How To Choose A Scooter For A Child
Last Updated: November 30, 2021
Scooters have been around for a long time now, and the first scooters appeared as early as the seventeenth century. Since then, not much has changed in terms of designs and shapes of scooters. There have been minor revisions over time, but the basics have remained the same.
Today, you can find a wide variety of scooters for toddlers and children. If your child is still too small to ride a bike, a scooter can be a great high-quality alternative as it allows them to develop their motor skills.
Scooters are not only fun but they are also practical items for families with small children. You can take these easily through the streets while your hands are free. Your child will be able to do some physical exercise while having a lot of fun at the same time. Scooters can accommodate children from 4 years and older, both boys and girls. As a rule of thumb, you should never give a scooter to a child that is less than 3 years old as this could cause accidents due to poor coordination.
A variety of different scooters are available on the market, and when choosing a scooter for a child, you need to know exactly what you are looking for. What features should be present in the scooter? What accessories are recommended?
Features Of A Kids Scooter
In the summer, kids quickly get tired of walking. In this regard, a scooter for a child can be a very nice and fascinating toy. To date, there are a large number of different types of these transport means. As a rule, the scooter for kids has smaller dimensions than its adult version. It is made in bright colors and convinces with a good price-performance ratio.
Its technical feature is the so-called easy folding mechanism, which often makes it easy to hop on board public transport or store it in a small apartment. A child’s scooter — it is not just a toy that helps the child to develop and keep the necessary exercise. This is a wonderful «travel» toy, which is very easy to move and maneuver.
Scooters for children are often designed more simply and are not designed to be ridden quickly. Materials used in their construction will not sustain high speed falls and may break. These scooters have a wide platform for stability and traction pads to prevent slippage.
For safety reasons, leg restraints and hand grips are often built into the body of the scooter so your child is less likely to fall off. Many parents choose these kinds of scooters because they are quite sturdy and can support children who are barely walking. Placing your kid on a scooter is a great way to get them outdoors and lead an active lifestyle!
Scooters for toddlers can be furnished with parental control handles, so you’ll never have to worry about your toddler losing his balance and falling off his scooter. They also have the handlebar at the right level for most kids’ arms. Along with the handles, you can find ride-on scooters for little children that includes a removable seat so you can take your child along with you when you’re running errands or just want to take your child to the park.
Like any type of ride-on toy, scooters are an item with which you can have both positive and negative experiences, depending on the model that you buy. Scooters come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Adult scooters hold up to 250 lbs while child scooters hold between 55 and 80 lbs. That is why you should pay attention to the weight limit before purchase.
Children’s scooters consist of the same elements as the adult ones, namely :
- Deck is the base of the scooter
- Bearings
- Rudder
- Wheels
- Brakes (sometimes may not exist)
These components have their own features and nuances. For example, the handlebars, or rather the handlebar bar, can be adjusted in height. Scooters with such a possibility are good for children as they allow adjusting the scooter to the child’s height. It’s also very convenient if you want to use a scooter as a gift or loan it to your friends. Depending on age, height and overall development of the child, the scooter will grow with your baby.
The deck can also be different. For children, it is recommended to buy a wide deck, because it is more comfortable to stand on and keep the balance. So, before buying a scooters for your child, first consider the width of the board. The broader it is, the more comfortable your child will feel when standing on it.
The deck should not be made of plastic or metal, both of which are slippery surfaces. They get slippery when wet and then you need to stop and clean it before you can use the scooter again. A child’s scooter should be cleaned and wiped off after each use. The best way to keep it clean is to buy a scooter with a non-slip base.
As a parent or an interested buyer, you should pay attention to the wheels of the scooter you are going to buy. The wheels are among the most important parts since they enable your kid to ride his scooter. They should be made of durable material; otherwise, you will soon need to replace them. The wheels diameter should be approximately 14 inches, but you can find smaller ones for younger children. Some models even come with retractable (or removable) wheels that make storage much easier.
The wheels of the scooter are among the most important elements when it comes to choosing a good model. After all, they are the ones responsible for making it move. Scooters can have a variety of wheels, but the ones that create the most noise are the plastic wheels. They crack and make a lot of noise when riding them on hard floors. These wheels have to be replaced quite often, which is why it makes sense to replace them with silicone or rubber ones.
This way, you won’t have to replace them anytime soon. When choosing scooter’s wheels, there are few things that should be known or considered. These include the hardness, or rigidity of the wheels as well as the size of the diameter to ensure your kids have a safer ride on their scooters. Children’s scooters are not to be confused with the standard adult scooters. These are invented for fun, to encourage exercise and are designed specifically for children.
They have large wheels that are softer, slower and lighter than the adult scooters. The wheels are also less likely to develop flat spots or hop around while riding on them. This is important because when a child falls they will hit the ground hard if the wheels lack this feature. Riding a scooter is fun and exciting but without proper precautions it can lead to injury.
If you are looking to buy a scooter, that you will be using for some time, the wheels are an important thing. The model of the scooter which gives you tires can be replaced with new ones, is the best deal even if it costs more.
On the market, you can find two types of scooters for children — scooters with brakes and no brakes. The presence of a brake in children’s scooters is not necessary, but desirable, because a scooter with a brake is safer. The brake is one of the most important components if we are talking about the scooter. Nothing is worse than not being able to stop when you need to. But you will get even more problems if your child continuously falls over when they press the brake.
When buying a scooter for children it is important that you buy the best quality scooter, which has an all-metal brake, not like some other brands which use all plastic. The best brake is one with thin plates of metal over a base of plastic. The thinner the plates the better, since thin metallic plates are much more reliable than thick ones. Scooters for children can be foldable or not. If you decide to take a folding model, which is undoubtedly more convenient to transport, there is no need to save money.
The trick is to choose a decent children’s scooter, combining price and quality. It will be a long-lasting toy if it does not cost a fortune. No matter what you have decided for a gift, it will be a big event for a child. He will surely be happy to get a scooter of his own, especially if it is a foldable one. It will allow him to play in a yard or a playground where a bulky model won’t fit. The most important thing in a scooter is that it is safe for a child to ride.
The handles bar has an important role in this scenario. Firstly, it helps you maintain balance and control the scooter as you enjoy the ride. Secondly, it serves as a brace and support for your little one as they lean on it. The bar should be positioned on the right and left of your child’s body and can come with or without an adjustable height.
Handlebar for kids should be designed in such a way that makes it comfortable to hold by little hands. Children can use their scooters to reach destinations faster. They also provide the option of moving outdoors since they are not that heavy. Scooters will give you a hard time if you select a poor quality product.
Ideal Rudder Height
It’s essential for a child to be self-possessed while riding a scooter. For this, it is important that the handlebar is at the right height. The ideal handlebar height should be related to the child’s arm length. With them standing against a wall, measure the distance from the back of their elbow to the floor. The handle bar should be at about that height. Add (four or five inches) to that number.
The resulting measurement is your scooter’s ideal handlebar height. The handlebar height should be set so that the child can stand with their back straight and feet on the ground. There should be no need for them to bend or lean forward. With this height, they will feel secure and confident enough so that leaning back will also not cause problems.
Choosing A Scooter For Your Child's Age
Scooters for kids are an important accessory when it comes to education in many respects. They teach your child balance and the basics in handling the scooter, in order to become independent and mobile. Choosing a scooter for a child should be taken very seriously because it not only gives pleasure to your child, but also promotes development. We all want a happy, healthy child and a scooter can help with that.
Let’s take a closer look at what children’s scooter is best for children of different ages :
2 Years — If your child is about to be 2 years of age, you can spoil him with his very first scooter! As a first scooter for toddlers and young kids, the price and the material should be rather simple and cheap. The first scooter doesn’t have to be complicated, as this record-breaking piece of gear will be ridden only inside the house for some time.
Your child’s first scooter is very important. It will shape your child’s attitude towards riding for years to come. That is why it is crucial to choose the right one. The most expensive scooter is not necessarily the best one. It comes down to the skill level of a toddler and a parent’s preferences. The ideal scooter for the little ones must be stable, which means it must be three- or four-wheeled. The handlebar should also be ready to withstand at least 60 pounds of weight.
The reason is that they will be more stable and won’t topple easily. Four wheels will ensure that it can roll steadily on a wide range of terrains. Scooters have been designed to help children improve their balance. In addition, the design allows children to move faster and in a more agile manner. Scooters with seats are designed to allow younger kids learn how to keep their balance while at the same time increasing speed.
Scooter for kids are equipped with a special handle of parental control, so that an adult can support the baby while riding. It can be an assistant who is teaching a child to ride, or the parent who spends the best time of his life with his son, turning a trip to kindergarten into a real adventure. Create your child its own transportation! It is very important for parents to select the scooter of the right material.
The most popular and durable material is plastic. It is resistant to damage and can be painted in any color. It is also lightweight. Plastic scooters will not rust, can be cleaned with soap and water, and are inexpensive. Scooters made of this material are not only durable, but easy to carry if you want to take it along on your next family vacation.
Children love the feeling of independence, and that’s exactly what they get by riding a scooter. Remember that your child’s comfort is of the utmost importance. The seat on a child’s bicycle should be set at a height where your child can comfortably reach the pedals when the seat is pushed all the way back. Be sure to adjust the seat to its proper height before giving it to your child.
4 Years — Choosing a scooter for your growing child can be a bit overwhelming. For children who are 4 years old, they can already hold their balance. Thus, the parent’s handle and seat should be removed for this level. Choosing a scooter for your child’s age is not as easy as it seems. 4 years old is a crucial period in a child’s life since he now develops hobbies and specific interest.
This is the perfect age to encourage this interest by buying him or her their first scooter. Scooters are on top of the children’s toys nowadays. They can also be used as educational tools for arm, leg and trunk muscles development of your child. Scooters for the children 4 years old should still be at least three-wheeled, because it is easier to ride on them.
There was a test in which it was determined that the three-wheeled scooter is safer to ride than the 2-wheel model because in the event of a fall, the child falls on the butt and does not hit the legs, so the risk to break his limb is greatly reduced. A good option remains balancing scooter — small in size, but with large wheels. The main thing when choosing is the appropriate age of the child, who will use it.
It will be a good idea to choose a children’s scooter, which turns due to the inclination of the handlebar — on such a model it is easier to keep the balance when turning. When buying a scooter for your children, you want to ensure that the material is chosen wisely. It needs to be durable, safe, and fun! The main material for a scooter is plastic or aluminum.
7 Years — Choosing the right model is partly done by comparing it to what your child already has. The first think you have to take into account when deciding whether your child is ready to ride a two-wheeled scooter or not, is skills. By that I mean both physical skills and the psychological ones. If she/he already knows how to ride a three-wheeled scooter, you can safely buy him a model with two wheels.
This type of scooters is more difficult to master, so adults should help children learn how to use it. It needs a whole series of progressive skills: strengthening the muscles of the fingers and hands, coordination between hands and feet, ability to balance on one foot and side stand. If the scooter is a new guest in the child’s life, it is better to look at three-wheeled versions.
The main feature of three-wheeled scooters — stability. Scooters come in all shapes and sizes. There are scooters for kids around age 7. They come in steel, aluminum, and plastic. It is a good idea to get a scooter appropriate for the child’s age because more appropriate means a better ride.
Older Than 8 Years — Scooters are a great toy that children can include in their daily routine. The two-wheeled scooter is perfect for ages of 8. Your child can experience the positive aspects of freedom while also remaining safe while riding on two wheels. As a parent, safety should be your primary concern when selecting a scooter for your child. It’s vitally important to choose the appropriate scooter for your child’s age, size, capabilities and experience.
You also need to choose the right size of wheels — smaller ones are better for skate parks, larger ones are better suited to off-road rides. Scooters come with a variety of wheels from tricycle-style wheels to stunt scooter wheels. A child’s age and their ability will determine what type of wheels they need. A helpful way to choose a good scooter is to know how your child uses it, where they will use it and what features you would like it to have. Maybe you don’t think it’s a big deal whether your child will be riding a cheap department store scooter or a more expensive model.
However, children grow fast, and a good scooter model could last for years. A scooter with adjustable height would allow children to play with it longer. Therefore, when ordering a scooter for kids online, keep in mind the option of adjusting the height of the handlebar. If you want to buy a scooter for your son or daughter, it is very important to choose the right type of device.
Depending on the age of the child, you need to pay more attention to certain details of production. Therefore, it is not superfluous in design will be shock absorbers. Aluminum and steel are two common materials for scooters. Choosing the right material for children may depend on how they will ride, how often they will use it, and several other factors. The most important criterion in choosing a scooter is its weight. Aluminum scooters are light, so you can easily ride away around the city.
But in the cold season you should give preference to steel models, because they can stand frosty air better than their lighter counterparts. In the case of a quiet walk around town with friends, aluminum — the best option, and for a more aggressive ride suit heavy, but shock-resistant steel scooter.
A scooter can be a great way to spend time together with your child, if you also try to «curb» this mode of transport. So it is not too late to think about buying a scooter for yourself at any age! Corralling the little ones around means that there are quite a few things you can do during these periods, whether it’s eating ice cream, visiting the zoo or simply walking along the shore. Scooters are compatible with all ages. You can even find some models specifically designed for children up to 3 years.
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