Do I need a kids’ scooter?
If you’re able to walk to school, nursery, the library or the shops, it’s likely that a kids' scooter will make those journeys quicker and easier, whilst adding some enjoyment and fun along the way. It can also encourage your children to spend more time outdoors, reaping the benefits of a more active lifestyle and a healthy dose of vitamin D.
For younger children, learning to ride a kick scooter involves developing several useful skills: grip, balance, leaning to turn, powering the scooter with one leg and standing on one foot to brake with the other. Several of these skills are transferable to biking later on, whether it’s a balance bike or pedal bike.
As your child gets older, they may also enjoy using a scooter at a skatepark or simply as a quick and easy way to get around, meaning scooters can often be a worthwhile long-term investment that will get plenty of use.
How to choose the best kids' scooter
These are the main things to consider when choosing the right scooter for your child:
Age of your child: Each scooter comes with a recommended age bracket and, while there is a degree of flexibility, this is usually a good indicator of the scooter’s size, ease of use and handlebar range. Some scooters are aimed specifically at younger children, like the Evo Mini Cruiser, while others can be adjusted as your child grows.
Type of scooter: Whether you’re looking for a scooter for commuting, leisure, off-roading or stunts, different designs offer different experiences (see more below).
Assembly: Does the scooter require any initial assembly and, if so, how easy is it to put together? For convertible designs, do you need tools to switch between modes? Can the scooter be folded and, if so, how straightforward is the process?
Brakes: While some kids' scooters have no brakes, others use a rear spring-loaded or compression brake above the back wheel, which can take younger children a little time to master. Others offer more accessible handbrakes, which can be easier to activate and provide a more immediate response.
Wheels: Do you want a scooter with two wheels or three? How large are the wheels? Larger wheels generally offer more stability but can be harder to push, while smaller wheels may struggle on bumpier terrain.
Handlebars and steering: Most scooters have a T-bar system, but can the handlebars be adjusted to suit different heights? This can make the scooter more comfortable to steer and allows it to grow with your child. Most three-wheeled scooters use a tilting lean-to-steer method, which can be easier for younger children to master, whereas two-wheeled scooters tend to use turn-to-steer handling, which is better suited to more confident riders. If your child is just learning, some brands offer the option to lock the steering, preventing them from veering off course unexpectedly.
Weight: How easy is the scooter for your child to lift? They may need to pick it up if it falls over and the weight will also matter to you if you need to carry it home from the park or school run.
Folding: Does the scooter fold and, if so, how easy is it to do? This is worth considering if you’re short on storage space or need to carry the scooter regularly. You may also want to look for a scooter with a carry strap.
What age is appropriate for a scooter?
Transitional scooters are designed to get toddlers scooting from an early age, usually from around 12 to 15 months. Most three-year-olds will have developed enough balance and coordination to try a three-wheeled scooter, especially one designed with extra stability for younger riders.
Metal-framed, two-wheeled scooters require more balance and control and are usually best suited to children aged seven or eight and above, or those who have confidently mastered a three-wheeled model. Stunt scooters are generally designed for older children aged eight and above.
How do I know if the scooter is the right size?
As the Royal Society For the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says, the best way to familiarise yourself with scooters is to see and handle some in person: “Try some scooters out. Go to your local retailer, look for fit and see how robust the equipment is”.
When standing next to the scooter, the handlebars should sit around chest height. This means that when standing on the scooter, your child should be able to stand upright with a straight back and comfortably reach the hand grips with slightly bent elbows.
They should also be able to place one foot comfortably on the deck and reach the brake with the other foot without straining. If they’re new to scooting, you may need to hold the scooter steady while they try this.
All children’s scooters come with a suggested age range and maximum weight, and most will also list the T-bar height positions. If ordering online, compare these measurements with your child’s height to check whether it’s a good fit.
Don’t be tempted to buy a scooter that’s too large for your child in the hope that they’ll 'grow into it' - a scooter that’s too big or heavy can be difficult to control safely.
What type of scooters are available?
Transitional scooter
If you want to introduce your child to scooting from an early age, transitional scooters are designed for very young toddlers. They typically begin in ride-on mode from around 15 months, or whenever your child can sit upright unaided without toppling over. The ride-on stage usually includes a sprung seat on wheels, handlebars for your toddler to hold and a footrest for their feet, while the parent pushes from behind using a long handle. This stage helps children develop grip and coordination.
Once they become more confident, the parent handle can be removed so they can push themselves along using their feet, learning balance and how to lean into turns. Finally, the seat is removed and replaced with a T-bar to create a three-wheeled scooter, usually from around age three. This stage helps children learn balancing on one foot and braking.
Plastic/fibreglass three-wheeler
Three-wheel scooters generally fall into two broad age categories: first scooters for children aged three to five and larger follow-on scooters designed for children aged five to 12.
They typically feature two large wheels at the front and one at the back, with a footbrake positioned over the rear wheel. Decks are often wide for extra stability and covered in non-slip material, while the aluminium T-bar can usually be adjusted as your child grows.
Three-wheeled scooters with plastic or fibreglass frames are lightweight, durable and stable across a variety of hard surfaces, including uneven pavements and cobbles. However, it’s worth watching out for the front wheels catching unexpectedly, as this can sometimes tip the scooter forward suddenly.
Most three-wheelers use a lean-to-steer mechanism. Models aimed at younger children often include a steering lock to help beginners practise balancing and kicking off safely. Some use a more traditional handlebar steering system similar to a bike, although these can sometimes be trickier for younger children to control.
Metal-framed two-wheeler
Designed for older or more confident riders, two-wheeled scooters are generally faster and more agile than three-wheelers but require greater balance and coordination. Children who already ride a bike may find them easier to master due to the similar steering style.
While some retain plastic decks, many feature all-metal frames, which increase durability and help maintain momentum while riding. However, this can also make them heavier and noisier to use.
Metal-framed two-wheel scooters are often less expensive than premium three-wheel scooters aimed at younger children, largely because the design is simpler.
Stunt scooter
These are the scooters commonly seen at skateparks. Built for tricks and jumps, stunt scooters are lightweight, durable and designed to withstand repeated impact. They usually feature wide, low handlebars for stability and specialised wheel bearings designed for smoother landings and better control.
Electric scooter
Electric scooters are typically powered by a rechargeable battery. They can reach speeds of around 10mph and often include features such as handbrakes, lights and suspension.
However, it’s important to note that privately owned electric scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes in the UK. They can only legally be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission, so parents should carefully consider this before buying one for their child.
As detailed on their website, "RoSPA recommends only buying e-scooters and e-bikes from reputable retailers and ensuring that the product carries the UKCA mark or CE mark."
How to be safe on a scooter
Safety is understandably one of the biggest concerns for parents considering a new scooter. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Make sure it complies with safety laws
Scooters are classified as toys for the purposes of safety regulations. The relevant standard for younger-age scooters is EN:71, while older-age scooters should comply with EN:14619. These standards should be listed on the packaging, instruction manual or manufacturer’s website. If you can’t find the information, it’s worth asking before buying. We confirmed safety compliance for all the scooters we tested.
2. Wear protective gear
Protective equipment is essential and RoSPA recommends wearing a helmet (a cycle helmet is best), along with knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. They also stress the importance of adults wearing helmets too: “It’s important for adults to set a good example for kids.”
3. Make sure protective gear fits properly
It’s important that helmets fit correctly, so make sure you measure your child’s head before buying one. Micro Scooters has a useful online guide explaining how to measure for a helmet and check for the correct fit.
4. Be careful about where you ride
Finally, consider where and when you’re riding for maximum safety. RoSPA says, “Scooters should not be used where they will cause danger, fear or inconvenience to other people, or danger to the scooter user. Riders should be particularly careful on hills as scooters can pick up speed quickly. And scooter users should avoid using them in the dark as they do not have lights or reflectors and are difficult to see.”
For further information and advice, see RoSPA’s pages on toy safety.
What is the best kids scooter to buy?
The Micro Scooters Mini Micro Deluxe Scooter is a scooter that gets recommended time and time again on the Mumsnet forums. Lightweight and foldable, it’s a high-quality scooter designed to help young children build confidence on three wheels. We like the wide range of colours available, while its durable construction means it’s designed to last for years of regular use.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real parents
Whenever we begin our research, we know that the best place to get recommendations is from other parents who’ve already been there. Our forums have over 8 million users each month so we know that each product they suggest has already been tried and tested. This means it can withstand the needs of a family, whilst also catering for a range of different needs, budgets and lifestyles.
Expert advice
We also consult experts in the field to find out what we should be looking out for and to make sure each product stands up to scrutiny. For our scooter reviews, we spoke to the Royal Society For the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to get their expert safety advice.
Our trusted and experienced parenting journalists always make sure to research each category thoroughly, using a variety of sources, including independent review sites, such as Which?, to ensure we are bringing you the best products on the market right now.
Reviews
To help us find the best scooters currently on the market, we consulted our own reviews, in which we’ve thoroughly tested some of the top scooters around, scoring them on how they performed in six areas: purchase and assembly, safety and stability, day-to-day use, cleanliness, aesthetics, and value for money.
We then also check online consumer reviews, taking into account both positive and negative feedback, to help us pick a product. This involves scouring the internet, on websites such as Amazon, Argos and Decathlon to see which ones are well-rated when they are put to the test at home by the consumer.
Celebrated best products
Finally, during our research, we also look out for any products that have received industry awards. This, combined with real parent recommendations, reviews and expert advice, helped us recommend a variety of scooters in a range of prices and styles.
About the authors
Laura Cooke is a freelance writer at Mumsnet, with a special focus on child’s play, outdoor play and toddler play content. Since 2021, she has been writing buyers' guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies. Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.
Tammy Jacks is a freelance writer and editor with 15 years of experience specialising in baby, child and family-focused content. She has held senior editorial roles including Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor at Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, as well as Assistant Editor at parenting magazine Living and Loving.
Throughout her career, Tammy has written and edited for a range of lifestyle, parenting and wellbeing publications, including Oprah Mag SA, Your Family Magazine, Health Intelligence and Longevity. She has extensive experience reviewing and creating content around parenting, baby and children’s products, alongside broader health and lifestyle topics.