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5 Best Kids Scooters for Toddlers Through Tweens

We might even like these compact, zippy rides more than kids bikes!

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A child giving a thumbs up while riding a scooter surrounded by various types of scooters.
Courtesy of Tester

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We love that scooters help kids hone gross motor skills, develop balance, and strengthen muscles. And while we love kids’ bikes, scooters are more compact. Where I live, in Brooklyn, plenty of parents walk next to a scooter-riding kid to get to school each morning.

Our top picks:

Our choices are based on personal experience with kids scooters over the course of years, following the toy market for decades, and testing toys—scooters included—for our gift guides and award programs.

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Pros

  • Kids lean to steer
  • Three-wheel design is stable
  • Height-adjustable handle
  • Compact design

Cons

  • Doesn't fold

WHY I LIKE IT: Micro Kickboard’s scooters steer left and right when a child leans in the direction they want to go, making the brand easy for preschoolers to control.

TESTING NOTES: The three-wheel design keeps the scooter stable for young riders. A height-adjustable handlebar helps you keep up with growth spurts. It doesn’t fold, but it’s a small scooter to start with. I can’t go more than three blocks in my neighborhood without seeing a kid on one of these!

OTHERS FROM MICRO KICKBOARD: The Mini Rock and Go can start at age 1 as a rocking toy. For ages 5 to 12, the Micro Kickboard Maxi folds and has LED light-up wheels.

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Features At a Glance

Ages2 to 5
Weight limit110 lbs
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Pros

  • Affordable
  • Shock absorption
  • Lightweight aluminum frame
  • Folds for storage

Cons

  • Light weight and two-wheel design means it rattles

WHY I LIKE IT: For older, more experienced riders, this affordable scooter offers features like rotating handlebars and a shock-absorbing suspension system, which makes it easier for them to handle bumps or try tricks.

TESTING NOTES: Both of my kids used this model. It’s made of a lightweight aluminum and folds up, so it was easy to take with us and for them to store in a locker. Due to its material and two-wheel design, it rattles more than a plastic three-wheeler, but elementary school and middle school kids seem to be able to handle it. Plus, others on the sidewalk can hear this scooter coming!

OTHERS FROM RAZOR SCOOTERS: The A2 model has a slightly wider deck for the same price. The Razor Jr. Kiddie Kick Scooter is a foldable scooter for toddlers up to 44 pounds.

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Features At a Glance

Ages6 to 12
Weight limit143 lbs
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3
Best For Toddlers

Radio Flyer Scoot 2 Scooter

Scoot 2 Scooter

Pros

  • Ride-on and scooter mode
  • Toys stash under the ride-on seat
  • Four wheels make it extra sturdy

Cons

  • Some assembly required

WHY I LIKE IT: Get them started early with this Radio Flyer scooter that starts as a ride-on.

TESTING NOTES: Radio Flyer confirms that this is a popular crowd pleaser, and I’ve seen kids in my local park enjoying it in both modes. In ride-on mode, kids can stash toys under the seat. It’s got four wheels to be extra sturdy and prevent tipping.

There’s assembly required; you’ll need a screwdriver and a hammer. The Scoot 2 Scooter also comes in blue and pink.

ANOTHER FROM RADIO FLYER: The My First Scooter for ages 2 to 5 is a more traditional three-wheeler and includes a nonstick deck.

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Features At a Glance

Ages1 to 4
Weight limit44 lbs
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Pros

  • Tops out under 10 mph
  • Kids love the freedom of riding it
  • Can run for about 70 minutes

Cons

  • Needs to be charged up for use

WHY I LIKE IT: While electric scooters for adults make me nervous, this model for kids can’t go more than 9.9 mph and also can’t be ridden more than 8.7 miles away. It starts up at more like 3 mph so there’s no sudden acceleration. It won a previous Best Toy Award.

TESTING NOTES: “Our son is obsessed,” said a parent of a 10-year-old. “He is consistently charging and using the Segway pretty much every single day!” Said another: “My son loves being able to speed down paths on an electric scooter—the freedom, the acceleration, the breeze.” It can run for about 70 minutes before needing a charge.

ANOTHER FROM SEGWAY For ages 14 and up, the Segway Ninebot E2 Plus II can go faster (up to 15.5 mpg), further (16 miles in eco mode) and longer (about 7.5 hours). It has a weight capacity of 198 pounds.

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Features At a Glance

Ages6 to 10
Weight limit110 lbs
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5
Best for Older Kids

Razor A5 LUX Kick Scooter

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razor a5 lux kick scooter  blue  ffp ,386 inch
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Pros

  • Easily adjustable height
  • Folds up for easy storage
  • High weight limit

Cons

  • Not sized for kids under 8

WHY I LIKE IT: The height of this scooter for ages 8+ adjusts very easily, so it will stick with them through all of their growth spurts. When it folds up, the handlebars fold in for easier storage.

TESTING NOTES: The eight-inch wheels of this two-wheeled scooter make for a comfortable ride. I’ve seen it used on college campuses by young adults; the high weight limit of 220 pounds means it can work for grown-ups, too. There’s a kickstand to help it stay upright.

ANOTHER FROM RAZOR SCOOTERS: Razor has an A6 model that’s a bit more expensive

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Features At a Glance

Ages8+
Weight limit220 lbs
+ One Great Helmet

Woom Ready

Ready
+ One Great Helmet

Woom Ready

Just like with bikes, kids should wear a helmet while scootering. The Ready is the first helmet we’ve seen with a magnetic, non-pinch strap. One parent described it as “premium and more thoughtfully made than other helmets” they had used and said, “My kids seem to want to keep it on longer, since it’s more comfortable.” XS, S, and M; ages 1 to 14

RELATED: 20 Products That Help Babies and Kids Learn, Play, and Grow

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How I chose the best scooters for kids

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I’ve had personal experience watching kids, tweens, and teens with all of the scooters on this list. Some have also been tested as part of our continuous toy testing process in service to award programs like the Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards and the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. That means we sent them to consumer homes for their real-life feedback. As a final step, I read through online reviews to be sure the picks are strong ones.

What to look for in the best scooters for kids

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Consider:

✔️ Your child's size: Check the recommended age range, weight limit, and height specifications outlined by the manufacturer.

✔️ Adjustability: Are you looking for a scooter just for now, or one that will grow with your child over time? Many scooters for kids have a height adjustable handle, and some for toddlers start as a ride-on toy first. A scooter that lasts through several stages can be a better value over time.

✔️ Wheel type and wheel count: In general, large wheels allow for faster and more stable riding, while small wheels allow for more agility. Younger kids usually require a scooter with three or four wheels, while older and more experienced riders might be able to handle just two.

✔️ Stability factors: If you have a young child or a new rider, wider decks and wider handlebars can help with balance. A grooved deck helps a kid stay on.

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn has covered the kids' product market for 25 years, including the past four years for Good Housekeeping. Before that, she wrote and edited for Parents magazine. She's the mom of two young adults.

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