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Spring is just around the corner and since my three kids all have spring birthdays, bikes and bike accessories are standard fare for presents. There are several things I've learned over the years about buying bikes for kids, and it's definitely something you must do with your children. With a great bike for both parents and kids, outdoor activity just comes naturally. There are so many great things to do on a bike. First, here are some tips to purchasing a bike for children.

1. Make the size of the bike the most important aspect. A bike cannot be too big for a child, and don't convince yourself that they'll grow into it. The right sized bike makes it easier for the child to control it, which leads to better bike safety.

2. Let your child straddle the bike. Their bottom should be just below the bike seat. When they sit on the seat with their hands on the grips, they should be able to put their toes and/or the balls of their feet ont he ground.

3. When your child is sitting in the bike seat, make sure they can reach the handlebars.

4. Dont' bother with complex bikes with multiple gears. Go for simple, with foot brakes and that's all.

5. Let the child ride the bike around the store area. Make sure other shoppesr aren't nearby, but its important for your child to get a good feel for the bike. Is it easy to control? Can they reach everything? Watch carefully.

6. Get a good-fitting helmet. Period. There are millions of statistics on bicycle safety and helmets.

*15 Minute Moment* Pull out the change in your pockets and purse and practice counting and sorting. For younger kids, look at patterns. For older kids, practice counting money.

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