Updated 8th August 2023.
If your child doesn’t want a scooter yet, they almost certainly will soon. Here’s our pick of the best on the market.
As you may have noticed, scooters are everywhere. One study from 2015 found that the proportion of school pupils regularly scootering to school rocketed from 9.3% to 14.3% in a single year. And preschoolers, too, are riding scooters in ever greater numbers.
Why scooters are great for child development
Scooters are fast and fun, at least compared to walking (boring!). For parents, the good news is that scootering helps to get kids active, and encourages large muscle development, balance and coordination. It helps to instill healthy habits, and gets kids outside in all sorts of weather.
When is your child ready for a scooter?
So how do you know that your child is ready for a scooter? According to the experts, size and physical ability are more important than age:
They are walking. If your child walks steadily and with good balance, they can ride a beginner scooter. Sometime between the ages of two and three is common (though starter models can start from 15 months
Starting sturdy. Small children may want to start with a three wheel scooter for extra steadiness, which usually means two wheels at the front and one at the back
Progressing to two-wheel. As they get older, kids naturally progress to faster two-wheel aluminium models, and even stunt scooters made especially for the skatepark
The best scooters for toddlers (aged 2-5)
Editors Review
“Bright and colourful, it’s a hit with the kids. Plus the easy-fold storage makes sure it doesn’t take up too much room”
The Ozbozz is a great starter scooter for ages three plus, featuring a sturdy design, three wheels for easy balance and fun flashing lights powered by your child’s forward motion. Handily, it folds away for easy storage.
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Editors Review
“Perfect for new riders who need a little extra help with balance."
This starter model is specially designed for the youngest riders, and is suitable for ages two and up. Three wheels, an easy touch safety brake and an extra wide base make it ideal for those just learning to balance and turn. The handlebars detach for easy storage.
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Editors Review
“An excellent option for encouraging development”
Half-scooter, half ride-along, the T1 is an excellent way to help your toddler progress from sitting to standing. Tots who sit at first will soon feel the urge to stand up and start moving under their own steam. It’s suitable for children 15 months and up, and comes with an adjustable handlebar. It provides a smooth and safe riding experience.
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Editors Review
“The wide base makes it a super safe option for young riders.”
With one of the widest bases on the market and excellent stability, this Radio Flyer is the perfect first scooter for younger children. Despite its light weight, the ease of steering and balance provided by the two front wheels make it one of the safest choices available. Suitable for two and a half years up.
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Editors Review
“Bright design and flashing wheels make for an exciting ride!”
With height adjustable handlebars, this offering from Banne is suitable from the age of three right up to eight. Flashing wheels will keep the child excited while the anti-slip base and three wheels provide extra balance for younger riders. It also features a lean to steer function.
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The best scooters for older children (aged 6-9)
Editors Review
“The brand that’s most respected in the industry.”
It may seem a little pricey, but this hard-wearing scooter comes from Micro, the most famous and respected name in scooter design. Easy and safe to manoeuvre, the Micro Sprite boasts an adjustable handle bar, a tough footplate and a great brake - important because it can pick up a bit of speed.
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Editors Review
"The broad age range means you’ll be able to keep this one for years."
Another excellent scooter from the Micro stable, the MX TRIXX is great for older kids who want to start trying out simple stunts and tricks, and it’s also perfectly at home on the school run. It’s lightweight and nimble, with a fixed handlebar that suits children from ages five to 12.
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Editors Review
"This offers something really unique in the scooter industry."
The Y Flyer really is a bit different, using a stepping motion to propel the scooter forward at a fine pace. The stepping is great exercise - even if it takes a little bit of getting used to - but the speed it can reach means the Y Flyer is only suitable for ages seven and up.
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Editors Review
"Excellent value for money for a scooter primed for the rough and ready of the skatepark."
This top quality sport scooter is made more for the skatepark ramp than the school run. It’s tough and durable, perfect for stunt riding and sports mode in general. Riser style bars and a quad clamp make it easy to control in extreme circumstances. It’s great value for money, too. Suitable for ages eight and above.
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Editors Review
"More affordable than many, and the quick response handbrake provides plenty of safety for a more exciting scooter."
A more budget-friendly option than the Y Flyer, the Air A1 is ideal for riders becoming more and more confident on a scooter. The iconic Y designs makes for bags of fun drifting, carving and freestyling.
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The best scooters for tweens and teens (aged 10-13)
Editors Review
“Sturdy build and design make it perfect for action-packed trips to the skatepark."
Aircraft grade aluminium structure, extra wide base and oversized handlebars offer all the ruggedness and stability more advanced riders could ask for as they look to push themselves with new tricks at the skatepark. An aluminium core makes the wheels durable enough to withstand plenty of action, while the steel brake brings them to a stop quickly and quietly.
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Editors Review
“Those 16 inch tyres offer the utmost stability for every use.”
With a heavy-duty steel frame, large “16 wheels and both front and rear brakes, this option from HOMCOM provides more than enough stability for confident riders in any situation, whether exploring bumpy terrain or landing tricks in the park.
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Editors Review
“Amazing design from the biggest name in action sports.”
All children have an idol when they fall in love with a sport. For most scooter fans, it’s Ryan Williams. And children love to have whatever clothing or equipment their idol uses. So, if your child is really getting into action sports, they’ll fall head over heels for this replica from Nitro Circus based on the iconic Ryan Williams RW design.
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Editors Review
“Offers a lower cost entry to more advanced and serious scooter”
With a striking design and range of colour options, this kick scooter from Mongoose gives pro-style performance to beginners at a lower cost than most thanks to a lightweight alloy deck with an extending base. Its bike-style grips offer plenty of durability and comfort.
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Editors Review
“You’ll struggle to find a lower cost electric scooter that offers the same performance.”
One of the cheapest electric scooters on the market, the GoGheec S2’s 150w motor and battery allows for a longer range of up to 15km and higher speeds. Shock absorption makes for a smoother ride, while solid tyres prevent puncture and reduce maintenance. It features both an electric and foot-touch brake, as well as an ultra-bright LED light for riding in the dark.
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Dad scooter stories
There's nothing we love more than seeing dads and their children on their best scooter adventures. Here are some of the stories we've loved and been inspired by.
