Scooter Buying Guide

Whether you have small children at home who are just starting to become interested in outdoor toys, or you have older teens who are looking for new ways to be adventurous, scooters are fantastic gifts and an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors. For little ones, scooters are a great alternative to a bike, enabling them to get the hang of steering and practise their balance skills without having to focus on pedalling, too. There are many different kids' scooters on the market today for all age ranges, so we've provided this useful guide to buying the best scooter for your child to make your selection easier.

Kick Scooters for Kids

Kick scooters are the traditional type of scooter and are operated simply by pushing off, or kicking, with one foot. They're still very popular today, and are ideal for children aged from 3 upwards. They come in many different styles and designs intended to make them more stable for smaller children, or more exhilarating for older children. It all comes down to wheel placement.

Younger children normally start out with a 3-wheeled scooter, or a 'tri-scooter'. Some kick scooters will have 2 wheels at the back but 1 at the front. Others will have 2 at the front and 1 at the back. Both are fun outdoor toys, but having 2 wheels at the front of the scooter boosts stability and reduces the risk of tripping on the back wheels while kicking. This makes them very popular amongst younger children who are receiving their very first kick scooter.

When children have mastered their balance and perfected their steering, they're likely to feel more confident riding their scooter. At this point, they may wish to move on to a 2-wheeled kick scooter. These have with 1 wheel at the front and 1 at the back.

Cool Scooters for Teens and Tweens

Kick scooters aren't the only type of kids' scooter available today — there are a wide range of cool scooters that older kids who have outgrown the more traditional style will love. Stunt scooters are becoming increasingly popular, allowing kids more freedom to create their own unique moves. Jd Bug and Y-Volution are just some of the brands that produce the more flexible and adrenaline-pumping scooters on the market. They allow kids to keep both feet on the scooter and accelerate by moving rapidly from side to side. It's so much fun that even adults may want to have a try!

Electric scooters are also much loved by tweens and teens today. They're very simple to operate, with many starting with just the touch of a button, and operated using a foot pedal that controls speed and helps to keep kids safe and secure while they're out and about. Electric scooters zip along at around 9 miles per hour, so they're fast enough to get kids excited about riding them, but not fast enough that parents are worried sick!

Teaching a Child to use a Scooter

Choose a spot with soft ground, to avoid any possible scrapes or bruises. Then familiarise your child with the different parts of the scooter, such as the wheels, the handlebar and the brakes. Show your child how to use the breaks so that they feel more in control of the scooter. Then get them to place one foot on the scooter and slowly push off with one foot, being ready to steady them as they move along.

Seated Scooters for Children

Seated scooters are a combination of a scooter and a bicycle — they allow kids to 'scoot' around, but also feature a seat or sitting platform that's brilliant for younger kids who still don't have the balance required to ride a kick scooter. When smaller, children can sit on seated scooters and be pulled around the house by mum, dad, or even a strong older sibling to get them used to balancing. When they're older, kids can sway from side to side to accelerate and operate the scooter.

Scooter Features and Accessories

You can narrow down your options among the vast range of accessories available by looking at additional features that are included with some products, and deciding what types of features you'd like your child's scooter to have. Many modern scooters are designed to grow with your child. Some include adjustable necks that ensure the handlebars are always at the right height for your child, while others advertise themselves as '2-in-1 scooters'. In many cases, this means the scooter will include a detachable seat, allowing it to be transformed from a seated scooter into a kick scooter as your child's requirements for outdoor toys change and evolve. It's 2 scooters for the price of one!

One of the most popular features of kick scooters is a folding mechanism. Some kick scooters can be folded when not in use so that you can effortlessly pop them in the car, take them on the bus or train, or collapse them easily for carrying. This is especially handy if your child would like to ride their scooter to school but leave it with you to take back home for safekeeping.

Other great features include themed scooters, with pictures of the Avengers, Barbie, Cars, Frozen and Cinderella. Of course, safety is also extremely important. You can find cool helmets that will help your child to stay safe on their scooter and still look great at the same time. We also elbow pads and knee pads to avoid any scratches that might occur during the initial learning phase.

With this newfound knowledge of scooters you can get shopping now and find the right scooter for your child. As well as helping your child to stay fit and active, and encouraging outdoor play and exploration, they're also a cool toy to show off in the playground! Buy a scooter online at The Toy Store and let your child enjoy some outdoor adventure on two or three wheels.