The Best Age to Start Skateboarding is the frequently asked question. To be safe, I suggest preventing children under the age of five from using a skateboard. Although there are exceptions to the norm, you must always pay attention to a youngster.
5 years old and older is the ideal starting age for skating. Children under the age of five struggle to balance on a skateboard and have weak fine motor skills. However, children under the age of five can safely ride a skateboard with adult supervision and safety equipment.
It’s debatable whether or not younger children are more prone to sustain injuries when skating, according to research data. However, seasoned skateboarders have a different viewpoint. So let’s examine both sides’ justifications.
What Age Is the Best for a Child to Begin Skateboarding?
I frequently witness these very young children performing complex stunts. Yes, this is nice and it looks wonderful, but these gifted children are typically supervised by seasoned skateboarders.
Children under the age of five also haven’t fully developed their fine motor abilities, making it more difficult for them to learn how to maneuver a skateboard. This will cause several falls and demotivated children.
Since the American Academy of Pediatrics highly discourages skating and scootering at such a young age, it is best to heed their advice if you can’t keep an eye on your child at all times. Here are their comments:
- High risk of harm due to insufficient strength and poor decision-making when approaching traffic.
- The neuromuscular system, which includes all of the body’s muscles and the nerves that supply them, is immature and has a high center of gravity.
- They are less adept at preventing falls.
Not all children are alike, and there are always exceptions. Make sure your child is wearing elbow, knee, and (most critically) a helmet if you do want them to start skating at age 3 or 4. Invest on a high-quality skateboard as well; buying a cheap skateboard from Walmart or Amazon won’t be doing your kids any favors.
Why Younger Kids Can Ride Skateboards
The AAP’s statistics is accurate, yet not all children are alike. There is really no damage if sufficient adult supervision is provided and safety measures are taken. Skateboarders frequently emphasize that there is minimal risk when a youngster is properly guided and closely supervised at all times. To make skating as safe as possible, consider the following advice:
- Children should never go without a helmet, knee, and elbow protectors.
- Invest in a high-quality skateboard rather than one of those $30–60 models.
- Steer clear of traffic and congested areas.
- Inspect the place where your child rides a board to be sure it has a smooth surface (concrete, BB courts, or slippery asphalt).
- Look around for any obstructions that might cause a kid to fall, such as glass, twigs, or small stones.
Having protective gear is quite helpful. Make sure the material is sturdy and secure; it must fit appropriately. Helmets and knee pads that don’t fit correctly provide less protection.
The Best Way For Children To Learn To Skateboard
The main factors are good equipment and supervision. On a skateboard designed for tricks, my child struggled to learn how to ride it. That refers to a harder-wheeled skateboard that is excellent for performing technical feats but doesn’t provide a smooth ride. They perform well in skateparks or when using concrete surfaces; rough surfaces are less effective.
A cruiser will work incredibly well for learning the fundamentals. The large, supple wheels on these boards provide a ton of stability.
You may also put together a skateboard by yourself. You might use larger, softer wheels and good bearings in place of small, hard wheels to make them spin more quickly.
The advantage is that a youngster won’t have to pick up speed again, giving them more time to learn how to skateboard.
Recommended Children’s Skateboard Equipment
If you simply want to purchase a skateboard and move on, there are several options available. There are differences between everyone.
For children above the age of five, I suggest the following skateboards:
The Arbor Pocket Rocket is a full Santa Cruz skateboard that is of excellent quality, has large, soft wheels, is portable, and is highly forgiving; good skateboard with softer, broader wheels
A excellent skateboard for children under 10 years old, the Powell Peralta Golden Dragon is relatively inexpensive.
In my list of the top skateboards for kids, you can find out more information about these skateboards. Look through the list and choose the board that would work best for the child you have in mind. We personally evaluated them.
I can suggest a few brands for protective gear. TSG is now my favorite brand since their gear fits really well and won’t shift when you’re skating.
- Helmets from Triple 8, Protec, and TSG are excellent.
- They also provide children with knee, elbow, and wrist protectors, sometimes in sets.
Can I Start Skateboarding Now, or is it too late?
I so frequently get this query, which appears to have some bearing on this subject. Perhaps you can purchase a skateboard or a cruiser on your own.
This is a question that everyone asks themselves, but the fact is that it’s never too late to start skating. You can learn to ride whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or even 50s, but the older you become, the more safety precautions you should take. Additionally, it relies on your level of fitness and comfort with exercise.
I’ve gotten several emails over the years from older novices who are just starting skating; one was even in his 60s. Always put on safety gear, and begin slowly, is my advice. The best thing to do is to learn how to ride first because you won’t be performing ollies on day one.
- You will advance more quickly if you learn how to ride a skateboard properly.
- Learning how a skateboard functions will make learning tricks simpler.
- Ollies and kickflips shouldn’t be prioritized because there are much simpler techniques to learn.
- Learning techniques while stationary is not always advantageous
Conclusion
I hope I was able to clarify the dispute by saying that, as long as you keep an eye on them at all times, kids can start skating at a very early age. It’s not as clear-cut as it initially appears.
Since you are the parent, you are most equipped to determine whether your child is ready. It must be difficult to refuse a 4-year-old who is adamant about getting a skateboard. Get a good skateboard and at the very least a helmet.
Maybe get yourself a skateboard? It’s a great way to strengthen your relationship with a child while getting some good exercise!
