Best Skateboards for Kids

kid carving skateboard around skate park bowl
21 November 2019
Best Skateboards for Kids

It’s difficult to deny the benefits of skateboarding for kids. Not only does it encourage little ones to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and exercise, but it’s also an amazing way for kids to meet new friends in your local skating community.

But, as a parent, you will undoubtedly be concerned with your child’s safety, as well as their enjoyment. Our comprehensive guide aims to help you buy the best skateboard for kids, ensuring that they get the maximum out of this amazing sport!

Avoid a cheap skateboard

Although you don’t need to splash cash on a kid’s skateboard, we’d strongly recommend that you avoid the cheap boards available at generic toy shops. These skateboards are often poorly constructed from inferior quality materials making them harder to ride, as well as less durable. Plastic trucks, badly made bearings and hard wheels will only increase the challenge of learning to skate as there is less control, and maintaining any speed will be much more difficult.

Instead, opt for a higher quality skateboard from a reputable supplier. These skateboards will have been designed and constructed by industry experts, with both safety and the perfect skate in mind. They will undoubtedly last longer than a ‘toy shop’ skateboard, saving you money in the long run and will make your child’s skating experience much more enjoyable.

skateboarder popping at the skate park

What size skateboard is best for kids?

Although many skate shops do sell boards specifically aimed at kids, there is no reason why a standard, adult sized deck won’t suffice.

As long as your child can stand comfortably on the board’s deck without having to stretch their legs too far to cover both ends and doesn’t find it too cumbersome to carry around themselves, there is no harm in skipping the kids’ boards and going straight to an adult version.

A classic double-kick skateboard will usually be around 28 – 33 inches in length, with a deck width of around 7 – 8 inches. In reality, this is not especially big, and will be a manageable size for most kids.

This advice does tend to apply more to children over the age of six or seven – if your younger kids are keen to try skating, a smaller model may be more suitable until they’re a little bigger.

How old should a child be to skateboard?

The general advice is that skateboarding is suitable for kids over the age of five. As fun as skating is, it’s difficult to get to grips with early on and can certainly lead to a lot of falls when learning at any age.

Younger children will struggle to break their fall and often find it hard to properly judge speeds, which can result in some nasty injuries. Jumping on a board on your back lawn is one thing, but we would recommend that you keep your toddlers away from the skatepark!

Older children will be better equipped to concentrate and more able to gauge potential hazards. For little skaters between the ages of six and ten, ensure that they’re always supervised when on their board, and kitted out with proper safety gear.

kids skateboard with helmet and safety pads

Safety gear is essential for kids

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for parents looking to buy their kids a skateboard is do not forget safety gear. As we mentioned earlier, skaters do often find themselves taking a knock or two; sufficient safety gear will go a huge way in protecting your kids from serious injuries.

A helmet is the most vital safety accessory, but knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads are highly recommended. As with the board itself, make sure safety equipment is purchased from a reputable skate shop. Cheap accessories will not provide sufficient protection.

Also ensure that your kids have a sturdy pair of flat soled, closed toe trainers to protect their feet – never let them skate in sandals or flip flops.

DIY or complete skateboard?

For kids, it’s generally considered a good idea to buy a complete skateboard rather than attempting to build your own. Complete boards arrive to you fully assembled, meaning your kids need not waste any time before practising their skating.

It’s unlikely that a child under the age of ten will have the engineering knowledge to correctly assemble their own skateboard. With a complete board, you can remain confident that each part, including deck, wheels and bearings, match properly and are correctly fitted. By buying and assembling parts yourself, you run the risk of doing so incorrectly, which can compromise safety.

Once your child has more experience, you can begin to purchase additional spare parts such as wheels or a new deck, to add a personal touch to their skateboard. Many families love the shared activity of customising skateboards, but having extra knowledge under your belt will be of huge benefit!

longboards and skateboards

What style skateboard is best for kids?

When you think of skateboarding, the classic double-kick board will most likely be the one that first comes to mind. However, there are many variants that fit under the wider umbrella of ‘skateboard’ – but which is best for kids?

Longboards

Longboards can be identified by (you guessed it) being longer than a classic board. Although longboards are often recommended for adult beginners due to arguably being easier to ride, at 30 – 50+ inches, you will probably find that they are too large for children. We do however, carry some shorter longboards such as The Buddy, often referred to as cruisers, which are more manageable and could provide a good platform to learn on.

Penny boards (retro skateboards)

Parents have a tendency to lean towards penny boards for their kids, due to their smaller size, and usually being manufactured in appealingly bright colours. However, whilst smaller rider = smaller board may seem logical, this isn’t always the case.

Due to their deck size (usually around 22 inches) it can be difficult for kids to adopt a proper stance on a penny board. Because of this, finding their balance and properly controlling the board can be tricky – a standard double-kick skateboard will be more suitable for kids.

Still unsure on the ultimate skateboard to buy for your kid? Worry not - Two Bare Feet are here to help! As skating experts, we’d love to help you make the perfect purchase – don’t hesitate to get in touch.