Sometimes, it feels impossible to keep up with kids’ toy trends – every birthday and Christmas, there’s some new gadget that your little ones claim every child in their class has. And as parents, it can get overwhelming. Are these toys safe? Is my child old enough? And will they still be using it in a few months time?
Hoverboards are a trend that has stuck around for a few years now, and provide entertainment for kids and adults alike. These self-balancing scooters use a gyroscope to detect which way the rider is leaning, and allow them to travel in that direction – usually with a bump or a fall along the way!
If you need any more information about these toys, we have whole guides on how kids’ hoverboards work and how to ride a hoverboard for kids, to help you make an informed decision before buying one for your child.
What is the recommended age for a hoverboard?
Most manufacturers will tell you that kids should only start riding hoverboards from 6 years old. But often as a parent, it can be tempting to let your child try out toys or games that are age-rated a little bit older than they currently are – especially if they claim all their friends’ parents allow it.
However, we agree with the manufacturers – kids shouldn’t be using a hoverboard before they’re six years old. There are plenty of reasons for this, most of which revolve around keeping everyone safe.
Why shouldn’t young children use a hoverboard?
Hoverboards simply aren’t recommended for children under the age of six. And in case your little ones begin to protest, here are just a few reasons why young children shouldn’t be using hoverboards:
They’re not designed for young children – hoverboard manufacturers create these toys with a target audience in mind. This means they’re ergonomically designed for the size, weight and abilities of older children. Using any kind of toy that’s designed for someone a lot bigger than you risks injury.
Younger children won’t have the required motor control – hoverboards are actually incredibly tricky to manoeuvre. Tiny movements are what cause the hoverboard to move and turn, meaning kids need to be able to apply small amounts of lean and pressure in order to move their hoverboard. Such nuanced movement is significantly more difficult for younger children, who often lack the required motor skills.
There is an increased risk of injury – small children are often fearless, but they are still fragile! If a young child falls off a hoverboard, there is a serious risk of injury – either from falling on the floor or hitting something else.
Either way, putting a little kid on a hoverboard simply isn’t worth the risk.
How to find the right hoverboard size for every age
Such new technology may leave parents asking: “are hoverboards safe for kids?“, which is an understandable concern. However, there are many precautions you can take to make sure you’re keeping your little ones safe at all times. This includes finding a hoverboard that is the right size for your child.
Self-balancing hoverboards come in various sizes suitable for most age groups, from young kids to adults. It’s actually not that difficult to figure out what hoverboard size is best for your child, as they’re sized in inches. Don’t be fooled, though – “inches” refer to the wheel size (including the solid tyres), not the board itself.
This guide should help you find the best size of hoverboard for your youngster. The smaller the solid tyre, the younger the board is suited for, so look for that when selecting your electric hoverboard.
6.5-inch solid tyre size
If you’re the proud parent of a child aged 6-12 years old, the 6.5-inch tyre size is your best bet.
Anything larger won’t give them quite the wonderful, comfortable riding experience that this size will – an especially important feature for a younger child.
Speed-wise, the hoverboards of this size found here at Electric Ride on Cars clock in with a 13 km/h cruising speed, which isn’t too fast for a kid of that age. If your child is over 20 kg, they’re within the prescribed weight range for the 6.5-inch hoverboard. This board caters for riders up to 100kg, so the maximum weight should never be an issue for a younger kid. The motors provide 150W*2 of power, and they come in colours to suit every child’s tastes.
If you leave the hoverboard charging for two to three hours, your young child will get 6-8 kilometres of riding distance, with a maximum climbing gradient of 15-degrees
8.5-inch solid tyre size
This hoverboard tyre size is recommended for slightly bigger children of 10 years and older. They also make great adult hoverboards, so here’s your chance if you want to get involved!
These 8.5-inch electric hoverboards are higher above the ground thanks to their larger wheels and higher pad level. There’s a substantial change in motor power compared to the 6.5-inch board, with the 8.5-inch board powered by a 700W silent drive motor. It also comes with a wider base, meaning that adults can ride the 8.5-inch electric hoverboard very comfortably. A single two-to-three-hour charge allows kids to travel 8-16 km, negotiating gradient inclines of up to 30-degrees.
Off-roaders
Remember we said that your electric hoverboard isn’t really built to use off-road? Well, most aren’t.
The off-road or all-terrain hoverboard is an entirely different kind of self-balancing electric scooter. It’s a hoverboard designed with heavier working parts, wider wheels, deeper tyre treads and a more powerful motor. This off-roader is not your average hoverboard – it’s a perfect solution for riders keen on a unique riding experience!
The solid tyres on these hoverboards are either 6.5 or 8.5 inches in diameter, and the larger rough-riders reach a max speed of 16 km/h (although you should probably tone it down a bit over tougher terrain). Batteries charged for two to three hours will allow for a travelling distance of up to16 km, with climbing gradients reaching 30 degrees for the larger hoverboard. Plus, you can choose your colours and designs from a selection.
We wouldn’t recommend kids under 10 years old ride the bigger beast, though. The official suggestion is that they’re safe for minimum weights of 30 kg and up to 130 kg maximum. The best part is that all of the hoverboards available at Electric Ride on Cars are all-terrain boards!
Remember, choose your size well!
We have a final word on hoverboard sizes – compare the different sizes and choose well. Abide by the weight-to-age suggestions as much as you can, as they’ve been researched to ensure a safe and fun riding experience for all ages. If in doubt, trust the experts!
Top safety tips for hoverboard riding for kids
We’ve covered the different hoverboard size options and stressed the importance of choosing the right size for your child’s age group. Even more important is that your kid is aware of how to stay safe on a hoverboard. You, too, should be aware of the following safety tips to keep your little one out of trouble.
Buy from a reputable seller
Stay away from cheap imitation hoverboards. Research which ones are authentic and avoid buying from bargain basements and individual sellers – stick to trusted suppliers like Electric Ride On Cars instead. Your kid will be safer, and you’ll rest easier knowing this!
Avoid the bumps
Expensive toys should last, and the best way to make sure they do is to steer clear of rough terrain – unless you’re riding an off-roader, of course!
If you teach your child to avoid rough stretches of pavement, you’ll stand a better chance of keeping your kids and their hoverboards safe. Sure, there might be some introductory tumbles and a few tears, but get children to respect their hoverboard, and they’ll enjoy it for years to come.
Be familiar with the hoverboard laws
You may not know this, but riding a hoverboard in a public place in the UK is illegal. This doesn’t mean there aren’t those who do, but it’s actually against the law! Your children can ride on private property to their hearts’ content, but make them aware of the laws of the land.
Don’t charge all night
A hoverboard is not a cell phone or a tablet. It’s safe to charge these items overnight, but a hoverboard should only be charged for four hours at most. Leaving an authentic hoverboard to charge overnight by mistake isn’t the end of the world, but it’s unnecessary and can pose a fire hazard.
Don’t stop practising
Riding a hoverboard is an art form that you’ll only perfect with practice, just like riding a bike. Don’t think you can let your precious child loose on the road two minutes after they’ve removed the bow from their birthday present! They shouldn’t be on the streets anyway, so make sure you find a quiet piece of private property for the kids to practise.
They’ll want to learn how kids’ hoverboards work and how to ride them. Firstly, they should stand upright on the board, keeping their knees straight. With their legs slightly apart, “pilots” should look directly in front of them while riding. It’s just as important that they’re comfortable climbing onto the hoverboard and not battling to get off it, either.
It’s quite difficult stepping onto the hoverboard one foot at a time, but this gets easier with practice. Encourage your kids to step back when stepping off the board, using their stronger foot first.
Always be safe
It’s easy to neglect your protective gear when you’re accustomed to doing something, but be a good parent and insist that your kids use their elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, and helmets when they’re learning to ride their hoverboards. Falls are going to happen, so keep the kids as safe as possible for when they do!
Post time: Aug-24-2023
