Skateboarding is also great for the little ones. It's real fun, improves balance and creativity and, during sessions in the skate park, even develops social skills. As with many other sports, the suitable and age-appropriate equipment is also important for skateboarding, as kids learn to skate faster with the ideal setup. We will guide you to the right skateboard equipment for your children.
What size and features for kids skateboards?
For kids up to the age of 5 we recommend skateboards with soft tops, which are made of cork or foam and therefore more skin-friendly than classic grip tapes.
At first glance, skateboards for children hardly look very different from skateboards for teenagers and adults. The small but very significant differences lie mainly in the width and length of the deck and the composition of the top, which is usually made of softer materials. Many children's skateboards are also equipped with softer bushings in the trucks, which allows for easier steering behaviour. Here we show you what is important when buying a skateboard for children.
Features
The ideal deck width for kids skateboards
- An approximate deck width of 7" to 7.5" is a proper guideline for classic skateboards for children under the age of ten if their shoe size is between EU 23 and 34. However, some teenage and adult skaters also prefer board widths under 8" to land certain tricks better.
- Micro decks with a width of 6" to 7" are ideal for very small kids under the age of five.
Deck lengths for kids skateboards
- An approximate deck length of 26" to 30" is suitable for children under the age of ten.
- Micro decks with a length of approximately 23" to 26" (58 - 66 cm) are ideal for very small kids under the age of five.
- Small longboards are also ideal for getting started with skateboarding thanks to their larger standing surface and stability.
Deck shape and concave
- Children's skateboards for the skate park have the same shape as skateboards for adults. However, the concave on kids' skateboards should be a maximum of medium.
- Decks with a high concave are only recommended for experienced skaters and certain tricks.
Child-friendly tops and griptapes
- Skateboards for teenagers and adults are equipped with griptapes on the top that have a rough texture, similar to sandpaper.
- Skateboards designed for children often have tops made of cork or rubber. These materials give kids a good grip, but prevent them from abrasions to the skin.
Here we'll show you how to stick a griptape to your skateboard.
Soft wheels for more grip
- Softer wheels provide more grip on tarmac or concrete and are ideal for uneven surfaces.
- The degree of hardness is usually indicated on the Durometer A scale, which ranges from 1A (very soft) to 100A (very hard). Some brands refer to the B scale, which is more precise for very hard skateboard wheels. A hardness of 80B corresponds to 100A.
Skateboard trucks for kids
- The height of the skateboard trucks should be medium or low for children and beginners, which offers more stability due to the lower standing height.
- Low trucks require smaller wheels (50 to 53 mm) to avoid wheelbites and thus risky situations.
- Hard bushings (e.g. 96A) lead to a fast reaction of the trucks, soft bushings (e.g. 81A) are a little more compliant in steering behaviour.
Which skateboards are best for children?
Besides classic skateboards, which are mostly used for tricks in the skate park, there are also longboards, cruisers and surfskates. These three board types are particularly suitable for easy travelling and relaxed or dynamic moves on tarmac paths. For all those who like to assemble skateboards themselves, Blue Tomato has all the components and tools.
Styles
Skateboard Completes for kids
Complete skateboards are fully assembled and all components match perfectly. This makes them particularly suitable for starting out in skateboarding. Most deck widths are between 7" and 9". Choosing the right size depends on several factors, including shoe size, height, weight and preferred riding style. The following deck widths are recommended for children's skateboards:
- 7" to 7.5": for children with shoe sizes EU 23 to 34
- 7.5" to 8": for teenagers and adults with shoe sizes EU 35 to 38
Find out more in our detailed Skateboard Buyer's Guide.
Boards for riding, cruising and surfskating
Longboards, cruisers, and surfskates are awesome for learning balance and board feel. These boards come in different sizes and designs. Kids aged 6-8 can start with the smaller versions and adult support.
- Longboards: great for relaxed rides on tarmac or concrete paths, perfect for beginners due to low standover height and stable trucks
- Cruisers: compact size and ideal for mobility on short distances or for dynamic rides in big skate parks or on tarmac paths
- Surfskates: surf-like feeling, recommended for advanced riders, great for tight slides and carves due to flexible front truck
Find out more in our detailed Longboard Buyer's Guide.
Assemble skateboards yourself
For all those who like to tinker with boards themselves, we have all skate components, assembly kits and tools. To build your child's customised skateboard, you are free to choose every component according to your needs.
- Check out our tutorial video and step-by-step-guide on how to assemble a skateboard and which parts you need.
Discover even more tips and tricks in our detailed Skateboard Buyer's Guide.
Which skate protection does my child need?
Our tip: Compare the individual protector's measurements in the size chart with your child's body dimensions to select the right size.
Besides skateboards that match the shoe size, age and skill level of the kids, the little ones also need the right protective equipment when skating. This is particularly important during the first exercises and for very young children. Skate protectors are available for the head, wrists, elbows and knees.
Kids helmets for skateboarding
A proper skate helmet is essential, when kids make their first experiences on a skateboard. Good helmets for kids are equipped with a comfortable and high-impact absorbing foam liner combined with a robust polycarbonate or ABS shell. Most skate helmets are also customisable in size and fit and offer with features such as ventilation or padded liners.
- You can find even more information and buying advice on helmets for skateboarding in our Helmet Buyer's Guide.
Protectors for elbows, wrists and knees
You can choose from complete sets of skate protectors as well as separate components. High-quality skate protectors are equipped with shock-absorbing properties and high material resistance. Well-featured protectors offer an ergonomic fit and customisable velcro fasteners or stretch materials for a comfortable fit.
Are there specific shoes for skateboarding?
Just as for hiking or running, you also need the right shoes for skateboarding. Our product experts have selected the best skate shoes for kids – take a look around and contact our Customer Service if you have any questions, or drop by a Blue Tomato shop near you with your kids!
Shoes for Kids
The right skate shoes for kids
A secure footing on the deck depends to a large extent on the condition of the shoe sole. With their rubber soles and skate-friendly profiles, skate shoes provide the ideal basis for good grip on the skateboard. The outer materials are very robust and have extra strong seams.
Skate shoes are also specially equipped on the inside: padded tongues, extra cushioning or reinforced ollie zones are, amongst other details, typical features of skate shoes.
How do I assemble a skateboard?
We are of course happy to assemble your skateboard for you in one of our Blue Tomato shops. However, many skateboarders prefer to build their skateboards themselves. Here we show you which parts you need and how easy it is to assemble a skateboard.
components and assembly
These parts you need for your skateboard
- 1 x skateboard deck
- 1x griptape
- 2 x skateboard trucks
- 4 x skateboard wheels
- 8 x skateboard bearings incl. 4 x spacers
- 8 x skateboard screws
- 1 x skate tool
How to assemble a skateboard correctly
- Place the deck in front of you with the bottom side facing up.
- Place the trucks on the holes of the deck. Optional: If you want to raise your trucks, you can place riser pads between the deck and the trucks.
- Make sure that the king pins are facing inwards.
- Thread the screws through the holes in the deck and trucks and tighten them.
- Put the skate bearings in the rollers. You always need two bearings and one spacer per wheel.
- Now slide the rollers onto the axle pin and tighten the nuts. Make sure that the wheels can still turn easily.
- Check everything again: Are the trucks tight? Wheels secured? Wheels turn well?
- Now quickly put on your skate shoes and head out to the skate park :)
- Have fun skating!
How do I start skateboarding with kids?
So what needs to be considered to ensure that the little ones skate skilfully and safely on four wheels? And what's the best way for kids to learn skateboarding tricks? Here we share practical expert knowledge on starting skateboarding with children step by step.
Steps
Start playfully
The best way to start the adventure of skateboarding is through play. It is important that the kids don't try to master tricks straight away, but simply roll on the board at first. This feeling for balance and speed is the basis for skateboarding. Here we show you how to learn skateboarding with your kids step by step:
Tipps and Tricks
As soon as the kids can safely stand and ride a skateboard, the time is ready for their first skateboard tricks – and there are plenty of them. Here we show you how the little ones can become great skaters: