How to Buy a Kids' Scooter

Get a scooter made for the kind of terrain your child will ride on.

Scooter are loved and used by children of all ages. There are scooters made designed specifically for ages two to five, ages six to eight and ages 10 and over. Scooters are available in a variety of sizes, styles and colors, as well. There are scooters pushed by foot, and there are motorized scooters.

Instructions

1. Consider the size of your child. All scooters have height and weight requirements to help keep kids safe. Children ages two to five, for example, can ride a Mini Kick scooter. Italtrike's outdoor series scooter is ideal for small children, as is the Kid Meteor Lightup Scooter. Older kids need a scooter that can safely hold their weight, such as the Razor E200, which goes up to 12 miles per hour. Young children may not be ready for a motorized scooter. However, older children can enjoy motorized scooters safely.

2. Make sure the brakes are good on the scooter you are about to purchase. If it is a brand-new scooter, there should be no problems, but if it is a used scooter it may have brakes that need repairs. Check the tires carefully as well. Cracked and worn tires can result in injury, as can faulty brakes. Make sure the foot plate of the scooter is wide and has a non-slip surface.

3. Check the scooter recall list to make sure you are not purchasing a defective scooter. When you buy new from the store, you have a guarantee the scooter is not on the recall list. You'll also be able to register the scooter, which means if the scooter does get recalled you will be notified.

4. Consider what type of terrain the scooter will be used on, such as the lawn, sidewalk or blacktop. Different types of scooters are made for different terrains. It is best to get a scooter designed for the surface your child will be using it on.

5. Consider protective gear for your child to wear while using his scooter. Protective packs come with a helmet and knee pads at Walmart for less than $20. Protective gear should fit snugly, but not too tight. Gear that is too large or too small will not effectively protect your child.
   Further, some scooters fold up for traveling. Some do not. If you will be taking the scooter along with you, it's best to get a scooter that can be folded up.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop around to get the best deal on a kids' scooter and protective gear.

• Check the scooter recall list before you buy a used or resold scooter.

References

• Scooter Recall Alerts