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Best skateboards for kids as recommended by parents
Longboards, cruisers, double-kick… Picking a suitable skateboard for your child can be a minefield. We’re here to help you make sense of skateboarding jargon and have compiled a list of the best boards to help you in your search.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated Aug 19, 2025
You would think that choosing a skateboard would be a pretty straightforward task. After all, it’s just a board on four wheels, right?
Wrong.
Whether you’re buying a skateboard for a five-year-old or a 13-year-old, there’s a great deal to consider, particularly if you’re just introducing your child to this exhilarating new hobby.
We’ve spent several hours trawling through the Mumsnet forums and expert skateboarding sites to find the very best kids' skateboards that have been tried and tested by parents and their children, taking into account everything from board width to its ability to do flips and tricks.
Here are the best skateboards for kids as recommended by Mumsnet users.
Looking for inspiration for more outdoor fun? Check out Mumsnet’s round-up of the best trampolines for kids, best ride-on toys and the best garden slides for toddlers and beyond.
Best overall skateboard for kids
A great first skateboard
Fun design
Hardwearing and built to last
A little pricey for a first skateboard
Too small for some tweens and teens
Key specs
Recommended age: Not specified | Size: 7.5 inches | Material: 7-ply maple | Wheels: 52mm x 30mm, 92A | RRP: £33
The Rocket Factory Complete Skateboard is ideal for younger children looking to take their first wobbly foray into the world of skateboarding.
At 7.5 inches, the board is the perfect size for little feet and the fact it’s made with seven-ply maple means it’s hardwearing and able to withstand multiple bumps and scrapes. We like the bold pop-art design, with the bright colours sure to appeal to younger children.
This board doesn’t come with a recommended age attached, but Mumsnetters and Amazon reviewers who’ve purchased it say that a five-year-old can use it safely without any problems. It should see your budding skater through to around nine or 10 when you may need to upgrade to a bigger size.
The Rocket Factory Complete Skateboard is a good quality board, but quality costs and you may feel that £33 is too much to pay for a hobby that may turn out to be a five-minute wonder - particularly if you then factor in the costs of pads and a suitable helmet. But if your child is serious about learning this new skill, then we can’t recommend a better beginner's skateboard.
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Best budget skateboard for kids
Durable
Easy to turn
Comes with a storage bag
Loads of colour combinations to choose from
Not suitable for tricks
Child may outgrow the board quickly
Small board
Key specs
Recommended age: Not specified | Size: 6 inches | Material: Polypropylene plastic | Wheels: 60x45 mm, 82A | RRP: £20
Fans of retro skateboards will appreciate the aesthetics of the Vinsani Retro Cruiser Skateboard.
This 1970s throwback is a great choice of skateboard for little feet that are new to skating. It’s hardwearing and easy to turn, and even comes with a handy bag for storage and transportation. All for the bargain price of just £20.
It’s worth noting that, although the Visani is good for getting around, it’s not designed for tricks. So if you’re buying for a child who wants to learn tricks or if you want a skateboard with a longer lifespan, you’d be better off investing in something a bit more pricey.
The Visani is made from high-quality polypropylene, so although it is friendly on the pocket, it’s not the best option if you're saying no to plastic.
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Best skateboard bundle for kids
Everything you need to skate in one handy package
Wide range of colours, sizes and designs available
Can be expensive depending on how you customise your bundle
Key specs
Recommended age: 6-13 years | Size: 7 inches to 8 inches | Material: 7-ply maple | Wheels: Varies | RRP: From £55
The Tony Hawk 360 Complete Skateboard Bundle includes pads, a helmet and a skateboard - in short, everything a budding skater needs to get started.
There is a wide range of designs and colours to choose from, so you can customise your bundle according to your child’s personality, from a Barbie-pink helmet and matching pads to a toxic waste design on the board.
Prices start from £55, but this really depends on which skateboard design, helmet size and pads you opt for.
This bundle is great for convenience and is good value if you have a child who is serious about skateboarding. But if you’re on a tight budget, shop around to find out whether buying non-branded products separately may be the better option for you.
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Best skateboard for tweens
No assembly required
Anti-grip surface
Not suitable for young kids
The board is quite big, so skateboarding newbies may find it harder to control
Key specs
Recommended age: From 14 years upwards | Size: 8 inches | Material: 7-ply maple | Wheels: 55mm, 95A | RRP: £30
Whether your child’s a novice or a seasoned skater, the BELEEV Complete Skateboard will guarantee a smooth and speedy ride.
Waterproof emery non-slip grip tape helps the skater to maintain control and balance, while high rebound brushings act as shock absorbers, ensuring that lumps, bumps and cracks in the pavement won’t spoil their day.
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Best skateboard for teens
Beautiful doodle design
Easy to turn
Pricey
You may be better off getting a cheaper board if buying for a beginner
Key specs
Recommended age: Not specified | Size: 7.8 inches | Material: 7-ply hardrock maple | Wheels: 52mm, 95A | RRP: £117
If you really have the cash to splash and your child wants to take their skating to the next level, then the Almost Skateistan Sky Doodle Factory Complete Skateboard is worth the investment.
Designed by skateboarder Sky Brown, who won a bronze medal for Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics aged just 13, this board is a great buy if your child is harbouring their own Olympic dreams.
This is a high-quality, durable board that is specifically designed for smaller, younger skaters with easy turning. It also claims to be suitable for beginners but, for north of £100, it may just prove a very expensive flash-in-the-pan.
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Best kids skateboard for tricks
Very durable
Great hawk design
Good for learning tricks on
Not suitable for younger skaters
Key specs
Recommended age: From 13 upwards | Size: 8 inches | Material: 9-ply maple | Wheels: 54mm, 95A | RRP: £35
The name Tony Hawk is synonymous with skateboarding, so it’s not really surprising that he’s featured twice on our recommendations list.
Ideal for kids aged 13 and up, the Tony Hawk 180 Wingspan Skateboard is a great first skateboard, plus it’s a good option for those wanting to learn how to do tricks.
Made up of nine-ply maple, this board has grip tape and heavy-duty aluminium trucks, meaning it can take anything that your junior skater throws at it.
But if you’re not bothered about having the name Tony Hawk attached to your child’s skateboard, then you may be better off saving yourself a fiver and going for the BELEEV Complete Skateboard instead.
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Best retro skateboard for kids
Lights up
Lightweight and compact for transport
Durable
Pricey
High speed means it may not be suitable for inexperienced skaters
Key specs
Recommended age: Not specified | Size: 6 inches | Material: Plastic | Wheels: 59mm, 83A | RRP: £100
The original Penny Skateboards ooze laid-back Aussie cool. The Penny Casper is quick, nimble and portable, but the best bit is that it’s charged by UV light during the day and glows a ghostly green light by night, making it perfect for after-dark skating.
Although there is no recommended minimum age on the Penny Casper, the brand is generally more popular among teens and young adults.
You’re very much paying for the Penny name and reputation, so if you want to save some (ahem) pennies, there are cheaper boards available which may be better for newbie skaters.
What age should a child start skateboarding?
Children can start skateboarding at any age, but children under five may struggle to balance so may find it more difficult and frustrating to learn.
What are the different types of skateboard?
There are five main types of skateboard:
1. Longboard: A skateboard that measures 33 inches or longer, hence the name. It provides a smooth, stable ride and is a good board to choose for beginners. But it’s not the best choice if your teen wants to do some tricks and flips. There are three different types of longboard - Pintail, Twin Tip and Cruiser Longboard.
2. Cruiser: Cruisers are used for getting around, rather than for tricks and flips. They’re lightweight and portable, but can be a bit more unstable for skateboarding novices.
3. Mini Cruiser: As the name suggests, a mini cruiser is the same as the cruiser except, well, smaller. Commonly made of plastic, these are compact and easy to carry, and are ideal for trying out new tricks.
4. Carve board: It’s easier to control the speed on a carve board so there’s little chance of generating some out-of-control speeds. It’s not a board to pick if your child wants to practise some tricks, but it can be a great way of practising surfing and snowboarding skills.
5. Double-kick: The best skateboard if your child is desperate to do some flips and tricks. There are ‘kicks’ at either end of the board to help execute those masterful moves, which makes it great for skateparks.
What size skateboard should I get for my child?
When you buy a skateboard for a child, it’s important that you get the right size to ensure there won’t be any avoidable visits to A&E. If you buy the wrong sized skateboard, your child may also struggle to learn and get frustrated.
Skateboard sizes are measured by width. A smaller width is better for younger children and is good for learning tricks. But older and taller children, or those with bigger feet, would need a wider board.
What size skateboard should I get for a 5-year-old?
A five-year-old would need a skateboard with a width of 6.5 or seven inches. Taller children may benefit from a board measuring 7.25 inches.
What size skateboard should I get for a 6-year-old?
Children aged six to nine should have a skateboard measuring seven to 7.5 inches.
What size skateboard should I get for a 10-year-old?
If your child is 10 or above, or measures over five feet tall, then you should look at buying a full-sized skateboard, rather than a junior skateboard. These come in sizes 7.5 to 8.5 inches. To start with, it’s best to opt for a skateboard in the middle of this range (7.75 or 8 inches) and see how they get on.
How do I choose the right skateboard?
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a skateboard.
Purpose: Does your child want a skateboard that they can do tricks, flips and ollies on down at the local skatepark? Or are they just looking for something to cruise through town?
Experience: Are you buying for a seasoned skater or a wobbly newbie? You should check whether the skater has the skills and experience appropriate to the board you buy.
Size: Make sure you buy the right-sized board for the age and height of your child. It’s no good getting a five or six-year-old an adult-sized skateboard as they’re unlikely to be able to control it.
Accessories: Does the skateboard come with protective pads and a helmet, or do you need to buy these separately? What about a tool for skateboard maintenance? Or a storage bag?
Price: Always set a budget. The cost of skateboards varies wildly, with the boards on our list ranging from £20 up to £90. Stick to your budget and don’t forget to factor in the cost of safety essentials such as knee and elbow pads and a helmet.
Top safety tips for skateboarding
There are a number of safety precautions that your child should take when they go out on their skateboard.
Wear safety equipment, including a helmet and well-fitting knee and elbow pads
Wear shoes with closed toes and non-slip soles (i.e trainers)
When learning to ride, choose an area that’s smooth and away from traffic
Don’t skate in wet weather
Don’t skate in traffic
Learn how to fall properly to avoid broken bones
Be aware of your surroundings when skating (i.e don’t wear headphones)
If skating at a skatepark, follow the rules and be aware of other riders
Avoid crowds when skating
What’s the best skateboard for kids?
Mumsnet parents rate the Rocket Factory Complete Skateboard as the best skateboard for kids. It’s a good quality, hardwearing board and is an ideal first skateboard. We love the bright colours too.
How we chose our recommendations
Our expert writers and journalists spend hours researching the very best quality products for our Swears By articles.
All the skateboards on this list have been tried and tested by Mumsnet users and their children who have recommended their favourite based on factors including durability, price and age suitability. We include these so you know that real people are behind our recommendations.
Finally, we collated all that information and then looked at other online reviews to see which skateboards have received the best recommendations among both consumers and experts.
This article is not intended as a countdown of the ‘top 10’ best products, but rather a list of tried-and-trusted recommendations so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re getting honest and reliable advice on choosing a skateboard for your child.
About the author
Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on toddler play, child play and outdoor play. She is a mum of two and lives in Sussex.
Laura is a freelance journalist and has written for a range of publications including The Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful.
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