Would it be ridiculous to buy my tall almost 2 year old the maxi micro scooter?

[Cmekrru]

I really want to buy DS a scooter for Christmas. He is tall and very confident on his feet. Not able to scoot yet but only had a couple of goes on a scooter.

I bumped into a lady today who bought her three year old the maxi micro scooter on the basis it comes with an extendable handle.

I checked out the height of the handle and it was fine for DS.

My only question is about the tilt and lean steering. As he hasn't learnt to scoot yet could he just learn to use it or would it be a nightmare and put him off.

I'm really tempted by the bigger one as handlebar at lowest is same (similar) to micro it ?folds and feels better made.

Opinions please!!

[RandomMess]

It doesn't fold...

It is much heavier for you to lug around...

Personally I wouldn't having had both and having got tall children

[RandomMess]

I think he'll get frustrated by the maxi and it may put him off.

[KateShmate]

Go for it! We've had mini's and it wasn't until our eldest grew out of hers and we bought the Maxi that we realised they are exactly the same size!
We got our triplets a Maxi for their 3rd birthday - they are quite small for their age and have coped fine. They didn't find any difference between the mini and the maxi so I definitely don't think it would put him off.
The tilt part is exactly the same on the Mini as it is on the Maxi - i.e. if he can do it on one then he will be fine on the other.
We actually found that our girls found the Maxi's easier as they seemed to tilt and steer easier whereas you had to tilt a lot more on the Mini's to get them to steer. (If that makes any sense?!)
Unfortunately the Maxi doesn't fold, but we've never felt the need to fold them really - they are really light anyway. :)

[Pinner35]

I say go for it too. We've bought the maxi for our petite almost three year old. She's been using her sisters one whenever she gets the chance and handles it really well....I couldn't see the point of getting the smaller one.

[PacificDogwood]

I'd get the Mini first - the Maxi is heavier and the steering is a bit heavier. Our DS4 basically 'stole' the Mini off his older brother before he was 2, so we got the Maxi for DS3 who was 4 at the time. He has never enjoyed it quite as much as the Mini.

And beware! they are fast !!

[RyleDup]

I'd get it. My nearly 3 yr old has been using his sisters mini for over a year. He very quickly got the hang of the tilt steering thing. I'm surprised at how good he is on it. Go for it.

[Pinner35]

Also, you can unclip the handlebar on the maxi, so no problems during the times I needed to put it under the buggy.

[ChippingInLovesChristmasLights]

Good luck deciding based on the above

[SaraBellumHertz]

Tilt and lean steering shouldn't put you off - I bought DD4 a tilt and lean micro scooter when she was 15mths (I hadn't appreciated the issue) - she picked it up immediately.

Only problem is she is now seriously fast !

[Inclusionist]

I'd go for the mini. Don't underestimate how many times his 'scooter leg' will get tired half way round the park and you will end up carrying it and him back to the car.

My DS is 2.4 and has had the hang of the lean and steer for months- they just pick it up by experience. He is also very tall (over 100cm) and will be fine on his mini for ages.

My tip would be to buy a 'scoot and pull' rope as it is really handy to use as a strap to be able to put the scooter over your shoulder (like a bag) when it gets abandonned.

[Cmekrru]

Thanks and Eh oh!! Mixed advice!! really need to get into a shop and test both out!

[Cmekrru]

So is it just the 2 wheeled scooters that fold? He certainly wouldn't manage them!!

[Cmekrru]

Ok so tbar or joystick then??!!

[KateShmate]

Definitely t-bar - I'm not sure that a 2YO would be able to cope with a joystick?

[RandomMess]

yes only 2 wheeler fold, the other you can take off the handle though. T bar definately

[Cmekrru]

And... Scooter experts! Protective gear- helmets etc necessary? - get them now or only when can actually scoot!! As envisage quite a lot of dragging around to start!!!

[Inclusionist]

YY to T bar. I didn't buy a helmet initially, and am not a H&S freak, but felt the need to buy one within a month because DS gets up so much speed.

[Cmekrru]

Ok so I'm set on T-bar :D. Not a H&S freak either but if he starts getting some speed up I'll need to get the helmet too!!!

[RyleDup]

Yes to T bar and yes to helmet. But mainly to get them into good habits rather than immediate necessity.

[KateShmate]

Bad mother here, mine don't have helmets. Yes they do get up a lot of speed, but none of my 5 girls have ever landed on there head.. touch wood.

[Narked]

Hat now, so it becomes a habit.

[PacificDogwood]

No safetly gear here, mainly due to loud and violent refusal .
Yy to t-bar.
In our experience the Mini leans more easily so is the preferred one.

[Cmekrru]

Ooh good point re habit! Elbow pads etc ever kept on or just discarded and OTT / limiting for movement?

Thanks all :)

[DaveMccave]

I dunno.. I see people buying 4 and 5 year olds minis and think they are crazy. I tell people all the time the lowest maxi setting is the same height. I think the brake is easier on maxi too. BUT my dd is 5.5 and has had her mini since her 2nd birthday and its on its last legs. Do you think a scooter will last him til he's on the top height range if you have it for so long? It will be an expensive mistake if not. Minis are a lot lighter to carry around. If you do get the maxi and he struggles, keep at it, it can take them a while to get the hang even with the mini.