The 7 Best Kids’ Skateboards According to Real Parents
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Skateboarding is a fun way for kids to stay physically active but parents often worry about safety. Making sure to wear protective gear, like elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards will help, but starting your children off with a cruiser skateboard designed for kids can also help reduce the chances of injury. Kids will ride easier on a child-specific board as well, so they will have more fun and learn faster!
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We rounded up the top seven skateboards for kids to help your little skater stay safe at the skate park while having lots of fun.
Our Top Picks
Best All-Around Kids’ Skateboard:Meketec Skateboards Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser Retro Skateboard at Amazon
Best Skateboard for Little Kids: SK8MEMO 17x5 Inch Mini Skateboard with Top Design at Amazon
Best Skateboard for a Beginner Skater: Merkapa 22" Complete Skateboard with Colorful LED Light Up Wheels at Amazon
Best Choice for Parents On a Budget: Retrospec Quip Skateboard 22.5" Classic Retro Plastic Cruiser Skateboard at Amazon
Safest Skateboard for Worried Parents: BELEEV Skateboard Complete Mini Cruiser at Amazon
Best Skateboard for Older Kids: FlyBee Boards 27in Cruiser Skateboard at Amazon
Best Skateboard for Teens: Magneto Kids Skateboard | Maple Deck with Components at Amazon
What to Consider When Purchasing a Kids’ Skateboard
- Wheels: Wheels can be hard or soft, with soft being the high-quality choice. Soft wheels mold slightly when you push on them. Plastic wheels don’t do this, and it makes it much harder to ride. Usually, soft wheels are translucent, while plastic wheels, such as those found on Playwheels boards, are solid in color.
- Width: A standard skateboard is 8 inches across, but a child-specific board needs to be narrower than that until the child reaches about 5’2. The smallest board for preschoolers is about 5 inches across. A 6-7 inch board is usually a good fit for a first board.
- Stability: Skateboarding is well known as a sport with lots of spins and tricks, but for a child just starting out, the main goal is to learn to ride steadily, without falling off. In other words, basic balance must be mastered before moving on to more advanced moves. This means that the board needs to be sturdy and stable enough.
- Skateboard Deck Material and Surface: Most boards have either a plastic deck or one made from wood, often Canadian maple. Classic skateboards have grip tape over their top surface. This sandpaper-like material helps keep your feet from slipping off, but it can wear holes through fabric or even cause injury if your kid spends a lot of time riding in a seated position. Grip tape may be safer for older kids, but a smoother surface is better for younger ones.
- A Skate Key: A skate key is a small wrench used to adjust skateboards. This tool is a must for repairs or replacements you’ll need through time. You can also use the skate key to tighten or loosen the wheels. A tighter turn will make the skateboard more stable for those learning to skate. Later, loosening the wheels a bit will allow kids to turn the board and advance their skills.
How We Chose Our Favorites
We conducted a bit of research to narrow down the top seven best kids skateboards. We focused on what parents liked about the boards, which was mainly their safety and functionality. Moms and dads want their kids to avoid serious injury above all, and they also would prefer to buy a quality board that lasts and works well, rather than have to replace the board frequently because it doesn’t work well.
After putting together the data from written reviews and conversations with real parents, we have the ultimate list of kids’ skateboards to help you select a great board for your child.
Best All-Around Kids’ Skateboard
This cruiser skateboard has everything skateboarders could want in a child’s skateboard and it’s perfect for almost any age or ability. A mini-cruiser is a better option than a longboard, which might be too big. It is six inches across, making it ideal for little beginners but also able to use for turns and tricks. The colors and patterns are fun and unique and it is extremely stable. The deck is non-slip, but smooth enough to keep clothing and skin rip or burn-free. The wheels are soft polyurethane, making the ride nice and smooth for your budding Tony Hawk, while improving its durability and longevity.
“I wanted a good quality sturdy and durable, fun board, for my grandsons to try out and learn on, without spending a load. These boards are confidence builders, for learning balance, easy to manipulate for doing turns, gaining momentum for doing beginner tricks and they are built to take a beating.”
“Stable and rolls well. Very similar to a large skateboard, only difference is the base is thinner.”
“The board design is nice and the heavy duty top coat does not scuff or wear off. It glides like butter and steers beautifully with an appropriate amount of effort.”
Best Skateboard for Little Kids
At just five inches wide, this mini cruiser is perfect for the tiniest skateboarders aged three to seven. The wheels are soft poly-urethane making it easy for little ones to glide along smoothly. The deck is soft enough to be gentle on clothes but the nonslip material ensures that the rider stays safe. It does not come with a skate key, so parents cannot tighten the wheels for increased stability, but it does have a one screw release system that allows for repairs and replacement.
“This was a birthday gift for my four-year-old and he loves it. He is still hesitant on it, but loves to practice. The size is just right for him as a beginner.”
“Perfect for my four-year-old great-grandson. He loves it so much he slept with it last night.”
“Simple and good as a starter board.”
Best Skateboard for a Beginner Skater
For kids just starting out skateboarding, the Merkapa 22” is a great board. It also has a beautiful design and light-up wheels. It is six inches wide, making it narrow enough for younger skateboarders but wide enough to grow with your child. This beginner skateboard is very sturdy and the deck is smooth to protect the rider from getting injured.
The cool thing about this skateboard is that it can be used by people of varying ages and sizes. It’s just perfect for anyone just starting out. It comes with a skate key, so you can tighten it for kids learning to cruise and loosen it when they’re ready to start safely learning to steer and perform jumps and tricks.
“Extremely cute, sturdy, and excellent lateral flexion. Love the different colored wheels and the grip on the board is perfect and not slippery. From five-year-olds sitting on their butts and being pushed around to 14-year-olds trying out tricks...all the kids loved this penny board.”
"Perfect for our 6-year-old! Right size and speed for a small child with no prior skateboard experience. She picked this up very quickly.”
“I bought this for my 7-year old niece who has never ridden a skateboard before but wanted one. She has been playing with it all day! It rolls great, she loves the light-up wheels, and it’s perfect for beginners. She’s already riding it by herself back and forth without holding onto anything.”
A Good Choice for Parents on a Budget
This kids’ skateboard gives you the best bang for your buck. The price is right and the value is comparatively high. At just $25 you are getting a board with polyurethane-casted wheels that make the ride smooth and comfortable. The soft wheels also make this board more durable, meaning it will last for a while. For the price, the quality is sky high. It is six inches wide and very stable, but you will have to buy a skate key separately.
“Super light, super sturdy, super smooth ride, the wheels are rubbery so the ride isn’t as bumpy, the size is perfect, and it doesn’t hurt the wallet.”
“I find it way more valuable than the name brand penny board. You get the same value for a much more affordable price. The color is really eye-catching. The board rides very smooth.”
“Smooth ride! Flexible. Adjustable trucks. Cool retro look.”
Safest Skateboard for Worried Parents
If your biggest concern is the bumps and bruises your kid will inevitably get while skateboarding, the BELEEV Mini Cruiser is a great option. It packs in the most safety features so that you can at least minimize the damage from any falls. Other than protective gear, this board is the best way to keep your little one safe while skating. Plus, it comes in fun colors and features light-up wheels.
The BELEEV Mini Cruiser is six inches wide, leaving enough space for a child’s feet to fit well on its surface. This, and the nonslip deck, minimizes the risk of tripping. This board is very durable, being made of polypropylene and the thick aluminum trucks and kicktail make it easier to control when riding. It comes with a skate key so you can turn it nice and tight so that new riders face less fall risk.
“My son loves that the wheels light up when it is moving, and he feels like it holds him really well. It is sturdy and feels like it is made with good products that will last.”
“These skateboards are very well made, sturdy, smooth riding and great for beginners! My kids especially loved the lights in the wheels, so cool! I really like that they came with the tools to adjust the wheels. It just makes it a lot easier because you don't have to figure out what size key or allen key you need because it's an all in one tool.”
“This skateboard is meant for kids and beginners so its construction is rugged, wheels are wide, and the turning radius is wide.”
Best Skateboard for Older Kids
The FlyBee Cruiser Board is ideal for an older and more experienced kid-skater while still being a good fit for kids. The board is seven inches wide, so kids with some skills but who are still under 5’2” will be able to ride it comfortably. The surface is covered in grip tape, enhancing safety for children practicing skate tricks and cruising from place to place. The poly-urethane wheels make it possible to ride smoothly across the skatepark and with good control, even when picking up speed and trying out ollies. This board does not come with a skate key.
“This is one of the best smaller skateboards. It’s very light and easy to carry and pick up, and it’s extremely durable.”
“Ride is smooth, color and shape looks great.”
“Very sturdy and handled great with turns.”
Best Skateboard for Teens
Teenagers are close to or have reached their adult height, and even if they are just starting to skate, they will learn faster and are more likely to ride properly. The Magneto Kids Skateboard is stylish, rides well, and can perform tricks as well as most high-quality longboards.
The pu wheels on this board are extremely soft and offer high traction skateboarding. That means your teen’s ride will be smooth and extra stable, so he or she will stay safe if skating on the road or attempting daredevil maneuvers! It is 7.75 inches across, making it a better fit for those adult-sized feet. The deck is made of hard maple wood and covered in grip tape to help prevent slips.
“Perfect for my beginner teen. She loves it!”
“My 12-year old absolutely loves this board, gives her stability, flexibility and plenty of speed to keep practicing. Certainly a great training board on our street, going over cracks and even uneven surfaces without any difficulties.”
