Please talk to me about Heelys...

[Bicnod]

DS1 (8) is keen for Heelys for Christmas.

Any recommendations? Advice? I'm new to the world of Heelys and can't help thinking they may end up being a waste of money...

TIA

[Popsicle789]

They were for us. Dd never mastered them , 9yrs.. it's the leaning back element scared her, which makes them glide across. Perfect for shop floors but pretty useless on other surfaces. Luckily they were a bargain as they were second hand

[KC225]

Biggest waste of money here. I think my son wore them twice for about 5 minutes each time. He has rioller skates and would go to skating classes. He also has a skate board but I think the motion of leaning backwards didn't feel right. If you are thinking about heelys, I would suggest your child borrows or at least ties them out first before you throw 50 quid down the drain like we did.

[iamUberA]

Cost a lot and dd couldn't use them, tried on and off for a year
Why don't you see if you can buy/borrow second hand ones first to see if she can use them

[Cakedoesntjudge]

DS got some for his birthday in August, they came up really big so even with insoles they didn't fit properly and he couldn't master the roll in them either. Ended up taking the wheels out and they're now a very expensive pair of just casual shoes

I also told him he was categorically never wearing them anywhere except the park/walks as I work in a shop and have a pet peeve about kids whizzing around on them in there. So the uneven pavements don't help!

If you have to get them, I'd go second hand!

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

I would like a pair, and I could get them at the cheaper kids' prices.

DH has said "no".

Sorry- unhelpful 😁

(I'm registered blind, so the sensible side of me does see his point)

[wavesandwellies]

I got my dd6 a pair from sports direct for a fraction of the price. hers have two wheels though so she just has to lift her toes up. she loves them

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

They're horrible
They're dangerous especially in supermarkets
They make your child walk with an Equinus Gait ( on tiptoe when you cannot put the heel down) so can put strain on the muscles.

And they piss me right of in supermarkets ,did I say?

[Issummeroveryet]

My DD had some last year. I got them on offer so not too expensive, wouldn't have paid full price! She does ok on them and has worn them a bit, they annoy the hell out of me though and I probably wouldn't get her another pair after she outgrows them. If you do get them I'd get the cheaper version from sports direct with 2 wheels, they're apparently much easier to learn on

[JennyOnAPlate]

My two have the sports direct version (much cheaper!!) the 7 year old still uses hers loads almost a year later, the 9 year old hasn’t been on hers in months.

[RupertsMum2]

Ds3 was desperate for some as, apparently, he was the only one at choir practice that wasn't wearing them. I bought them for him and they were banned at choir the following week. He never mastered them and they are still like new!

[Figgygal]

Good question it's the only thing ds5 says he wants for his birthday and I've no idea whether to bother or not

[Wolfiefan]

You can't walk in them.
Many kids can't skate in them.
They're useless on anything other than a totally flat and slick surface.
I wouldn't waste my money!

[QueuetoaskaQ]

Ours has been sitting on a shelf for a year. Tried once and that was that. Very difficult to get the hang of and DD didn't enjoy them at all.

Word of advice - they come up very big so I'd size down. We got ours from Skatehut for around £60.

[SleightOfMind]

DD,7, wants some too. Am definitely going down the sports direct route now as she's neither coordinated nor patient!
Great tip. Thanks.
AllRoads, I've desperately wanted a go for ages too. I love the idea of serenely gliding about but am not brave enough to look that mad.
I know it would make me happy though.

[AnneOfCleavage]

How about Buzz Skates - wheels that clip on your shoes. They are awesome and so much safer imho. Sorry I don't have a link. Bought some for my DD in Harrods when we are visiting and she loves them.

[Justabadwife]

It took dd years to master it (only worked it out when a child showed her, it didn't work when i tried) Now shes got it its great. Her first pair were size 12, and she is now a size 2 and they only just dont fit.
Her new pair are a 2 and are massive, but they are in the style of the skater shoes so are meant to be 'big'.
I can't imagine they are comfy to walk in though, because you have to walk on your tip toes or you will slip, saying this dd has never complained and she goes most places in them. 🤔

[Jfw82]

DSS and dsd both wanted and we bought two years ago for their respective summer birthdays. Both have subsequently had replacements for birthdays or Xmas as they have loved them so much- took a few weeks to get the hang of including a memorable incident where dsd nearly did the splits on b&q!! (I received mine last month for my bday haven’t yet been used outside of the kitchen - am paranoid I’ll break a wrist or something!!)

[LaChatte]

The ones that fix on to any shoe are great because they never become too small and you can try them hand them down too.

[iloveredwine]

my 8 year old loves hers. it has to be the 2 wheel version as she could not do the 1 wheel one and is amazing on roller blades. she uses them outside house and everywhere she can!

[bottlesandcans]

No advice but don't be the parent who lets their little darlings wheel around in them in busy supermarkets, coffee shops etc. It's dangerous and intensely irresponsible.

[Bicnod]

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.

I'm thinking if I do get some they'll be second hand so it won't feel like quite such a waste when he rejects them after the first attempt.

Will also investigate the clip on ones...