How to choose a scooter for a child
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Children start riding scooters at 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 children’s transport: type, wheels, depreciation, material and folding system. The safety of the baby depends on this.
content
- Off-road models
- city scooter
- Sports scooters
- balance bike
- kickboard
- Triders
- electric scooter
- Main characteristics of scooters
- Which scooter to buy for a child
What are scooters for children
Off-road models
This type of scooter is characterized by large wheels (diameter about 300 mm) with inflatable tires, which provides increased cross-country ability. It is great for rough terrain, walks in the woods, sand. It has a strong frame, sports steering wheel and hand brake. Designed for children from seven years old.
Advantages
- High throughput and maneuverability;
- Versatility. Handles bad roads with ease.
Flaws
- Big sizes.
city scooter
One of the most popular types of scooters. Designed for driving on paved roads. Has two or three wheels, aluminum or steel frame, standard wheel diameter (100-200mm) and folding design. Most scooters are suitable for children over the age of seven, but some are used at 2-3 years old.
Advantages
- Easy to fold and transport.
Flaws
- Not designed for bad roads.
Sports scooters
Most models of sports scooters are designed for adults. They are designed for tricks and fast driving. Sports scooters can be used by children over 7 years old. Withstand about 70 kg of weight. There are practically no folding models among them.
Advantages
- Increased strength;
- High maneuverability.
Flaws
- Not designed for walking around the city.
- Driving features. The child will have to practice before he can master the scooter.
balance bike
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 when a special button is pressed. Sometimes the seat of a balance bike has to be bolted. This complicates the transformation.
Models for babies are usually designed for 24-50 kg of weight. The scooter itself weighs a little – from two to five kilograms.
The standard balance bike is equipped with a large front wheel, wide deck with anti-slip footrest, foot brake, seat and T-handle. May have a toy basket.
Advantages
- Light weight – no problems with transportation;
- Adjustable handlebar height and seat.
- The balance bike develops the child’s balance and coordination, strengthens the muscles of the legs. Thanks to this baby, it will be easier to master a two-wheeled bicycle.
- Suitable for the little ones;
Flaws
- Suitable for driving only on a flat road.
- In some models, the seat sags under the weight of the child.
kickboard
Suitable for both 2 year olds and 7 year olds. It has two paired front wheels and one rear. To move, the child pushes off with his foot, as on a skateboard. Equipped with a classic steering wheel or joystick steering wheel. Vehicles designed for children aged 2–6 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 handlebar, a toy rack and a steering wheel compass.
The diameter of the front wheels is 120 mm, the rear – from 80 to 90 mm. Because of this, the scooter rarely rolls over.
Advantages
- Simple control. Where the baby leans, the scooter turns there.
- You can drive on rough roads.
- Light weight (1.5–4 kg). Easy to carry.
Flaws
- Some kids don’t like steering joystick.
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 to the left and right. Suitable for children over 5 years old.
The trider frame is made of aluminum or stainless steel. Thanks to this, the inertial scooter can withstand a large load. There is a foot and hand brake.
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 child.
Flaws
- Only suitable for smooth roads.
electric scooter
Electric scooters allow you to move around the city without any effort. They work with batteries. Children’s electric scooters 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.
- Can function as a normal scooter.
Flaws
- High price.
Main characteristics of scooters
wheels
Made from plastic, polyurethane, rubber. Most often, wheels are made of polyurethane. They have increased reliability and noiselessness. They are used both in urban scooters and in sports models.
Plastic wheels are used for children’s vehicles. They do not cushion, shake over bumps and make noise. The only advantage of such scooters is the low price.
Scooters with small rubber wheels only perform well on ideal surfaces. Large wheels are suitable for riding on uneven terrain.
When choosing a scooter, pay attention to the rigidity of the wheels. The speed and comfort of movement depends on it. The stiffer the wheel, the higher the speed of the scooter, the softer the better the shock absorption. The highest rigidity in sports models.
Three-wheel and four-wheel 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 speed is lower.
Frame
The frame of the scooter is made of aluminum, which ensures its reliability and lightness, steel or plastic. Steel frames are stronger, but heavier than aluminum. The plastic frame is short-lived, but has an affordable price.
Deca
The platform must have a rough surface to prevent the child’s foot 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 control the scooter.
Steering wheel
Most scooters are equipped with adjustable handlebars. This allows you to choose the height of the steering wheel according to the growth of the “driver”.
Foot and hand brake
Scooters have foot and/or hand brakes. Using the manual front brake system at high speeds may cause the 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 bumps in the road. But scooters with depreciation are more expensive than conventional ones.
Which scooter to buy for a child
- 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 twin wheels, the cub will touch them and stumble
- At four years old, three-wheeled models can be used if the child has not previously practiced driving. But if the baby used to cut through the streets on a scooter, two-wheeled transport will also suit him.
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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.
!
In the next article, our experts will tell you how to choose the right bike for a child for a child.
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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
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