Is 5yrs too young for a skateboard?

[choceyes]

My 5.3yr old DS really really wants a skateboard and asks me daily for one. He is good at balance, i.e he's been riding a bike without stabilisers since last spring and he's got a scooter he rides a lot too. He is trying to use his scooter like a skateboard and in the process nearly breaking it!
We have a skating park in our local park and he wants to go on it desperately (it's not a busy skating park).
If I buy him the proper protective wear like knee, wrist, elbow pads etc and get him to wear a helmet, is it safe enough for him to do?
I was thinking of buying him one on those smaller ones...not full size.

Any opinions appreciated!

If he really wants it and has a decent sense of balance then go for it. Think DS was about that age when he got his - package of skateboard, helmet and pads from Argos I think. He doesn't use it that much after the initial excitement but its there when the notion takes him again.

Did you get him the smaller sized skateboard feetheart or the regular size?

Not sure now as it was about 3 years ago but it was something like this one

HTH

My DD is 5 and adores hers. She does crash a lot...but she's a tough child and just gets up again.

Normal size should be fine. He can also go on the skatepark on his scooter and bike :)

You wait until you see your 7 year old hanging off the top of a really steep half pipe!

Our stepson is now one of the most well known and skilled skaters in the UK and travels everywhere for his sponsors. He performed the scariest feats of skill from a pretty young age- if your son is a natural and learns from his peers, he'll soon be doing stuff you will be watching through your fingers.

Generally skateparks will always have older more skilled skaters who enjoy tutoring the younger ones. Look out for them and ask them to teach him a few tricks. Also- really important- go to a proper skate shop and take their advice on safety gear and technique. They are super helpful, mines of information and connections. If you are in the East I can recommend some good ones via Pm.

Good luck!

5 is a great age to start. I own a skate shop and have 2 little shredders of my own. Dd is 6 and spent from age 3 sitting on a deck rolling around. She's still wobbly but loves going to the park and getting cheered on by the older skaters. Ds is 4 and has no fear, he also rode his scooter like a skateboard from age 3.

I would never recommend getting a deck from a toy shop. They are cheap, made poorly but most importantly, not compatible with parts that'll need replacing after a while. If I had a penny for every kid that comes into the shop with a broken toy shop deck, I'd have enough to buy myself a starbucks coffee And there's nothing I can do to fix them, once they're broken, thats it.

Unless your ds is very tall and large, I'd get him a small deck. Take him down your local skate shop. You can buy a good quality kids deck fully set up for £35 but it won't be compatible with full size parts. It'll be made of canadian hardwood, maple and last a long time. Plus, it'll have resale value if he goes for a bigger size or decides it's not for him. Or you can go for a small adult deck, Fabric do a good one, fully set up with budget adult trucks and wheels, £70. This will be fully compatible with adult parts. Or a fully set up budget adult deck is £65.

Hope this helps.