Skateboards have long since been an exciting and highly sought-after toy for children, and it's easy to see why. The thrill of riding and the fun of trying out new tricks offer a great deal of enjoyment for kids, and it can even develop into a lifelong hobby. However, there are a few things to consider before choosing a skateboard and introducing your child to skateboarding, to ensure they get the most out of learning and can do so confidently and safely.

To make things easy, we’ve put together a complete guide on everything you need to know about skateboarding as a parent to help your child get started.

What Age Should a Kid Get a Skateboard?

Children can start skateboarding and learning the basics at many ages. In terms of the earliest, kids can begin learning between three and five years old, with mini cruiser boards being the first introduction for many. These feature shorter decks and narrower widths to help with teaching them the basics of balance. However, kids can start learning at many different ages.

Between the ages of five and eight, children will be developing stronger motor skills and will be more likely to better take to skateboarding. For nine- to twelve-year-olds, introducing them to skateboarding is a great way to help them develop their independence and to foster a new outdoor hobby. They’ll also be the right age to handle trick skateboards and develop their skills into more advanced areas.

Our Skateboard Size Chart

With so many different skateboard sizes, choosing the right size for your child can be a little confusing at first. Whether you’re looking to find out what size skateboard to get your three, five, eight, or eleven-year-old, our simple chart below can help you to easily work out what size and style of skateboard is most appropriate for your child as per their size and skill level.

How to Choose a Skateboard for Your Child

There are several types of skateboards suitable for different ages, experience levels, and riding styles, so be sure to choose the right one for your child. The most common types of skateboards are:

• Mini cruisers: These are smaller boards specifically designed for young children, typically aged three to five. They provide extra stability and easier control to help build confidence and learn balance before moving on to a full-size skateboard.

• Standard skateboards: These are ideal for beginners and those interested in street or park skating. They are versatile for tricks and learning the basics.

• Longboards: Longboards are great for cruising and downhill riding, as they’re longer and more stable than other types. They are easier to balance on, making them suitable for younger or less experienced riders.

• Cruiser boards: Smaller than longboards but larger than standard skateboards, cruiser boards are perfect for commuting and casual riding around parks or neighbourhoods.

How to Make Skateboarding Safe for Your Child

As your child learns to skateboard, and even as they become more adept, it’s likely that your child will have the occasional tumble. As such, it’s important to make sure they’re able to enjoy skateboarding and feel confident in it, while also being prepared to prevent any serious injury.

The best way to do so is to keep them equipped with good safety gear. They’ll need a well-fitting kids’ helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads to keep them well protected when learning how to ride. It also helps significantly for them to wear flat-soled shoes with good grip, which helps them feel more stable and in control of the board. 

By wearing all of these, your child can ride safely while being protected from injury or sprain.

Teaching Your Child to Learn Skateboarding

Your child, and especially younger children, will need supervision as they begin learning to skateboard to help build their confidence and to ensure they’re practising safely.

When starting out, it's best to find a comfortable space to help your child develop their confidence. This is best done on smooth, flat surfaces for simple riding and in shorter practice sessions rather than longer, exhausting ones. With these, you should help your child master the basics of balance, pushing, turning, and stopping before they attempt more advanced tricks.

It’s important to offer positive encouragement to your child during learning sessions to make the learning process enjoyable and prevent frustration.

Once they’ve got the basics under their belts, you can help progress their learning at a skate park, where they can begin practising more challenging moves in a controlled environment. By keeping up with their practising and following all of our advice above, your child will be confidently skateboarding in no time!

Skateboards and More Outdoor Toys at BargainMax

With our parents’ guide to skateboarding, you now know all of our best advice to help your child get started with an exciting new hobby that may develop into a lifelong interest!

If you’re looking for skateboards to introduce them, you can find high-quality skateboards at low costs as part of our wide range of outdoor toys at BargainMax, with options suitable for all ages. To inspire more outdoor activity for your child, you can also take a look at our bikes and scooters from top brands such as Huffy and Xootz.

Discover all of these amazing outdoor toys and many more in our full collection of kids’ toys today!