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Original poster

To think 4 is too young for a skateboard?

22 replies

Rainallnight · 15/06/2022 12:23

DS is about to turn 4 and is desperate for a skateboard. He’s such a little poppet and really never really asks for anything much. I’d love to give him something that would make him so happy but I think it’s probably just not safe yet.

We live in a slightly hipster ish area with some dads who skateboard and I never see such young kids do it.

But am I being over cautious and unreasonable? What do you all do with your board-mad little ones (if there are any out there!)

OP posts:
Phos · 15/06/2022 12:26

My 5 year old has one. Depends on the kid but she’s not about to go doing tricks on the skate park just yet, she’s content to just scoot up and down the paths on it. It’s not really that much more dangerous than a scooter really given what she does with it. At this age they probably don’t have the strength to get up the speed that would make it dangerous if they were to topple off.

Mamamia7962 · 15/06/2022 12:28

Have a look at the ages from on the skateboards and see if there's a small one that's suitable from age 4. Put arm and knee pads on him and a safety helmet and I am sure he will be fine.

There was a child recently on BGT doing all sorts of stunts on a scooter and he was only 6!

vitahelp · 15/06/2022 12:29

I'd be pleased if my DD asked for a skateboard for her 4th birthday next month. As it stands she isn't even keen on riding a bike and I don't want to force anything. As long as you get a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads I think it would be great.

Blimeyherewegoagain · 15/06/2022 12:31

Balance skills are so important - he’ll have a great time with a skateboard 🙂

Original poster
Rainallnight · 15/06/2022 12:45

Oh wow, thanks for the replies. Seems I’m going against the grain.

the American Paediatrics association recommends not until 5, becisee they don’t have the motor skills to stop safely or break their fall before that.

DS is very physically adept however.

@vitahelp I feel your pain. 6 year old DD is the same and can’t ride her bike yet ☹️

OP posts:
ThettaReddast · 15/06/2022 12:57

DS had one for his 3rd birthday, a small one and the rule was he had to be fully helmet and padded up before going near it. He just pootled around on it at that age though, was a bit older before he started to attempt anything resembling a trick!

Camomila · 15/06/2022 13:03

My 2.5 year old uses his 6 year old brothers mini skateboard fine (with a helmet on)

I don't think it's much more dangerous than a balance bike or scooter. I don't let him do it on the pavement by roads - just in the playground.

Maverick101 · 15/06/2022 13:07

If you get one please please please get wrist guards. It's natural to put your hands out to break your fall and broken wrists where the bones cross are truly hideous injuries.

vitahelp · 15/06/2022 13:16

@Rainallnight I can't complain too much as she's basically taking after me, I didn't learn to ride a bike until 14!!! DH on the other hand is really brave and has a lot of dangerous hobbies but she seems to have inherited none of that!

massistar · 15/06/2022 13:17

I disagree that it's no less dangerous than bikes and scooters. My kids were cycling and scooting adeptly from 3/4 but the skateboard put the fear in me. They're much harder to control and have a tendency to go whizzing off down the road of their own accord if the DC jumped/fell off. Ok for pootling on a flat path with no roads or too many people.

TheFormidableMrsC · 15/06/2022 13:22

I'm regularly take my 11 yo to a skatepark, he's been skating since he was about 8. There are always much much younger children flying around, doing stunts. They have no fear at that age. As long as he has a decent helmet (for skating, not a bike helmet) and knee and elbow pads, I think he'll be fine and probably quite skilled in no time. Have him practice on grass to start so he gets his balance. I loved skateboarding as a kid and teen and watch them with envy. However, these days such an activity at my such an activity at my age would require a risk assessment 😆

Aquamarine1029 · 15/06/2022 13:26

Both of my kids were skateboarding at four. They absolutely loved it. Just make sure to always have them wear proper protective gear - helmet, wrist, elbow and knee pads.

BattenburgDonkey · 15/06/2022 13:29

I can’t see why it’s more dangerous than a scooter (unless that’s just because my 4 year old can go 1000 mph on a scooter, but can’t even stay stud up on her skateboard).

Id get it if he really wants it, my rule is that they were all the protection from the first go
on it, or it gets returned to the shop. Helmet, knee and wrist guards included.

Cazzawazzawoowootoo · 15/06/2022 13:32

My youngest got one for his birthday when he was 6. He's 7 now and never used it beyond a glorified scooter.

We live in a very quiet cul-de-sac (six houses) with absolutely no through traffic. He plays out in the street on his or takes it to the park occasionally. Although he prefers his bike and scooter. I wouldn't let him out in a proper street on it but it's fine for what he does with it.

TheFormidableMrsC · 15/06/2022 13:34

Sorry about my terrible double typing in my previous post. This is why I can't be allowed on a skateboard!

To add DS has also scooted since he could toddle and could ride a bike without stabilisers by the time he was four. I am certain that those activities complement eachother and help a lot with balance. He scares me more on the scooter with drop ins and jumps but he's become much more skilled with practice.

Thelnebriati · 15/06/2022 13:35

Is there a smooth, safe-ish stretch of tarmac near the house? Until they've got the hang of it, bumps are as much of a problem as their balance.

Yodaisawally · 15/06/2022 13:50

Rainallnight · 15/06/2022 12:45

Oh wow, thanks for the replies. Seems I’m going against the grain.

the American Paediatrics association recommends not until 5, becisee they don’t have the motor skills to stop safely or break their fall before that.

DS is very physically adept however.

@vitahelp I feel your pain. 6 year old DD is the same and can’t ride her bike yet ☹️

😂😂 where they pluck that number from. Dts are 10 and still shit on a skateboard but they love it.

mintich · 15/06/2022 13:57

How about the Ookkie skateboard as a starter?

Fortyfortyforty · 15/06/2022 14:11

As long as you get a helmet, wrist pads, elbow pads and knee pads, he should be fine.

I just got my first skateboard age 42 😆

uggmum · 15/06/2022 14:16

Decathlon have one suitable from 18 months. So it might be worth a look.

To think 4 is too young for a skateboard?
TheFormidableMrsC · 15/06/2022 16:42

Fortyfortyforty · 15/06/2022 14:11

As long as you get a helmet, wrist pads, elbow pads and knee pads, he should be fine.

I just got my first skateboard age 42 😆

Oh fabulous! I'm so jealous 😆

Ducksurprise · 15/06/2022 16:47

Agree so much about the helmet. My teens wear a helmet because they feel weird not wearing one as they have worn one since they were big enough to go on wheels.

Regards wrist guards, knee guards etc don't buy the cheap ones, they a cumbersome. The better ones are often on second hand sites

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