Holiday Gift Guide:SmarTrike Boutique Touch Steering 4-in-1 Trike

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation has been provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

It's that time of year, everyone! The Holiday shopping season is upon us! (At least it is if you're like me and get an early start to avoid the mad rush of frazzled, last-minute shoppers in December!) 

For the 2014 Holiday season, I will be featuring tons of great gift ideas for babies, kids, men, women, pets, and even for the person who has everything. We all have some of those on our gift lists, don't we? There will even be loads and loads of chances to win many of the gifts I am featuring. How cool is that?! You can check out my 2014 Holiday Gift Guide at any time from now till Christmas. Make sure to check often, as it will be growing by the day! 

Today, I want to introduce you to a must-have product that actually grows and changes with your child. The SmarTrike  Boutique Touch Steering 4-in-1 Trike offers a fun outdoor experience for kids between the ages of about 10 months and 3 years. Of course this will depend on the size of your child. Sophie and Xander are very small for their ages, so at about 4 and 5, they are able to ride this trike just beautifully. 

About smarTrike™ :

About a decade ago, we had an idea so visionary that it would forever change the way people perceive trikes. In the years since, these trikes have taken us far beyond anything we ever imagined. They’ve taken us to 80 countries around the world, to millions of happy parents and millions of cheerful babies.
The first smarTrike® launched over a decade ago was no less than a revolution: An all-in-one trike that grew with the child had everything in it — comfort, safety and easy steering

Since then, we’ve taken the steering experience forward, working hard to make it even simpler and more intuitive.
Today, our world patented Touch Steering® technology offers smooth and easy to maneuvering and is designed for enjoyable strolls enabling kids to stimulate their senses. We invite kids to experience the joy of the outdoors, explore the world, develop new skills and build confidence.

And while our smarTrikes develop with babies, grow and evolve, we too constantly develop and launch superb trikes that are always a few steps ahead because we do whatever we can to ride on and never stop exploring.

Sold in 80 countries globally, Smartrike is the world’s most awarded trike:

• Great for your child’s development
• Touch-Steering patented technology for smooth & easy maneuvering
• Easy transition from stroller mode to trike mode
• Quick and easy to assemble

BOUTIQUE TOUCH STEERING 4-IN-1 TRIKE

Our SmarTrike Boutique 4-in-1 Tricycle arrived quickly, and was very well packaged. We received this beautiful teal blue, but this model also comes in red. Paired with the colorful, modern fabrics, both color options are super-sleek looking. You're sure to be the envy of the neighborhood with a trike this stylish! 

This trike allows your little one to travel in comfort, too. The seat is extra padded, and there is an included, retractable canopy, which offers little ones protection from the elements while you're on the go. Of course safety is at the forefront of SmarTrike's designs, so 3-point harness seat belts are also provided to secure your child. 

A super-roomy storage bag attaches to the back of the trike, giving you ample room for diapers and other baby necessities, food and drink, or even favorite toys that the littles simply can't leave behind as you venture out into the world. This will come in especially handy for any day trips to the zoo or your local parks and playgrounds. 

Other great perks include an engaging toy phone and even a bottle holder, both easily accessible to the rider. Of course I don't recommend dialing while trying to maneuver a trike...Luckily, this model allows you to switch from the parent steering, stroller-style, to kid pedaling power with the simple push of a button. This feature is a life-saver when little ones get a bit tired and can't muster the energy to pedal any longer. It also comes in very helpful when teaching your child how to ride independently. A little helping hand and extra guidance is always nice, don't you agree? 

Remember I mentioned that this trike actually grows with your child? There are 4 different settings, which adapt to young riders as they grow. I'd love to share pics of each phase. I realize there is a weird lack of children in these photos, but my entire household is sick with a nasty, mutant flu, and the kids weren't feeling up to any play. I will be sure to share more pics of our SmarTrike fun once they're back to feeling themselves again. 

Stage 1 – Parent-controlled trike: (Above) At 10 months, the baby is comfortable seated in the padded seat with high back support. At this stage the parent fully controls the trike.

Stage 2 – Guided trike: Once the baby has grown (+18M), the high back support is removed, while safety bar still protects the child. Parents fully control the trike.

Stage 3 – Training trike: At 24 months, fold in the footrest and let your child start learning how to pedal. This is when the real fun begins. Kids can start to feel their independence, but can still receive a helping hand from Mom and Dad. 

Stage 4 – Classic trike: At 36 months, remove the parent handle, rotate the red navigator button and transform the trike from stroller mode to classic trike. Your child can now ride independently. Hooray! 

Overall, we're definitely very impressed with our SmarTrike Boutique 4-in-1 Tricycle. It's easy to assemble, and switching modes is easy, too. (Please make sure to tuck the extra seat belt straps somewhere safe, as you will need them once your remove the padded seat.) This trike is very easy to steer, and has a very comfortable parent grip. This makes it ideal for evening strolls through the neighborhood, possibly admiring Christmas lights if you live somewhere that's not obscenely cold already. 

Plus, it's fun for children. My kids adore the fun, modern look, the vibrant colors, and they love how easy it is to maneuver. Both Sophie and Xander are independent riders, and this is perfect for them. I'm not going to lie. We're guilty of pushing Xander around when he is cranky and doesn't want to pedal. 

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone with young children. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift, and would also be fantastic for any baby showers! Since the SmarTrike grows and changes with your child, it's definitely a very worthwhile investment. 

How to Connect :

You can check out the awesomeness that is SmarTrike on their website. 
Check out some amazing Holiday deals, and even receive FREE Shipping on EVERY order! How cool is that?! 

You can also find SmarTrike products at Toys R Us 

Be sure to  connect with SmarTrike on Facebook, on twitter, and on Instagram to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!