A kid’s scooter not only brings a lot of pleasure to its owner, but also allows him to improve his physical form, make friends and spend more time outdoors. The only difficulty is to choose the right model.
When is the right time to buy your first scooter?
A well-developed child is able to start riding independently as early as 2-3 years old, and some especially active kids do it even earlier.
However, the most optimal age for the average child is 4-6 years old. At this time, children already have good control over their bodies, can keep their balance and run along the paths for a long time, pushing off the ground with the foot.
Criteria of choice
In order for your son or daughter to get only positive emotions from riding, you need to choose a scooter taking into account a number of factors.
Child's age
Scooters for toddlers 1.5-3 years old, as a rule, have three or four wheels for increased stability, can be equipped with a seat and a handle with which adults insure the little rider.
Scooters for 5 years old plus or minus a year have two wheels and a wide deck on which a child can easily put both feet.
After 6-7 years old, the period of "adult" scooters with narrow deck and wheels begins, which allows them to accelerate to good speeds.
Transforming scooters are able to grow with the child, gradually getting rid of the "extra" wheels and increasing the length of the handle.
Purpose
The classic children's scooter is the most common and inexpensive option. Simple, maneuverable, it is unsuitable for dizzying stunts and bumpy roads. This is a beginner's vehicle.
Teenage models are distinguished by a reinforced metal frame that can withstand the weight of a grown child and a brake, while the best scooters for 6 years old are equipped with a suspension.
The stunt scooter is low and durable, with a shortened platform. It is not afraid of jumps, hard landings and coups, but this is a transport exclusively for sports fields.
The kickboard is a deck with a stand but no steering column. It is controlled by tilting the body. Not the best choice, but an older child will be completely delighted with it.
The trider on two communicating platforms moves by moving the weight from one foot to the other.
The SUV is a serious "car" for real young travelers from 6-7 years old. Inflatable wheels, suspension and a high deck (ground clearance) allow it to conquer dirt roads and gravel without experiencing too much difficulty.
Electric scooters are champions of speed and ease of operation. The only important thing is that the child keeps balance confidently, and the size of the scooter corresponds to his height and physical development.
Frame material
Lightweight plastic frames are designed for small children. No serious effort is required to set them in motion and turn the steering wheel, but these scooters are subject to rapid wear and don't impress with their load capacity.
Metal frames are not afraid of bumps and can withstand the weight of a grown child. And the frames of the best scooters for 5 year olds and older are made of aluminum alloy with steel, often reinforced with fiberglass.
Wheel material
Plastic is suitable for leisurely walks for children under 3 years old in the park along smooth asphalt paths.
Polyurethane tires are more reliable, although they will not withstand serious loads. This is the choice for relatively smooth roads without holes and stones.
The best scooters for 6 year olds and up are equipped with damage-resistant inflatable rubber tires.
Type of brake system
Brakes can be foot (inertial system) and manual (cable or hydraulic system). As a rule, the first option is installed on scooters for children 2-5 years old, the second is intended for those who are older. Ultimately, though, it's all about the child's preferences.
The brake acting on the rear wheels is considered safer and more effective.
Some helpful tips
Pay attention to the material of the handles: plastic is cheap, but often slips under your fingers, synthetic foam is pleasant to the touch, but quickly becomes unusable, but pads made of silicone, rubber or polyurethane are a great option!
It is important that the handles and pads of the deck have notches for better grip.
A convenient addition, especially in a scooter for toddlers, is a footrest that does not allow it to fall during stops.
A folding scooter is very convenient to transport and store, but the risk that its fasteners will loosen and become unusable faster is higher.
Safety first
Having chosen a scooter that best meets your criteria, do not stop there. Get also the helmet, knee pads, elbow pads.
To be always aware of the movements of the child, it is better not to rely on a phone that can be lost or broken, but to buy a gps watch for your son or daughter that can indicate his or her location at any moment.
True, their capabilities are limited, so the Kidsfinder parental control app will be a better choice: with it, you will always know where the child is, what route he followed to his destination, and whether he left the safe geofence. In addition, the application makes it possible to turn on the microphone and "scan" the situation around, and also has an SOS button for emergency calls to parents for help.
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