The Ultimate Guide To BEST SCOOTER FOR 3 YEAR OLD

From the moment babies start crawling, shuffling, and walking, it can be challenging to keep them still. They love nothing more than zipping off, usually in directions you’d rather they didn’t. It makes sense, then, that scooters are extremely popular, particularly for toddlers.

Scooters provide your toddlers with an exhilarating way of getting around, while still being simple enough to use that just about any child who can walk can use them. They can come in three-wheel variants for a little extra help-not to mention peace of mind for the parents-and are very portable, making them ideal for family trips.

Knowing which scooter to buy can be a little tricky, however. Your average parent is hardly an expert in toddler transportation methods, and you certainly don’t want to buy an unsatisfactory product for your little one. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a scooter guru. We’ve put together our top picks, complete with a review for each, and even a detailed buyers guide. Whether you’re looking for a safe scooter for your toddler or the absolute best scooter for 3 year old kids, there’s something here for you.

So, without further preamble, let’s get into our top five scooter picks!

Lascoota 2-in-1 Kick Scooter with Removable Seat

Lascoota’s 2-in-1 Kick Scooter is a three-wheeled scooter that is available in a range of different colors. Both of these attributes make it ideal for toddlers, as you can find a style that suits your child, and the extra wheel provides excellent stability. The 2-in-1 even comes with a helmet to protect your little one’s head should they fall!

Of course, you may be wondering where the 2-in-1 part comes in. This scooter also features a removable seat that can turn it into the perfect starter scooter for first-timers. Once your child starts growing in confidence, you can remove the seat to convert the 2-in-1 into a traditional scooter. The handlebars are adjustable to three different height settings. That means you won’t have to worry about your child outgrowing their new ride within months of you buying it.

Steering on this scooter is handled by leaning, rather than turning the handlebars. This system can help your child improve their balance, as well as making it a little safer for new riders, as the amount of turn is restricted. Braking is achieved by pressing down on the back section of the scooter over the wheel. It is not ideal for braking at high speed, but this scooter is not intended to be used that way in the first place.

The build quality of the 2-in-1 is excellent. Scooters designed for young children have a tendency to be made from cheap materials and not be very durable, but this scooter feels sturdy and should be able to withstand the rigours of use by young children.

Perhaps one of the more exciting aspects from your toddler’s point of view is the wheels, which light up in a variety of colors for that added wow-factor.

Features

• Removable seat
• 3-wheeled scooter
• Lean-to-steer
• Light up wheels
• Adjustable height handlebars

Pros

• Lean steering system helps improve balance
• Adjustable design means the scooter will last longer before being grown out of
• Wheels light up
• Available in a range of colors
• Comes with safety helmet

Cons

• Lean-steering is considerably less maneuverable
• Braking is only suitable for relatively slow speeds

Micro Kickboard’s Mini Deluxe

Designed for children between two and three years old, the Mini Deluxe is a high-quality scooter that will serve your child well. It features an adjustable-height handlebar, meaning you will get more life out of the scooter as it can be set to a taller height as your child grows. It is also a very lightweight scooter, so your child should have no problem handling it, whether riding, pushing, or carrying it.

The Mini Deluxe makes use of lean-steering, which helps improve your child’s balance and coordination. This kind of steering has a much-reduced range of motion compared to traditional steering. This also means it is safer, as your child won’t be able to accidentally turn too far and lock up the front wheel. The handlebars themselves are soft and grippy, so you shouldn’t need to worry about your child losing their grasp.

A particularly useful feature from the parent’s perspective is that the handlebars are easily removable, making the scooter much easier to store when your child isn’t using it.

The front wheels of the Mini Deluxe are large for scooters in this age-range, and that gives the scooter a little extra stability. They are also very well constructed and spin smoothly. The smaller rear wheel is where the braking happens. By pressing their foot down on the back section of the scooter, they will be able to smoothly come to a stop. As with other scooters using this method of braking, it is not intended for braking at relatively high-speed.

Features

• 3-wheeled scooter
• Adjustable height handlebar
• Lightweight
• Lean-to-steer

Pros

• All parts are replaceable
• Handlebars can be easily adjusted for height or removed entirely for storage
• Lightweight
• High build quality

Cons

• More expensive than other scooters in this age range

Razor Jr. Folding Kiddie Kick Scooter

The Razor Jr. Folding Kiddie Kick Scooter is another three-wheeled offering; however, it is aimed at slightly older children than the previous two scooters we have mentioned. Like the others, it is a three-wheeled scooter; however, this one has the extra wheel at the back in a typical tricycle layout. Steering is handled by turning the handlebars, rather than leaning, which makes for considerably more maneuverability over the lean-to-steer variants, but is also a little more difficult to handle safely. If your child is new to using a scooter, it may be worth trying a lean-to-steer scooter before moving on to this kind.

The handlebars are a good height for an average 3-5-year-old; however, they are not adjustable, so be sure to take some measurements before buying. The handlebars do fold down, however. This makes storing the scooter between uses considerably easier, as it takes up substantially less space with the handlebars folded.

The scooter is available in blue or pink variants and sports a robust construction that feels well put together and durable. The wheels are clear, making for an interesting look, while the metal frame and plastic base compliment each other nicely. The smooth plastic of that base features a non-slip spot where your child’s feet will go, so you shouldn’t have to worry about them sliding off and injuring themselves.

This scooter is a little on the heavier side compared to others on this list. That being said, a little extra weight is in keeping with the fact that it is aimed at slightly older children.

Features

• 3-wheeled scooter
• Traditional steering
• Foldable handlebar stem

Pros

• Foldable handlebars for easier storage
• Sturdy, durable design
• Anti-slip spot on the deck

Cons

• Handlebar height not adjustable
• Difficult to steer for inexperienced children

Radio Flyer’s My 1st Scooter

Radio Flyer’s My 1st Scooter is not just a catchy name, this scooter really is designed with children who have never ridden a scooter in mind. It features a three-wheeled design, with the extra wheel at the front for more stability when turning. Unlike many scooters with the wheels at the front, My 1st Scooter features fully working steering. This means better maneuverability, while the restricted turning angle should prevent your child from inadvertently turning too sharply and locking the wheels up.

Another feature that makes this scooter ideal for beginners is the wide foot deck, which adds both stability and more room for your child to plant their feet while they get used to the way the scooter works. The foot deck also features a textured surface to provide additional grip.

My 1st Scooter sports a distinctive style that is reminiscent of 1950s American cars, and comes in a choice of red or pink color schemes. The design is mostly plastic from the outside, as all the metal of the frames bar the handlebar stem is covered in plastic trim. Despite this, the build quality of the scooter feels exceptionally high. It does not feel like the plastic trim pieces might break or snap easily.

The handlebar height is not adjustable, so your child will likely grow out of this scooter relatively quickly. However, while this scooter is excellent for beginners, your child will probably want something more grown-up eventually anyway.

Features

• 3-wheeled scooter
• Traditional steering
• Extra-wide foot deck

Pros

• Lightweight
• Very good build quality
• Wide deck makes it more suitable for beginners

Cons

• Handlebar height not adjustable

Micro Kickboard’s Mini Original

Micro Kickboard’s second entry on this list is a lean-to-steer model with two front wheels and one back wheel. This means your child will get all of the additional stability you expect from two front wheels, though the scooter is less maneuverable. This added stability makes it a good scooter for beginners, as well as an excellent way to develop balance. Not to mention the restricted steering will lighten any fears about your child crashing into a wall.

The construction of the Mini Original is solid and does not feel like it will break apart easily. At the same time, the scooter is light and easy to carry. Unfortunately, it is not collapsible and cannot be quickly taken apart, so think about where you will be storing the scooter before purchasing.

The scooter can be slowed by applying pressure to the rear over-wheel section, as is usually the case for this design of the scooter.

Appearance-wise, the Mini Original mixes a metal handlebar stem with the colored plastic of your choice. The wheels are made from a stylish clear plastic. Unfortunately, the height of the handlebars is not adjustable, so this scooter will have a more limited window of use before your child grows out of it. The age range which the scooter is designed for is 2-5 years old, though it might be worth checking the dimensions against your child’s height if they are a little short or tall for their age.

Features

• 3-wheeled scooter
• Lean-to-steer
• Lightweight
• Available in multiple colors
• No assembly required

Pros

• Choice of colors
• High build-quality and robust design
• Lightweight

Cons

• Height is not adjustable

Buyer’s Guide: best scooter for 3 year old

Understandably, one of the primary concerns parents have when buying things for their children is safety. This is particularly the case when talking about something like a scooter, that your child will be riding on. While any scooter bought from a reputable source will have met rigorous safety standards-certainly the scooters we listed above-those safety standards apply to the construction of the scooter, not the use of it. What that means is you can be confident that the wheels won’t fall off from regular use, but it is down to you to ensure your child uses the scooter safely.

If your child is very young

or they have never ridden a scooter before, consider getting them one of the three-wheeled scooters with the additional wheel at the front. Having two wheels at the front provides additional stability when turning, and makes it less likely that the scooter will lock up or tip over when moving forward at speed. If your child is older or more experienced, however, turnable steering may be a better option, as it allows them more freedom while letting them further develop their balance. As a parent, you should always make sure your child understands how to stop the scooter, and that you are onhand to help if they need it.

Another concern parents often have is the speed at which their children grow. Specifically, as it pertains to buying things designed for a specific size of the child. Unfortunately, there is not really any way around this-children growing out of things you buy them is a natural part of being a parent. You can mitigate the expense by thinking about how long your child will be using the scooter for, however. For example,

if you are buying a four-year-old a scooter,

it would be appropriate to look at scooters designed for toddlers. However, they will most likely need to move up to a scooter designed for older children quite soon, so there is no sense in spending extra money for a scooter with adjustable height handlebars. Similarly, if your child is at the younger end of the toddler age range-two years old, perhaps-then it could be worth getting a scooter with an adjustable height handlebar. This will allow you to get more use out of the scooter before your child fully outgrows it.

When it comes to the style and appearance of a scooter, try not to overthink it. Your child may have strong preferences, in which case you will know what to look for, but some children, particularly the very young, do not always care.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s natural to have questions, and as parents, you will want to find the answers to those questions more than most. For your convenience, we’ve collected together some of the most commonly asked questions regarding young children and scooters.

Should my child wear a helmet when using a scooter?

Unquestionably yes. In any self-propelled vehicle, including bicycles and skateboards, the head is the most high-risk part of your body. With young children, in particular, the skull is more vulnerable. Of course, as your children get older and more confident, they will start speeding up on their scooter, making the potential damage from a fall more severe.

Is it worth spending a lot of money on a toddler’s scooter?

The answer to this question is very dependent on the scooter in question, as well as how it will be used. If you are buying a first scooter for your young child who has never ridden a scooter before, it may be worth spending a little less as there is a good chance you will be upgrading the scooter or abandoning it altogether, depending on how your child takes to it. If your child is older or experienced with their scooter, it may be worth spending a little extra to get a scooter with quality parts that will last.

Do children need teaching how to ride a scooter?

Whether or not your child will need any help will depend on the child. The good thing about scooters is that even if they do need help, they won’t need much of it. Unlike bikes, the balance needed to ride a scooter is similar to the balance needed to stand. If your child can walk, they should be able to pick up using a scooter relatively quickly.

When is my child too old for a scooter?

The answer to this question depends on what exactly you mean. If you are asking when they should stop riding the kinds of scooters mentioned in this list, around five years old is the answer. If you mean riding scooters in general, there is no upper age limit. Indeed, scooters are starting to see widespread use in some cities by adults. They are a great, affordable way to get around. You have to worry about your child outgrowing the scooter they have, but not outgrowing scooters in general.

Are scooters safe?

As mentioned above, any scooter bought from a reputable source, and made by a reputable brand, will have passed numerous safety check and met a number of regulations regarding safety. In short, the scooter itself should be safe. Where the answer gets less certain is in how the scooter is used. If your child speeds down the road with no safety equipment on and loses control, it is decidedly not safe. Make sure your child is protected and teach them how to use their scooter safely.

Can adults ride scooters?

Scooters, yes. The scooters mentioned in this article, no. The weight limit for some scooters designed for toddlers is as little as 50lbs, and we’re willing to bet there aren’t many parents who weight less than 50lbs. In all likelihood, an attempt by an adult to ride a child’s scooter will result in that scooter breaking, and nobody wants to have to explain to their child that they’ve just broken their scooter.

Two wheels or three wheels?

There is no single answer to this question. If your child is younger or inexperienced, three wheels undoubtedly offer more stability and require less expertise on the part of the rider. However, they are also harder to steer, particularly when the extra wheel is at the front. If your child is experienced and likes to nimbly zip about on their scooter, two wheels are definitely the way to go. As with many things in life, the best choice will depend on your circumstances.

Conclusion

Buying a scooter for your child is one of those things that can change their life. It’s not quite the same as getting your first car, but it does grant that sense of freedom on a smaller scale. And when your child is old enough to leave the garden without parental supervision, having a scooter to do it on really does feel like that time you get your first car.

As with all things in life, a little research will take you a long way. Look into the reviews of any scooter you are considering for your child. Check what they say about build quality, about how the scooter handles, about how well it brakes. It is unlikely that a toddler on a scooter will be reaching anything approaching dangerous speeds, but you don’t want to risk putting your child on a scooter that has a questionable braking ability, or instances of collapsible handlebars collapsing during use.

Remember, when buying a scooter for a very young child, they will inevitably grow out of it, and probably sooner than you’d like. It doesn’t mean you should only buy the absolute cheapest model you can find, but always be aware that you will have to find a new home for that scooter in a few years. If your child has younger siblings, consider handing it down once the child you bought it for has outgrown it.

And, remember, scooters are supposed to be fun. We understand how frustrating it can be to buy your child something only for them to not be interested, but children like what they like. Don’t force it.