Has your child been insisting that you buy them a scooter lately? There are multiple reasons and benefits to actually buying one. Not only does it help in building motor skills, but also pushes your kid to do more physical exercise. Kids nowadays tend to stay indoors and play video games for hours. It’s always better to buy them a tool that encourages them to seek more outdoor activities; so, what’s better than a scooter?
To help you in buying an ideal scooter that suits your child, we’ve jotted down a buying guide for assistance.
Consider Age and Physical Traits
You need to choose a scooter depending on the age and physical size of your child. It’s unwise to buy a scooter for your child if they aren’t able to handle it themselves. You can find scooters according to age and size. Get one that’s sturdy enough to carry the weight of your child and isn’t too big. It should be adjustable to accommodate the ergonomic factor, depending on the height of your kid. Consider other factors such as carrying an extra load like backpacks and inquire about the maximum weight capacity of your chosen model. If your kid has recently learned to run, you can still find a few scooter models that will suit their needs.
Choosing Between a Two-Wheeled and Three-Wheeled Scooter
Three-wheeled scooters are the best choice for beginners as they provide more balance and stability. If your kid is more prone to falling and if you’re worried about injuries, getting a three-wheeled scooter is ideal. Three-wheeled scooters usually come in two types: two front wheels and one rear wheel, which is ideal for toddlers when playing outside, as it requires no balancing and is easy to push around, and the other comes with one front wheel and two rear wheels, which is just like a tricycle and requires a bit of balancing. The latter is, however, a bit dangerous as your child’s heel can get stuck while riding. If your child is athletic or physically active, you can then switch to a two-wheeled scooter. It can be easily managed by kids who know how to ride a bicycle as it is all about balance. It’s ideal for kids above the age of 6 or 7.
Selecting between the Types of Scooters
With a range of scooter types available, you need to educate yourself on all picks and select the best option for your kid. Choose among the following:
- Pro Scooter: It is basically used for stunts or freestyle riding. If your kid has been used to riding a scooter for a while and is capable of switching on to an advanced version, you can consider getting a pro scooter to boost their skills.
- Caster Scooter: A three-wheeled type, caster scooter consists of a wider footstep and usually safer for kids if they’re just beginning to ride.
- Electric Scooter: As the name suggests, an electric scooter functions on a chargeable battery and doesn’t require continuous pushing. They are ideal to ride along farther distances as they need less effort to run.
Considering the Wheel Size
Again, scooters are designed according to different age groups and physical strength, which is directly related to the wheel size of the respective scooters. The smallest wheel size starts from around 100 mm to 125 mm, medium wheel sizes are 145 mm and 180 mm, large sizes are 200 mm and 205 mm, and the largest is 230 mm. Small-sized scooters can also carry the weight of adults, but aren’t recommended for them as the handle size isn’t tall enough. They are lighter and easier to ride. Large wheel scooters are more stable, but are heavy for kids to handle as they need more energy and effort to push, steer, and brake.
Overall Features
Apart from the wheel size and type of operation, other features that need to be considered are:
- Portability: A lot of scooters can be folded, which makes it easier to carry and store in your house.
- Rear Brakes: Rear brakes are necessary in a scooter because they provide more safety.
- Material: Scooters are usually made of metal, plastic or a combination of both. Metal scooters are stronger and are suitable for kids older than 4 to 5 years old, whereas plastic scooters are lighter.
- Deck: Like the wheel, the deck size determines the weight it can carry.
Once you’ve researched and checked on these features, you can take your child to a store to let them have a test ride on a scooter that they pick out. After all, your child needs to be comfortable in riding your chosen model. It’s all about having fun.