The Perfect Gift for Active Kids
Why choose a scooter as a gift for both girls and boys? Let’s start with the practical reasons: a scooter is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s suitable even for very young children. However, it’s essential to select a scooter based on the child’s height and weight.
One of the key benefits of kids’ scooters is that they “grow” with the user, up to a certain limit specified by the manufacturer. Children’s scooters typically adjust within the range of 80-150 cm, which generally accommodates children up to 9-10 years old. Deciding on a scooter as a Christmas or holiday gift is just the first step. Scooters come in various types: traditional two-wheelers, three-wheelers for learning, or stunt scooters designed for tricks. The choice depends significantly on the child’s age and skill level.
Starting Off Right... With a Three-Wheeler
A three-wheeled scooter is designed for children or beginners learning to ride. Similar to training wheels on a bike, the three wheels help maintain balance, allowing the child to focus on learning how to push off the ground with their foot. This type is often called a balance scooter. From the start, it encourages children to alternate pushing with their right and left feet, making scooter riding both fun and a full-body workout. These scooters are often colourful, with some models featuring LED wheels that light up while riding, adding to the fun and encouraging use. Like with any scooter, it’s advisable to include safety accessories like a helmet and pads to ensure a safe riding experience.
Traditional Two-Wheeler Scooter
When should you buy a traditional scooter for a boy or girl? Certainly when the child’s height exceeds that recommended for three-wheeled users (usually around 150 cm). It’s also a good choice if you know the young rider can already ride a bike, which indicates they can maintain balance while riding. The two-wheeled scooter is a classic; a trendy piece of equipment for both children and adults. When gifting such a device to the younger ones, it’s important to understand its features. If you’re considering gifting a scooter to a younger child, pay attention to the deck—a low deck (about 8 cm from the ground) allows for a comfortable ride for younger users. Bearings are also crucial—the higher the ABEC rating, the better—and wheels—the larger they are, the faster you can go. Consider whether the potential user can manually handle stopping a speeding scooter. Additionally, these devices are equipped with shock absorbers that absorb vibrations during the ride. A notable feature of these scooters is the three-step adjustable handlebar, allowing both teenagers (from about 140 cm in height) and adults (up to about 185 cm) to use them. Thus, such a gift can successfully become a present for the whole family.
Stunt Scooters for the Advanced
Another option is the stunt scooter. There are several constant elements to consider before purchasing either type of scooter. Pay attention to the construction and type of scooter wheels (including the width of the spread in three-wheelers) and brakes (in electric scooters for the youngest, a dual braking system, such as E-ABS and a mechanical brake, is valuable). For electric scooters, consider the time and efficiency of operation on a single charge, which largely depends on the frequency of use and the user’s weight.
While most electric scooters are two-wheeled, here we have an exception. The Movino Easy Go is a three-wheeled device, providing stability even from the start. It reaches speeds of 6 km/h for younger children and 10 km/h for older ones, equivalent to a brisk walk for an adult. For safety, it features two brakes—foot and hand—and the batteries allow for a distance of 5 to 7 km on a single charge. Charging takes about 4 hours. The scooter is lightweight, weighing just over 3.5 kg, and is easy to handle.
Electric scooters are a convenient mode of transport that doesn’t require registration for use. However, it’s important to remember that they should not be used on public roads. And, of course, don't forget about essential safety gear like helmets and pads.
Scooters, whether traditional or electric, are always a great introduction to more advanced equipment like bikes or segways.