Skateboarding is truly an incredible sport, and if you’re a parent with a love for it, you’re likely itching to pass the torch to your kids. A great activity to introduce to your kid, skateboarding can help kids improve their physical coordination, reflexes, and more. Skateboarding also provides kids with social benefits such as community and team building skills.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of what it takes to teach your kid to skateboard, we’ve got some basic ground to cover and guidelines to cover.
At what age can I begin to teach my child to skateboard?
We can understand being impatient, especially if you’re a seasoned skater who just can’t wait to share in the excitement. But when it comes to waiting for the right time to introduce your child to the sport, patience is key.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, no child under 5 should ever ride a skateboard. This may seem a bit late to you, but it’s important to remember that part of a pediatrician’s job is to warn you of risks. Generally, we agree that you should wait until your child is at least five years old before teaching them to skateboard, with 5-10 years old being the ideal age range.
Why wait until then to teach them?
You might think that getting a head start in the toddler years might give your kid’s skateboarding game an edge. While we’re sure there are exceptions and that toddler skating prodigies do exist, it’s important to remember your child’s physical limits.
First of all, your kid is small. Their bodies and skeletons are fragile and can’t take as much of an impact as older bodies can. Skateboarding requires balance and dexterity. Kids bodies’ have a higher center of gravity, which means less muscle development and poorer balance skills. Slower reaction times mean kids are less likely to be able to break their falls.
In addition, starting them before they’re physically ready can lead to frustration and burnout, turning them off of the sport entirely.
Gear They Will Need to Learn
- Skateboard. First and foremost, your kid will need their very own skateboard! You might be tempted to opt for a cheap skateboard as you’re just beginning, but you’ll need a board that can withstand impact. Make sure the deck or skateboard size is suitable for your child. For most kids aged 5-10, mini boards measuring about 7 inches by 28 inches should do the trick.
- A properly fitting helmet. Every skateboarder should wear a helmet, even if you’re just practicing right outside your front door.
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- Elbow and knee padding. Your kid is precious cargo. A helmet isn’t enough. Be sure to pad them will correctly fitting elbows and knee pads. The last thing you want is your kid to negatively associate skateboarding with pain, as that will only discourage them.
- High-quality skate shoes. The right pair of skate shoes is something that’s often overlooked on a beginner’s checklist. While you don’t need to splurge for the newest model of Vans, we don’t recommend sending your kid out to skate with their most beaten pair of shoes. Getting your child a durable pair of skate shoes ensures they have grip and heel protection required.
- A good skating environment. This shouldn’t have to be said, but don’t take your kid to the skate park for their first foray. For their very first lesson, we recommend starting on carpeted floors or grassy areas. As your child progresses, you can move into slightly more challenging spaces. Avoid areas in which the surface is slippery or uneven. When you do graduate to taking your child to the skate park, try to do so early in the morning when it is less crowded (less chances for collisions!).
Another Note on Kid’s Safety While Skateboarding
Before we get into the lessons portion, we can’t stress enough: skateboarding can be dangerous, and it can be dangerous for any age. We don’t say this to scare you, but rather remind you that transparency around skateboarding safety is critical, even with kids. While we don’t recommend fearmongering, we believe it’s important to discuss the risks of falls and injuries with your child, to the best of your ability.
We understand that it can be hard to teach kids about safety. They often don’t have the capacity to grasp why it’s so important, which is why you need to be firm and consistent.
How to Teach Your Kid to Skateboard
We advise that you let your little skater decide what they are comfortable with. Never pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do, and if they tell you they’re not ready, listen to them.
For the little ones who can’t wait to break into the world of skateboarding, be sure to meet them where they are. While it’s important to supervise them, don’t project your fears or anxiety onto your child. For example, allow your kid to hold on to your hand if they need, rather than you obsessively hovering over them at every step. Provide as much assistance as they need and ask for and give them the opportunity to try things on their own when they feel ready.
- Find their lead foot. Let your kid figure out their dominant foot if they don’t already know. Their lead foot should be on the front side towards the nose of the board, with the back foot on the backside. Let them stand there and feel it out.
- Teach them the proper athletic stance. Have them bend their knees and shift their weight to their heels. This teaches them to lower their center of gravity.
- Pushing time. Now that your child has grasped the basic stance, it’s time to start moving! First, ensure that your child has enough open space in front of them. Then encourage them to push off with their back foot to initiate motion. They’ll need to place their back foot over the backside of the board once they are launched into motion.
- Time for pick ups. Now that your kid has learned to move the board, they need to learn how to pick it up. Training your child in the proper pick-up technique ensures they don’t have to bend down to grab their board every single time. Have your child place the board vertically with the tail in front of them, apply slight pressure onto the tail with the back leg, and grab the board’s nose as it rises.
- Ease into tricks. Once your kid begins to master the basics, you can start introducing simple tricks. To teach your child to tic tac, have them place their back foot on the tail with their front foot on the bolts. Next, have them place all their weight on their back foot so that the nose lifts off the ground. Last, have them use their shoulders to move the board left or right. This helps them maneuver the board and gain speed without taking your feet off the board.
The most important part of teaching your kid how to skateboard is to be a source of support and encouragement for them. Don’t let your own impatience sour what has the potential to be an incredible bonding experience. Focus less on the pressure and more on the progress made and be sure to celebrate all the little victories along the way!