Children. It is such a joy to watch them grow. From waddling clumsily around the house, to running without inhibition in parks, to racing on their tricycles. These gradual steps toward independence mean that the next thing on their wish list, more likely than not, is a scooter.
And this is where parents often end up getting stumped. The sheer variety of scooter models in stores can be bewildering, not to mention the prices. However, finding the right scooter for your child doesn’t have to be difficult. What is needed is some research on the following criteria.
Safety
Safety is paramount while picking out a scooter. Beginner models can be stopped when the child puts their foot down, and they can then kick off the ground to start again, which means that they are in control of the speed. However, for older kids, you could attach a foot brake over the rear wheel, which will slow the scooter when the child steps on it. Many scooter models come with hand brakes on the handlebars. It is the best protection if your child is apt to ride fast or go up and down ramps.
You can also affix safety lights on the front and rear, which will help them navigate in the late evenings, while the rear lights will alert other riders. However, the most important safety implements are a helmet, and knee and elbow pads. Because where there is a scooter, there is a fall waiting to occur, especially amongst novices.
Age
The most important factor to consider while choosing a teenager scooter is your child’s age and whether they have had experience with one before. While parents may fear for their child’s safety, finding the right scooter for your child doesn’t have to be difficult at all; start your child off with standing scooters once they are five years old. However, if they are insistent, then there are three-wheel models, like the colorful Micro Mini Original Kick Scooter.
Some three-wheel scooters come with a detachable seat, which your kid can use for training initially, especially if they are beginners. Once they learn to keep the scooter upright when riding and balance themselves well, you can remove the seat. We recommend Razor A5 Lux Scooter and Fuzion X-3 Pro Scooter for learners since these have sturdy, durable wheels, which are great for using on the sidewalks, driveways or parks.
Needs
Sit down with your child to understand why they want a scooter. Is it because their friends having one, or because they want to get around independently? Or could it because they watched older kids do tricks in the skate park and want to do similar stunts?
This talk will give you an insight into their interest. This, in turn, will help you choose a beginner, intermediate, or pro-scooter after researching the features of various models. The in-depth reviews are invaluable in evaluating the age-appropriateness, safety features, material, construction, pricing, etc. In addition to the manual scooters, you can also collate details on electric models, which are for older children who might want to travel for longer distances.
You can also research about scooter components like wheels – the bigger they are, the better balance and stability it provides, especially on rough terrains. However, this can make it harder to push the scooter, reducing its speed. Similarly, handlebars, which are often ‘Y’ or ‘T’ shaped, ought to be of strong, but lightweight, material to help for easy steering.
Quality
While inspecting a scooter, check it for durability and sturdiness. A steel-based body is durable and can withstand a lot of rough use. We must point out that those with an aluminum body, like Razor A3 Scooter, Fuzion Z300 Pro Scooter Complete and Fuzion X-3 Pro Scooter, are lightweight and easily portable. The Razor’s patented folding system makes its scooters easy to carry around and store, while its aircraft-grade aluminum keeps it lightweight and robust. Portable scooters like these are very advantageous just fold it and carry the compact unit anywhere, even on a road trip or even in a plane.
Whether your child is in elementary school or a teenager, scooters can be a great utility companion for them. In addition to giving them some exercise in the open air, it also helps improve their overall balance, hand-leg coordination, and motor skills. Once they are comfortable and confident with scooters, they might soon want to graduate to a bike. But that is another thought for another day. Till that day, watch them have fun on their scooters and learn some nifty tricks on it too.