Skateboarding is an exciting and engaging sport that kids can enjoy while staying active and developing important skills. But with so many options available, finding the best skateboard for kids can be a daunting task.
Choosing the right skateboard is essential for kids to have a safe and enjoyable experience. The perfect board will enable them to learn and progress at their own pace while minimizing the risk of injury. In this comprehensive guide, we have carefully reviewed and compared various skateboard brands, features, and designs to help you make an informed decision.
Best Skateboards for Kids of Different Ages
The following are reviews of the best skateboards to consider for your kids, regardless of their age.
1. Magneto Kids Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Canadian Maple Deck Material: Crafted from high-quality Canadian maple wood, the Magneto Kids skateboard offers a durable and sturdy deck that can withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding by kids.
- Aluminum Trucks: These trucks provide excellent support and stability, ensuring a safe and secure ride for your child.
- Smooth Ride With PU Wheels: The soft PU wheels are perfect for providing a smooth and enjoyable ride, even on rough surfaces.
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2. Mini Cruiser Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Compact Size for Younger Kids: This mini skateboard is perfect for young kids aged 6 to 12, who are just starting out in the world of skateboarding. Its small size makes it easier for them to maneuver and control.
- Durable Plastic Deck: The sturdy plastic deck is built to withstand the rigors of skateboarding, ensuring that it lasts for years to come.
- Light-up Wheels: These wheels not only look cool but also provide added visibility and safety during evening skate sessions.
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3. RIMABLE Complete Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Durable Deck: The RIMABLE skateboard features a robust deck made of high-quality aluminum and plastic material, ensuring longevity and excellent performance.
- PU Wheels: The soft PU wheels provide a smooth ride, making it easier for kids to learn and practice skateboarding.
- High-Speed Bearings: Equipped with high-speed bearings, this skateboard offers an exciting and responsive riding experience for kids.
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4. Skatro Mini Cruiser Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Flexible Plastic Deck: The Skatro Mini Cruiser features a bendable plastic deck that allows for better control and maneuverability, perfect for kids learning to skateboard.
- Smooth-Riding Bearings: These high-quality bearings ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride, even on rough surfaces.
- Compact Size: The smaller size of this skateboard makes it an excellent option for younger kids or those with smaller shoe sizes.
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5. Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Strong Maple Deck: This skateboard boasts a sturdy Canadian maple deck designed to withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding.
- Durable Trucks: The aluminum trucks provide stability and support, making them a safe choice for kids.
- Soft wheels: The soft wheels ensure a comfortable ride, perfect for beginners and casual skaters.
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6. PlayWheels Ultimate Spider-Man Kids Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Fun Graphics: This skateboard features vibrant and exciting Spider-Man graphics that will appeal to young superhero fans.
- Composite Trucks: The composite trucks offer a lightweight yet sturdy support system for kids to learn and practice skateboarding.
- Durable Deck: The Maple wood deck is built to last, ensuring that your child’s skateboard will withstand the test of time.
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7. Meketec Mini Cruiser Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Compact Design: The Meketec Mini Cruiser is designed for young kids, with a smaller size that makes it easier to control and maneuver.
- Long-Lasting Aluminum Deck: The sturdy deck ensures that this skateboard will withstand the rigors of skateboarding.
- Smooth Ride: The soft wheels and high-quality bearings provide a smooth and enjoyable ride, even on rough surfaces.
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8. Retrospec Quip Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Lightweight Plastic Deck: The Retrospec Quip skateboard features a lightweight plastic deck, making it easy for kids to carry and maneuver.
- Smooth-Rolling Wheels: The soft wheels provide a comfortable ride, perfect for beginners and casual skaters.
- Responsive Trucks: The trucks on this skateboard offer excellent stability and control, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for kids.
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9. Penny Australia Classic Complete Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- High-Quality Deck: The Penny Australia Classic skateboard features a durable and lightweight plastic deck that is built to last.
- Exciting Skating Experience: The soft wheels and premium bearings ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride, even on uneven surfaces.
- Compact Size: This skateboard’s smaller size makes it perfect for younger kids or those with smaller shoe sizes.
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10. Santa Cruz Complete Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Smooth-Riding Wheels: The soft wheels ensure a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience, perfect for beginners and casual skaters.
- High-Quality Deck: The Santa Cruz skateboard boasts a sturdy deck made from aluminum maple wood, ensuring durability and excellent performance.
- Excellent Trucks for Turning: The trucks are some of the best in terms of control and stability.
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11. Playshion Drop Through Freestyle Longboard Skateboard Cruiser
Features and Benefits
- Drop-Through Design: The Playshion Drop-Through Longboard features a lower center of gravity, making it easier for kids to push and maintain balance while riding.
- Flexible Deck: The deck is constructed from 8-ply maple, providing flexibility and durability for a comfortable and responsive ride.
- Soft Wheels: The 70mm PU wheels offer a smooth ride on various surfaces, making them suitable for cruising and carving.
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12. Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard
Features and Benefits
- Canadian Maple Deck: The Krown Rookie skateboard features a 7-ply Canadian maple deck, offering a perfect balance between durability and lightweight design.
- Aluminum Trucks: The trucks are made from aluminum alloy, providing stability and control for kids learning to skate.
- Smooth Ride: The skateboard’s 52mm urethane wheels and ABEC-5 bearings ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride on various surfaces.
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13. Flybar Skate Cruiser Boards
Features and Benefits
- Compact Design: The Flybar Skate Cruiser Boards have a compact and portable design, making them perfect for younger kids or those who prefer a smaller board for transportation.
- Durable Plastic Deck: The skateboard’s plastic deck offers durability and flexibility, allowing for a responsive and enjoyable ride.
- Smooth, Light-up Wheels: The 60mm PU wheels provide a smooth ride, while the LED lights add a fun and stylish touch, making the board more visible and appealing to kids.
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14. BELEEV Skateboards for Beginners
Features and Benefits
- Sturdy Deck: The BELEEV skateboard features a 7-ply Canadian maple deck, providing a robust and durable surface for kids learning to skate.
- Responsive Trucks: The skateboard comes with 5-inch aluminum alloy trucks, ensuring a stable and responsive ride for beginners.
- Smooth Wheels: The 55mm 95A PU wheels, combined with ABEC-7 bearings, offer a smooth and comfortable ride on various surfaces, making it suitable for cruising and learning basic tricks.
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Skateboard Types
Knowing the types of skateboards is ideal for a more informed selection process.
1. Complete Skateboards
A complete skateboard is a pre-assembled board that comes with all the necessary components, such as the deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings. This type of skateboard is an excellent option for beginner skateboarders, as it eliminates the need to purchase and assemble individual parts.
2. Cruiser Skateboards
Cruiser skateboards, as the name suggests, are designed for cruising around town, with large and soft wheels for a smoother ride. These boards are perfect for kids who want to focus on transportation and leisure skating rather than performing tricks.
3. Mini Skateboards
Mini skateboards are smaller versions of standard skateboards, which are what a kid with smaller feet and little experience needs to enjoy the experience. These boards are easier to control and maneuver, providing a great introduction to the sport of skateboarding.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Skateboard for Kids
What must you keep in mind when choosing a skateboard for your kid? Here are some of the important ones:
1. Age and Experience Level
When choosing a skateboard for your child, it’s important to consider their age and experience level. Younger kids and beginners may benefit from a mini or cruiser skateboard as these boards are easier to control and maneuver. On the other hand, older or more experienced kids might prefer a standard-sized skateboard that allows them to perform tricks and further develop their skills.
2. Deck Size and Material
The size and material of the skateboard deck play a significant role in the overall riding experience. Smaller decks are generally better suited for younger kids, while larger skateboard decks offer more stability for older kids. In terms of materials, maple wood decks are known for their durability and strength, while plastic decks are lightweight and more affordable.
3. Wheels and Trucks
Soft wheels provide a smoother ride, making them ideal for kids who are just starting out or prefer cruising over tricks. Hard wheels are better for performing tricks and riding in skate parks. Additionally, look for aluminum alloy trucks that offer durability and stability while remaining lightweight.
4. Price and Quality
While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in a high-quality skateboard ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience for your child. Look for boards that offer a balance between affordability and quality, as these will last longer and provide better performance.
5. Skill Level
Consider your child’s current skill level when selecting a skateboard. For beginners, it’s essential to choose a skateboard with a wider deck, softer wheels, and stable trucks to provide a more comfortable learning experience. As your child becomes more advanced, you may need to upgrade to a skateboard with features that cater to specific skateboarding styles or tricks.
6. Shoe Size
The shoe size of your child is crucial in determining the appropriate skateboard. Kids with smaller shoe sizes may benefit from mini or cruiser skateboards with a smaller deck width. Older kids and those with larger shoe sizes will likely need a standard-sized skateboard for better stability and control.
7. Skateboarding Style
There are various skateboarding styles, such as cruising, street, park, and vert. Identifying the style your child is most interested in or comfortable with can help you choose the right skateboard with features tailored to that specific style.
8. Design and Graphics
Kids often appreciate skateboards with cool graphics and designs. Choosing a skateboard with appealing visuals can help motivate your child and make the skateboarding experience more enjoyable. However, remember that design should not overshadow the importance of quality and performance.
9. Maintenance and Upgradability
It’s essential to choose a skateboard with easily replaceable and upgradeable components. As your child’s skill level improves or components wear out, you’ll need to replace or upgrade specific parts, such as wheels, bearings, or trucks, to maintain the skateboard’s performance.
10. Brand Reputation
Research the reputation of various skateboard brands and read customer reviews to determine the quality and reliability of their products. Well-established brands with a history of producing quality skateboards are typically a safer choice.
Skate Park Etiquette
Teaching your child proper skate park etiquette is crucial for ensuring a positive and respectful environment for all skaters. Here are some basic rules and tips to follow:
- Wait your turn and be mindful of other skaters.
- Avoid getting in the way of other skaters’ paths or tricks.
- Keep the park clean by disposing of trash properly.
Safety Gear and Tips for Skateboarding Kids
Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to skateboarding. Ensure your child wears the following protective gear:
- Helmet
- Wrist guards
- Elbow pads
- Knee pads
Tips for Safe Skateboarding for Kids
- Encourage your child to start with a beginner skateboard to perform basic tricks and gradually progress as they become more comfortable and confident on their skateboard.
- Make sure they always wear protective gear, even when practicing simple maneuvers.
How to Maintain and Customize Your Kid’s Skateboard
Take the following steps to maintain and customize your kid’s skateboard:
Regular Maintenance
To keep your child’s skateboard in optimal condition, perform regular maintenance tasks, such as the following.
- Cleaning and tightening skateboard trucks to ensure stability and control.
- Replacing worn-out skateboard wheels and grip tape to maintain traction and performance.
Customizing the Board
As your child’s skills and preferences evolve, consider customizing their skateboard with:
- A unique deck shape and design that reflects their personality and style.
- Upgraded components, such as bearings and bushings, for a smoother and more responsive ride.
Conclusion
Finding the best kids’ skateboards involves considering various factors such as age, experience level, deck size, and material, as well as the type of wheels and trucks. By following our comprehensive guide and reviewing our top picks, you can confidently choose the perfect skateboard for your child.
Encourage them to practice safe skateboarding habits and provide them with the right protective gear, and they’ll be well on their way to enjoying this exciting and rewarding sport.
