The Best Scooters For Kids (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Scooters have been around for decades and first gained popularity during the Great Depression when creative children used to build them out of wooden planks and roller skates. They have undergone a massive evolution in terms of design and features and are now available in a wide range of models and colors for both adults and children. Kids have a choice between kick and electric scooters that have taken the world by storm. Each design comes with a wealth of safety features and durable wheels that deliver a smooth and sturdy ride for children of all ages. The following guide will help you choose the best kids scooter for your little one so he or she can conquer the sidewalk with style.

The Best Scooter For Kids

Best Scooter for Kids Buying Guide & FAQ

What to Look for When Buying Kids Scooter

• Age-Appropriate Size

There are so many scooter designs out there but not all of them fall under the same age umbrella. Some are intended for children between the ages of two and four while others were designed for older kids who weigh more and have wider shoulders compared to their younger counterparts. Matching your child with the right sized scooter means he or she can ride comfortably and safely. Purchasing a large scooter for a small child can lead to steering difficulties and can make it more difficult to learn how to ride and control a two or even a three-wheel scooter.

• Practical Deck

The deck forms the very foundation that riders use to do tricks and gain more speed while riding a kick scooter. This vital surface comes in a wide range of sizes and widths. Young children can benefit from a wider deck that they can use to achieve more balance when riding, especially if they were newbies. Slim or narrow decks are geared towards teens and experienced riders since they are lightweight and are also built for speed. Some decks are wide and narrow at the same time with the front much wider than the rear. This design offers more room for kicking while riding. Teenagers who enjoy showing off their fun tricks in the skate park need a deck with a rough surface so they can have better footing while doing grinds and other experienced moves with their scooter.

• Adjustable Handlebars

Look for handlebars that can be easily adjusted so you can increase or decrease their height depending on the child who is going to ride the scooter. Purchasing a scooter with this handy feature allows your kids to take turns riding the same scooter. It also means that your little one gets to ride the same kick or electric scooter for years to come. Some models come with a handy tool that you can use to adjust the handlebars while others have a simple mechanism that you can simply pull to unlock in order to make the required adjustments. The scooter grips or handles need to be comfortable and durable at the same time. Some models geared towards small children have foam grips that offer maximum control and comfort for your young ones.

• Durable Brakes

There are different types of brakes available including rear fender brakes and hand operated ones. Brakes allow children to stop whenever they want and buying a scooter with this feature helps them achieve that without putting their feet in harm’s way. It also allows them to control their speed while riding down a slope in the presence of other scooter riders. Rear fender brakes are easy to use and allow children to brake instantly while riding. Some models have hand operated brakes and those are connected to the bars via hand grips. Pressing the brake handles will automatically stop the scooter from moving.

• Transport and Storage Friendly

Lightweight scooters are great companions for little kids who will find them easy to ride and steer. They are also incredibly travel friendly and can be folded and packed inside the trunk of your car. There are many models out there that allow you to disassemble them in a matter of seconds. Those are incredibly practical especially during family road trips and vacations. They are also easy to carry around and are a great alternative to heavy bicycles that require a rack and cannot be folded. Heavier models are also on offer but those are geared towards older children who need a more durable and skate park friendly pair of wheels for everyday or regular use.

• Smooth Steering

There are different steering mechanisms to choose from. Most toddler scooters have a lean to steer mechanism that allows them to develop their motor skills and gain a better sense of direction. Kids will learn how to use their body weight to their advantage in order to steer their scooter either to the right or to the left. This function is less complex than steering with handlebars. Three-wheel scooters that were tailored for toddlers and young children typically have this type of mechanism and are considered a steppingstone that will help them master two-wheel scooters in the future. Handlebar steering is straightforward and can be easily mastered by older kids. Look for anti-slip grips that are compatible with their small hands. The grips must be ergonomic and durable at the same time.

• Appropriate Wheel Size

Wheel size matters a great deal when it comes to safety. Large front wheels are better at tackling rough sidewalks and other uneven surfaces that can easily hinder beginner riders.  Stable wheels offer your little ones more confidence and more safety while riding. Teenagers with a more evolved and advanced riding style will find small wheels more compatible with their need for speed when riding in parks and other recreational areas. These wheels are more lightweight and allow for easy trick execution.

Types of Kids Scooters

The market is flooded with scooters of all shapes and sizes. There are so many models and designs to choose from depending on your kids’ ages and their skill level. Both professional and recreational scooters are available with two or three wheels and many additional features that were tailormade for certain age groups.

• Two-Wheel Scooters

These scooters operate using two wheels instead of three and are more suited for older children who have mastered the art of scooter riding and have more control and more balance as a result. This two-wheel design was built for speed and can handle more weight. Look for scooters that were made using aircraft grade aluminum and are durable enough to withstand regular and heavy use. Older children and teenagers will have a blast riding a two-wheeler especially if it had fun decals on the deck and frame.

• Three- Wheel Scooters

Three-wheel scooters are toddler friendly and come with one wheel in the rear and two wheels in the front. This offers children more balance while riding and helps newbies gain more confidence with every scoot down the sidewalk or backyard. This type of scooter offers stability as well but at the expense of speed. Most children will own a three-wheeler first before transitioning to two-wheel scooters once they grow up and become more experienced.

• Professional Scooters

This two-wheel scooter was especially made for performing tricks and stunts. Older teens who are interested in entering competitions and riding their scooter in a professional capacity deserve a premium model that matches their young ambitions. Pro scooters are extremely durable and come with wider T-bars that offer maximum stability when taking on ramps and challenging terrain. They also allow the rider to perform all kinds of moves and flips.

• Electric Scooters

Electric scooters are an alternative to regular kick scooters, and they require a battery and an electric motor in order to run. Their batteries are rechargeable and offer limited runtime depending on the make and model. Electric scooters are usually heavy and have sizable wheels compared to kick scooters. This additional weight makes them more stable and some of them come with additional features like under-seat storage and headlights in addition to handbrakes. These scooters are designed for small everyday trips around the neighborhood and were not intended for children who want to do tricks and challenge themselves at the skate park. They are also more expensive than ordinary scooters.

• Wiggle Scooters

Wiggle scooters have three wheels and are different from kick scooters in terms of steering and design. They have two decks instead of one with two wheels at the rear and one in the front. The two decks form a V-shape and require a special technique where kids learn to move their body from side to side and use their weight to their advantage. Wiggle scooters are fun and help children stay active on weekends and summer vacations.

Trick Tips for Beginners

Riding a new scooter can be double the fun with the introduction of some tips and tricks for beginners. These tricks will help your kids gain more confidence and improve their balance and coordination at the same time.

• Bunny Hop

Kids can easily master the bunny hop in six simple steps. First, they need to ride the scooter at a low speed and bend their knees a little. This is followed by jumping up and pushing the scooter with both feet firmly planted on the deck. The handles are then pulled upwards in order to raise the front wheel off the ground and the same motion is carried out in order to raise the rear wheel as well. Kids need to work against gravity and use their muscles and strength in order to successfully master the bunny hop.

• Barspin

The Barspin involves spinning the handlebars 360 degrees in midair.  Kids need to practice this move with the front wheel of their scooter hanging over a curb.  All they need to do is jump as high as they can while maintaining their balance before passing the handlebars around. They also need to bend their legs to generate momentum and throw the bars at the highest point during their hop before catching them with their other hand and placing the throwing hand back on the bar to finish it off.

• Fakie

The fakie is a gateway to other advanced stunts that kids can learn with age. This trick involves moving the scooter backwards instead of forward. Kids need to roll their scooter up a ramp in order for this to work and use gravity to their advantage. All they need to do is maintain their balance while rolling backward. Mastering this trick will help kids increase their stability and control while riding.

• Nose Pivot

The nose pivot involves doing a 180-degree turn on the front wheel. Kids need to ride on an even surface at a medium speed in order not to lose balance. They also need to place their front foot near the handlebars and shift their weight to the front. Leaning to the front will lift the rear wheel, allowing the rider to balance on the front wheel. Spinning around becomes easy to achieve if they channel their momentum while performing this trick.

Best Scooter for Kids FAQ:

Our Top Pick

The Razor A5 combines safety with comfort and has a wealth of features including large urethane wheels and patented rear brakes in addition to adjustable handlebars. This scooter was designed to grow old with your children and offers a smooth ride on uneven pavements and gravel roads. It also comes in three vibrant colors and can be easily folded for simple and hassle-free storage and transport.

Sources:

1. 5 Kick Scooter Tricks Beginners Got to Try – AuthorityAdviser