Do you want to buy a scooter for that special 4-year-old in your life? It can be hard to know where to begin. After all, there are so many different scooters on offer.
But, at 4 years old, your little one requires some very specific features if they are to get the most out of their scooting experience. Buying a scooter for a 4-year-old is quite different than buying one for a 10-year-old.
In this article, we’ll explain the most important features to look for when choosing the best scooter for a 4-year-old. And, we’ll not only help you out by explaining those must-haves, but also the features they’ll love to have on their new scooter.
Must-have features when choosing the best scooter for a 4-year-old
3 or 4 wheels?
When you imagine buying a scooter, does it have just 2 wheels? 2-wheeled scooters certainly have their place for older kids. But a 3 or 4-wheeled design is usually better suited to a 4-year-old’s abilities.
Why is this?
A 3-wheeled scooter has 2 wheels set apart at the front and one at the back. These can be used from just 18 months of age. A 4-wheel scooter has 2 wheels set apart at the front, and 2 wheels next to each other at the rear.
These self-standing designs are ideal for children who are still developing their sense of balance, because they provide additional stability and don’t require speed to stay balanced (like a 2-wheeled scooter does). With a stable scooter, kids feel more comfortable and this helps grow their confidence.
Lean to steer
When there is only one wheel at the front of a scooter, a child must turn the handlebar to steer, like with a bike. While this might seem quite easy to do, it adds risk, since there’s a chance they will turn too sharply and fall off the scooter.
With 2 wheels at the front of the scooter, children can lean to steer with their bodies and glide into turns, similar to skateboarding or snowboarding for instance. Building balance confidence in this way will help them when it does come time to learn to ride a bicycle.
Adjustable handlebar
We all know how quickly young children grow. So, products that can “grow with your child” will provide much better value.
Scooters with an adjustable handlebar are ideal because you can continuously adjust them to the right height, and get a few years of fun from the scooter.
If the handlebar can fold down - that’s even better. A scooter should be easy to fit in the car, and to carry.
Non-slip low deck
The deck is a key part of a scooter when it comes to both usability and how safe it is. A deck that is low to the ground is easier for little legs to scoot from, balance is better since the centre of gravity is lower, and it also means there’s less distance for them to fall. When the deck is non-slip, it means there’s a reduced chance of spills.
Rubber handlebar grips
Soft little hands deserve comfortable handlebar grips that won’t degrade easily in the harsh Australian sun. Rubber grips are ideal because they can be used for hours on end without giving your child sore hands, and will stay cleaner and last longer than foam grips.
Quality bearings
A smooth scooting experience is made possible when a scooter has high quality bearings that minimise friction - like ABEC 7 bearings.
Pliable wheels
When we’re talking about scooters for 4-year-olds, you don’t want a ride that’s too rough on little bodies. That’s why it’s important that the wheels are manufactured from pliable material for good shock absorption. It also helps to improve shock absorption when the front wheels of a scooter are at least 100mm in size.
Lightweight
Lightweight scooters like those which have a plastic core material are easier for young children to manoeuvre, accelerate and learn on in general. And of course, if you want them to be able to help carry their scooter to the car, a lightweight one is the way to go!
So, those are the must-haves. But what about the love-to-haves?
Scooter features that 4-year-olds love
Now that we’ve covered the safety and usability features, let’s get to the fun stuff. You want the 4-year-old in your life to just love their new scooter, after all!
This is where features like bright, vivid colours and light-up wheels come into play. An awesome colour and light-up wheels won’t just delight your child, it will give them a sense of pride over their scooter too!
Recommendations for the best scooter for a 4-year-old
You might now be wondering which scooter actually meets this long list of requirements. Luckily, Zoomy Leisure offers two scooters that might be right for your 4-year-old.
The Kids Mini Scooter with Light-Up Wheels is perfect for kids who are new to scooting. Suitable for children from 18 months up to 5 years, it is very lightweight at only 1.9kg.
The Kids Maxi Scooter with Light-Up Wheels is for kids who have physically or developmentally outgrown the Mini Scooter. Built stronger and faster, it’s ideal for children aged 4 years and over, and weighs 3.2kg.
Once you’ve chosen the ideal scooter for your 4-year-old, it’s time to talk safety gear. You can find out more about what they need here.
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