Summertime is the perfect opportunity to dust off everyone's bicycles. Bicycle riding is great family fun and terrific exercise. We just fixed up an old bicycle for my four-year-old son, complete with training wheels. In just two days he's become a wiz on wheels! He feels so mature. He somehow even looks older to me sitting atop the bicycle! Give new life to an old bike or add pizzazz to a new bike by finding ways to decorate it. Here are some ideas:
Ages three and up
- Go to the local bike shop and see what they have to offer. Many bike shops carry fun seat covers; tubular coverings for handlebars and plastic spoke decorations. You can also get baskets and name plates. You may want to purchase some of these items, or just get ideas on how you can create your own!
- Decorate the frame with stickers! Shop for stickers with your child. Have him/her select some of his/her favorites. Does he/she like Star Wars? Scooby Doo? Cars? Smiley Faces? Etc.? Be creative! There seems to be stickers of everything and everybody these days. Wash the frame of the bike carefully first and dry it thoroughly. (Don't leave a bike with stickers out in the rain or the stickers will fade and fall off).
- Buy spray paint in different colors. Have a spraying blast (wear goggles or face masks as needed). Spray paint the bike in different colors. Use masking tape to make defined lines (just peel off the tape when the paint dries).
- Become Jackson Pollack. Take weather resistant paint on a small brush or old toothbrush and splatter different colors all over the bike.
