How to Choose a Kick Scooter for a Child

The selection of kick scooters in stores is huge: there are 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled options, ones with or without adjustable handlebars, portable models, and ones with luminous wheels. It’s hard to make a choice from this vast collection.

5-Minute Crafts will tell you how to choose a safe kick scooter of high quality while taking the age and height of your kid into account.

How to choose a kick scooter according to a child’s height

To make sure your child feels comfortable and safe when riding, it’s important to choose a handlebar at the correct height. Measure the distance between your child’s elbow and the floor. The arms should be bent at right angles as if the child is holding the handlebar. Then, add 4 inches to this measurement. The resulting number will be the perfect handlebar height.

The approximate height of a scooter’s handlebar according to a child’s height and age:

• 2-3 years old: If your child is 30 to 40 inches tall, the height of the handlebar should be 20 to 30 inches.

• 4 years old: The recommended height of the handlebar is 38 to 41 inches.

• 5 years old: The recommended height of the handlebar is 41 to 45 inches.

How to choose a kick scooter’s type according the child’s age

• A kick scooter for a child that’s 2 to 4 years old: Choose a 3-wheeled scooter that makes a turn by leaning the handlebar to the left or to the right. Such a scooter is stable, simple to ride, and safe. A 3-wheeled scooter can have 2 wheels either in the front or in the back. The models with 2 front wheels are more stable. A child won’t have to try hard to keep their balance.

• 4 to 6 years old: Choose a 2-wheeled scooter because children at this age can easily keep their balance. You can also choose a scooter with a long platform so that a parent can ride together with their child. Later, when the child grows up, they can ride alone.

• 6 to 10 years old: The requirements for a kick scooter in this age group are no different from the previous ones. The only thing that changes is the child’s height. Children grow fast, so choose a kick scooter with an adjustable handlebar. For this age group, you can choose a scooter with high maneuverability.

• Teenagers might prefer a stunt kick scooter with small, hard wheels.

The necessary protection for riding

When buying a scooter for your child, don’t forget to purchase the necessary protection kit. It should include a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads. The protection will keep your child safe from possible injuries and fractures during a fall.

The requirements for a helmet:

• A helmet must have a quality certificate and markings that you can find inside it. The marking means that this product complies with the standards. The US-made helmets have Snell B90/B95 or CPSC standards. Helmets manufactured in Europe have BS EN 1078 or CE standards. This means that the helmet has passed all the required impact tests.

• Each helmet should have ventilation holes.

• A helmet can have a classic shape that is used for cycling too, or it can be bowl-shaped. The classic helmets have an elongated front part that can save your child from injuries during a face-first fall and protect their eyes from the sun. The bowl-shaped helmets have fewer ventilation holes but they’re more durable and give enhanced protection from behind. This means the back of your child’s head will be fully covered.

• A helmet must suit a child in size. Children’s helmets are available in 2 sizes, S and M. Choose size S if the child’s head circumference is 17 to 20 inches and M if it’s 20 to 22 inches. But it’s always best to try on the item before buying it to make sure that your child feels comfortable in it. A helmet that’s too big can slip or even fall off. A helmet that’s too small will cause discomfort and pressure. In both cases, the helmet won’t fulfill its protective function.