Depending on the child's age, riding skills and hobbies, parents may consider purchasing different types of scooters. For younger children, three-wheeled kickboards are suitable, for schoolchildren and teenagers — classic and stunt models. If you choose a scooter for a child with adult anthropometry, we also recommend you to read the material “How to choose a scooter for an adult”.

Types of scooters for children

Often, models for children are classified by the number of wheels, with a division primarily into two- and three-wheeled models. Occasionally, even 4-wheeled scooters can be found on sale. The more wheels, the higher the stability and the easier it is for the child to maintain balance. But gradually, there is still a transition to classic two-wheeled scooters.

More than two wheels have mainly two types of transport — kickboards and rare trikes. Therefore, it is more advisable for parents to focus on the types of scooters when looking for the best model for their child:

  • kickboard. It is a scooter with a pair of front wheels and one (or double) rear wheel. Also an important feature of kickboard is a different principle of control from the classic models, because the handlebar here should be tilted, not turned. If the force is applied and pushed on the right handle, the scooter will turn to the right, and on the left handle — to the left. This is a more stable vehicle, which is suitable for teaching very young children. After that, it can be switched to the classic model or to a skateboard, because the latter is similar in terms of the principle of control;
The kickboard will help your child learn to keep the balance.
  • classic scooter. This is a traditional model with two wheels and the familiar swivel handlebar. It is designed for riding on playgrounds, asphalt and other relatively flat surfaces. Among such scooters there is a model for almost any age group, starting from 2.5 years old;
The classic two-wheeled scooter is ideal for asphalt surfaces.
  • stunt scooter. This model is designed for sports riding and performing stunts, known for its high durability and ability to withstand mechanical shocks and jumps. Stunt scooters can be categorized into park and street types. Park scooters are lightweight and ideal for specialized skate parks, while street scooters are heavier and more robust, tailored for urban infrastructure like ramps and curbs. Primarily intended for teenagers and experienced riders, younger enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to this hobby.

In addition to these types of scooters, bicycle scooters are sometimes chosen for children — models with a fairly large front wheel (diameter of 25 cm or more) and a handlebar with handbrake, similar to bicycles. These scooters are not bad with riding on uneven roads. Such a vehicle is suitable for relatively experienced riders, also as an alternative to a bicycle.

Stunt scooter — light, with a wide handlebar, sometimes with additional pegs.

When an idea about the types of scooters for children has already been formed, you can proceed to the direct choice. Our tips will help you with this.

Popular scooters for kids

Tip #1: at what age can one ride a scooter?

It is believed that it is worth starting learning to ride a scooter at about 2 – 3 years. By this age, the child already has good muscle memory and motor functions, and the cerebellum copes with maintaining the balance of the body. Of course, each kid is individual, and someone will be ready to learn a little earlier, and someone later. It is important that the child himself/herself shows enthusiasm, or at least does not perceive the parental love for scooters with hostility.

In general, from the age of two, it is possible to try riding a kickboard, on which it is much easier to maintain balance. If this period has already been skipped, it is advisable to learn to ride a 2-wheeled scooter from about 4 to 5 years of age.

The kickboard is stable and can include seating.

The transition from a kickboard to a classic scooter is subjective, as children can comfortably use 3-wheeled models until the end of elementary school. However, it's important to recognize the added benefits of a classic scooter, which demands more balance, precise coordination, and effort since it doesn't stand on its own. Children who've mastered kickboard may be reluctant to switch. Directly forcing the change is unnecessary, especially considering that top manufacturers offer models like the Micro Maxi Deluxe LED, suitable for any family member and capable of supporting loads up to 70 kg.

Popular Kickboards

Tip #2: how to choose the right handlebar height for a scooter?

For an adult, the position of the handlebar handles relative to the torso is more like a recommendation, and much depends on the habit and style of riding. Everything is a bit stricter for a child, because it is necessary to take into account the physiological features of the growing body and make it possible for the scooter to help the child grow and not become one of the causes of spinal curvature or other orthopedic problems. And only correctly selected for the height of the rider model can help with this task.

Below are the main recommendations in this regard:

  • when riding, the child's arms resting on the handlebar should be bent at right angles and the handles should be at the level of the solar plexus;
  • a higher position is not recommended (the steering process becomes more difficult), but it is acceptable to lower the handlebar slightly below the optimal position (and then the arms form an obtuse angle, a little more than 90 degrees);
  • the child's back should be straight while riding — no backward leaning or slouching;

If physically trying out the scooter before purchase isn't feasible, a simple remote "fitting" method can be employed. Measure the distance from the child's heels to the elbows using a tape measure; this will provide the optimal handlebar height. While manufacturers may not always specify this parameter, you can estimate it by subtracting half the wheel diameter from the total scooter height (the foot platform is approximately at this level), typically ranging from 5 to 7.5 cm.

It is also possible to be guided by universal tables of the child's height and scooter height ratio when choosing a model:

Height, cm Scooter height, cm
up to 115 about 60
115 – 125 up to 65
125 – 135 70
135 – 145 75 – 80
145 – 155 80 – 82
155 – 165 up to 85
from 165 from 85

It should be borne in mind that children grow quickly, which is why scooters with adjustable handlebar height are very suitable for kids. A fixed height is often provided for stunt models, but they are aimed at older children and teenagers, in whom the dynamics of growth changes slows down.

Height-adjustable scooters

Tip #3: which wheels are best for a scooter for kids?

When choosing a scooter, it is necessary to pay attention to its wheels, because riding characteristics directly depend on them. The main variables are the size and material of tyres, as well as the class of bearings.

It's not the size or material that matters to kids in wheels, it's the backlight.

Most scooters for children have relatively small wheels with a size of 10 to 13 centimeters in diameter. These are the tyres of kickboards for preschoolers and many classic models. Here, small wheels act as a natural speed limiter, and also reduce the distance to the ground, which makes it easier to kick. A size of up to 13 cm in diameter is also typical for stunt models, but here the small size plays a different role — it contributes to reducing the weight of the vehicle and increasing its reliability (durability).

Among scooters for children and teenagers, relatively large wheels are found primarily in some classic models and in bicycle scooters. The choice of these wheels is justified if you are going to ride frequently on the ground, sand, snow, etc. By the way, for a snowy winter it is also permissible to consider a snow scooter, which has skis instead of wheels.

A snow scooter is an alternative to a sled.

Tyres come in a variety of materials, including plastic or silicone (both options are not found in adult models). Plastic is not a bad choice for very young, it does not allow much speeding up, but it requires smooth road surfaces and is noisy. Silicone wheels are soft, so they absorb bumps well, but they are prone to wear out quickly.

Slightly more common in scooters for children are rubber solid and air-filled wheels. The first option does not require maintenance and is quite comfortable for riders of different ages. The air tyres are even better in terms of shock absorption and rideability, but they do not require inflation, and sometimes suffer from punctures.

The leading material today is polyurethane, which combines wear resistance, good ride, absorption and traction.

Bearings play a crucial role in wheel rotation, with their precision and quality reflected in the ABEC class. The higher the ABEC class, the better the bearings, but for entry-level scooters, opting for excessively high-end bearings may not be practical. Even ABEC 5 bearings can be finicky and require careful maintenance, not to mention higher classes like ABEC 7, 9, or 11. High-quality bearings may get dirty in adverse conditions, causing issues with rotation and frustrating the child. Teenage scooters differ as the responsibility for maintenance shifts to the rider rather than the parents.

Scooters with polyurethane wheels

Tip #4: which scooter is best for a particular age?

There are no universal rules in this regard. There are 8-year-olds who continue to enjoy riding a kickboard, and there are 9-year-olds who already have a second stunt model that is about to die. Children have different temperaments and hobbies, friends, parental control and their anxiety levels. Therefore, what follows is more of a general recommendations and information for reflection.

The best first scooter — kickboard

It's more stable and safer to learn to balance on a kickboard. This is a great first scooter for young children aged two to three years. The main requirement for this vehicle, in addition to three wheels, is low weight. A light scooter is easier to speed up, bring to curbs, etc.

The first scooter — 3 wheels, low and small handlebar, light weight.

Other recommendations for choosing:

  • base your choice on the child's height, but in practice the height of the first scooter rarely exceeds 65 – 70 cm;
  • you can consider models with a seat or a parent handle (like bikes for kids older than a year. These options will be additional insurance against falling;
  • pay attention to the width of the deck (foot platform): ideally, both feer should fit here, because it will be easier to maintain balance;
  • additional interest in vehicle will be attracted by its bright colors and/or glowing wheels;
  • do not forget about the maximum load that the scooter can withstand. Kids are actively gaining weight, that is, you need to choose a scooter with a margin based on the entire planned period of use.

A good choice for a late start is a scooter with height-adjustable handlebar.

A suitable choice for a debut scooter, especially for a late start, is a classic model with adjustable handlebar. This design feature can extend its lifespan, provided overall reliability meets expectations.

Selection recommendations:

  • the optimal wheel material is polyurethane or rubber;
  • light weight is still relevant, but to increase reliability, it is worth abandoning models with a plastic deck. It is better to consider aluminium options;
  • for preschoolers, the relevance of backlighting persists, primarily aimed at those around the rider in the neighborhood rather than the rider themselves.

If suddenly you did not pay attention to the issue of equipment earlier, then with the first two-wheeled scooter it is necessary to do this. The minimum set is a helmet (bicycle models for children are suitable), the maximum is additional knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, which are presented in Protective Gear Sets section.

Adjusting the handlebar can turn a kid's scooter into a teenager's scooter.

Great choice for teen — reliable stunt model

The next step in the development of scooter hobbies among children aged 10 — 12 is an interest in stunt models. It is not mandatory, but it is possible. Provided that the child has good equipment and access to skate parks (it is safer to learn stunts here), parents should not prevent such a hobby. It is better to help with the choice of a reliable stunt scooter, which will increase the overall safety of the rider.

The main recommendation is that a teenager often wants to choose the right model himself/herself. This is true for any scooters, not just stunt ones. Therefore, whenever possible, it is worth considering the opinion of a teenager. Our catalog can help you with this. For example, you can:

  • outline the budget in the selection by parameters, and give freedom of choice to the young rider;
  • ask the child to make a selection of several favorite models and give it to you for approval;
  • collect the TOP models on your own and offer it to your child.

General recommendations for choosing a teenage stunt model:

  • the determining factor of reliability is the type of compression. You can read more about this in our material "How to choose a reliable stunt scooter or everything you need to know about compression systems". Lightweight ICS, balanced HIC and IHC are suitable for park riding, and the most durable SCS for street riding;
  • in addition to compression, pay attention to the clamp and the number of bolts used to secure the handlebar stem. This is quite simple — the more bolts, the more reliable scooter is;
  • bearing class for stunt models is not so important, but maintaining the speed of riding on inertia will not be superfluous, so in addition to the basic ABEC 5, it is advisable to look at ABEC 7 or 9.
A reliable scooter with quality compression is needed for stunts.

If your child doesn't like a stunt scooter, he/she may be attracted to bicycle scooters, electric scooters, compact and ergonomic urban models (to make him/her seem older) or an alternative in the form of a bicycle. And that is a completely different story.

Stunt Scooters

Tip #5: when can a child ride an electric scooter?

There are different aspects to take into account. Manufacturers themselves often indicate the age limit, but it is rather arbitrary: it is usually forbidden to use an electric scooter for children under 7 years old. In addition, there are models with a high maximum speed, up to 45 km/h. Such parameters can be dangerous even to adults, not only to teenagers, so parents should be vigilant and if considering a scooter with an electric motor, it should not be too powerful and with speeds of about 15 – 20 km/h.

The use of electric scooters is subject to legal regulations. In Ukraine, individuals under 13 are prohibited from riding on roads, while in Poland, the age limit is 10, with older riders requiring a special bike card and a speed limit of 20 km/h. Until reaching the specified age, children can use electric scooters on sidewalks or bike paths. In the UK, electric scooters are only permitted on private property, with restrictions on bike paths, sidewalks, or public roads to ensure safety for pedestrians, riders, and users.

In general, there is no need to hurry with the transition to such vehicle. A scooter is primarily a form of leisure and active recreation before being considered a means of transportation. The model with an electric motor is more about mobility and moving from one place to another. True, for a student, this is a good option to get to an educational institution and home. Those who are younger are also curious and eager, but in that case it is possible to just rent a model and ride in the park (with parental supervision and then without).

In any case, the expediency of buying an electric scooter for children is determined by parents. In order to have such conversations, ideally, the child should be able to cope well with riding a conventional model without a motor. It can also be arranged for your teenager to learn the traffic rules before purchase, even if he or she will not be taking to the road. If adults have concerns about speed riding, many modern electric scooters include the option of setting a speed limit. And, for example, a good bike can easily speed up even more.

Sooner or later, a child may want an electric scooter.

A well-chosen scooter will definitely not disappoint a young rider, and in some cases it will be able to please younger brothers or sisters, children of other relatives or friends. Happy shopping.