Best Skateboards For 5 Year Olds: Choosing the best skateboard for a 5-year-old involves finding a balance between safety, durability, and fun. At this age, kids are developing their coordination and balance, so selecting a skateboard designed for young beginners can help them build confidence while ensuring they stay safe.
Boards that are smaller and more stable are ideal, as they offer better control and are easier for little feet to maneuver.
When shopping for a skateboard for a young child, it’s crucial to consider factors like deck size, grip, and wheel material. Many options come with added features like soft wheels for smoother rides and vibrant designs to keep kids excited.
Delving into these elements will help ensure that the skateboard not only meets the ultimate safety standards but also provides an enjoyable and engaging experience for your child.
What Size Skateboard for 5-Year-Old?
For a 5-year-old, selecting the right skateboard size is crucial for comfort and learning ease. Boards with widths ranging from 6.5″ to 7.0″ are optimal for children in this age group, as they offer a stable base that helps with balance and control. If your child is slightly taller than average, a width of 7.25″ can provide a bit more room and make the learning process smoother. It’s important to note that skateboard sizes refer specifically to width, while length can vary; kids’ skateboards are generally shorter and narrower to suit their smaller stature.
Though it’s common for young children to start on smaller boards, many kids begin with standard-sized skateboards and adapt to them. In my own experience, starting with an 8.0″ deck was manageable for my child, who mostly used the skateboard while sitting or pushing with one foot.
This approach is typical and demonstrates that while kids’ boards offer specific advantages, larger boards can still serve as an introduction to skating for young beginners.
What Are The Benefits Of A Smaller Skateboard?
The advantages of shorter and narrower skateboards for young children are often underestimated. Smaller boards provide a more stable platform, which is crucial for young riders who are still developing their balance and coordination.
The reduced width of these boards allows kids to maintain a more natural stance without having to spread their feet too wide, thereby enhancing their stability. This is particularly beneficial because it helps them feel more secure and confident while learning the basics of skateboarding.
Additionally, smaller skateboards reduce the risk of kids’ feet hitting the wheels when pushing forward, which can lead to trips and falls.
On a larger board, such as an 8.0″, children are required to adopt a more crouched position, making it harder to control the board and increasing the likelihood of stumbling.
Although proper protective gear is essential to mitigate risks, a smaller skateboard simplifies the learning process, making it more enjoyable and less intimidating for young beginners.
Avoid Cheap Skateboards
When considering skateboards for young beginners, it’s crucial to avoid extremely inexpensive options that might seem appealing due to their low price. These $30 complete skateboards, often found on platforms like Amazon, may look attractive but frequently fail in terms of safety and durability.
After testing several of these budget models, I found their quality to be subpar; they are typically equipped with hard wheels that produce excessive noise and lack smoothness, while the boards themselves are flimsy and prone to breaking. In one instance, a skateboard arrived with delaminated wood, highlighting the poor construction and material quality that can lead to unsafe conditions.
The difference between a well-made skateboard and a cheap knockoff is significant. Low-cost plastic skateboards, in particular, are notorious for their lack of durability and safety, with incidents of injury often occurring due to their poor design.
Investing in a quality skateboard might cost more initially, but it ensures better performance, longevity, and safety. For the well-being of your child, it’s worth steering clear of these budget-friendly but potentially hazardous options and opting for a skateboard that meets higher standards of construction and design.
Skateboards for 5-Year-Olds We Recommend
When selecting a skateboard for a young child, you have the option between cruiser types and regular skateboards. However, it’s essential to avoid cheaper or plastic boards, as these often have significant drawbacks.
Low-cost skateboards typically feature subpar components, such as trucks and bearings, which can break easily. This can lead to issues like blocked wheels and sudden stops that could pose safety risks. Additionally, these boards tend to delaminate, chip, and develop a sharp tail, known as a razor tail, quickly, compromising their usability and safety.
Fortunately, many of the issues with cheaper boards can be mitigated by replacing individual components like trucks, bearings, and wheels. You don’t need to purchase a completely new skateboard if parts start showing signs of wear and tear. To ensure a better experience, consider investing in a higher-quality skateboard that provides durability and reliable performance.
Here are a few recommended boards that strike a balance between quality and value, making them suitable choices for young riders.
1. Skate XS Skateboard
- Brand: SkateXS
- Color: Black Grip Tape / Black Wheels
- Age Range (Description): Kid
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Material: Bamboo
- Theme: Star
- Wheel Size: 53 Millimeters
- Durometer Hardness: 90A
About this item:
- Custom assembled in the USA by Skateboarding Parents specifically for kids.
- Features top-quality components from reputable brands, ensuring durability and performance.
- The SkateXS bamboo skateboard deck is properly sized smaller for young riders.
- Appropriate sizing enhances safety, control, and enjoyment for beginners.
- Click SkateXS above to explore all personalized and standard beginner skateboard options.
SkateXS stands out as a top choice for the best skateboards for 5-year-olds, offering products specifically designed with young riders in mind. Their skateboards are known for their exceptional quality and thoughtful assembly, making them ideal for beginners.
What sets SkateXS apart is their commitment to providing a setup that caters to the needs of young skaters, incorporating features like soft 90A wheels, a high-quality deck with engaging graphics, and durable trucks and bearings.
Even their basic models are well-suited for newcomers, while the more advanced versions offer enhanced components for those seeking additional performance.
One of the key advantages of SkateXS skateboards is their softer wheels, which provide a more forgiving ride over uneven surfaces like rough asphalt and cracks.
These wheels also perform admirably on slick surfaces and are less likely to cause sudden jolts or discomfort. The skateboard’s design, tailored to accommodate the weight and control needs of young riders, makes it easier for children to steer and correct their movements.
This added ease of control contributes significantly to the skateboard’s overall safety, ensuring that young skaters have a more enjoyable and secure experience.
While SkateXS skateboards come at a higher price point, starting at $119.95 USD, the quality and safety they offer are unparalleled. Having spent over a decade perfecting their designs, SkateXS has a deep understanding of what young skaters require.
The skateboards not only perform reliably on various surfaces but also include features like customizable names to add a personal touch.
With excellent customer support and a product that scores a perfect 10 out of 10, SkateXS provides a premium option that justifies its cost, making it the top recommendation for kids’ skateboards.
2. Meow Skateboards
- Brand: Universo Brands
- Color: Logo Green
- Age Range (Description): Kids, Teenagers & Adults
- Deck Width: 7.75 Inches
- Material: Maple Wood
- Wheel Size: 52 Millimeters
- Ply Rating: 7 Ply
- UPC: 691194032375
About this item:
- No Assembly Required: Prebuilt by the skilled folks from Meow Skateboards.
- Model: Logo Green
- Deck Width: 7.75 inches, suitable for various age groups.
- Construction: 7-ply maple wood for durability and performance.
The Meow skateboard stands out with its adorable graphics featuring kittens, which are sure to charm even those who aren’t cat enthusiasts. Beyond its cute design, the Meow skateboard is well-regarded for its functional features, including Meow-branded trucks and 90A 52mm wheels.
These wheels are notably soft and grippy, making them well-suited for riding over rougher streets while minimizing noise. This design choice provides a smoother and more stable ride, which is particularly beneficial for young beginners navigating various surfaces.
For a 5-year-old just starting out, the Meow skateboard offers a good balance of quality and affordability. Its larger and softer wheels contribute to a stable and comfortable riding experience, effectively handling cracks, pebbles, and small debris with ease.
While it may not match the premium features of higher-end boards, it performs adequately for young riders learning the basics. Its lower price point makes it a budget-friendly option for parents seeking a reliable starter skateboard without a significant investment.
However, the Meow skateboard does have a few drawbacks. Initial issues with the wheels and bearings were resolved with a bit of silicone lube, and minor adjustments to the axle nuts were necessary as they were too close to the wheels.
Despite these initial concerns, once these adjustments were made, the skateboard functioned well without further problems. For a 5 to 6-year-old, choosing the 7.0″ size is recommended. The Meow skateboard is currently available on Amazon, making it an accessible and appealing choice for young beginners.
3. Santa Cruz Skateboard
- Brand: SANTA CRUZ
- Color: Orange Screaming Hand
- Age Range (Description): 8 years and up
- Skill Level: All
- Deck Length: 31 Inches
- Deck Width: 7.8 Inches
- Item Weight: 4.15 Pounds
- Material: Maple Wood
- Theme: Screaming Hand
- Load Capacity: 220.5 Pounds
About this item:
- Features a 7-ply maple construction with mellow kicktails for extra pop on tricks.
- Medium concave design allows for easy carving and flipping.
- Iconic Screaming Hand logo on the bottom ply adds distinctive style.
- Comes fully pre-assembled and ready to use right out of the box.
Santa Cruz, established in 1973 by NHS, is renowned for its long-standing reputation and expertise in skateboard manufacturing. As one of the most reliable and oldest skateboard brands, Santa Cruz continues to offer high-quality skateboards that cater to all age groups.
The skateboard I use for my child exemplifies their commitment to quality; it performs admirably on various surfaces and handles small obstacles with ease. The reduced noise and smooth ride are particularly impressive, contributing to a more enjoyable skating experience.
What sets this skateboard apart is its thoughtful design. The wheels are soft and effectively roll over small rocks, preventing any potential blockages that could disrupt the ride. The trucks are well-matched to the deck width, eliminating any risk of the back foot coming into contact with the wheels during forward movement.
Additionally, the Bullet trucks are reliable and well-regarded for their stability, while the OJ Slimeball wheels, with a hardness of 97A and a diameter of 53mm, provide excellent grip and minimal noise, making them ideal for street and skate park use. The deck’s medium concave ensures a good grip for foot movement, enhancing control and comfort.
However, a notable downside is the recent shift from maple to birch for the decks, which affects the skateboard’s durability and performance. Birch is less durable than maple and offers less pop, yet the price remains the same or even higher.
Despite NHS’s stringent quality control and testing during production, this change has been a significant drawback for many users. While the skateboard maintains many positive features, this alteration in deck material is a major concern and a significant con for Santa Cruz’s otherwise high-quality offerings.
Read This Also: SkateXS Kids Skateboard Review: Ultimate Guide Skaters
4. Enjoi skateboards
- Brand: Enjoi
- Color: Microchip Black
- Age Range (Description): Youth
- Deck Length: 31.2 Inches
- Deck Width: 7 Inches
- Material: 7-ply Maple Wood
- UPC: 194521045661
About this item:
- Construction: 7-ply maple wood deck with extra stiff glue for durable pop.
- Shape: Scaled for young riders, providing maximum control.
- Wheel Formula: Improved for balanced performance on both park and street.
- Bushings: Softer for easier turning.
- Sport Type: Skateboarding.
Enjoi skateboards are a solid choice for kids aged 5 to 12, offering a range of designs and quality components that make them both appealing and practical. Known for their vibrant graphics featuring pandas, cats, dogs, and butterflies, Enjoi caters to a variety of tastes while ensuring that all designs are age-appropriate.
The skateboards come equipped with softer wheels, which facilitate easier turning and provide a smoother ride, making them a great option for young skaters learning the ropes. With their focus on safety and quality, Enjoi delivers a skateboard that’s both fun and reliable for children.
One of the notable advantages of Enjoi skateboards is the high-quality construction. Made from durable maple wood and featuring standard trucks, wheels, and bearings, these boards offer a solid setup that’s ready to use right out of the box.
However, it’s advisable to check and possibly adjust the trucks before your child starts skating. Since the trucks are pre-set, tweaking their tightness can significantly affect how the board handles.
Looser trucks make turning easier but can compromise stability, while tighter trucks provide more control and stability but may reduce maneuverability.
Despite their many benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The trucks on Enjoi skateboards come with soft bushings, which can make them very loose and affect stability. This may lead to a jittery ride until the trucks are properly adjusted.
Additionally, while the wheels are suitable for smooth skate park surfaces, they are relatively hard and less ideal for rough or uneven roads.
For children taller than average, selecting a board size of 7.0″ or 7.25″ can offer a better fit and improve overall riding experience. Experimenting with truck adjustments after a few hours of use will help you fine-tune the skateboard to your child’s preference.
Conclusion
Selecting the best skateboard for a 5-year-old involves finding a balance between safety, durability, and ease of use. Boards like those from SkateXS and Meow offer excellent options tailored specifically for young beginners.
SkateXS, with its thoughtful design and high-quality components, ensures a smooth and secure ride, making it an ideal choice for kids starting out.
Similarly, Meow’s skateboards provide a stable ride with soft wheels and fun graphics, though they may require a few adjustments to optimize performance. Both brands emphasize safety and control, which are crucial for young skaters.
While brands like Santa Cruz and Enjoi also offer solid skateboards, they come with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Santa Cruz provides a reliable and stylish board with good durability, but recent changes in materials might affect its performance.
Enjoi, on the other hand, offers great graphics and quality construction but may require some tweaking to ensure optimal stability. Ultimately, choosing a skateboard that matches your child’s size, skill level, and personal preferences will help ensure a fun and safe skating experience.
