Choosing the right skateboard for a 9-year-old can be tricky. You want something safe, reliable, and fun, but with so many options available, it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve tested a variety of skateboards specifically with 9-year-olds in mind, and this guide will help you make the best choice. We’ll cover the ideal size, important features, what to avoid, and recommend several top skateboards that we’ve personally tested.
What’s the Ideal Skateboard Size for a 9-Year-Old?
For most 9-year-olds, a skateboard deck between 7.25″ and 7.5″ wide is a good starting point, especially if they are under 4’11” tall. This size helps them distribute their weight effectively and place their feet correctly, which makes it easier to balance and control the board. A smaller deck also usually means a shorter wheelbase, enhancing maneuverability and making turning simpler for beginners. While these are general guidelines, don’t hesitate to consider a 7.75″ board if you find a great quality one at a good price, as kids often adapt their stance to slightly different sizes.
Key Features of a Good Kids’ Skateboard
A quality skateboard for kids should prioritize safety and ease of use. Look for softer wheels and bushings, as they provide a smoother ride and make it easier to turn and maintain balance. Unfortunately, many skateboard brands cut corners and don’t consider the specific needs of younger riders. A good skateboard should also be durable, with sturdy trucks and wheels that can handle impacts and rough surfaces. Investing a bit more in quality will ensure your child has a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Red Flags: What to Avoid in a Kids’ Skateboard
Be wary of skateboards recommended by websites that lack real images or videos; they’re often promoting low-quality, unsafe products for a quick commission. Avoid generic brands found on major online retailers that offer skateboards in the $30 to $60 range. These are usually made with inferior materials and are not designed for safe or enjoyable riding. You’re better off buying a used skateboard from a reputable brand or considering options like the Tony Hawk signature series, which offers better value at a lower price point.
Top Skateboards for 9-Year-Olds: Our Picks
We evaluated these skateboards based on the quality of their decks, wheels, trucks, and bearings, as well as durability, beginner-friendliness, price, and style. The following are all great options, and we’ve excluded the poorly made boards.
1. SkateXS Skateboard
SkateXS unicorn girl skateboard kidsSkateXS specializes in high-quality skateboards designed specifically for kids. They offer boards tailored to different age groups, including 9-year-olds, and use carefully selected components. Their trucks are lightweight and durable, with softer bushings for easy turning, and their wheels are designed to roll smoothly over rough surfaces. These features help kids stay in control and reduce the likelihood of falls. The bamboo/maple deck is also more durable than the birch decks that many manufacturers use to cut costs.
SkateXS Kids Beginner SKateboard
SkateXS Kids Beginner SKateboard
SkateXS Kids Beginner SKateboard
Pros:
- Custom-designed for kids.
- Handles pebbles and cracks well.
- High-quality parts.
- Excellent customer support.
- Offers a safe and reliable ride.
Cons:
- More expensive than other options.
| Skate XS skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | High quality maple and bamboo |
| Wheels | Medium soft 90A wheels |
| Bearings | Quality beginner SkateXS bearings |
| Trucks | High grade lightweight SkateXS trucks |
| Style | Skate Park, street, cruising |
The SkateXS skateboard provides a smooth and responsive ride, helping young learners stay motivated and safe. Check SkateXS for availability.
SkateXS high quality skateboard kids
2. Meow Skateboards
Meow Kids SkateboardMeow Skateboards is a newer brand focused on quality, using a durable maple deck, soft wheels, and decent trucks. This makes it a great value choice for those who don’t want to spend as much as a SkateXS board. The small, soft wheels perform well on various surfaces, but do require a bit more effort to push and maintain speed.
Adjusting Meow skateboard wheel tightness
Pros:
- Good quality for the price.
- Supports women in skateboarding.
- Offers a stable and predictable ride.
- Excellent graphics.
Cons:
- Requires more effort to maintain speed.
- Bearings could be better.
| Meow Skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | Durable Canadian Maple, 7-ply |
| Wheels | Medium soft 90A wheels |
| Bearings | Low quality bearings |
| Trucks | Decent beginner trucks, easy turning |
| Style | Skate Park, street, cruising |
The Meow complete is a solid choice for beginners who want a balance of quality and affordability. Available on Amazon.
3. Blind Complete Reaper
Blind kids skateboardBlind offers a variety of skateboards with playful graphics that appeal to kids. The 7.75″ width of this board is great for taller or older 9 year olds. They use Tensor trucks, a reputable brand, which are lightweight and reliable. The 92A wheels are also soft enough to deal with rough terrain. The deck is made from birch which isn’t as durable as maple, but a high quality resin is used during construction, increasing its strength.
blind skateboard wheels and deck close up
Blind skateboard tensor trucks and wheels close up
Pros:
- Good quality for the price.
- Reputable trucks.
- Softer wheels.
- Single pressed deck for consistency.
Cons:
- Birch deck is less durable than maple.
| Blind Skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | Birch 7-ply |
| Wheels | Medium soft 90A wheels |
| Bearings | Low quality bearings |
| Trucks | Decent beginner trucks, easy turning |
| Style | Skate Park, street skating, tricks |
The Blind complete offers a good balance of quality and price, making it a great starter skateboard. Available on Amazon
4. Girl Complete Skateboard
Girl kids skateboardGirl skateboards are well known for quality. Their skateboards have a unique oval shape that offers more space for foot placement. The low trucks help lower the center of gravity for better stability. This board also comes with hard wheels which make it faster and more durable, but also a bit noisier.
Girl skateboard shape
Girl skateboard wheels and deck close up
Pros:
- Unique shape for better foot placement.
- Low trucks for improved balance.
- Durable maple deck.
- Good for skate parks and street skating.
Cons:
- Harder wheels can be noisy and uncomfortable on rough surfaces.
| Girl Skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | Durable Canadian Maple, 7-ply |
| Wheels | Hard 99A wheels, 52mm |
| Bearings | Medium quality bearings |
| Trucks | Medium quality beginner trucks |
| Style | Skate Park |
The Girl complete is a solid option for kids who prefer a more stable and responsive board. Availabe on Amazon (8.0″) or Buy on Tactics (7.0″ + 7.5″).
5. Enjoi Skateboard
Enjoi skateboard for 9 year oldEnjoi skateboards are known for their fun, kid-friendly graphics and well-performing components. This complete offers a stable ride, easy turning, and good speed. The 92A wheels are smooth and can handle small obstacles with ease, making it a good choice for kids of all skill levels. However, the deck is made from birch rather than maple, which is a slight downgrade.
Enjoi skateboard close up of wheels and deck
Enjoi skateboard trucks and wheels with panda decal
Pros:
- Fun graphics.
- Stable and smooth ride.
- Good combination of components.
Cons:
- Birch deck, rather than maple.
- Smaller wheels are not ideal for long rides.
| Enjoi Skateboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | Durable Canadian Maple, 7-ply |
| Wheels | Medium soft 92A wheels, 52mm |
| Bearings | Decent bearings |
| Trucks | Quality beginner trucks |
| Style | Skate Park, tricks, short comfy rides |
Enjoi skateboards are a great option for kids who want a reliable board with a touch of fun. Buy on Tactics (7.0″ to 7.5″)
6. Santa Cruz Street Cruzer
Santa Cruz cruzer kidsThe Santa Cruz Street Cruzer is not specifically designed as a kids’ skateboard, but it is suitable for 9-year-olds due to its shorter length and wheelbase, and wider deck. It excels at providing stability for casual riding and is not intended for tricks. The large, soft wheels make it perfect for riding over rough surfaces.
santa cruz cruzer wheels and trucks
Pros:
- Very stable for beginners.
- Large, soft wheels for smooth rides.
- Good for rough terrain.
Cons:
- Not suitable for tricks.
- Trucks are not the highest quality
| Santa Cruz Cruiser | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | Canadian maple |
| Wheels | Ultra soft 78A wheels, 60mm |
| Bearings | Decent bearings |
| Trucks | Low quality trucks |
| Style | Easy riding, comfortable cruising |
This board is perfect for kids who want to cruise around with confidence. Check Amazon for availability.
Essential Protective Gear
kids skateboard helmets triple 8
A helmet is a must-have for any young skateboarder. It is essential for safety and is required at most skate parks. If you’re on a budget, a less expensive helmet is better than no helmet at all.
Triple 8 kids protective set skateboardingKnee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards are also highly recommended, particularly for beginners, to help prevent bruises and abrasions. Buying an all-in-one pack is a good value option.
The Importance of Proper Footwear
Proper shoes are key when learning to skateboard. Choose flat-soled shoes like Vans, which will allow you to have a better feel and connection to the deck. Thick-soled running shoes provide very little feedback and make it difficult to control the board. Mid-top shoes offer additional ankle protection, which is also beneficial.
Vans kids skate shoes on a skateboard
Skateboard Adjustments for Beginners
New skateboards often require some tweaking to suit the rider’s weight and experience. The truck bushings might be too hard or too soft, affecting the skateboard’s turning ability. Adjust the trucks as needed; tightening them makes them less turny, while loosening them up increases turning. Sometimes the wheels might not spin properly due to friction from the axle nut, so you can loosen this slightly. Silicon lube can also help to improve the speed of the bearings.
adjusting skateboard trucks tightness
Why Trust Our Recommendations?
At LongBoards Guide, we pride ourselves on buying and testing the products we recommend. We are committed to providing unbiased, real-world reviews to help our readers make the best decisions. We don’t promote products we don’t believe in or deem unsafe. We want to ensure that every kid has the safest and most fun skateboarding experience possible.
low quality kids skateboards
Ruben Vee
Ruben veeI’m an experienced skateboarder with over 25 years of experience and a passion for testing and sharing my findings with the skateboarding community.
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