Best Toddler Scooters Ultimate Buying Guide | 1 – 5 years Old

Scooters are ideal for everyone, from toddlers, teenagers, and even adults and they are designed with the size and age of the rider in mind. The Best Toddler Scooters are designed for young babies/toddlers and tend to be different compared to those for teenagers or adults. It’s true that children are newbies and they will scoot for fun, and so their scooters are designed with more emphasis on safety and stability.

As a mom or dad, you are responsible for the safety of your child, and therefore you would want the best play toy for your toddler. So before buying that toddler scooter, it is vital that you know everything there is about these products. Our exclusive review will help you choose the best scooter for your toddler this year.

Choosing the Best Scooter for toddler

Let’s first have a look at the factors that you should consider before making a purchase decision.

• Wheel Size
• Toddler Scooter Deck
• Weight Capacity
• Handlebar Steer or Lean and Steer
• Colors & Styles
• Safety Accessories
• Portability
• Pricing
• Scooter Weight

Wheel Size

As you will notice, most scooters have a roller that is 100mm in diameter or above. The larger scooters haves rollers of diameter 120mm or above. We all know that large wheels are good for cruising (even on cars), provide better rides off-road and tend to be faster compared to the smaller wheels.

When buying a scooter for your toddler, it’s important that you check the size of the wheels and most importantly, the front wheels. The bigger the scooter wheels, the more stable the scooter will be. On the other hand, small wheeled bikes are designed for performing stunts which is not the case for small children.

Additionally, the wider the scooter wheel, the more the stable the toy would be, and for this reason, some scooter models have a wider rear wheel to offer maximum stability.

Toddler Scooter Handlebar Steer

Handlebar steering uses handlebar for steering just like on the normal toys while lean and steer requires the ride to make a lean on the right to make the toy turn right or left to make it turn left. The lean and steer is only found in toddler scooter and is specifically designed to give your child more support and develop a sense of direction.

Between the two modes of scooter steering, its important as a parent that you choose the one that you think would perfectly fit your child.

Toddler Scooter Deck

Unlike the traditional decks on games, toddler scooter decks are quite wide to offer the child support. They are designed such that a child can even put both feet while cruising thanks to the ample space.

A toddler scooter deck is often lower as it amplifies stability and support and therefore makes it easy for the child to balance it. Again the length should be smaller especially for young babies so that they can kick it in without any challenges. But as your child grows, you can always choose a longer deck.

Weight Capacity

Baby scooter is often made from lightweight materials, and so are the scooters designed for toddlers. Some of these scooters would probably withstand  40 pounds while others are strong and capable of withstanding even weights of over 100 pounds.  So before buying always make sure that you check the maximum weight capacity to ensure that you buy one that can accommodate your child’s weight.

Colors & Styles

What colors does your child prefer?  Baby toys are filled with themes and colors, and you can find many colors for one model, and some even have cartoon characters printed on them. Does your child love SpongeBob or Mickey Mouse? You will surely find one with such funny cartoon characters.

Again, you can easily find accessories to add to the toy for your child. Even though toys come in different colors and styles, these do not have any effects on the scooter performance.

Safety Accessories

If you are buying a scooter for your child especially when they are just between 2 -3 years, it is recommended to get safety gears for them. The main reason is that at this age they may encounter more falls and accidents when learning how to ride a scooter.  You will need a helmet(Check out our Best Toddler Helmet for Scooter guide) and a Child’s Pad Set with Knee Elbow and Gloves 

Scooter Portability

Children love playing almost everywhere; in the house, while in the mall or even out when camping. If your child love riding, he/she will probably want to scoot everywhere. And this means that you are probably going to carry the scooter along with you. If the scooter is foldable, then it becomes easier for you to carry it or stuff it in the car boot.  The folding mechanism is often easy and quick.

Baby Scooter Pricing

Baby Scooters are usually very affordable, and you can easily find something under $40 even though there some expensive ones. The truth is that at some point your child will outgrow them and that’s why some parents prefer purchasing cheap ones. However, if your budget is not restricted, you can always opt for the high-quality reputable brand ones, perhaps ones that can be passed down if you have more than one child.

Scooter Weight

Even though last on our list, scooter weight should be an important factor to consider when buying the best scooter for your toddler. You will want to find the lightest scooter so that it can be easy for your child to scoot and maneuver with ease. The benefits are not only for your child but also for you as a parent since you’re the one who will have to carry it around to places like parks or picnics.

How do you teach a toddler to ride a scooter

Let’s first have a look at the steps that you need to take to teach a toddler to ride a scooter

1. Choosing the right scooter for his/her age
2. Wear safety gear for them
3. Boost their morale
4. Frequent practice with them
5. Let them play on their own
6. It’s ok to fall
7. Correct posture if needed
8. Increase the Scooter playtime
9. Get one adult scooter

 1. Choosing the right scooter for his/her age

This is the most important first step. If you are trying to train a toddler at 2-3 years old to ride a scooter, it must be one suitable for his/her age. Scooter made for young toddlers tends to be more stable with 3 wheels for safety purpose.

Another important to take note is the handlebar steel and wheels which are normally adjusted differently for various age groups. You would never want to buy a scooter made for a 5 year old for a 2 year old.  The advanced features on that scooter may endanger your toddler.

2. Wear Safety Gear for them

If you have bought a scooter helmet and child’s pad set for elbow and knees, wear it on for them. This will make them feel confident in riding the scooter first time as they feel protected.

3. Boost their morale

Be there for them when they are trying to ride the scooter for the first time. Encourage and affirmative words are important so they can persist in learning to ride it. The last time you want is for them to be discouraged and the scooter collecting dust in your yard.

4. Frequent practice with them

It takes time to ride the scooter for a toddler and you or your family definitely have to spend time practising with them. For a start, it’s ok if the toddler feels more comfortable just pushing the scooter around. Encourage them slowly to use one leg to step on the toddler and kick with the other leg.

If they are struggling with balancing, hold part of the scooter with your hands to stabilise it. Depending on the learning curve of your child, it may take weeks or months to fully learn how to ride the scooter. Ensure frequent daily practice or a few times a week will help them to build momentum and learn it faster.

5. It’s ok to fall

Do not get too worried when they keep falling or have trouble maintaining a balance. It is part and parcel of learning how to ride a scooter. You also want to take this chance to train their self-confidence and ability to overcome challenges. Get safety gears like scooter helmet or child safety pad if you are concerned about them injuring themselves during falls. Encourage them verbally to keep trying

6. Let them play on their own

Once they are confident enough, let them play on their own like your backyard where you can monitor their safety. They will not be able to drive the scooter fast at this point of time but should gradually learn how to balance on it.

7. Increase the scooter playtime 

increase your child playtime with the scooter gradually. They may not be keen to play for long initally as they face alot of challenges riding the scooter. However, their interest in it will increase gradually as they figure out how to ride it. Observe the situation and increase their scooter playtime accordingly so they got more chance to practice.

8. Correct Posture if needed

If your child is not holding on to the handlebar properly or not steering the scooter properly when changing direction, correct them on the spot. Make sure they are stepping on the scooter deck with the weaker foot while they kick with the stronger foot.

9. Get one adult scooter

Buy one adult scooter for yourself(See the one I used for myself) and bring your toddler to public places like the park to sweat it out. He/she should be cruising at this point in time and it is a healthy activity to build family bonding together.

Scooters for toddlers 1 year old

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Scooter

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This mini scooter is ideal for very young babies and has three distinct shaped buttons and has 50 different learning songs that will teach your kid shapes, phrases, numbers, and alphabets. There are three different stages, and so the rhymes advance as your baby grows and learns more stuff. A motion switch is also available that turns the songs on as your child pushes the scooter with his legs. If your child is yet to walk, then this is the appropriate scooter for him.

• Why I chose it: we loved the three buttons with varying symbols and shapes that your child will love playing with. The buttons are also designed to last long and follow your child as he/she grows.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike Pink

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The Radio Flyer Scoot-About is a four-wheeled toddler scooter with an elegant red look and shiny chrome handlebars.  The seat is adjustable so that it grows with the child. The scooter features a robust and durable steel frame and has a bumper added on the front to protect your child from any obstacle in his/her way.

The front bumper is important because safety is important even in three or four-wheeled rides that are considered safer compared to two-wheeled toddler scooters.

• Why I chose it: comes with a tiny bell on the front for babies that love to ring while they push.

Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer

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The Little Tikes Push & Ride Race is a great alternative to baby walker as it is a mix of ride on and walker. The seat position is quite low so that your baby can easily ride on it while his/her feet reach the ground and only with a little kick, they can go fast and enjoy the ride.

Designed here in the United States, Little Tikes is one of the best toddler scooter there is on the market today and it’s recommended for children aged 9 to 36 months.

• Why I chose it: the scooter has a small back seat for storing stuff toy which looks adorable. Children are often attached to their stuffed toys and will happy ride with them on their back.

Scooter for 2 year old

Scooter for 3 year old

Scooter for 5 year old

Common Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is My Child Ready to Drive a Scooter

The market offers different types of scooters, but if you’re wondering whether kid is ready to scoot, the answer is- he or she may be ready, but that also depends on your child. There are safety guidelines that say that any child aged 12 months can ride a scooter. But remember these are just but guidelines and children are different and they don’t develop the same way.

For very young kids, it is very important to check on their personal skills when making a decision whether they are ready for riding. Before buying a scooter for your baby, ensure that he/she is able to walk and stable on his feet.

Even though there are some scooter models designed for children over 1 year old, most scooters out there are made for children age 2+ years. The main reason is that at 2 years old, your child should be more stable in terms of walking and balancing ability. This is crucial for them to able to ride a scooter safely.

Scooters designed for toddlers are different than those for older kids. They are small and usually have three wheel designs. The front wheels are large and the rear wheel is often smaller. Toddler scooters also have a wider base low to the ground making it easier for the child to balance.

Q: Can my 2 year old ride a scooter

Yes! A two year old kid can ride a baby scooter. These toys are designed for toddlers as young as 12 months and offer required support to help them balance. However, always confirm that a scooter is appropriate for the age of your kid.

Some have weight or height that is ideal for children aged 3+ years. But a 2-year-old tot should get the lightest toys with an appropriate height. all these specs are included in the product details.

Q: What age is a 2 wheel scooter for

2 wheel scooter definitely require more balancing than their 3-wheeled counterparts. You will be able to make sharper, more “athletic” turns and also an increase of overall manoeuvrability. There is reputable scooter brand like Razor that have 2 wheel scooter when your kid is 5 years and up. It is better for your child to have prior experience with 3 wheel scooter before attempting the 2 wheel scooter.

Q: How Long Will My Child’s Scooter Last

This is one of the major concerns that many parents have. They are often worried that they will have to replace their kid’s toys too soon or the child would soon outgrow it. It is true that your child will outgrow it at some point but should that happen early? Of course not. Many toddler scooters are designed for a given age range and your child can ride for a couple of years.

The quality of the materials used in making the toy also affects toys life. Sometimes kids tend to be rough with their toys and it’s hard to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t damage it. Fortunately, some brands sell parts that can be easily replaced and therefore no need to buy a whole new toy.

Final thoughts on Best Toddler Scooters

That’s it, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you found my guide helpful in choosing a baby scooter for your little one. You also read this article about the best skiing helmets for toddlers. If you’re a pumping mother you can learn how power pumping works and the amount of milk you should produce when exclusively pumping.