Kids love skateboards, but before choosing their first skateboard, take some advice from the local skateboard shop. The first rule? Avoid skateboards from Walmart, ToysRUs, Target, those skateboards, like bikes are toys and not proper gear - so no favorite characters. You can stick stickers on the skateboard if that is any consolation. The second rule was to make sure to avoid water with your board. The last rule we were imparted was to take and make sure to hold onto our skateboard. If you aren't watchful, it's easily stolen.
The easiest thing you can do, when looking for the first skateboard is to look for skateboards that are complete, which means that it comes with a 1. Deck Board 2. 2 x Trucks 3. 8 x Bearings 4. 4 Wheels 5. Hardware 6. Risers (which help pad absorb and protect the deck from the trucks) 7. Grip Tape. Skateboards sold as Completes basically means that the skateboard is sold with all the parts and depending on the shop can be ready to go and assembled, or just shipped with components for you to assemble yourself.
Most parents purchase gear, not sure if their kids will like skateboarding, so keeping it simple with a budget is a good game plan. The first part about buying a skateboard is the Deck size. You can get a mini Deck which can start at 7.0. If you can check out your local skate shop, you can have your kid step on the board to see if that works for them. From our experience, the 7.0 looked too small for our kid who wears about size 13 shoes and is about 3'10", so in our case, we were looking for a 7.37 to 7.50 Skateboard Deck. Some kids can ride larger decks, but have them test them out on a practice run, if the shop will let you.
You can also build a skateboard, but that means researching for a decent brand of skateboard decks, purchasing 2 x Trucks, 8 x bearings, 4 wheels, 1" Hardware that takes Allen or Phillips tool, a Grip Tape, and you can further add 2 x Risers.
Next, you have to think about Protection for your kids, that means Helmet, as well as Knee + Elbow Pads + Wrist Guards. One good quality brand for all that is Pro-Tec. 187 Killer Pads are also well endorsed by Pro Skateboarders. If you stop in at the local skateboard shop, take a look at what they sell, and that will give you an idea of what you want to buy. Both Pro-Tec as well as 187 Killer Pads come with a Youth or Junior pack that fits young children.
We purchased our complete skateboard at tgmskateboards.com + they got our skateboard to our kids in time for skateboarding camp. We had asked if they can assemble the board for us, which they did. Woo-Hoo! We also got a bunch of stickers from them. Overall, we are pleased with TGM Skateboards, and will go back to them again for our future purchases.
We liked the graphics from World Industries, and went ahead with this board as our choice. Our earlier picks were not available. When we got our board, it was a solid skateboard and our kids were happy with the skateboard.
The rest of the gear, helmet, pads were from the local skate shop. We got really good service and the employees were very nice, answering all of our questions.
So if your kid is interested in Skateboarding or if you want to start your kid with good gear so that he can properly learn how to skateboard, give them a solid skateboard, and let them show you what they can do.
Watch your 6!
