Aibu to think that 6 is too young for a skateboard?

[Fruitteatime]

My 6 year old is desperate for a skateboard. I'm a bit reluctant, I'm fairly concerned about injuries and wonder if she's a little too young for one. She's not exactly the most physically able child, struggles with climbing mainly. Are there even skateboards out there that she would be able to manage? There doesn't seem to be much of a size difference in adult and smaller boards. If you have a similar aged child what skateboard do they have and how old were they when they first used it? Neither dp nor I have ever had one so are quite ignorant on the matter.

Yabu- a skateboard is perfectly ok for a 6 year old.

Yanbu- skateboards are far too dangerous/wait until she is older.

I would definitely get her one at 6 - I’d go for a penny board.

Skateboards really aren't dangerous because you cant do much on them until you get good. The worst that will happen is he trips over. Google kids skateboard and you'll find the right size, get him a helmet too if he doesn't have one.

yabu

I think a skateboard would be fine under supervision. We had one given to us and my ds's have knee and elbow pads that they use and I hold their hands while they scoot along. They are about the same age as your dd.

A scooter would give the same feeling though and be easier to steer

Somehow read she was a he! Sorry! Get her a skateboard and a helmet.

Get her the small size penny board with the small deck. Elbow and knee pads and a helmet. She will be fine.

My son had a skateboard for his 5th birthday. With knee & elbow pads and helmet. He's really good on it 2 years later, started going on the skatepark just on his knees and building up. My daughter has asked for one for her 5th so she'll get one in a few weeks.

We got a full size light weight board from Skate Hut online.

Mine got one at 6. Just get a helmet and maybe knee protectors, and stick to parks rather than pavements. Skate parks are full of kids that age

My soon to be 4 year old bloody loves hers! Good helmet, knee and elbow pads and she will be good to go!

My DD asked for skateboard for her 6th birthday. She has been asking for a while. Her friend at school also got one for his. Like yours she is not the most physically adventurous child - she can cycle and use a scooter but neither was natural and easy for her to learn.

On the other hand, a skateboard was the one thing she really wanted and opening it on her birthday brought her a lot of joy, and since she couldn't have a party or any friends over I wanted to do what I could to make the day special. I didn't have anything else particular in mind that we wanted to get her instead.
We got a compete mini skateboard. It was this one www.skates.co.uk/rocket-skateboard-flashback-mini.html. I figured it cost enough to be reasonable quality but not so much it would be a massive waste if it didn't become her thing). Obviously we got her all the pads too.

That was at about 3 weeks ago. She is still trying to master the balance while pushing off with her foot. It will probably take her a while, especially with the weather so grim (downside of a winter birthday). I feel if she doesn't master it till the summer, or even next year, it doesn't matter that much. Being confident on a scooter does seem to help.

My ds had one for his 6th birthday. He loved it. Just make sure that you get a helmet knee pads and arm pads. There might be a few accidents but as long as they have all the above they should be fine. Ds also has bike gloves so if he puts his hands down he doesn't scrap his hands.

Girls, between the ages 8 and 14 lose 30% of their confidence. This is the reason why, we don't let them try things, worry they are not capable, keep telling 'be careful' and don't let them take risk.
Get her a skateboard, pads and a helmet. Tell her she's awesome and definitely can do it. And when she falls, tell her she did well and to try again.

6 is fine. Loads of kids start very young. Dont get a penny though. You want one that's lower to the ground for stability and wide. I skate. If she's going to play on the street a long board type skateboard should be easier with soft wheels or if you plan on the skate park a trick deck is better

Mine got one at three. It was a bit of a job finding one a suitable size but managed it with a bit of Googling. We’re very strict about wearing the pads while on it. He’s five now and pretty good on it? Although generally prefers his bike these days.

Great Post @notcycling . I have to be honest it didn't occur to me that I should wait for the kids to get to a certain age before they had a skate board. They asked for one so I got one. No accidents so far and my kids are very accident prone so much so that even the teachers comment on it in school reports

Go for it!

My sons skate board was used only as a tool to sit in and scoot around the living room, he never even managed to get braver than that. Just because a child asks for them... it doesn’t always directly lead to hours at the skate park!

Thank you everyone, I guess that's her Christmas present sorted. Specific links are really helpful. She can't actually ride a bike yet and isn't overly confident on her scooter but time will tell. She did have a balance bike from age 2 and a scooter from age 3. I'll definitely get some elbow and knee pads and a helmet of course. Is there any reason why she can't wear her cycling helmet or do I need to get a skate helmet?

@notcycling

Girls, between the ages 8 and 14 lose 30% of their confidence. This is the reason why, we don't let them try things, worry they are not capable, keep telling 'be careful' and don't let them take risk. Get her a skateboard, pads and a helmet. Tell her she's awesome and definitely can do it. And when she falls, tell her she did well and to try again.

I feel like this is a bit unfair. I never said she was too young because she is female. In fact we encouraged her to do a lot without help when she was toddler (climbing at the park, balancing along walls, getting down from where she has climbed rather than lifting her down), she's just not really taken to it. In fact I am very careful not to say be careful to either of my children (usually I say what's your plan or watch where you are going to put your feet). She does swimming, football and gymnastics so we absolutely do encourage her to try things and always tell her that practice is what's needed to get better at something. It's the skateboard that feels like it is dangerous because there's nothing to hold on to and as I've not ridden one I'm not sure on the age that would be appropriate.

My five year old loves his, he falls off it all the time, but it doesn’t bother him and little bruises and grazes are part of childhood.

Get a childrens skateboard rather than a penny, pennyboards are too narrow and high for a beginner.

Check this girl out!

www.instagram.com/p/CHyy73bnqPv/?igshid=c7e8p5i2ez2m

She's 3 and 1/2 apparently and skateboarding while wearing a tutu

Get her the skateboard! 👌

The small decathlon one is a perfect introduction and not expensive

I feel like skateboards are safer than roller skates, because you can jump off. I'd be keen to get one for DC, as I think it will improve balance and spatial awareness. I'd definitely follow the interest. How much it gets used is another question of course!

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-mini-plastic-skateboard/_/R-p-160794

Describing a skateboard as dangerous is slightly odd. Bikes have handlebars but that doesn't stop anyone of any age falling off! You sound a bit over anxious.

Aside from that, my only contribution now you plan to get her one would be to say that your dominant / leading foot on a board is almost always the opposite of your dominant hand.

So if she's right handed she will probably be "left foot forward" and find it much easier and more natural to ride and control her board that way. That is, left foot standing static on the board and right foot hitting the ground to propel herself along. Or vice versa if she's left handed.