Summer is the perfect time for kids to get outdoors and stay active, and longboarding is an excellent way to do just that. It’s a fun, engaging activity that provides exercise and a great reason to leave the house. However, choosing the right longboard is crucial to ensure your child has a positive and enjoyable experience. A poorly chosen board can discourage them from riding altogether. This guide will help you select the best longboard for your child, focusing on smooth turning and overall ride quality.
12 Best Beginner Longboards for Kids Reviewed
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best beginner longboards for kids, catering to different sizes, preferences, and budgets.
Volador Maple Longboard – Best for Bigger Kids
Volador maple longboard
The Volador Maple Longboard is an excellent choice for heavier or taller kids. Its dimensions, 40 inches long and 9 inches wide, coupled with an 8-ply thickness, provide a sturdy and easy-to-handle ride. Volador specializes in affordable beginner longboards, making this an economical option. It features drop-mounted trucks and large 70mm wheels, ensuring smooth turns, stability, and easy rolling over various surfaces. While the components aren’t top-tier, it’s a solid choice for its price. However, the 40-inch length might be overwhelming for smaller children, though some may appreciate the extra space.
Landyachtz Dinghy 28″ – Best for Smaller Kids
LAndyachtz dinghy
The Landyachtz Dinghy, with its compact 28-inch length and 8-inch width, is perfect for smaller kids. Designed for easy carrying and storage, this skateboard excels in maneuverability. Its high-quality components, including Bear trucks and Hawgs wheels, provide smooth, controllable turns and fast acceleration, making it ideal for skating in tight spaces. The 7-ply maple deck ensures durability and a premium feel compared to plastic boards. This board is a favorite for its nimble nature, though it might feel less comfortable for those with larger feet.
Fireball Mini Cruiser – Affordable Dinghy Alternative
The Fireball Mini Cruiser is an excellent, often overlooked option, offering great components and a comfortable design at a lower price point than the Dinghy. This board stands out for its stability, smooth turning, and fast rolling. Despite having smaller 60mm wheels, it provides a smooth ride, and the Paris TKP trucks enhance turning and stability. The 29.5-inch length and 8.5-inch width strike a balance between maneuverability and comfort, making it slightly more comfortable than the Dinghy while maintaining similar portability.
Fireball mini cruiser
Comet Cruiser – Best Money Can Buy
Comet Cruiser Bottom View
The Comet Cruiser is a premium option, meticulously tuned for optimal performance right out of the box. Every component is carefully selected to complement each other, resulting in a ride that’s nimble, quick to turn, and yet remarkably stable. The low-riding deck enhances stability and makes pushing easier, which boosts confidence and facilitates the learning process. This is one of the best cruisers on the market, suitable for those seeking top-tier performance.
Loaded Coyote – High-Quality Dinghy Alternative
Loaded Coyote Longboard
The Loaded Coyote is a high-quality cruiser similar to the Dinghy and Fireball but optimized for smoother rides with softer 65mm, 77a wheels and angled risers. The risers enhance turning and prevent wheelbite, while the soft wheels ensure a comfortable experience on rough surfaces. Though it comes at a premium price, the Loaded Coyote provides excellent customer service and the assurance of quality components.
Landyachtz ATV – Best for Tricks
Landyachtz ATV Skateboard
If your child is interested in both cruising and tricks, the Landyachtz ATV is an excellent hybrid skateboard. Its 32-inch length and 8.6-inch width offer a comfortable ride, while the soft 78a, 60mm Chubby Hawgs wheels ensure a smooth experience. The classic popsicle shape with kicktails and a durable Canadian maple deck make it ideal for learning tricks.
Stoked Ride Shop BLANK Cruiser – Best Budget Option for Tricks
The Stoked Ride Shop BLANK Cruiser is the best budget option for those looking for both cruising and trick capabilities. This board sacrifices graphics for quality components like Paris TKP trucks, 60mm Fireball Tinder wheels, Fireball hardware, and Fireball Dragon bearings, all at an affordable price. The hard rock maple deck provides good pop, and the narrow width makes it suitable for kids with smaller feet.
Fireball x Arbor Rally Cruiser – Best Value for Money
Fireball x Arbor Rally Cruiser
The Fireball x Arbor Rally Cruiser offers exceptional value with premium components, including RKP Paris trucks, Fireball Tinder wheels, Dragon bearings, and the Arbor Rally deck. Its 30.5-inch length and 8.9-inch width, combined with a longer wheelbase, provide stability and smooth turning. Despite riding a bit tall, it is one of the best longboards on this list when considering value.
Sola Bamboo Longboard – Best All-Around Option
Sola bamboo longboard
The Sola Bamboo Longboard stands out with its stylish design and dropped deck, which enhances stability, making it ideal for beginners. With 70mm wheels and 7-inch trucks, it provides a smooth ride and controlled turning. The length and width are suitable for kids of all sizes, especially early teens, offering a great all-around option.
Landyachtz Drop Cat 33 – Easiest to Ride and Good for Heavy Kids
Landyachtz Drop Cat 33 Longboard
The Landyachtz Drop Cat 33 is an exceptional cruiser for kids, featuring a low-riding design due to its drop-through and rocker shape. This enhances stability and makes it easy to push and balance. Its 33-inch length and 9.6-inch width offer ample room, and high-quality components like Bear gen 6 trucks, Hawgs wheels, and Bear Spaceballs bearings ensure a smooth ride. Though it is a bit pricey, it’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking top-quality performance.
Whome 31in Longboard – The Budget Option
whome 31" longboard
The Whome 31in Longboard is a very affordable option, perfect for smaller kids and early teens. Its 8.25-inch width provides comfortable balance, and while the 63mm wheels might not be ideal for rough surfaces, it’s a decent budget-friendly choice for smooth pavement.
ReDo Skateboard – A Decent Budget Option
Redo Skateboard
The ReDo cruiser is a budget-friendly option, with a 34.5-inch length and an 8-inch width. It features a classic pintail shape, TKP trucks, and 65mm wheels. It offers a stable, smooth turning experience, though it might struggle on rough surfaces. Despite its limitations, the Redo pintail is a good pick for those on a budget.
Globe Blazer XL Cruiser – The Coolest Design
Globe Blazer XL Cruiser
The Globe Blazer XL Cruiser is a comfortable option at 36 inches long and 9.7 inches wide, suitable for older kids. It features TKP trucks, which are closer to the ground, making pushing and foot braking easier. While the smaller 62mm wheels might not roll as smoothly as larger ones on rough surfaces, the high-quality components ensure a good ride on smoother pavement.
Deleven Penny Style Board – Good for Little Kids
Deleven Penny style board
The Deleven board, at 22 inches long and 6 inches wide, is ideal for toddlers keen on learning to skate. Its small size, wheels, and stiffer bushings offer a forgiving ride for very small riders. The light-up wheels and included skate tool are added bonuses. However, it’s not suitable for bigger riders due to the hard bushings and smaller size.
How to Get Your Kids the Best Longboard
Make Sure It’s Right for Their Size
Choosing the right size is crucial for a comfortable and safe ride. Smaller children should opt for boards like the Penny or Landyachtz Dinghy, while bigger kids may be better suited to boards like the Sector 9 or Volador. The right size ensures the rider has enough weight and leverage for proper turning, while avoiding a board that is too twitchy.
Don’t Get Something Too Cheap
Investing in a quality longboard is essential for a positive riding experience. Cheap boards can lead to poor performance, discouragement, and even breakage. Prioritize a board with smooth turning, stability, and good underfoot feel.
Make Sure They Like It – Involve Them in the Buying Process
Involving your child in the selection process ensures they’ll be excited to ride their new board. Consider their preferences for color and design. Even the highest-quality board won’t be used if it doesn’t appeal to them.
Protection Is Necessary – Get Them Safety Gear
Safety gear is crucial for beginners. Mistakes are common, and the risk of injuries on asphalt is higher than on softer surfaces.
Triple 8 lil 8 helmet
At the minimum, a certified helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads should be used to prevent scrapes, bruises, sprains, and concussions.
What Protective Gear Should You Get Them?
Essential safety gear includes a certified helmet, like the Triple Eight LIL 8 Dual Certified Helmet, and padding such as the Triple 8 Saver Series Wristsavers/Kneesavers/Elbowsavers.
Which Longboard Do You Think Is Best for Your Kid?
Longboarding can be a rewarding and fun activity, offering not only physical exercise but also a way to relieve stress and stay active. Choosing the right board and ensuring safety will help your child make the most of this exciting activity.
