How to Choose a Skateboard for a Kid

The gift of a skateboard to a kid can be potentially life changing. Many kids develop lifelong skateboard passions that extend well into adolescence and adulthood. Even if skating doesn't become a lifetime addiction, it encourages athleticism, exercise and learning of new skills in an active environment. Therefore, the process of making sure the skateboard is the right type is a very important one. Learn some guidelines and tips to choosing a skateboard that will work for the kid you have in mind.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the type of skateboarding the kid will be doing; this will determine what kind of board you will buy. Street or technical skating is the most common and popular type of skating; it involves riding urban areas and spinning and flipping the board and catching air. Transition riding is riding half pipes or quarter pipes.

    • 2

      Select a deck based on this knowledge. The length and width of the board will be slightly shorter for technical riding because it makes the board easier to flip and spin. A guideline of about 7.5 to 7.75 inches of width is appropriate for street skating and a width of about 7.75 inches and higher is sufficient for transition skating.

    • 3

      Choose good trucks that connect the wheels to the deck as well as provide the ability to turn the board. Trucks come in different sizes and widths. The general rule is to match the width of the trucks as close as possible to the width of the board. Too narrow and you will have a wobbly, unstable ride, while trucks that are too wide will not fit on the deck. In addition, the height of trucks determines the size of the wheels. High trucks allow for larger wheels but have a higher center of gravity while low trucks provide the best balance.

    • 4

      Pick the right wheels to match the trucks and the board. At this point, the wheels will not make a huge difference in the overall performance of the board, but there are a few tips for wheel buying. Wheels are basically measured in size and hardness. The smaller the wheels, the better their performance, but they also more difficult to control and not the best for beginner skaters. Likewise, softer and bigger wheels will be better at absorbing small bumps that may be pervasive if the kid will be skating outside of designated skate parks.