Many kids love skateboarding. It’s not just fun. It also helps them grow physically and mentally. But, parents often worry about their kids’ safety on skateboards. This is especially true for younger children. Wearing the right safety gear and skating in safe places can make it much safer. Here, learn essential skateboard safety tips and what gear is a must for kids.
Key Takeaways
- Proper safety gear is a must; helmets, knee pads, wrist guards, and elbow pads greatly lower the chance of getting hurt.
- Watching over young kids, especially those under 10, can stop many accidents.
- Skating in areas meant for skateboarding, away from cars, keeps skaters safe.
- Getting a skateboard that’s the right size is key. For 6-year-olds, look for one that’s 7.0″ to 7.25″ wide.
- Getting your kid to wear a helmet that fits right can cut the risk of head injuries by up to 85%.
Understanding Skateboarding Safety for Young Children
Skateboarding is fun for kids but it also has risks. It’s very important to keep kids under 15 safe because they get hurt the most. We can make it safer by picking the right places to skate and watching younger kids closely.
Kids under 5 shouldn’t skateboard because they’re still learning to balance well. Kids aged 6 to 10 need an adult to watch them skateboard. Making sure they wear helmets and protective gear helps prevent injuries. Skating in safe places like skate parks is also a good idea.
Teaching kids how to fall safely is key to avoiding serious hurts. Many accidents happen in the first week, so extra care is needed then. Kids should also avoid wet areas and never skate without an adult around.
For more safety tips, check out the KidsHealth safety skateboarding page.
| Age Group | Supervision Required | Recommended Deck Size |
|---|---|---|
| 5 and under | None, avoid skateboarding | Not applicable |
| 6-7 | Adult supervision | 7″ wide, 28″ long |
| 8-10 | Adult supervision | 7.25″ wide, 29″ long |
| 10 and above | Less supervision as skill increases | 7.5″ wide, 31″ long (standard deck) |
Benefits of Skateboarding for Kids
Skateboarding is more than just fun for children. It helps them grow in important ways. Kids get better at keeping their balance, moving smoothly, and using their bodies. These skills are key for growing up strong and healthy.
Skateboarding does more than just help kids move better. It boosts their confidence and teaches them to keep trying. As they learn new skateboard tricks, they feel better about themselves. This process helps them become more resilient and keeps them balanced and coordinated.
It also lets kids be creative, coming up with their own tricks and styles. Being creative on a skateboard helps in other areas of life too. At skate parks, kids make new friends and learn to work together. This helps them feel like they belong to a group, which is great for growing up.
Skateboarding can even help kids do better in school by improving their focus. They learn to pay attention and solve problems. At skate parks, kids also learn about respect and playing fair with others.
Lastly, skateboarding encourages kids to be active instead of sitting around. Parents can motivate their kids by linking skateboarding with school achievements. This way, kids stay fit, learn important life lessons, and have a good time.
Essential Safety Gear for Young Skateboarders
Making sure your child is safe while skateboarding means getting the right skateboarding protective gear. Every year, around 50,000 visits to the ER in the U.S. are because of skateboarding injuries. Protecting your child well is crucial.
A good, CPSC-certified children’s skateboarding helmet is the most important gear. It helps prevent serious head injuries. Wearing a helmet can lower the risk of head injuries by 85%.
But there’s more gear than just helmets. Wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads are very important for safety equipment for skateboarding. Wrist injuries are very common. Wearing protective gear makes children 60% less likely to get seriously hurt.
Think about getting a full set of protective gear, including:
- Wrist Guards: They help prevent breaks and sprains.
- Knee Pads: They lower the risk of hurting knees by 40%.
- Elbow Pads: They keep you from getting scraped or worse.
- Closed-Toe Shoes: Wearing them provides better grip and keeps feet safe.
Kids under 5 shouldn’t skateboard. Kids 6 to 10 need an adult watching them. Teach them to always use safety equipment for skateboarding to build good habits.
Safe skating keeps your child from getting hurt and lets them have fun confidently. Make sure they check their gear before riding. This teaches them that being safe is as cool as skateboarding.
Teaching Your Child to Skateboard Safely
Start teaching your child skateboarding with a focus on safety and basic skills. Show them how to stand, push off, turn, and stop on a skateboard. Teaching them safe techniques early on helps them develop good habits.
Making sure your child is aware of their surroundings is key. They should learn to skate in safe places first. This helps them get better and more confident over time. Also, skateboarding lessons for kids are great for learning in a safe way. The American Academy of Pediatrics says kids 6 to 10 need an adult watching them skateboard. This shows how important it is to keep an eye on them.
Wearing protective gear is a must. Helmets can lower the chance of head injuries by at least 45%. But, not enough kids wear helmets, and head injuries cause the most deaths from skateboard accidents. Look for helmets from brands like Protec that meet safety standards. Also, your child should wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards for more protection.
Teaching skateboard respect is also crucial. Kids need to know about being safe and polite in skateparks. They should watch out for cars and other dangers too. Encouraging these safe habits from the start helps ensure they enjoy skateboarding safely for years.
Choosing the Right Skateboard for Your Child
Finding the right skateboard for kids is key for their fun and safety. It’s important to look at special features that make rides safe and comfy. The skateboard size matters a lot.
For six-year-olds, a skateboard deck should be 7 to 7.5 inches wide. It should also be 28 to 29 inches long. These sizes help kids balance and steer easily. Skateboards made from maple or bamboo are strong and flexible.
Wheels and trucks should be right for beginners too. Wheels should be 52mm to 55mm wide and soft, with a durometer of 78A to 87A. This makes them grip better and smoother on rough ground. Trucks should be light but strong, usually made of aluminum.
The ABEC rating of bearings affects how smooth the ride is. Ratings of ABEC 3 or 5 are best for kids. They last 1-2 years with care, needing maintenance every few weeks.
Customizing a skateboard will make kids more excited about skating. 85% of kids who customize their boards become more enthusiastic about it.
Choosing the right skateboard means looking at size, materials, and more. This ensures the ride is safe and fun.
| Age | Deck Length | Deck Width |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 | 22-27 inches | 6.5-8 inches |
| 5-8 | 28-32 inches | 6.5-8 inches |
| 8-12 | 30-33 inches | 6.5-8 inches |
| 12+ | 31-33 inches | 6.5-8 inches |
Follow this guide to make sure your child enjoys and stays safe while skateboarding. The right skateboard lessens the risk of falls and injuries. This lets them learn and have fun.
Setting Up a Safe Skateboarding Environment
Making a safe place for skateboarding stops injuries and makes it more fun. Whether setting up skate parks or safe areas at home, the goal is to lower risks. Smooth surfaces without debris are best to lessen falls and accidents. Driveways, unused parking lots, or special spots in public parks are good choices.
Stay away from traffic to keep kids safe. If skateboarding at home, make sure it’s clear of hazards like rocks or uneven ground. Also, check your home skate areas often to keep them safe.
Now, communities are creating skate parks for safer skateboarding. These places have smooth ground away from cars, good for any skill level. But, it’s key to pick spots that match your child’s abilities.
Having safety gear like helmets and pads is crucial. This gear prevents common injuries to wrists and faces from falls. Equipping your child teaches them the importance of safety while skating.
Choosing and maintaining safe skateboarding areas ensures fun, safe skateboarding. Regular checks and care lower injury risks and help kids love skateboarding for life. Watching and teaching young skaters is also vital for their safety.
Encouraging Your Child’s Love for Skateboarding
Helping your child love skateboarding is very rewarding. Show that it’s more than tricks; it’s fun and brings joy. Your excitement helps them see skateboarding as a cool lifestyle.
Supporting your kid means more than just teaching them how to skate. Take them to places like Venice Beach Skate Park to watch others. Watching pros and sharing videos of skaters like Tony Hawk can inspire them too.
Celebrate each success, like their first ollie or ramp ride. This boosts their confidence. Keeping a scrapbook or video diary of their skateboard journey shows their progress.
Skateboarding as a family is fun and brings you closer. It makes skating exciting for them. Joining local skate events or clubs, like those by Girl Skateboards, helps them feel connected.
Having the right skateboard and safety gear is key. Brands like Element and Powell Peralta offer quality. This gear is important for safety and enjoyment.
Here is a simple table illustrating some gear essentials and their importance:
| Gear Item | Importance |
|---|---|
| Helmet | Protects the head from serious injuries |
| Knee Pads | Prevents knee scrapes and bruises |
| Elbow Pads | Reduces impact on elbows |
| Wrist Guards | Protects wrists from fractures |
| Proper Skate Shoes | Provides grip and comfort during rides |
Encouraging your child in skateboarding takes lots of support. Seeing skaters or mastering a trick excites them. Tell them hard work and fun in skateboarding bring big rewards.
Knowing When to Intervene
Skateboarding helps kids grow and stay active, but parents need to know when to help. Watching over kids, especially when they try hard tricks, is key. They should always wear the right safety gear to lessen injury risks. For instance, elbow pads cut down injuries by 80%, knee pads by 30%, and wrist guards by nearly 90%.
It’s key for parents to step in if kids skate in dangerous places like streets or parking lots where many get hurt. Kids between 6 and 10 need an adult watching them as they skate. Knowing about common injuries, like ankle sprains and concussions, helps parents keep their kids safe. Ankle sprains may happen more if a child has had one before, and concussions often come from falls.
Knowing safety tips is vital for letting kids skateboard while still keeping them safe. It’s really important to prevent concussions. Going back to skateboarding too soon can make things worse. Teaching kids about these risks and pushing them to be safe lets them have fun and be secure. With proper guidance, your child can skate safely and make wise decisions.
I’m John Peterson, a passionate skater, blogger, and lifelong enthusiast. I’ve been skating for over 9 years and have gone on to write a blog dedicated to the sport of skating and its culture. Through my blog, I strive to share my knowledge and experience of the sport with all who are interested. From beginner tips, tricks, and equipment reviews to interviews and event coverage, I cover it all. So read my blog as I explore the wonderful world of skating!