How to Get Your Family Into Mountain Biking: A Fun & Practical Parent’s Guide

2025 is the year we start mountain biking as a family – and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s such a fun way to get outdoors – especially when you’re doing it as a family. Mountain biking with the family is about more than just doing a sport together; it’s an adventure, a bonding experience, and a totally fantastic way to build your children’s confidence, resilience, and love for nature. But how do you actually get started with family mountain biking when you’ve got children of different ages, different confidence levels, and maybe even different interests?

This guide will walk you through the basics – choosing bikes, finding trails, building skills and confidence – and eventually link you to all the extra tips we’ve learned along the way. We’re just getting started and we’re excited to share the tips and tricks we’ll be learning as we begin mountain biking as a family, with you. As we grow our content, we’ll come back and update this post with useful links to help you as your own family gets into this exciting sport!

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Why Mountain Biking as a Family?

There are so many reasons, but here are some of the most important ones for me:

• Getting out together as a family. It’s family bonding time but without the children realising it 😉
• Fun, fitness, and fresh air. When we’re all stuck inside school or work all week, it’s a welcome chance to stretch our legs, get outdoors, and, most importantly, it’s fitness without knowing it!
• It builds independence, decision-making and resilience 
• Encourages screen-free time and shared memories 
• Scalable from balance bikes to the daredevils. There are lots of dedicated places for mountain biking that have a selection of trails suitable for all riders, whatever their experience (or lack of) and we’ll be updating you about our favourites along the way!

1. Getting Started: When Is the Right Time?

• Most children can start riding balance bikes as toddlers. As soon as your child is on their feet, they’ll likely be ready to start experimenting with balance bikes, and grow from there.

• By ages 5–7, many can ride beginner trails with the right gear. 

• Remember: It’s never “too late” – tweens and teens love the adrenaline! 

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2. Finding the Right Bike for Your Child

• A good bike makes all the difference. Start light, with proper brakes and gearing (no heavy supermarket bikes!). 
• Get your child to try bikes wherever possible, before purchsing, to ensure a good fit for your child

Read More: How to Choose the Best Childrens’ Mountain Bike – Whatever your Budget

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3. Making It Affordable

• Start with secondhand gear and upgrade slowly 
• Check out local bike recycling schemes, Facebook groups, eBay and bike hubs 

(Coming soon: How to Make Family Mountain Biking Affordable)

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4. What Gear Do You Actually Need?

• Helmets (a must), gloves, water, snacks 

• Don’t forget your repair kit & pump

• First Aid Kit

(Coming soon: What to Pack for a Family MTB Day Out)

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5. Where to Ride: Finding Family-Friendly Trails

• Start with easy trails and work your way up as everyone’s experience and confidence grows
• Fields, green lanes and country parks are a great first step from mastering smooth roads
• Look for MTB centres with family trails and facilities 

(Upcoming post: 10 Family-Friendly Mountain Bike Trails in the UK)

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6. Safety First: Tips for Worry-Free Riding

• Helmets every ride! Non negotiable!
• Don’t be afraid to opt for protective gear
• Teach hand signals, braking, and awareness early
• Build up distance and complexity gradually

Read More: Best Bike Helmets for Kids: How to Choose the Safest Fit for Every Adventure

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7. Skills to Build Before Hitting the Trails

• Balance and braking
• Cornering and body position basics
• Use local bike parks, pump tracks and other purpose built facilities

(Coming soon: 5 Fun MTB Drills for Children You Can Do Anywhere)

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8. Keeping It Fun (and Not Competitive)

• Let them lead sometimes 
• Celebrate little wins (that first hill climb!) 
• Pack treats and take breaks 
• Remember – when something is fun, children (and adults!) want to do it again and again!

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9. What to Do When It All Goes Wrong

• Expect meltdowns, muddy falls, or ‘I’m too tired’ 
• Keep it light-hearted and know when to call it a day 
• Don’t force the issue – nothing puts a child off a sport more than when they are forced too strongly into it

Read more: Worst Bike ride EVER! Not every family adventure will be Instagram-worthy!

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10. Next Steps: Growing Together on the Trails

• Join local bike clubs or family MTB groups/meetups 
• Explore trail centres and pump tracks as skills grow 
• Plan weekend adventures or even MTB holidays

(Coming soon: Planning a Family Mountain Biking Trip in the UK)

Wrap-up

Getting your family into mountain biking doesn’t have to be expensive, intimidating, or extreme. Start small, ride often, and embrace the wobbles (literal and metaphorical!). Over time, you’ll all build up skills, confidence – and a whole bunch of priceless memories!

More posts coming soon – I hope you’ll come back! And we’d love it if you would like to let us know your favourite spots for mountain biking with children!

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