Picking the best skateboard size for your 7-year old can be tricky. You want them to be able to learn and ride safely while still having a good time.
What skateboard size is best for a 7-year-old? The recommended deck width of a skateboard for a 7-year-old is between 6.5 – 6.75 inches. The length is usually only an important factor among more advanced skaters. It is suggested that you purchase a board that meets the needs of your individual child. A beginner board will be perfect for sidewalk and street riding for casual skaters.
Choosing a skateboard for a 7-year-old comes with many obstacles. There are different widths, lengths, and grades that must be considered before choosing a board. I have compiled all the information you’ll need to pick the perfect board for your child!
Skateboard Length and Width
Unlike soccer that has a very hard set ball size for different age groups, skateboarding allows a lot of leeway when it comes to sizing. Personal preference is the biggest factor when choosing the size of your child’s board.
Some websites and skateboard companies have developed a recommended size chart based on ages, but seasoned skaters claim that the board size is completely dependent on what you want to do with it.
It turns out that “child” specific skateboards aren’t really recommended. Experts claim that it’s better to have your child learning on a full sized skateboard because they can grow into it.
The sizes depend mainly on what you want to do with it. A wider board gives more stability to the rider. A narrow board makes it easier to learn and perform tricks.
Your 7-year-old is most likely in it for the joy ride at the beginning. As they age and become more adept at riding they may change their course on what they want out of the board.
Warehouse Skateboards gives a good recommendation on the size of the skateboard for different age groups and heights.
| Height | Age (years) | Deck Width | |
| Micro | – 3’4″ | 5 or younger | 6.5″ – 6.75″ |
| Mini | 4’4″ | 6 – 8 | 7.0″ |
| Mid Size | 5’2″ | 9 – 12 | 7.3″ |
| Full Size | 5’3″ + | 13 + | 7.5″ or larger |
Keep these recommendations in mind if you have no clue what size to get. For 7-year-olds, it’s hard to pick the wrong one. They are very smart and will learn on whatever they are provided!
Having the skateboard grow with your child is a good idea because you never know how long they’ll be interested in riding. My parents bought me a skateboard when I was 10 because I thought it was the coolest thing!
I used it for a week and then lost sight of it in the garage. It reappeared a year later and I used it as a way to carry heavy boxes from one side of the house to the other.
Your child is most likely not like me, but it could be good to focus on the lower level skateboards when starting them out.
Skateboard Grade
The grade of your skateboard will be very important to your decision. I have learned that there are 3 universally made grades among manufacturers. These categories include:
- Beginner
- Advanced
- Pro
Sometimes the difference will be categorized between Rookie Series and Pro Series. Whatever the lingo, the difference is important.
Beginner grade skateboards are going to be cheaper which is a good thing for beginners. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a skateboard if your kid becomes uninterested in the sport after a month or so.
The beginner boards are a good choice for a 7-year-old casual rider because the wheels are soft. The soft wheels make the board perfect for sidewalks and streets.
Finding a board that is under $30 is probably the best choice for your 7-year-old while they try to pick up the skill. If they really get into skating then you can buy a more expensive board that has the capabilities to do well in a high-stress environment (stress on the board) without trouble.
The Pro-grade boards are where you look if your child intends to do tricks in the skate park. The Pro boards have hard wheels that make speed its top priority.
The board itself is also much more durable because the Pro boards are made for high-intensity tricks. You don’t want a board snapping in half after successfully executing a rad trick.
Your 7-year-old is most likely not going to be at that level any time soon, so it’s better to start them off at the beginner level so that they can learn and get used to being on a skateboard.
Your 7-year-old will most likely be cruising down the sidewalk to their friend’s house the majority of the time. You don’t have to be worried about getting them the high-grade Pro boards for fear they will break it.
The danger comes when they get to the “skating down the rail of a staircase” level. This is also where the parents’ nerves grow more intense (breath deep, they bounce back quick).
All in all, the different grades exist because the materials used in each are different. A beginner board has its soft wheels and a Pro board has more durability in the middle to withstand high pressure.
Look of The Board
Half the fun of a skateboard is choosing the colors, stickers, and designs they like. You can show your child pictures online or take them into the store to pick their own.
Skateboards are very versatile and you can find anything from your child’s favorite cartoon character to a simple black colored board. Your child will appreciate this level of influence in their skateboard choice.
It may even make them more dedicated and careful with their skateboard since it was something that they were able to pick out on their own.
The decals do not affect the ability for the board to perform as it should. Some decals may make the board more slippery depending on its quality, but it isn’t a big enough concern to dwell on.
Using the Board
The most important part of any purchase is the usability of it. The great thing about skateboards is that your child can learn on any one of them.
If your child has a full sized skateboard it may be harder to learn on, but they will grow into it and be successful if the sport continues in their life. Most children will just be riding their skateboard around the driveway and down the street, so the choice of the board does not have to be too serious.
The importance of picking the right board comes when your child wants to compete with the other kids in the skate park or learn new tricks. The more advanced skateboards allow for more speed and can withstand more abuse.
Your 7-year-old will have a good time on any skateboard especially since they’re most likely going to be rolling around near home most of the time.
Safety
Something that goes without saying is that we want our children to be safe no matter what they’re riding. Skateboarding is definitely a sport with a lot of spills and scrapes. Anything with wheels, really, comes with a few hazards.
The great thing about skateboards is that they have built-in non-slip materials. You don’t have to worry about your child’s foot slipping off the back on its own because they boards are rough and grab your shoes for a secure hold.
A way to keep out the more superficial injuries is to invest in some knee and elbow pads along with a (super cool) helmet. Your child will most likely reject these safety offerings but 7-year-olds are usually easy to persuade. Once they get into their teen years, good luck with the elbow pads.
Related Questions
Are skateboards safe for 7-year-olds? It is suggested that children under 5-years-old not ride skateboards. Children who are 7-years-old should have careful supervision when riding a skateboard. Safety comes from preparation, and the more precautions you take, the safer your child will be. Knee and elbow pads, a helmet, and athletic gloves are recommended for 7-year-old riders.
What age should a child start skateboarding? The American Academy of Pediatrics has publicly stated that children who are 5 years old and younger should not be on a skateboard. The recommended age to safely start skating is 6 years old. No matter your age, it is never too late to begin learning to skate!
