The Beginners Guide to Buying an Electric Scooter for Kids
Are you planning to buy a scooter for your child but don't know where to start?
2021 has seen new trends emerge with new technology and safety features that can confuse parents who are just getting started. In this blog, we'll provide you with a few pointers that you can use to find the most suitable electric scooter for kids.
The Factors You Should Consider
The best scooter combines an excellent balance of performance, security, and comfort for your child. Here are a few factors that you should consider before buying one.
Wheels
Most electric scooters for kids come in two wheels, but you will find four wheel variants as well. As a general rule, the more wheels you have, the more stability you get. If your child is still learning to ride a scooter and has balancing issues with it, we recommend getting an option with more wheels. Once your child has adjusted to the scooter, you can graduate to more advanced two-wheel variants.
Two Wheel Scooters
Two wheel scooters aren't very stable compared to three and four wheel scooters. They are a suitable upgrade for children who have familiarized themselves with scooters and can safely balance themselves.
Three Wheel Scooters
Three wheel scooters are ideal for beginners due to the lower risk of imbalance and accidents. So if your child is riding an electric scooter for the very first time, we recommend you use a three wheel scooter. You can also get a four wheel scooter – just to be on the safe side.
Braking System
The electric scooter should have a good braking system that can accommodate emergency situations and save your child from the risk of accidents. Most electric scooters use brakes that are very similar to what is used in cars and bikes. Some higher end electric scooters come with regenerative brakes that couples the DC motor into a charging circuit – creating drag on the motor and refilling some of the used up battery.
Construction
Electric scooters utilize a frame fashioned out of industrial grade aluminium alloy, but some models feature carbon fibre. You can also find a combination of both. However, electric scooters for kids should be lightweight and flexible, so you should look for something that is more ‘plasticky'. This is because children under the age of 3 years cannot handle heavy weight models.
Top Speeds
You should consider the speed of the electric scooter before buying it for your child. For obvious reasons, a child who is just getting started with scooters shouldn't ride at high speeds. Find something at a lower maximum speed (or throttle it down to a lower speed), so your child stays safe at all times. With that said, if your child is older and can handle themselves you can opt for an electric scooter that has higher top speeds – if only to get around from point A to point B (such as school and grocery stores to run errands).
Your Child's Age
A child should have the strength and dexterity to handle an electric scooter. They can start using a scooter once they have learned to sit up, walk, and run properly. Balance is crucial when it comes to riding scooters. Otherwise it can be risky for children because they can easily lose balance and risk injuring themselves.
But if you really want a toddler – around the age of 1 to 2 years old – to try an electric scooter, we recommend three or four wheel scooters. Three wheel scooters are generally lighter and easier for smaller children to handle.
What's Ideal for a 7 Year Old?
For children who have reached the age of 7 and above, you can buy a scooter that they find enjoyable. They have more spatial awareness and control over their surroundings. This means you can safely buy 2 wheel scooters with narrow platforms. It's okay to ride at higher speeds and cover longer distances. Just make sure to buy something that is extra durable because you don't want the thing breaking.
Electric Scooters Are Ideal
Electric scooters are perfect for children because they don't have to push it frequently. All they have to do is stand on the frame of the scooter and the battery will do everything else. Some electric scooters can cover longer distances and reasonably good top speeds. Just make sure to be careful about balancing at higher speeds.
Now that you are more familiar with electric scooters for kids, you can go to a shop and buy the best one for your child!
