skateboarding

Skateboarding is a fun and active way to spend time outside. It’s not only a great full-body workout, but it helps build core strength, balance, and confidence in kids. It’s one of those fast-action sports that are not only fun to watch, but a blast for kids to participate in. Today, Chelsea Furlong, a Virginia Beach photographer and skateboarding mom of two, shares all her tips for skateboarding with kids. Chelsea shares everything you need to know, including how to choose the right skateboard, best skateboarding gear, skateboarding safety tips, advice for parents, and more. 

Skateboarding obsession begins

A couple of years ago my kids asked for skateboards for Christmas. They were using small plastic mini boards made for toddlers but they were ready for something bigger and better. My brothers got them their first real skateboards for Christmas that year and our family’s new obsession began. Within a few months of receiving those gifts, my kids absolutely fell in love with skateboarding. That love eventually became a full-blown obsession. We currently don’t have a single day that goes by without some kind of skateboarding involved. Even on the days when the weather is terrible, they’ll practice in our garage, watch tutorials and youtube videos, or practice tricks on their TechDecks. Skateboarding, for us, has become a lifestyle. 

Becoming a skateboarding mom

Many people reach out to me on a regular basis with their questions about skateboarding and how to get their kids started. It’s common for a mom to send me a message on Instagram saying something like, “My child is interested in learning how to skateboard. I’m a little terrified, and I don’t skateboard, so I have no idea where to start. Can you help me?”

Let me start by saying, I don’t skateboard, either! That’s right. My kids tell me they feel more comfortable riding a board at this point than they do walking on their own two feet. But their mother is a totally different story! Haha!

The good news is you do NOT have to know how to skateboard to help your kids get started skateboarding. All you have to do is grab the basic equipment, get them outside and support them on their journey as they practice and get better. It’s not always easy (rarely is anything involving kids easy), but it’s worth it. Skateboarding has become such a vibrant passion for my kids, a fun and active activity that gets us all outside and keeps us on our toes! It’s been a great way to teach my boys valuable life skills and has allowed them to make amazing friendships with a diverse group of skaters. 

Benefits of skateboarding for kids

Skateboarding is a full-body workout. Observe your kids on a skateboard and you’ll quickly realize that they use a variety of muscles and movement skills to propel, stop, steer and manipulate the board. Riders exercise their feet, legs, arms, and torso as they twist and balance with each trick and turn. Skateboarding is great for helping develop coordination and core strength. It takes a long time to get good at skateboarding and doing tricks, so it’s a great activity for teaching kids about practice and perseverance. It’s becoming a more popular sport by the day and is really fun to watch, as well as participate in. Skateboarding is a healthy screen-free outdoor activity that gets kids plenty of fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and Vitamin D. 

Best age for getting started skateboarding

Like nearly any sport, there’s no perfect age to get them started. You’re never too old to learn to skateboard (although, your body may disagree after a few spills!), and even young kids can give it a try. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that kids under 5 not skateboard. Mainly, this is because their tiny bodies can’t take the impact and you don’t want to risk broken bones and injuries for kids this young. Kids of all ages participate in this sport. But no matter what age your kids are, at first they’ll need close adult supervision and support. 

What do we need to get started?

You don’t need very much to get started skateboarding, but the gear is important. Here are the few basic pieces of skateboarding equipment you’ll need to get your kids off and rolling:

• skateboard
• helmet
• protective pads
• closed-toe sneakers or skate shoes

I get lots of requests for brand and equipment recommendations for families just jumping into skating. This has been a trial and error process for us, and what works best for my kids may not be what your kids prefer. However, I’m happy to share what works for us!

Kinds of skateboards

There are many types of skateboards available for lots of different kinds of riding. The list includes longboards, penny boards, carve boards, classic boards, cruisers, popsicle double kicks, etc. Maybe you didn’t realize there are lots of different kinds of boards? Me either! It’s ok if you don’t know what your kids will want or need at first. I’m here to help! 

We currently have a few different types of skateboards lined up in our garage: longboards, cruisers, double kicks, and a carve board. For this post, I’ll be mostly focusing on the popsicle double kicks board. This is because that’s what our kids use the most, and that’s likely the kind of skateboard you’re most familiar with as well.

The popsicle double kick is the kind of skateboard most people have in their minds when they think of skateboarding. It’s a board shape with two rounded ends and both of those ends are bent upward. This kind of skateboard can be used for street skating and transition (or bowl) skating. My kids skate both transition and street, and that’s the kind of skateboard deck they both use. It’s a good beginner skateboard and a good choice for shape if you’re looking to purchase your first skateboard.

How to choose a skateboard for kids

When you’re choosing the best skateboard for a new rider, you’ll want to consider the age and size of the rider. If you’re starting a toddler or a very young child, you’ll want a mini-board. These are a much smaller size and are best for the tiny feet of younger skaters. Once your kids are a little older, they can handle a larger board.

In addition to the different styles of skateboards, there are also different sizes. My kids are ages 7 & 9. They both wear a kids’ size 3 shoe. They’re currently riding size 7.75 skateboard decks. For reference, my oldest son will likely be moving to a size 8 board within the next year. 

The next bit of important information is that when you’re buying a skateboard, I recommend starting with a complete skateboard set. This just means that all of the skateboard parts are already there and assembled! Again, beginners may not know this, but there are several different parts to a skateboard that can change a lot about the ride. As my kids have become more advanced, they now fully customize their boards according to what/how they want to ride. However, a beginner skater doesn’t need to worry about any of that, so opt for a complete set.

We started out with a complete board from CCS. This is a quality skateboard for a beginner. You can even customize the design on the board with your own artwork or a photo of your new skater! 

Protective gear – skateboarding helmets and pads

The proper gear when skateboarding is essential. Just as you wouldn’t let your child ride a bike without a helmet or ride in a car without a seatbelt, don’t let your skater ride with a helmet and pads. Biking helmets and skateboarding helmets are made completely differently! There are some helmets that are now formulated for both, but we recommend having separate helmets for our kids for biking and skateboarding.

Yes, you can absolutely use a bike helmet for your child who’s just starting out if you don’t have a skate helmet. It’s certainly better than no head protection at all. But, if your child really starts to get into skating, you’ll want a high-quality helmet. We use the Protec brand because they’re highly regarded in the skate community as one of the best quality, safest brands of skating helmets. Be sure to get the correct size for your child, too. If you’re not sure about sizing and fit, head to your local skate shop and someone there should be able to check it for you!

There is a LOT of falling involved in skateboarding, so I also recommend getting a set of pads for your child, as well. You’ll want both knee pads and elbow pads at the minimum. Or, you can get a full set of pads which also includes wrist guards. We use 187 Killer Pads because they’re high quality, but again, any pads are better than no pads when you’re just getting started! You can always upgrade later, if/when your kids decide that skateboarding is life! My kids are trying some pretty crazy tricks at this point, so we need gear that can handle the constant blows day after day!

Skateboarding shoes for kids

Beginner skateboarders don’t need any particular brand of skateboarding shoes, but it’s important that your child wears comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good tread or rubber on the bottom. You definitely don’t want them slipping around on the skateboard. Also, the grip tape on a fresh board can be hard on open skin. Occasionally, I accidentally drag my hands or arms on my kids’ boards when I’m moving them around and that grip tape is no joke!

Additional skateboarding gear suggestions

After a year and a half of serious (and I mean serious) hours put in at our local skateparks, I’ve learned to have a few other items on hand! You may not need these items early on in the process, but if you find yourself spending more and more time skating, it’s a good idea (actually, it’s a great idea) to keep these items handy and closeby: 

• Medical kit – You’ll want to have bandages available from the very beginning. As your little skater progresses and attempts more difficult tricks, you’ll want to have a more substantial kit on hand. We use ours almost every trip to the skatepark, whether for our own kids or to share with other skaters getting injuries. 
• Skate tool – This is a tool used to tighten or loosen the trucks (the metal part that the wheels are on)
• Extra shoe laces – Once your skater starts to attempt different tricks, they’ll also start to snap their laces! There were some skatepark days where we went through several sets of laces in a single day!
• Shoe Goo – This is great for fixing shoes that are getting torn up for skating! It’s a great trick for extending the life of your shoes.
• Camera (with video capability) – My kids are constantly asking me to take photos and videos of their runs and tricks. They like to see how they look (and how they can improve). They analyze the videos later and adjust accordingly. It’s an amazing process of self-awareness. 

We keep all of these items in our skate bag so we have everything we may need all in one place!

Getting started as a skateboarding parent

Once you have all of your gear purchased and ready to go, it’s skate time! Personally, I think skateboarding is MUCH harder than it looks. It takes a lot of time to get good at a new sport like skateboarding and takes way more hours of practicing than you can ever imagine. However, if you have determined little ones that love the activity, you’ll be amazed by how quickly they improve and how strong and brave they can be. Here are a few tips and suggestions for parents when your kid is learning how to skateboard. 

Get mentally prepared

I’m going to say it again: Your child WILL fall. They will get hurt. Hopefully not terribly hurt, but they will get some scrapes and bruises along the way. It’s best to prepare yourself for that fact early and be prepared to remain calm and encouraging for your child as they learn this new skill. Just like they fall off bikes sometimes (or out of trees or off the swingset), they’ll also fall off of their skateboards! It’s inevitable.

It’s important to keep a calm and confident attitude throughout this learning process because you are the model for your child. If you act nervous, stressed, and terrified, your child will also feel nervous and afraid. If you panic every time they fall off the skateboard, they will panic and be afraid to step back on the board. Your little one will look to you for praise and encouragement, so be ready for it! Provide positive feedback and keep an upbeat attitude about conquering new skills. You’ll be impressed with how quickly they’ll be able to brush off falls when they’re determined and encouraged. 

Find a safe place to start

When your child is first learning how to stand on and ride a skateboard, start them on a flat, smooth surface. Your flat surface can be a paved path, parking lot, driveway, etc. Whatever you have available to you will work! If you see lots of rocks and debris, sweep or remove it so your little one doesn’t get caught on it. For your very first time on a skateboard, you might even want to start in the grass or on carpet. That’ll keep the board from moving out from beneath your little one’s feet until they feel comfortable standing on it. 

Balance and push

Next, it’s time to practice balancing. Some children will want you to hold their hand as they begin and some will want to do everything on their own. Once the child has practiced balancing on the board, it’s time to push off. The best way is to teach them to push off with their back foot. My kids both skate mongo, which means they push off with their front foot. It’s not hindering their progress greatly, but they really should be pushing off with the back foot instead! Some tricks can be a lot harder to master when you push mongo, so it’s just easier on the skater to learn how to skateboard using that back foot to push. 

Hit the skatepark

Once they can balance and push themselves around, that’s really all there is to it! The rest is up to them to progress and try new things and a few basic tricks. I’d also recommend checking out a skatepark in your area if you have one. A lot of public parks don’t allow skateboarding, so designated skateparks are a great place to get the feel for the sport.

Get to the skatepark early in the morning when it’s less crowded and give your kids some time to practice new things. If they can ride on a flat surface, move on to slants, ramps (or mini ramps), and inclines. These are far less tricky than dropping in on transition and they teach kids how to balance their weight and keep the board moving. Even if your kid is just riding around the flats, it’s good to get them comfortable at the skatepark and start teaching them skateboarding etiquette.  

Practice, practice, practice!

The most important thing my own kids needed as they learned how to skateboard was lots of time. People often comment on how “naturally talented” our kids are. And while they do have talent, it’s really been the amount of time they spend practicing that has propelled them forward.

If you’ve read the book “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, you’ll be familiar with the “10,000 hour rule.” That’s what I mention to people when they comment on our kids’ skateboarding and scootering abilities. On a good skate day, my kids will put in a solid 6 hours of practicing. And that’s not because it’s forced; it’s because they truly just love it. When it comes to learning how to skateboard, I always use the phrase, “Practice makes progress!”

If your kids want to take their skills to the next level, there’s also the option of private lessons, skate camps, and group coaching. A lot of these options will meet your skater at their skill level and help them advance to the next with tips and advice that’s sometimes easier to hear from a pro than mom or dad. 

Are your kids interested in learning how to skateboard?

About the author

Chelsea is a photographer, mother of two busy boys, and a sunshine and fresh air addict. Her family lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and spends as much time outdoors as they possibly can! Most of their outdoor adventures involve exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. They love biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find them enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. They’re doing our best to reduce their carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when they arrived. Chelsea is also the Run Wild My Child Sustainability Expert and helps spearhead our efforts at reducing our carbon footprint and leads our Eco-Challenges.

You can find Chelsea online in the following locations:
Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
RWMC posts: Chelsea Furlong