How to choose a scooter for a child

Children start riding scooters from the age of 2. But a scooter is not just entertainment, but a real vehicle. Therefore, when buying, you need to know the age and weight of the child, as well as the main characteristics of the child's transport: type, wheels, cushioning, material and folding system. The safety of the baby depends on this.

What are the scooters for children

Off-road models

This type of scooter features large wheels (diameter about 300 mm) with inflatable tires, which provides increased cross-country ability. It is great for rough terrain, forest walks, sand. Has a solid frame, sports steering wheel and handbrake. Designed for children from seven years old.

Advantages

• High cross-country ability and maneuverability;

• Versatility. Handles bad roads easily.

disadvantages

• Big sizes.

City scooter

One of the most popular types of scooters. Designed for driving on asphalt roads. Has two or three wheels, aluminum or steel frame, standard wheel diameter (100-200 mm) and foldable design. Most of the scooters are suitable for children over seven years old, but some are used for 2-3 years old.

Advantages

• Easy to fold and transport.

disadvantages

• Not designed for bad roads.

Scooters for sports

Most sports scooter models are designed for adults. They are designed for stunts and driving fast. Sports scooters can be used by children over 7 years old. Withstands about 70 kg of weight. There are practically no folding models among them.

Advantages

• Increased strength;

• High maneuverability.

disadvantages

• Not designed for city walks.

• Ride features. The child will have to practice before he can master the scooter.

Running bike scooter

This vehicle is designed for children from 2 to 6 years old. It is a hybrid of a regular scooter and a balance bike. The transformation of one type of transport into another occurs by pressing a special button. Sometimes the seat of the balance scooter has to be bolted on. This complicates the transformation.

Toddler models are usually designed for 24-50 kg. The scooter itself weighs a little – from two to five kilograms.

The standard scooter is equipped with a large front wheel, wide deck with anti-slip footrest, foot brake, seat and T-bar. May have a toy basket.

Advantages

• Light weight – no problems with transportation;

• Adjustable handlebar and seat height.

• The balance bike develops balance and coordination in the child, strengthens the leg muscles. Thanks to this, it will be easier for the kid to master the two-wheeled bicycle.

• Suitable for the smallest;

disadvantages

• Suitable for driving on flat roads only.

• On some models, the seat flexes under the weight of the child.

Kickboard

Suitable for both 2 year olds and 7 year olds. Has two paired front wheels and one rear. To move, the child pushes off with his foot, like on a skateboard. Equipped with classic steering wheel or joystick steering wheel. Vehicles for children 2-6 years old often have a plastic frame. The maximum load on the kickboard is 30-60 kg.

Toddler kickboards are often equipped with glowing wheels, an adjustable handle, a toy rack and a compass on the steering wheel.

The diameter of the front wheels is 120 mm, the diameter of the rear wheels is from 80 to 90 mm. Because of this, the scooter rarely flips over.

Advantages

• Simple controls. Where the kid leans, there and turns the scooter.

• You can drive on rough roads.

• Small weight (1.5–4 kg). Easy to carry.

disadvantages

• Some children do not like steering joysticks.

Triders

This type of scooter has the most unusual design. The trider has a V-shape. Each leg has its own 'footrest'. To move, the child does not need to push off, but to swing his legs and torso left and right. Suitable for children over 5 years old.

The frame of the triders is made of aluminum or stainless steel. Thanks to this, the inertial scooter can withstand a lot of stress. There are foot and hand brakes.

Advantages

• To use the trider, you need to squat, bend over, work with your whole body. It is good for the muscles and skeleton of the baby.

disadvantages

• Only suitable for smooth roads.

Electric scooter

Electric scooters allow you to move around the city without any effort. Powered by a battery. Electric scooters for children travel about 6 km without recharging. The maximum speed is about 15-18 km / h.

Electric scooters are suitable for children from 7 years old. They are quite heavy – 10–12 kg. They have a steel or aluminum frame, which ensures their reliability.

Advantages

• Withstands heavy load on the frame.

• Works up to 1 hour without recharging.

• It can function like a regular scooter.

disadvantages

• High price.

The main characteristics of scooters

Wheels

Made from plastic, polyurethane, rubber. Most often wheels are made of polyurethane. They are highly reliable and quiet. They are used both in city scooters and in sports models.

Plastic wheels are used for children's vehicles. They do not absorb, shake over bumps and make noise. The only advantage of these scooters is their low price.

Scooters with small rubber wheels only thrive on ideal surfaces. Large wheels are suitable for riding on uneven terrain.

When choosing a scooter, pay attention to the rigidity of the wheels. Speed ​​and comfort of movement depend on it. The stiffer the wheel, the higher the speed of the scooter, the softer the better the shock absorption. Highest rigidity for sports models.

Three-wheeled and four-wheeled scooters are most suitable for young children who are 2-4 years old.

The width of the wheels affects the stability of the scooter. The larger it is, the more reliable the model, and the lower the speed.

Frame

The scooter frame is made of aluminum, which ensures its reliability and lightness, steel or plastic. Steel frames are stronger but heavier than aluminum frames. The plastic frame is short-lived, but has an affordable price.

Soundboard

The platform should have a rough surface to prevent the child's feet from slipping. The wide deck is great for beginners and toddlers, increasing the stability of the scooter. The longer it is, the more difficult it is for the child to operate the scooter.

Steering wheel

Most scooters are equipped with an adjustable handlebar. This allows the height of the steering wheel to be adjusted to the height of the 'driver'

Foot and hand brake

The scooters have foot and / or hand brakes. Using the manual front brake system at high speed may cause a child to fall. It is better to buy models equipped with both hand and foot brakes.

Shock absorber

The presence of a shock absorber makes riding more comfortable, as it softens the unevenness of the road. But scooters with shock absorption are more expensive than conventional scooters.

Which scooter to buy for a child

1. For the smallest, it is better to choose vehicles with a wide platform and three wheels. At the age of two or three, a model with large paired front and one rear wheels is suitable for a baby. If the scooter is equipped with rear paired wheels, the cub will hit them and stumble

2. At four years old, you can use three-wheeled models if the child has not previously practiced driving. But if the baby used to cut through the streets on a scooter, a two-wheeled vehicle will suit him.

3. At the age of five, you can buy two-wheeled vehicles with a wide deck. And children aged 6–8 will enjoy riding a scooter with two wheels and a narrower platform.

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In the next article, our experts will tell you how to choose the right bike for your child.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.