The balance bike revolution is being led by one very clever company which is riding high – and here’s an insight into just how the brash Kiddimoto brand roared back onto the Australian circuit.

The popular Kiddimoto brand, loved across the globe for its unique take on the concept of balance bikes for toddlers and preschoolers, is back in Australia with a new distributor after a two year hiatus. We have mum-of-one Courtney Williams to thank for relaunching these incredible toys to the local market.

Courtney was inspired after a visit to the MotoGP last year, and desperately wanted a Kiddimoto superbike for her daughter’s first birthday gift. Alas, she discovered the bikes were no longer sold in Australia, and so began a five month conversation with Kiddimoto UK. This ultimately led to Courtney realising she couldn’t be the only parent desperate to have these trend-setting pieces back on our shores.

Balance bikes are a fabulous introduction into the world of bicycles for toddlers and young children. They foster fine motor skills and make for an easier transition to a bicycle. Kiddimoto takes balance bikes to a whole new level. If you’re a motorsport enthusiast and keen to pass the revhead bug onto your child, a browse through the range is a must.

The Kurve collection is the classic balance bike design, in a dizzying array of colours. The Scooter models are cool to the core – particularly the bike with the iconic Union Jack emblazoned above the rear wheel.

For some real playground cred, it’s hard to go past the Chopper bikes.

The Scrambler bikes take their inspiration from off-road motocross bikes, while the Kids Superbikes ooze all the grunt and muscle of the MotoGP bikes.

Hard-core motorbike fans won’t be able to resist the Hero Collection, which includes replicas of bikes ridden by legends of the superbike world, like Valentino Rossi and Troy Corser.

The Kiddimoto balance bikes are made from birch wood sourced from sustainable forests, and if you’re ever able to part with one, they are completely recyclable. They’re suitable for children from the age of two through to five, and the Kurve range starts at $110. Kiddimoto also stocks a range of the coolest bike helmets I have ever seen.

The Kiddimoto website is a treasure trove of information, including handy videos. While you’re there, you can search for a retailer near you.

You’ve hankered after a particular cot, know exactly how you want to decorate the walls and have the colour scheme all picked out – hold on to your nappy bag because one lucky reader’s most fabulous nursery dreams are about to come true!

Kido Store, Dwell Studio, Little Nest, Dog & Pony Photography and The Wall Sticker Company have teamed with Babyology to provide one lucky reader with an incredible nursery makeover worth a gob-smacking $10,000.

The centrepiece of any nursery is undoubtedly the cot and the Oeuf Classic Cot from Kido Store will be a simple and beautiful focal point in your baby’s room. The perfect choice for design and safety conscious parents, the Oeuf Classic Cot features a solid wooden base and cot sides cut from single pieces of eco-MDF to create a sturdy, secure place for your baby to sleep.

Co-ordinate with the Oeuf Four Drawer Dresser, the superb Oeuf Mini-Library and the Oeuf Change Station that conveniently sits atop the dresser or can be used over the Classic Cot. All the furniture pieces are available in your choice of simple birch wood or classic walnut finishes.

A nursery is not complete without playthings. Your prize from the Kido Store also includes a fabulous and stylish Oeuf Baby Lounger plus your choice of $400 worth of toys, books and décor. Choose fantastic Kid O puzzles, beautiful cushions from Areaware, a Kiddimoto bike, funky soft toys from LuckyBoySunday and more.

It’s the finishing touches that distinguish a beautiful room and nursery décor from Dwell Studio stands apart. Your Dwell Studio prize includes a superb woollen floor rug, a luxurious cashmere silk blanket and cot linen set, three stylish storage boxes, sweet stacking rings and soft blocks made from signature Dwell prints. Your job is to choose from Dwell’s many beautiful designs including retro Chocolate Dots, fun and fresh Owls or the very pretty Sparrow collection.

When your child is ready to relax, make sure they do it in designer style with amazing chairs from Little Nest.  Your little one can curl up with a good book in the Mini-e, a child-sized version of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair. Featuring a swivel base for pure fun, classic walnut veneer and easy-to-clean soft leatherette padding, the Mini-e is a design classic.

For playroom fun the Giddy-Up chair is a hands-down favourite. The Giddy-Up is a replica of Eero Aarnio’s Pony Chair. Comfortably padded in a wool-blend fabric, your Giddy-Up comes in a choice of five bright, modern colours.

Whether you want something traditional, something a little quirky or perhaps words with a special meaning, The Wall Sticker Company will customise wall decals to suit your nursery to perfection. Your prize includes customised wall stickers to the value of $450 – create a feature wall with ‘wow’ factor or a cosy playroom corner – any design or theme is possible. There is so much to choose from for the nursery, though the superb ‘Bee & Tree’ designs by illustrator Jane Reiseger are extra special.

Surround the nursery with happy faces! Dog & Pony Photography specialise in creative portraiture for kids. Capturing the little idiosyncrasies that make our children uniquely adorable, Dog & Pony are all about fresh, candid and original portraits that become contemporary art pieces for the home. This magnificent prize includes a photographic shoot on location, your own personalised website of images to share with friends and $831 worth of prints.

What’s included in the prize value of $10,000 –

From Kido Store, more than $4900 of furniture, nursery accessories, toys, books and decor –

• Oeuf Classic Cot – $1449
• Oeuf Change Station – $329
• Oeuf Mini Library – $949
• Oeuf Four Draw Dresser – $1599
• Oeuf Baby Lounger – $185
• Your choice of books, toys and décor to the value of $400.

From Dwell Studio, more than $1950 worth of linen, nursery accessories and more –

• Large Dwell floor rug – $990
• Cot linen set – $330
• Cashmere silk knit blanket – $196
• Two large storage boxes and one small storage box – $341.50
• Soft blocks and stacking rings – $130

From Little Nest, designer seating valued at $1648 –

• Mini-e chair and stool – $949
• Pony chair – $699

From Dog & Pony Photography, a $1000 photography package which includes -

• Photo shoot – $169
• Prints to the value of $831

From The Wall Sticker Company, custom designed wall stickers to the value of $450.

Total prize is valued at $9,996.50.

Oeuf, Dwell, cashmere blankets, co-ordinated furniture, designer seating, portraits and customised wall art… This is the stuff nursery dreams are made of and it could be all yours.

To be in the draw, follow the instructions found in the regular ‘Babyology Weekly’ email. If you haven’t subscribed to the mailing list yet, just click here to fill in the form.

I remember when bike helmets first came in and how utterly horrified I was by the look of them. Gone were my days of carefree ‘wind in the hair’ bike rides. For an Eighties kid, it was a lot to get used to and, as an image-conscious teen, the way those helmets looked was of prime concern.

So here’s another thing for us Gen X and Y parents to be slightly envious of. Our Generation Z (and this year’s brand new Alpha generation) kids are reaping the benefits of fashionable bike gear. The latest comes from Kiddimoto whose balance bikes featured in our Christmas Roundup for 2009 and again in February this year with its new Brit-flavoured designs.

Now kidlets can have supremely groovy head gear with the release of the Helmuts range. They have been approved by Australian Standards so you can purchase in the knowledge that substance has not been sacrificed for style. There are a range of cool designs including the Eight-Ball, Goggles, Union Jack, Italian Flag and white spots on red.

Suitable for kids aged two to eight, buy from Kiddimoto from April 1 for $79.95 each.

Balance bikes have become a huge hit all over the world but here’s one with an edge.  A British pop-meets-mod edge to be precise and it doesn’t matter if you prefer the Beatles or the Spice Girls, your tot is going to love this set of wheels!

The perfect introduction to travelling on two wheels, the Kiddimoto Brit Pop and Union Jack scooters will have heads turning when eyes catch a glimpse of their true British style. The Vespa-like bikes have great extras that kids will love such as comfy seats, sturdy handlebars, pretend headlights, white-wall wheels and vibrant colours. Kids love a coloured bike!

The Kiddimoto balance bikes are all made from a natural lacquered wood and decorated using child-safe paints. So popular is this particular balance bike that the first shipment sold out in the UK, so be sure to get your order in fast!

Suitable for children aged from two to five and priced at $329, you can order your Brit Pop or Union Jack balance bike at Kiddimoto for delivery all over Australia.

Christmas 2009 is upon us and it’s time to start shopping in earnest. This year, I’m barely stepping foot inside a shop – almost all my gift buying will be online so I can avoid the crowds and sit back as my shopping is delivered. It’s absolute luxury!

Here we have a roundup of the latest and greatest gifts, and we’ve divided them into approximate age categories for you – up to one year, toddler, and older child (ages three to five and above). There’s just so much to love on this list, so enjoy shopping from home and de-stress about gift buying!

Age: Up to one year

Vulli Sophie Giraffe

This re-released 1961 Vulli Giraffe from Urban Baby is the most stylish gumming accessory for orally-fixated bubs. Babies just can’t get enough of these $34 French squeakers!

Flipsy Flopsy Dolls

Just perfect for little humans just starting their explorations into how things work and imaginative play, this Flipsy Flopsy Doctor and Nurse Doll will have a long life beyond babyhood. You get two dolls in one for $39.95 at Design Child. We last wrote about these dolls in June this year.

Ebulobo Daddy and Baby Bear

Trust French company Ebulobo to do the most adorable take ever on a textural interest bear for babies. With a squeaker in Daddy Bear’s nose, crackly bits, crinkles, super-soft fur, fishing gear and rattles, this bear with its own baby is not only exploratory heaven for babies three months and up, it’s a beautiful statement about the bonds between daddies and their children. The Daddy and Baby Bear toy comes as a set for $74.95 from Urban Baby.

Age: Toddler

Maileg Mice

For delightfully unexpected stocking fillers, include a Maileg Mouse or two. Exquisitely detailed and packaged in wooden matchbox beds complete with bedding, the surprise of opening the box and finding a sweetly tailored mouse inside will make for an unforgettable childhood moment. They’re $50 each from My Brood.

Rice tumblers and plates

Delicious Danish homewares brand Rice has hit Australia through Baby Goes Retro. These pretty tumblers are just about the only things that don’t break on my hard tiled floors, and at just $6.50 each, or $37.50 for a set of six, they won’t break the bank either. Get some in your children’s favourite colours and there will never be any question about who owns which cup. Also see the range of compartmentalised plates – toddlers just love it when their food is sectioned off. They are $27.95 each, from Baby Goes Retro.

Brio pull-along Engine

You can’t go wrong with gorgeous Brio toys, especially the pull-along kind for toddlers. They’ll toddle contentedly with this cute wooden engine whose chimney turns as the wheels do. It’s $39.95 from Infancy. Brio products made our Christmas roundup last year as well.

Dot Markers

Toddlers love to make their mark on the world in all kinds of ways! These ergonomic Dot Markers – which use washable ink – will give them the tools for being successful early doodlers without needing the fine motor skills needed for traditional markers. Big markers for little hands make for very happy tiny artists! They’re just $16.95 for a set of six, from Design Child.

‘Tickle Monster’ book and mitts by Josie Bissett

I remember this lass from Melrose Place all those years ago! Josie Bissett went on to have two children of her own, which led her to write Tickle Monster, a book all about fun and laughter. As a charming extra, you can also buy the Tickle Mitts to accompany the book. Children will just adore the anticipation of the next tickle – expect much family hilarity over this book about a monster who sets out to cheer up planet Earth. The book is $31.95 and the mitts are $29.95 from Urban Baby.

Sirch Troll Doll Stroller

A stunning design piece in itself, this doll stroller in Sirch’s Sibis range (we’ve featured the furniture and the walker) is made to withstand any workout your toddler cares to inflict upon it. Divinely fashioned from steam-bent wood, it will make you swoon as much as it will excite your toddler. The Troll Stroller is $299 from The Infant Boutique. An optional pram liner is available for $48.95 – this would be good if your child likes to push a long-suffering cat around.

Little Hero Cape and Side Kick Sock Monkey

This is such a fantastic gift combo for energetic little superheroes. Grab one of the legendary Little Hero Capes and for a suitable ‘partner in crime’ include this characterful Side Kick Sock Monkey! Watch the adventures unfold now that your child has that all important offsider. Both are available from Monkeytail and Wellington – the capes are $49.95 and you can add on some cuffs for $10.95 and a mask for $19.95. The Side Kick Monkey is $69.95. Our first article on the capes was featured in June 2008.

Age: Older child – three and up

Janod magnetic wooden vehicles

Wooden toys always top the must-have lists here at Babyology. They make beautiful sounds even when the pieces are being bashed together by a rambunctious little person, and the quality brands pay close attention to eco-considerations. We just love the plane and rocket magnetic toys by Janod; all eleven pieces can be pulled apart and reassembled, and will actually stay together thanks to the magnets. Great for kids who are up for something a little more challenging! Both the plane and rocket are $29.95 each from The Hip Infant. There’s even a lovely yellow helicopter in the range!

Goki My Little Zoo

While we’re on the topic of beautiful wooden toys, here is one sure to thrill the animal-lovers. The Goki My Little Zoo can be set up in any little corner of the house. Your budding zookeeper can tend to the animals and escort tours through its paths. Use it as a teaching tool about the habitats different animals live in and the food they eat. You can also take portions of the 220 piece set out with you to entertain them at restaurants. It’s $119.95 from The Hip Infant. Also see other items in the range to suit different age groups.

‘This Is Australia’ book by Miroslav Sasek

I bought the Paris and New York editions of the delightful Miroslav Sasek travel series for my son’s birthday and increasingly they are being chosen as the books to read each night. From the 1970s retro artwork and strikingly produced covers, to the lively explanations of things to be found in places near and far, show the kids about our country through the eyes of Sasek. It’s $34.95 from Infancy.

Seedling Kits

Seedling Kits, which we wrote about in March, give kids the chance to make things with their hands, and to be productive in ways that modern life doesn’t often enable. Containing everything you need to make an object, grow a plant, make a collage, be a doctor, or go on an outdoor nature adventure, they make a rarer gift of experience and encourage interaction, skill-building and attention to detail. The kits range in price from $24.95 to $59.95 at Design Child.

Kid O ‘Deep In the Forest’ wooden puzzle

We just can’t get enough of Kid O products (seen here in June and October) and now that they’re readily available in Australia, they’ve gone straight onto our Christmas list! This fabulous ‘Deep In the Forest’ puzzle is not only a theatre, but an exercise in depth perception as your child works out which animal is deepest in the forest. It’s $69.95 from Urban Baby and includes sixteen pieces, wooden tray, cards and cotton storage bag.

Radio Flyer Trike

Sleek vintage styling, shiny, red and with a back step for little bro or sis, the Radio Flyer Trike is a classic with whitewall tyres and handlebar streamers. Just one look at it and you know it’ll be a hit with the kids. Get one for $199 from Infancy.

Fairy Doors

Get your orders in quick for these uber-popular Fairy Doors. Made by our very own Monkeytail and Wellington, your child will embark on many flights of fancy as fairies are given a gateway into our world. Each door comes with a tiny key and a vial of fairy dust to be used as evidence of fairy activity. They come in a range of colours and styles, from Monkeytail and Wellington.

Teepees

I still remember the thrill of setting up a tent in the back yard and feeling like I was the only kid in the whole universe inside my little haven. These fab teepees from An Angel At My Table will provide hours of enjoyment and protection from the harsh summer sun. They can have picnics, make it into their very own pretend operating theatre, or simply go inside to escape or relax. Order them in blue, red or pink from The Infant Boutique for $229 and set it up for Christmas morning with presents inside. It’s such a shame Santa will get all the kudos!

Kiddimoto Bike

Whilst not every kid is cut out for a future with the Crusty Demons, this superb Kiddimoto balance bike will at least make them think they’re going that fast! Stunning motorbike styling in red, black and white, it’s your child’s first foray into two-wheeled riding, teaching them those essential balancing skills needed later on. Kido Store have them for $299 each.

We hope you have enjoyed our Christmas roundup for 2009 as much as we loved putting it together! Wishing you many happy hours shopping for your little ones and then sharing in the fun once the gifts are given.