SKATEBOARDS FOR KIDS - 5 QUICK SUGGESTIONS
We have a lot of kids boards to pick from in the shop right now - And we know that choosing the right one for your child can be confusing!
So to help clear things up we've put together a quick guide to our cruisers and longboards from a kid's perspective, plus some hot sellers from the shop racks.
- When should kids start skateboarding?
- What size is a kid's skateboard?
- What is a mini cruiser?
- What's the difference between a kid's skateboard and an adult's?
- What size board should I get for my 5 year old?
- Which mini cruiser should I get for my kid?
Here's a quick list of our go-to boards for younger riders from here in the shop. If you're able to visit us, you'd probably end up with one of these:
When should kids start skateboarding?
In our opinion - kids should start skateboarding ASAP! Skateboarding is a little harder than riding a balance bike or a scooter, and requires a bit more balance - but most kids should be able to roll around from 4 or 5 years old. and the sooner they get started, the sooner you can join in!
What size is a kid's skateboard?
We'd recommend boards under 29.5" for kids. You could go right down to around 23" if they're small enough, but it's important to give them enough deck room to feel confident standing on.
If they're interested in Longboard, we'd suggest something on the shorter end of the scale, like the Lush Dart or Minnow mentioned above. These will give them that longboard feel, but without being too big and cumbersome for a little person to handle.
What is a mini cruiser?
Usually based around a smaller, surf-inspired shape, mini cruisers are about the same length as a "regular" skateboard with a nose cut off. Narrow decks a better for smaller feet, and a short wheelbase makes the board much more responsive - perfect for smaller, lighter skaters.
Set up with narrow trucks, loose bushings, and soft grippy wheels poured from modern urethanes, these little rippers are perfect for getting kids into all kinds of skateboarding.
In comparison to a traditional 'Popsicle Stick' street skateboard, these cruisers have larger softer wheels which will roll smoother and make it much easier for your kid to learn to skate. they'll roll further for every push, meaning that your kid has the most fun and is most likely to take to skateboarding like a fish to water!
What's the difference between a kid's skateboard and an adult's?
The obvious difference is size (length and width). Less obvious is the shorter wheelbase and softer truck bushings that make these boards much easier to turn for smaller, lighter skaters. Compared to regular skateboards, mini cruisers have more in common with longboards - soft wheels for more speed, and cruisy shapes.
Most boards come set up for an adult of average weight. If you're buying one of our boards for a youngster then drop us a note in your order comments, and we'll swap your truck bushings out for a softer set free of charge.
What size board should I get for my 5 year old?
Anything in this category would be spot on - under 29.5". We recommend a mini cruiser at this early stage rather than a regular skateboard, as they will be able to learn the basics of pushing, stopping, turning and general board control more easily, and have more fun! You can move on to tricks and ramps and things later.
Which mini cruiser should I get for my kid?
We know from experience that there's no such thing as a "one size fits all" solution, and we're very aware that getting a younger skater on the right setup will make a huge difference to how much they use thier board and how much fun they'll have. Get in touch if you want some advice - we'll help you pick the right setup!
Landyachtz Dinghy
The Landyachtz Dinghy has been a staple of their line-up for many years now. it's a popular mini cruiser for adults but its compact size and narrow width make it a great choice for kids, and easy for them stash under a school desk or in a locker.
The deck
Made from 100% Canadian Maple. with flared wheel wells, a kick tail, and a mellow concave, The Dighy is a super well thought out deck. it's got a small nose too, and would be an ideal board for taking your little person down to the skate park!
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
The Dinghy comes complete with high quality Polar Bear trucks and Hawgs wheels. Different wheel colours to match each graphic make these boards really look the part and sets them apart from the rest. and with tons of graphics to choose from there's bound to be one that your kid loves. It's this kind of attention to detail you don't get elsewhere!
How does it ride?
Light, nippy and nimble, the Dinghy is a great board for kids to get thier first taste of skateboarding! High quality trucks and wheels keep it rolling fast and turning well with no slop. A good size tail keeps things manouverable.
| The Landyachtz Dinghy is good because... | A Landyachtz Dinghy might not be right for you because... |
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Lush Fuel
The Lush Longboards Fuel is a little board with big ideas. At 28.5"x8", it's spot on for kids, and comes in a at a price that won't break the bank.
It's a mini cruiser similar in shape to the Landyachtz Dinghy above, but with with a couple of notable differences...
The deck
Lush have specced this board with a flat nose, in comparison to the Dinghy this gives a little more space for your feet - making it easier to skate for kids who are new to four wheels!
The Fuel also features a slightly longer wheelbase than most boards this size, which makes it a little bit more forgiving to skate than most other mini-cruisers and kids boards.
A mellow concave is super-comfortable over distance, so great for the skate to school, and a proper skateboard kicktail makes the Fuel fully ollieable.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
The Fuel comes built in two options:
The Elite Complete is a premium minicruiser, featuring Sabre Built-In Labyrinth Bearings for a fast-rolling, maintenance-free ride, and legendary 65mm Cult Chronicle wheels. The slightly larger 65mm diameter of these wheels gives the Fuel Elite build an unmatched rollover, really increasing its ability to deal with rougher roads and making it a lot more comfortable over any kind of distance. The whole thing turns on Sabre Street Trucks at 127mm, specced out with Sabre's aftermarket bushings.
The Pro Complete is a super-good value, slightly cheaper build, with 60mm Cult Nova wheels and Vandem Value ABEC 5 bearings. Still turning on Sabre 127mm trucks though, which is the bit that really matters.
How does it ride?
The Fuel is an awesome nippy little mini cruiser and a great introduction to skateboarding. All of us here agree we wish we'd had one of these aged 3! It punches well above its weight where value for money is concerned too, proving you don't have to break the bank to give your kids the gift of skateboarding. Drop us a note in the comments section of your order and we'll swap the truck bushings out for softer ones free of charge, allowing the board to turn more for a lighter skater!
| The Lush Fuel is good because... | A Lush Fuel might not be right for you because... |
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Loaded Ballona Cruiser Board
The Loaded Ballona - a carefully crafted answer to the mini cruiser market, and we'd expect nothing less from the California based brand. The Ballona is a chubby little board similar in length to the Dinghy and Fuel, but a whole inch wider, this makes it better suited to older kids or those with larger feet.
The deck
At 27.75" long this is one of the shorter mini cruisers available, but Loaded have increased the girth to a fat 9" that sits the Ballona in a unique spot, short and fat, a shrimp of a board for a whale of a good time.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
We've got 3 great setup options for the Loaded Ballona available off the shelf, exclusive to Vandem and using high quality trucks and wheels from Cult and Sabre If you have ideas for your own setup, feel free to give us a call and we'll see what we can do...
How does it ride?
The extra width offers plenty of leverage and control for anyone with nearer adult-sized feet but still wanting the smallest board possible. This would make it a great option for older kids, with room to grow into! Drop us a note in the comments section of your order and we'll swap the truck bushings out for softer ones free of charge, allowing the board to turn more for a lighter skater!
| The Loaded Ballona Cruiser Board is good because... | A Loaded Ballona Cruiser Board might not be right for you because... |
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Lush Minnow
The Minnow is Lush's "Mini Pintail" - combining the advantages of a smaller cruiser board with the larger standing platform and easy skate of a full-sized longboard. The Minnow is a short longboard rather than a cruiserboard, which means it will be more stable and easier to skate due to its longer wheelbase, and give that smooth deep carving feeling. If your kid wants to skate to school, or you've got quiet safe roads or bike paths to cruise near you, then you couldnt go wrong with a board like the Minnow.
The deck
The Minnow is a simple and effective surf-inspired shape, It has a comfortable mellow rocker concave. There's no kicktail and the wider shape creates a surprisingly large standing platform considering the deck size.
At 36x9.75", it's a great size for kids - long and stable without being too much of a handful.
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Like other Lush boards, you can specify your setup to meet you budget. The "Elite" is probably the best value - killer Cult urethane, strong and turny Sabre Trucks, and fast-rolling Sabre built-in bearings. To see bearings with built-in spacers at this pricepoint is unique.
How does it ride?
The Minnow is pretty much spot on as a cruiser for kids. At 36", it's not too long, but long enough. There's a nice flex to the deck, not too much concave and the setups are responsive - all the ingredients you need for a great cruising longboard. Drop us a note in the comments section of your order and we'll swap the truck bushings out for softer ones free of charge, allowing the board to turn more for a lighter skater!
| The Lush Minnow is good because... | A Lush Minnow might not be right for you because... |
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Lush Longboards Dart Short Drop Through Longboard
Short, low, and lively, the Lush Dart is an awesome drop through 'mini longboard' that's great for kids. The Dart offers easy pushing and footbraking due to being so low to the ground - not to mention the stability of a lower centre of gravity. This makes the Dart way easier for kids smaller legs. Compared to the other boards in this category its a breeze to push around on, perfect for the skate to school!
The deck
The Dart features a mellow concave thats just enough to keep your kids feet feeling cradled, and giving them good board control, yet not enough to start aching the feet during a day out.. The gentle rocker is like a hug for the feet - they'll be locked in to carve to thier hearts content, the Dart is more than able to get sliding too if your kid wants to get sideways!
Wheels, Trucks, & Bearings
Available in multiple build options, both built with Sabre trucks and Cult wheels, you know you're getting quality parts, and can choose the build which fits your budget.
How does it ride?
The Dart is a great choice for kidslooking for a carvey, stable low ride without the length of a full size longboard. Drop us a note in the comments section of your order and we'll swap the truck bushings out for softer ones free of charge, allowing the board to turn more for a lighter skater!
| The Lush Longboards Dart Short Drop Through Longboard is good because... | A Lush Longboards Dart Short Drop Through Longboard might not be right for you because... |
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