at the Jakayaan Balance Bike for myself. The pneumatic wheels that support the bike are great over bumps and slopes…As Leo has discovered. 

The handles are covered in foam for those ‘accidental falls’ that take place every once in a while when he loses his balance and tilts one way or another. The handle bar has been designed so that there is a limited amount of steering, this prevents Leo from turning the front wheel to far around and coming off. The front forks of the bike have been angled in such a way that it helps the bike (and the rider) to keep going straight, Leo turns the bike himself by standing up and turning the bike in the direction he wishes to go, before sitting back down and jetting off again.

The Jakayaan logo is hot stamped onto the side of the bike, and looks far more swanky than any sticker ever would. The logo is not going to become tatty over time, and the whole bike still looks as shiny as the day it first arrived, and it has certainly been put through it's paces over the last month. One day when Leo has outgrown this bike, I will be putting it safely away for any future children I go on to have. It is one of those classic toys that can be passed down through the generations and can be enjoyed time and time again.

I have often raved about my love for solid wooden toys that stand the test of time, and this bike is one of those toys. 

There is a choice of two seat covers in the box, one Pink and one Blue each embroided with the Jakayaan motif. The seat cover choice is great if you are buying the balance bike as a joint present for a brother and sister, that way there really is no arguing over the colour preference. I know this is something that my brother and I could have done with back in the day... Leo is currently sporting the Blue cover but if he does fancy a bit of a change, the Pink one is always on hand to do so.

The seat of the bike can be adjusted to suit your child very simply and this is is again shown in the assembly video. There are four levels to use so that you can get the very most out of your Jakayaan Bike.

- 32 cm

- 35  cm

- 37.5 cm

- 40 cm

 I can see that this balance bike is going to last Leo a long time and will see him through until he is ready for a bigger bike with pedals and brakes! The balance bike will be helping Leo in preparation for the next stage of bike and is going to really help the transition in ‘learning to ride a bike’, who knows he may even skip the stabilisers stage if he nails his balance on his Jakayaan!

So how much does a Jakayaan Balance Bike cost? Now this may surprise you. Are you sitting down? 

The Jakayaan Balance Bike costs just £52.99. 

That is a whole lot of bike for your money! 

The quality and detail that has gone into this very popular bike makes it worth every single penny. I would highly recommend this bike for any of you with second birthday presents to buy soon as Leo was absolutely over the moon to see this bike. 

The price of £52.99 is inclusive of delivery to mainland United Kingdom (excludes Scottish Highlands and islands), but for those of you further afield who are interested in a Jakayaan balance Bike you can visit the website Jakayaan website.

You can keep up to date with all that is Jakayaan over on their Twitter Page and of course their Facebook Page. Make sure you say hello as they are such a lovely team and always happy to answer any of your questions. 

Of course if you have any questions about the balance bike, I am more than happy to try and answer them for you.

I will leave you with a short video of Leo enjoying his time on the bike, there are snippets from the very first day right through to now. You can see how he has come along, how his confidence levels have risen and just how much fun he has been having!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

How would you like the chance to win a Jakayaan Balance Bike of your very own? I have one to give away to one very lucky reader. All you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter entry methods below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends on the 17th August 2013 and is open to the whole of UK Mainland.

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided with the Lloyds Worcester Jakayaan Balance Bike for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own personal experiences with this bike and all photos/videos are my own.

Introducing the Jakayaan Balance Bike

I don't usually post about review items until we have given them a proper playing with, but I really couldn't wait to start telling you all about Lloyds Worcester and their fabulous Jakayaan Balance Bike!

Lloyds Worcester is a company based locally to me and run by Max. Max has designed and manufactured the balance bike so that children as young as 2 years old can learn to ride it! The bike frame is made out of solid Birch plywood and is solid but light for little ones to maneuver it. The seat can be adjusted over four settings according to your child's height and age, meaning that it can grow with them over time.

Leo has been incredibly lucky and has been sent the Jakayaan Balance Bike to review, I am writing this after he spent an entire hour this evening going up and down the drive on his shiny new wheels. His little face was an absolute picture when I brought it into the house to show him, he instantly got down off the sofa and came to sit on it. 

Max very kindly dropped the bike off personally at Granny's house today while I was at work, he had even taken the time to put the bike together so that Leo could hop straight on this evening! 

My first impressions of this bike is that it is AMAZING! 

The Jakayaan has foam handles for those moments when it takes a bump, Leo has demonstrated exactly why they are there this evening after a few little wobbles. Each time he has tumbled he has shouted 'crash' and 'ught oh' but has picked himself straight back up and got back on the bike again. It has 2 air wheels that handled the bumps in our drive like a dream and even comes with a Blue and Pink seat cover with the branded logo on. 

Leo did not get off that bike once (apart from when he tumbled of course) and had the most amazing time toddling up and down Granny's drive. He took to it straight away and even got a little bit faster towards the end. After just over an hour I struggled to get him to get in the car and come home with me for dinner! 

What Leo has really loved tonight it being able to play with his Aunt (12 years old) and go up and down the drive with her as she scoots on her scooter. He looked ever so proud of himself as he followed her around, and I think this is the start of many more playtime's like this one!

I have left the balance bike at Granny's tonight at Leo will be back there tomorrow while I am at work, and I get the distinct feeling that he will be wanting to play with it tomorrow! I hope Granny is ready to walk along side him all day as he rides his big boy bike.

This bike is recommended from 2 years on wards and Leo is not quite 2 yet (1 week and counting) and he is really getting the hang of it.

You can find Lloyds Worcester on their website and these super duper bikes retail at a very reasonable £52.99, and if you are in the United Kingdom you will also benefit from FREE delivery!

Make sure you pop by and say hello to Max on Twitter and give them a like on Facebook to keep up to date with all of their latest news.

I will be writing up a full review very soon (keep a look out for it!), but I just wanted to share this amazing bike with you. For now though I will let Leo do the talking....

Excuse Leo's nakedness... Granny thought it was a good idea to let him have an ice-cream before I came home...I assure you he was dressed when I handed him over this morning!

Disclaimer: I have been sent the Lloyds Worcester Jakayaan Balance Bike for review purposes, but this is my honest first impression. Full review coming soon.