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Whether they’re circling the block or just moving up and down the driveway, all kids can benefit from a scooter. (We’re talking scooters; according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, electric scooters are only available to those with a driver’s license.) David Jacobson of Fit Kids, a non-profit organization that provides structured physical activity programs for underprivileged children. The for-profit organization claims that scooters can help children “develop fitness skills such as balance and hand-eye coordination, and during active activities, they can provide excellent aerobic training.”
In many ways, scooters are the perfect first-time toy: the deck is low enough to be easy to get on and off, the handlebars provide stability for beginners, and the three wheels (the most common style of scooter for kids) make it easy to learn. At the same time, balancing and kicking are less intimidating. For parents who don’t have a garage or plenty of extra space, scooters, especially foldable ones, can come in handy. They even need less room to ride, says Chris G. Cuthurs, pediatric and sports medicine specialist at ActiveKid in Anaheim, California. Scooters can be used in smaller, tighter spaces than bicycles, making them popular with city kids who use them to get around on sidewalks. But they’re a great addition to a balance bike because scooters train the body “in a different way than bikes,” according to Kristin Ernest, an assistant professor of pediatric sports medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands.
After talking with experts and parents, we have selected the best scooters for kids of all ages. Options abound, but once you’ve chosen a scooter, like any activity with wheels, be sure to wear a helmet.
Scooters that glide smoothly down driveways and sidewalks are not only more fun to ride, but also safer. The best scooters provide a stable ride on a variety of surfaces, from freshly poured concrete to park paths strewn with tree branches and pebbles. To do this, the wheels must be made of a strong and durable material so that they can roll over the debris without problems. The size of the wheels also needs to be considered: smaller wheels make the scooter more maneuverable and maneuverable, while larger wheels provide more stability and speed. While wheel sizes vary, all of the scooters on this list are recommended in part because of their smooth-gliding wheels.
Because kids are always growing, a handlebar that can grow with them will save you the hassle of buying a bigger scooter year after year. They make it easier for you to pass the scooter to your younger siblings or even share it with other kids. Look for a scooter that fits your child’s height and has the lowest handlebars so they have room to grow to a taller handlebar over time.
Jacobson said the grippy deck would give kids “more confidence and more security,” which he says means kids are more likely to spend hours riding their scooters. Some scooters have grip straps like skateboards, others have raised tracks for better grip. Regardless of the design, it must prevent the rider from slipping when their feet are wet or when jumping fast on it. Sylvanas Ward Darrett of children’s luxury store Maisonette thinks a deck that’s wide enough to hold two feet is an advantage, as it allows young children to reach out as adults and helps new riders keep their balance.
A scooter needs to be strong enough to carry its rider safely, withstanding a fair amount of abuse, while still being light enough for kids to carry. The lighter the frame, the easier it is for your child to move and maneuver. But weight is a huge factor for parents inevitably lugging things in and out of the car, going up and down subway steps on their way to the park or outdoor birthday party, or if a grumpy rider changes his mind. Pay attention to the frame material of the scooter. Both aluminum and carbon fiber are light and strong, but carbon fiber is stronger. We mark the material of each scooter frame below.
When it comes to scooter readiness, your child’s age matters more than their balance and agility: “A child who can stand on one foot and jump and hop on one foot is probably ready,” says Coutures. First, decide if you want a two-wheeled scooter or a three-wheeled scooter with two front wheels (for stability) and rear wheels. Younger kids should start with tricycle scooters. Readiness to ride a two-wheeled scooter usually appears around the age of 6 years.
For older kids, the choice between two-wheeled and three-wheeled scooters depends more on what type of cyclist they use and how they like to ride. Two-wheeled scooters require more balance and have a “swivel handlebar” mechanism similar to that of a two-wheeled bicycle. Three-wheeled scooters have a “Tilt Steer” mechanism, sort of like on snowboards. Three-wheeled scooters are strong and stable, but cannot make sharp turns like two-wheeled scooters. (Micro Kickboard, the maker of many of the scooters recommended below, has a helpful guide to help your child choose between two and three wheels.)
While storing and carrying a scooter is often easier than storing a default bike, a scooter that folds up when not in use is very convenient. So if you had a choice, we’d say pick the one that adds up. However, not every scooter is foldable and other factors may make a non-foldable model more suitable for your child.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Traction: embossed deck markings | Frame: carbon fiber | Weight limit: 110 pounds | Item Weight: 4.2 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
Carrie Ren of Two Wheeling Tots recommends any of the Micro Kickboard scooters because “their attention to detail, design quality and build precision are second to none,” she says. “No one has really come close even though everyone is trying to copy them.” All our experts agree that the Micro Kickboard is durable, lightweight, glides well on different types of terrain and is easy to ride even for beginners. The handlebar is easily adjustable without tools, and the rear wheel has a foot brake, making it easy to use even for very young children. “It’s a fantastic and beloved product,” says strategist writer Lauren Roe, who bought an ice blue Mini Deluxe when her son was 3. Now her son is 4 years old. The scooter is still spinning a lot after a year of riding. . Luo said it still suits him.
For a scooter designed for kids ages 2 to 5, the mini scooter has an amazing weight limit of 110 pounds, making it great for its size and strength. (For context, the average 5-year-old weighs just under 50 pounds.) It’s backed by a two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and all parts are replaceable, so it’ll last for years and pass easily from sibling to sibling. Brothers and sisters In addition, if you want accessories to decorate your child’s scooter, the brand sells accessories such as bells, lights, plush seats and handlebar bands.
Steering wheel: four height adjustable | Traction: caterpillar | Frame: polyamide and steel with aluminum T-bar | Weight Limit: 44 lbs | Product weight: 5.1 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: No, but the T-bar will come off and store under the scooter
For kids who are just getting started with scooters, the Oxelo B1 500 is a great choice. It’s cheaper than most scooters and has “good control” according to Ernest. Designed to help kids find balance and learn to control speed and steering, it’s sturdy and stable, and its adjustable handlebar means it’s suitable for kids up to 3’11″ tall (the brand recommends it for kids ages 2 to 5). ). It only comes in one color, but it has motion-activated LED glowing wheels that kids are guaranteed to love. While not technically a foldable scooter, the T-bar can be removed with the press of a button, which then attaches to the bottom of the deck for easy portability.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Clutch: raised deck markings | Frame: carbon fiber | Weight limit: 110 pounds | Item Weight: 5.5 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
In Couture’s words, you want to “get something that a child can grow into.” The Micro Kickboard Maxi Deluxe fits the bill: an enlarged version of the Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe, it has many of the same features such as foot brakes on the rear wheels and great steering, only enhanced for kids ages 5 to 12. Like the Mini, Maxi’s adjustable handlebars allow it to grow with your child; they can be extended 10 inches (for kids 49 to 59 inches tall) and you can raise the T-bar to any height within that range (no tools required). It carries the same two-year warranty as the Mini and comes with replacement parts to ensure it will last for multiple kids.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Traction: tread | Frame: aluminum | Weight limit: 110 pounds | Item Weight: 4.7 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
Daniella Parde of Fat Brain Toys likes this option for older kids because it’s a more affordable alternative to the Maxi Deluxe. It features a similar three-wheel and tilt design, as well as a strong aluminum frame, adjustable handlebars, rear wheel brakes, and non-slip grips and decks. It is lighter than the Maxi Deluxe. The handlebar adjusts from 28 inches to 32.5 inches above the deck to accommodate taller kids, and YBike recommends them for kids ages 5 and up.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Pull: taped handle | Frame: metal | Weight limit: 220 pounds | Product weight: 5.9 pounds | Wheels: two | Folding: yes
Eli Gourock, CEO of children’s and toddler retail store Magic Beans, pointed out to us that the Micro Kickboard Sprite is a good option for kids who have the balancing skills needed on two wheels and whose parents want a kick scooter. Bye. Recommended for kids ages 6 and up, the Sprite has an adjustable handlebar and a weight limit of 220 pounds – enough for teens and many adults. It’s one of the lightest two-wheel scooters on the market, and its foldable T-bar and foldable handle make it extremely portable (the brand sells shoulder straps to make it easier to transport after a ride).
Echoing other Micro Kickboard fans, Gourock called the brand “unsurpassed” in quality, strength and durability, as did Vox Media senior technical director and father-of-two Ryan Freeburn, whose 13-year-old son rides a Sprite and travels regularly from school to school. Go to school. Joining the choir is Strategist senior editor and mum of two Jen Trolio. Trolio’s 7-year-old daughter recently switched from her Mini Deluxe to the Sprite, and its smooth handling made it easy to transition from three wheels to two. For another $10, you can buy a version of the Sprite with glowing wheels.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Traction: taped deck | Frame: aluminum | Weight Limit: 143 lbs | Item Weight: 8 lbs | Wheels: two | Folding: yes
According to Koutures, the Razor A3 is a more affordable two-wheeled scooter, made from lightweight and durable aluminum with an adjustable handlebar that’s especially useful during growth spurts. Like the Sprite, the A3′s T-bar folds up to the baseboard, but the handle is fixed, making it less compact. It’s about two pounds heavier than the Sprite, with a bottom limit of 143 pounds.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Traction: embossed deck markings | Frame: carbon fiber and aluminum | Weight limits: 44 lbs for seat, 110 lbs for scooter | Item Weight: 4.2 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
For the youngest kids, the scooter starts out as a balance bike-like scooter with an O-shaped handlebar and a seat that can be adjusted to two different heights. It can then transform into a scooter with two different handlebar shapes. The fixed-height O-bar is easier for little hands to hold, and the adjustable T-bar turns the whole thing into a scooter that’s nearly identical to the Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe, one of our top picks above.
Trolio bought the Micro Mini 3in1 Deluxe when her youngest daughter was less than a year old. This lasted easily for the next four years, until Trolio passed it on to a young neighbor just before her daughter’s 5th birthday (the same daughter later switched to the foldable Maxi Deluxe featured in this guide). Even with the seat installed, the Mini 3in1 Deluxe is the lightest transition scooter we’ve found, weighing about two pounds less than the Razor Rollie below. It may not sound like much, but in the world of an 18-month-old baby, it makes a big difference.
Handlebar: adjustable, removable seat | Traction: Raised markings on deck | Frame: plastic | Weight Limit: 44 lbs | Item Weight: 6.4 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
The Razor Rollie DLX is recommended by Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Marissa Silva, who says its biggest benefit is how easy it is to remove the seat when little ones are ready to get up and roll. It shares that feature, as well as the adjustable handlebar, with the Mini 3in1 higher, but the Rollie’s price is half that of the Mini 3in1. The main trade-off is that the Rollie is not as light as the Mini3in1, has a plastic frame (rather than carbon and aluminium) and a lower rider weight limit. But it has motion-activated rainbow LED lights on the front wheels and plinth panels, making sunset riding extra cool.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Grip: with tread | Frame: aluminum | Weight Limits: Seat 44 lbs, Scooter 110 lbs | Item Weight: 6.8 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
Darrett likes the Globber Go-Up she sells in her store because it comes in three different configurations: Tool required. It’s similar to the two transitional scooters above, but in addition to allowing the rider to slide while sitting or standing, you can also attach a handlebar to the back of the seat to prod your child while riding. Trolio says this feature is great for younger kids who want to be independent and are very interested in scooters, but may still need help. The seat can be adjusted in two heights, the handlebar can be adjusted in three, and the front wheels have motion-activated LED flashers.
Steering wheel: non-adjustable in an arc | Traction: tread | Frame: aluminum | Weight Limit: 44 lbs | Product weight: 5.5 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: no
Parde calls the Ybike GLX Cruze “the perfect first scooter.” The wide rear wheels and grippy deck provide extra stability when your child leans over to steer and turn. While not adjustable, the curved handlebar gives kids more room to find their center of gravity. The large rear foot brake is also very easy to use.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Clutch: raised deck markings | Frame: carbon fiber | Weight limit: 110 pounds | Product Weight: 4.2 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: yes
The foldable version of the Micro Kickboard has almost the same design as the non-folding Mini Deluxe: with just one click, you can fold the T-bar onto the deck. The age range is the same, 2 to 5, but we think spending $20 on a folding option is a smart investment if you have younger kids who get tired easily and require you to carry the scooter for them. Being able to fold the scooter can be a game changer, especially if you have a stroller or want to travel with one. As with the non-collapsible version, it features an adjustable T-bar that can grow with your child and an easy-to-use heel lock on the rear wheel.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Clutch: raised deck markings | Frame: carbon fiber | Weight limit: 110 pounds | Product Weight: 4.2 lbs | Wheels: three | Folding: yes
This scooter is nearly identical to our pick of the best kickboard for older kids, the Micro Kickboard Maxi Deluxe, with two key improvements: motion activated illuminated wheels and a foldable handlebar for easy portability. Trolio, whose 5-year-old daughter recently switched from a Mini 3in1 to a Maxi Deluxe, says the Maxi can technically be folded with one hand – put your foot on the floor and pull up on the T-sliding mechanism at the bottom. Unlock the lever and lower it. She finds this feature useful for transporting her kids’ scooters on road trips or, as suburbanites like her often do, tossing them in the trunk for rides to the nearest skate park.
The Maxi Deluxe comes in a variety of colors, has a 110-pound weight limit, and the handlebar adjusts from 24 to 34 inches above the deck, meaning it can accommodate some kids from their teens. (Micro Kickboard says it’s best for kids ages 5 to 12.) Plus, it has kid-friendly glow-in-the-dark wheels, a favorite of Trolio’s daughter, which are especially bright and inviting for twilight rides.
Steering wheel: adjustable | Grip: embossed pattern on deck | Frame: aluminum | Weight limit: 220 pounds | Item Weight: 9.34 lbs | Wheels: two | Folding: yes
Scooters are a great way to give older kids some independence, like letting them drive to school or a friend’s house on their own. Mary Cousin, founder and CEO of People of Play, recommends this Valor model for its ultra-compact build when your kids get to their destination. The scooter has a “quick fold” option, similar to a folding Micro Kickboard, with a T-bar that folds onto the deck. But if you’re willing to spend a few extra minutes making the scooter as small as possible, Valor takes it one step further with foldable wheels and handlebars. Ironically, while this scooter is the smallest folding scooter on our list, it’s also the heaviest – so to take advantage of its ultra-compact form factor, you’ll have to pack a few extra pounds. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up, this scooter has an adjustable T-bar up to 36 inches and a weight limit of 220 pounds.
• Mary Cousin, founder and CEO of People of Play • Christine Ernest, assistant professor of pediatric sports medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, The Woodlands • Eli Gourock, CEO, children’s retailer Magic Beans • David Jacobson, Fit Kids • Chris G . Couture, Pediatric and Sports Medicine Specialist at ActiveKid, Anaheim, CA • Danielle Parde, Fat Brain Toys • Lauren Roe, Strategy Writer and Mom of Two • Jen Trolio, Senior Editor, Strategist and Mom of Two • Sylvana Ward Children’s Magazine Durrett, Luxury Goods Dealer Maisonette Carrie Wren of Two Wheeling Tots
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Post time: Apr-27-2023
