This Kids’ Race Taught My Son Bravery, Resilience, And Fun

As parents, we have always taught our kids to be brave, confident, and to do their best. However, let us face it–it’s easier said than done when they are actually in that situation. My son and I recently discovered this truth firsthand during a pushbike race, where we learned some valuable lessons together.

I recently came across the concept of pushbike races, where young kids have a blast riding and racing balance bikes. These bikes don’t have pedals, so children use their feet to push off the ground and glide. I had no idea this was a thing until a friend told me about it and invited us to watch a race. My four-year-old son, Seiya, who loves anything that moves, was instantly excited and wanted to join the next race. So, we bought him a balance bike and began practicing at home.

I also discovered a whole community of parents whose kids regularly participate in pushbike races. As a newbie mom with a son who has a newfound interest in racing, I decided to chat with a few of them to learn about their experiences and how their kids have changed after being involved in the sport for a year.

Via, a mom-of-one, shared her 4-year-old son, Jadon Malakai’s experience. "Raising a hyperactive toddler, we always wanted to find ways and activities for him to do out of the house. This has become an outlet for our son to move freely, express himself, and build his confidence. His first ever push bike race was at 3.5 years old. Since then, his interest in joining more competitive events has kickstarted, and he is always keen to know when the next race will be."

Sofia, the founder of Kick2Pedal, shared her 3-year-old son Hudson’s journey: "Ever since my son started push biking at 17 months, he has been outdoors on his bike/scooter or even his pedal bike every day. It is the only sport a 2-3-year-old can start with and really do it all on their own merit and sariling sikap! Hudson's focus definitely improved a lot because of this sport. He has learned how to be a good sport, how to win, and more importantly, learned to lose.”

Inspired by these stories, I signed Seiya up for a Kick2pedal pushbike academy. There, he gets to hang out with like-minded, energetic kids while learning the basics and safety practices before hitting the race track.

The PushBike Race Experience

When race day arrived, I couldn't tell who was more nervous—Seiya or me! I kept reminding him that it didn’t matter how fast he went or whether he won. All that mattered was doing his best and having fun. Deep down, I knew he was feeling the pressure of being in a real competition, and honestly, so was I. But I also realized that this pressure was part of growing up–learning to handle the butterflies in our stomachs.

Seeing Seiya all geared up like a little professional racer filled me with a whirlwind of emotions—pride, excitement, and a hint of anxiety. Even though he looked small and inexperienced next to the other kids, his determination and readiness to take on the challenge was truly inspiring.

The countdown began—3, 2, 1 GO! Excitement  filled the air, and my heart raced as fast as the little racers. I watched Seiya push his little legs with determination. Halfway through the race, parents cheered loudly, creating a competitive yet supportive atmosphere. I was so amazed at how this race turned all of us parents into super cheerleaders! I couldn’t help but join in, cheering for Seiya with all my might. It was heartwarming to see how supportive and encouraging everyone was.

When Seiya finally crossed the finish line, I could see that he felt accomplished–even though he wasn’t the fastest. Typically, he hates losing, but this experience was different. He cherished it. I could see that he finally understood what it means to win and lose. No more being a sore loser–he embraced the idea of learning from every experience. Since that first race, he’s competed in four more and shows no signs of stopping.

Lessons I Learned as a Parent

One of the biggest lessons I took from this experience is that it’s not just about the race–it’s about the challenges our kids face and how they push through them and discover their strength, and for us parents–our pride. Watching Seiya struggle, get back up, and keep going reminded me that real victories aren’t just at the finish line–they’re in the resilience we build along the way. He will face other "races" in life—school projects, social pressures, and personal goals. These moments shape who he’s becoming, and I can’t wait to see how these lessons will continue to affect him as we join more races.

I do not want to sound like a cliche, but the pushbike race has also been a metaphor for life. As moms, we know that our happiness doesn’t come solely from our kids’ successes but from watching them tackle challenges head-on.

If you’re thinking about signing your child up for a pushbike race or something similar, I highly recommend it. It’s more than just a race–it’s an amazing way to build their confidence, let them have fun, and get them outside for some much-needed screen-free time. Not only will they sleep better, but they’ll create memories that last. For us, pushbike racing has turned into a weekend tradition and has brought us closer as a family. It forces me to be outdoors, enjoying the things my children love, and for that, I’m grateful.

Read here to learn the benefits of getting kids involved in sports.