When I bought my first skateboard, I just got the first thing that caught my eye and had a logo I thought looked cool. It turns out that there’s more to a good skateboard than that, and I want to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes I did.
A good skateboard will maximize your child’s potential and help them pull off ollies and kickflips as quickly as possible, while a bad board will make everything more difficult than it has to be, and is much more likely to break, leaving your child disappointed and quickly moving onto the next hobby.
Keep reading to see my list of the best skateboards for kids and help your child get started on their rail-grinding journey.
Table of Contents
My Top Picks for the Best Skateboards for kids in 2024
#1: Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard (Best Value)
Recommended age range: All ages
Skateboard weight: 4.7 pounds
Deck material: Maple
Board size: 8 inches wide, 31 inches long
Wheel size: 55 millimeters
Bearings: abec-7 precision bearings
Trucks: 5-inch aluminum alloy
Our list starts off with the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard. Beleev manufactures everything from skateboards to bikes to scooters, so you know you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for just about anything with wheels! Well, you might want to go to Toyota or Honda for your car, but you get the point.
The Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard features a sturdy and well-crafted but accessible build that makes it the perfect skateboard for any youngster just starting out, and it comes at a great price. And as a nice little bonus, it comes in multiple designs, so your kid can pick the best skateboard deck for their style (I’m partial to the graffiti pattern myself.) Keep reading to learn why the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard earned the top spot on my list of the best kids’ skateboards on the market.
Great for All Ages
You may have noticed that I listed the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard as being appropriate for all ages. The reason for that is it manages to be incredibly light and also incredibly sturdy.
With a weight of just 4.7 pounds, even your youngest children will have no problem carrying this board around. But despite its size, this top-ranked complete skateboard boasts a max capacity of 220 pounds. This means you can buy the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard for your youngest child, and they can keep shredding on it well into their teenage years or even adulthood, or you can buy this kids’ skateboard for your teenager who’s just getting into the hobby now.
Beginner-Friendly
In addition to the light-but-sturdy build that makes this skateboard a smooth ride for kids and adults alike, the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard offers just about every feature you’ll need in a beginner skateboard, so your child can hit the skate park right away knowing they’re in good hands.
The 55-inch wheels of this Beleev beginner skateboard offer a good balance of speed and acceleration, while the 8-inch-wide skateboard deck will give younger kids and older kids alike plenty of room to stay balanced while cruising. The aluminum trucks are nice and durable, and the hard wheels are great for cruising.
In short, this beginner skateboard is the perfect deck for anyone just getting their feet wet.
Drawbacks
Because this skateboard is beginner-friendly, everything is a bit “medium.” Every feature is basically a great version of the default. While that’s hardly a glaring drawback, especially for a list of kids’ skateboards, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind.
For example, the hard wheels on this complete skateboard will give it a smooth ride, but they also mean that it won’t be great for tricks. As with any beginner skateboard, there may come a time when you hit the intermediate or expert phase and feel you’ve outgrown it.
But the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard is still a great board at an affordable price, and that’s pretty hard to pass up. This Beleev product is one of the best skateboards for kids out there, and it was an easy choice to be my number one pick.
Recommended age range: Teenager/Adult
Skateboard weight: 5 pounds
Deck material: Maple
Board size: 8 inches wide, 31 inches long
Wheel size: 52 millimeters
Bearings: abec-5 bearings
Trucks: Aluminum
If you’ve ever played Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games, there’s a pretty decent chance you’ve heard of Element Skateboards. And if Tony Hawk’s seal of approval isn’t a good endorsement of a skateboard, then I don’t know what is. That’s why it should be no surprise that Element managed to grab what might be the most prestigious spot on my list with their 8 x 32 Complete Skateboard.
This board is a little more expensive than my top-ranked skateboard, which means it’s not as accessible for younger kids, but in terms of pure performance, it’s one of the best beginner skateboards out there. Keep reading to learn more about the Element Skateboards 8 x 32 Complete Skateboard.
Smaller Wheels for More Acceleration
I will get into this more later, but, basically, the quickest way to evaluate skateboard wheels is that small wheels equal a lower top speed but higher acceleration, while larger skateboard wheels will lead to a higher top speed but slower acceleration.
The Element Skateboards 8 x 32 Complete Skateboard’s 52-millimeter rubber wheels are a few millimeters smaller than those of the previous kids’ skateboard, so they’re the better choice if you want to be right off to the races with one kick. Of course, the implicit trade-off is that you’ll have a slower ride overall, so it’s mostly up to personal preference.
A Trusted Brand Name
This is not a concrete feature, but there’s just something comforting about going with a well-known brand that has withstood the test of time and enjoyed mass appeal. Case in point, multiple online lists rank Element as one of their best skateboard brands, with some lists giving Element the top spot. The company has earned a solid reputation for offering affordable and beginner-friendly skateboards, which is just what we’re looking for!
Drawbacks
As mentioned earlier, the smaller wheels of the Element Skateboards 8 x 32 Complete Skateboard mean that you’ll have a slightly lower top speed compared to the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard, which can be seen as a drawback depending on your preference and how much speed you trust your child with.
Other than that, this board is a little more expensive than the last product, but for your dollar, you get smaller wheels and a bigger skateboard from one of the most trusted brands out there.
The Element Skateboards 8 x 32 Complete Skateboard is an amazing choice for any parent looking at skateboards for kids.
#3: Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard (Best For Younger Kids)
Recommended age range: 7 – 12
Skateboard weight: 4.8 pounds
Deck material: Maple
Board size: 7.6 inches wide, 31.6 inches long
Wheel size: 54 millimeters
Bearings: Chromium steel precision bearings
Trucks: 8 millimeters
Most people probably don’t think of skateboarding as a toddler-friendly sport, but the field at this past summer Olympics shows it’s never too early to get started. In fact, Sky Brown, the youngest competitor at Tokyo, was born in 2008 and was just 13 years old during the Tokyo games. Yeah; feel old yet?
Anyway, the point is that skateboarding can absolutely be a kid-friendly sport, but if your five-year-old is ready to start shredding, you’ll need something even more kid-friendly than the first two kids’ skateboards on this list. If that’s what you’re searching for, look no further than the Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard
A Lighter Board with a Smaller Frame
It’s pretty intuitive that smaller kids will need a smaller board and the Powell Golden Dragon Beginner Skateboard is the perfect size for your youngest child. This high-quality skateboard for kids is the first board on my list to not feature the standard-width 8-inch skateboard deck, and its slightly-smaller 7.6-inch deck will be nice and comfortable for your mini Tony Hawk.
Of course, it’s also one of the lightest boards on my list so far, so it won’t be a burden to carry around when your child isn’t riding. Legendary skater Steve Caballero – if you’ve never heard of him, Tony Hawk himself listed Steve as one of his biggest influences – was quoted as saying: “I believe these birch skateboards are perfect for beginners,” and there’s really no bigger praise than that.
If your younger or smaller child is looking to hit the skate park, then this complete board from Powell is just what the doctor ordered.
Durable trucks
We all know that kids aren’t exactly the most delicate, and any parent knows the frustration that comes with making the effort to buy your kid something nice just for them to go ahead and break it in ten seconds. Thankfully, with the Powell Golden Dragon kids’ skateboard, you don’t have to worry about that.
Reviewers praised this kids’ skateboard for its durable aluminum trucks that’ll be able to stand up to the wear and tear that any quality board should be ready for, and deal with the unexpected destructive force that is young children. You don’t need to worry about replacing this skateboard for kids; it’ll be in top shape until your child is big enough and skilled enough to move on to something bigger.
Drawbacks
The drawback of my third-ranked skateboard for kids is pretty obvious: it’s small. If your child is entering their teenage years, or just a little big for their age, then this Powell Golden Dragon is probably not what you’re looking for.
Other than that, it has all of the mid-range, beginner-friendly specs we’ve come to expect, and it’s nice and affordable. If your small child is looking to follow in Sky Brown’s footsteps, then the Powell Golden Dragon kids’ skateboard is perfect for them.
#4: ReDo Skateboard Kids 8" San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard (Best Low Cost)
Recommended age range: 8 – 15
Skateboard weight: 5.15 pounds
Deck material: Maple
Board size: 8 inches wide, 34 inches long
Wheel size: 65 millimeters
Bearings: ReDo Abec 7 speed bearing
Trucks: Geo Full aluminum trucks
When you’re buying something for a kid, most parents are probably also hoping to keep things cheap, especially since any kid-friendly product comes with an understood temporary shelf life.
ReDo Skateboard Kids 8″ San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard is the best friend of any budget shopper, and it still manages to offer a smooth ride and a solid product for older kids and younger kids alike. This affordable cruiser skateboard has a standard 8-inch wide, durable deck and it even boasts 65-millimeter soft wheels that will give you a faster ride than any of the other beginner skateboards on this list. Plus, the ReDo Skateboard Kids 8″ San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard features a 220-pound weight capacity, so your child can ride this smooth ride well into adulthood.
The biggest drawback of this budget-friendly longboard skateboard is that it doesn’t lend itself to tricks. While longboards make for some awesome skateboards – their length and larger wheels make them an ideal way to get from point A to point B quickly – even a simple ollie will be much harder on these boards than on a typical skateboard. If your kid wants to go to the skate park, this is probably not the board for them. But if they want a cool way to get to and from school, then the ReDo Skateboard Kids 8″ San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard is a quality board that will get the job done and will save you some money.
How I Determined the Best Skateboard for Kids
When evaluating the best kids’ skateboards, I made sure to consult with the experts and make sure everything was up to standard. My list includes skateboards that are both suitable for kids and are high-quality products that anyone could benefit from. I took care to only include products that met the industry standard of performance, which includes featuring certain levels of durability in the trucks and bearings, and boasting a deck size that’s accessible for younger kids.
What Should You Look for in a Skateboard for Kids?
While just about everyone knows what a skateboard looks like and how they work, many people have never ridden one and would never be able to pick a quality board out of a lineup. I want you to know what you’re looking at, and our short rubric will make you feel like an expert in no time. Keep reading to see what you should look for in the best skateboards for kids.
Deck size
There’s no straightforward approach to what to look for in a skateboard deck. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as “longer is better” or “longer is worse.” Some of it will come down to the physical size of the rider; obviously, a larger person will probably want a larger skateboard. But on top of that, longer boards will be a little worse for tricks, but will tend to offer a higher top speed. Conversely, shorter boards will usually be slower, but they’ll be great if you’re trying to nail that 720-degree kickflip.
Wheel size and hardness
A good combination of wheel size and hardness will be crucial for giving you the exact skateboarding experience that you’re looking for. Smaller wheels will give you high acceleration but low speed, while larger wheels will give you high speed, but it’ll take longer to reach that speed. Soft wheels are better for a smooth ride, while harder wheels are perfect for blowing everyone’s minds with some crazy tricks. Most beginner-level skateboards feature a wheel size of about 52-57 millimeters and soft wheels, and the skateboards on my list are no exception. You have to walk before you can run, and you have to cruise before you can pull off those impressive halfpipe tricks.
Durability
Skateboards are just going to take a certain amount of abuse. You need a good board that can put up with the constant impact against the sidewalk, road, and other surfaces that your board is going to hit. In this regard, the most important part of any skateboard is its trucks, which are the bits of metal in between the wheels and the skateboard deck. Of course, there’s also the bearing, which holds everything together. We’re looking for skateboards with the toughest trucks and bearings out there so your kid can wipe out over and over again without worrying about breaking their brand-new skateboard.
Price
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Nobody likes spending more money for no reason. Because all of the skateboards on this list are kid- and beginner-friendly, they’re all going to be more affordable from the get-go. On that spectrum, most of them fall in the medium price range, but I did make sure to include one incredibly cheap option for those budget shoppers out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. It can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to learn everything there is to know about skateboards all at once, and that’s why we’ve included this FAQ section to help you get started. Whatever is itching at your brain, you’re sure to find the answer in the short section below. You’ll be a certified expert in no time!
Are skateboards safe for kids?
I can’t sit here and pretend that skateboarding is a sport that comes with absolutely zero risk, but nothing is without risk. As long as you take the necessary precautions, there’s no reason to be concerned for your kid’s safety while they’re out skateboarding. Just make sure that they’re wearing the proper safety gear and staying out of busy streets and they should be good to go!
At what age can a child start skateboarding?
Any age! Skateboarding phenom Sky Brown started while she was still in pre-school, and living legend Tony Hawk started while he was in grade school. Of course, even if you don’t expect your child to become a superstar, that’s no reason they should wait to get started in a healthy hobby. Whenever your child shows an interest in the sport, that’s when it’s a good time for the to start skateboarding.
How can I make my child’s skateboard last longer?
Thankfully, skateboards are pretty low-maintenance. Skateboard decks will suffer minimal wear and tear, while the underside of the deck, the wheels, and the trucks will take more of a beating. That being said, under typical circumstances, you shouldn’t need to do anything more than tighten up the trucks, bearings, and wheels every so often. And if anything other than the deck breaks, you can just replace that specific part instead of going out and buying a whole new skateboard.
What are the different parts of the skateboard?
Unlike other modes of transportation like bicycles, skateboards really don’t have that many different parts. The entire thing is basically made up of the deck, the truck and bearings, and the wheels. We’ve touched on most of these parts already in passing, but here’s a quick recap:
Deck – The deck is the main part of any skateboard. It features grip tape on the top to help you stay in place, and will usually feature a funky pattern on the underside. There will also be an upward curve at the front of the board, called the nose, and the back of the board, which is called the tail. These upward curves give the board the aerodynamic nature it needs to help you perform the craziest tricks possible. Of course, longboards won’t have these curves, and as a result, they’re best used strictly for racing or getting around quickly.
Trucks – The trucks are the bits of metal that connect the wheels of the skateboard to the deck. Good trucks will be nice and durable. There’s not really much more to say on the matter, especially for beginners. Just take the time to tighten up your trucks if you feel things starting to get a little wobbly down there.
Wheels – It should come as no surprise that the skateboard wheels are just about the most important part of any skateboard, except for – arguably – the deck. As we’ve said before, small wheels will offer high acceleration, but low speed, while large wheels will act in the opposite manner. Soft wheels will be great for cruising, but not very effective for anything more complicated than an ollie. Hard wheels will help you nail that 900, but they might make riding around a little bumpier. It’s all up to preference, so make sure you know what your kid wants in their skateboard before you buy something. Even a good skateboard won’t help if it doesn’t fit your purposes.
What is the recommended protective gear for kids?
There’s no big secret here; whatever you’d want your child to wear for a bike ride is probably what they should wear while skateboarding. When you buy your kid their new skateboard, make sure to include a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. After that, they’re ready to go. Remember: better safe than sorry!
How do I teach my child how to ride a skateboard?
Practice, practice, practice. Thanks to the information age, there are some amazing YouTube tutorials out there, but at the end of the day, the best way to learn is by doing. Of course, it might be a good idea to start off slow. Have your kid practice on flat ground or in your own driveway before they tackle any steep down-hills or head over to the skate park. Slow and steady wins the race.
Verdict: Your Best Skateboard for Kids
If you want the best value for money, pick the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard.
It’s hard to compete with the balance of affordability and performance offered by the Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard. This is the quintessential beginner skateboard, and it’s a perfect first choice for riders of all ages. It boasts a lightweight frame that can still hold up to 220 pounds, and it has solid 55-millimeter wheels that offer the perfect balance of speed and acceleration. The aluminum trucks will keep everything in place and functional for years to come, so this kids’ skateboard can quickly turn into an adult skateboard. The Beleev 31-Inch Skateboard is just about the best value buy out there; every penny is going towards a top-notch product.
If you need something for a smaller or younger child, pick the Powell Golden Dragon Complete Skateboard.
In a list of skateboards for kids, the Powell Golden Dragon Skateboard takes the cake. This miniature board is the kids’ skateboard of kids’ skateboards. This lightweight board boasts slightly larger wheels that will offer a faster ride, and its narrow deck will be great for smaller children. It does still boast some durability, and for those like me who are naturally slimmer, this board will still last your child into their early teenage years. Get your youngster started on the Powell Golden Dragon Kids’ Skateboard.
If you want to keep the spending cheap, pick the ReDo Skateboard Kids 8" San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard.
A penny saved is a penny earned, and if you need to earn a lot of pennies, then the ReDo Skateboard Kids 8″ San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard is the best choice for you. This longboard is great for older kids and younger kids alike, and it boasts large wheels that will have you zooming down the street faster than ever. Of course, as a longboard, it’s not as well suited for a half pipe as a typical skateboard is. But if you want to do some downhill racing or make getting to and from school a little more enjoyable, this affordable, quality board has you covered. Make your kid and your wallet happy by purchasing the ReDo Skateboard Kids 8″ San Diego Palms Cruiser Skateboard.
That brings us to the end of the list. I hope I was able to help you find what you’re looking for!
It might be a few decades since the Tony Hawk-led skateboarding explosion, but the extreme sport is still going strong, and it’s even recently been added to the summer Olympics! Now is the perfect time to get your child in on the craze, and the first step is, obviously, to buy them their first skateboard.
Remember that preference is incredibly important with skateboards, so make sure to consult with your child before surprising them.
Finally, while the reality of any kids’ product is that the user will eventually outgrow it, remember that you can always customize your child’s board to get a little more mileage out of it. For example, if your child decides they want a faster board, but they still fit on their current deck, just buy larger wheels and swap them in.
That’s all for now. I hope your child enjoys the beginning of their skateboarding journey!
