The Australian outdoors has an inviting feel in it, and the simplest but one of the most fun way to enjoy it is riding a scooter. Scooters allow you to relish the refreshing Australian air and ambience while you zoom your way through the sidewalks, parks, and even in your own backyard. The good news is, even little kids as young as 4 years can enjoy this great and fun outdoor activity.

Most children will come to learn how to scoot intuitively, some gradually while some faster than others. Yet, just like learning how to ride a bike, little kids may experience a couple of falls before perfecting their balance. Support and guidance from grownups such as parents or older siblings will certainly help in making a child’s first scooter ride a safe and worthwhile experience.

For all the parents who are excited to see their kids have fun with their first scooters, Mr Toys brings you some helpful tips on how to make their first scooter adventure as safe as possible without compromising the fun play experience every child deserves.

1. Consider Age and Timing

How fast the body develops and matures varies from child to child. It is important to take note of the timing and age of your little one to determine when to start their scooter training. Is your child strong enough to use their legs and arms to balance, steer, and hit the brake? Generally, the recommended age range for a child to learn how to ride a scooter is 4 years or above. By that time, child experts assume that kids are capable of balancing and determining distances, and are resilient enough to take on falls.

2. Make Sure the Scooter’s Size Matches Your Child’s

Although there are big children (or maybe even teens and grownups) who are yet to learn scooting, most beginner kids' scooters are designed for 4-year olds. It would be frustrating to see a small child trying to learn how to scoot using an oversized scooter. That’s a sure ingredient to discourage your trainee!

This is why it’s important to choose a scooter that best matches your child’s age, height, and body-build. Aside from the obvious visuals, the details on the box and precautions on the manual will give you such information.

3. Find an Encouraging Place

When choosing the best place to train your child how to ride their first scooter, let’s list where NOT to ride.

Avoid:

• Streets with cars
• Active bicycle lanes
• Gardens
• Rocky grounds
• Fields with soft soil

Instead, look for places with a smooth, firm, flat surface and less obstacles so your child can concentrate on coordinating their balance and movement.

4. Gear Your Child Up

To protect them from bumps and falls, make sure your child is properly geared for their first scooting adventure! Here’s a checklist of what to wear before they head off with their scooter:

• Scooting helmet
• Elbow and knee pads
• Gloves and wrist guards

Have a look at our range of kids’ helmets and safety gear!

5. First Thing to Do! Teach How to Brake

Aside from helping them find the right balance, another thing your child should know first before they set foot on their scooter is where to find the brake. Most scooter brakes are located above the back wheel. Before letting your child push the scooter off the ground, make sure they can hit the brake safely.

Knowing when and how to brake will give your child more confidence in riding their scooter on their own.

6. Provide Reasonable Obstacles

It’s important to note what to avoid when training your child how to ride their first scooter (see #3). However, as your child learns to ride gradually, you may have to set-up reasonable obstacles. This will train them to control their stirring properly while maintaining their balance. You may use teddies or other soft toys as made-up obstacles.

7. Motivate Your Child by Trusting Them

The best way to dispel your child’s fear is to show that you trust them! Talk about how fun scooting is and tell them about what things to look forward to. While saying your encouragements, you should also set limitations and rules to avoid or lessen the likelihood of mishaps. In case your child does fall, appease and assure them that you’re always there to watch and guide.

Check out this video from Ipswich City Council TV for more detailed tips…

Being there to teach your little one how to ride a scooter is an experience you and your child will cherish for a lifetime. Take pictures or videos, and set them up as mementos for you to look at every now and then. The lessons learned such as rising from a fall will greatly impact your child’s outlook on how to deal with life as they grow up.

Don't forget to browse through our assortment of high-quality kids' scooters and adult scooters!

The Micro Scooter – A Scooter for Smaller Children

Most kids who are into outdoors and off-the-road activities love scooters. The thing is, many of the scooters available in the market are geared towards bigger kids and teenagers. Wouldn’t it be great if there is a type of scooter made to be used by younger and smaller children? This is why we have the Micro Scooter!

Where Can You Find a Good Range of Micro Scooters?

Here at Mr Toys, you can shop for a wide range of different Micro Scooters. These scooter models are unique because they are specifically designed for younger children, kids with smaller bodies, and for those who have never used a scooter before. Just like bikes that are equipped with training wheels, Micro Scooters provide kids with a safe and easy-to-use mechanism.

Choose the Right Micro Scooter for Your Child

Before you buy a Micro Scooter for your child, you may need to consider the various options available. At Mr Toys, our selection of Micro Scooters includes both the “mini Micro” and “maxi Micro” models. They are equipped with 3 wheels, instead of the usual 2; they have 2 wheels at the front and 1 wheel on the rear – for extra balance and stability. That's one reason why a 3-wheel scooter is great for little beginners!

Both the maxi and mini Micro Scooter lines are available in multiple colours. They include purple, lime green, pink, blue, and dark green. With these different colour options, there is definitely a Micro Scooter that matches your child’s aesthetic preferences.

In addition to the three wheeled mini and maxi Micro Scooters, we also stock several two wheeled scooter models. Scooters like the Micro Speed Scooter, Micro Rocket Scooter, Micro Bullet, and The Sprite have 2 wheels – suitable for older and bigger children.

Do Children Need to Wear Helmet When Riding Kids' Scooters?

Aside from Micro Scooters, we also have the accessories that go with them. While the Micro Scooter brand manufactures their scooters with safety in mind, it is still important that your child practices some precautions when riding a scooter. Wearing helmet and pads can provide protection if ever they fall or get off balance.

At Mr Toys, we stock an array of safety helmets in various sizes and designs — ranging from simple solid colour designs to helmets themed after certain characters or branded properties. From Frozen to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, from Dora the Explorer to Toy Story, there is a scooter helmet in our catalogue that suits your child’s preferences.

Shop for Micro Scooters and safety helmets now!

The Mini Micro Deluxe 3-Wheel Scooter

Buying a new scooter for your little one? Why not try the Mini Micro Deluxe 3-Wheel Scooter?

The multi-award-winning Mini Micro Deluxe scooter is built with an intuitive "lean to steer" system to help develop the balance and coordination skills of your preschooler, which is also a great way for them to train while they play. This 3-wheel scooter features an adjustable T-bar, a raised silicon deck for stability, and an anodised finish that looks fantastic and protects the metal from rust.

The Mini Micro Deluxe’s intuitive "lean and steer" scooting style can be easily adapted by younger children and will greatly improve your child’s coordination and balance skills, which are essential for the development of early motor skills. This 3-wheel scooter has a lightweight design and perfectly suited for preschoolers, as it enables them to manoeuvre along pavements, steps, and doorways even with little help from parents.

Its brake is ingeniously designed so even the slightest pressure put on it will bring the 3-wheel scooter to a gentle halt. The Mini Micro Deluxe’s wheels and sturdy deck provide stability, giving your child the confidence they need to master riding their scooter.

Both you and your child will enjoy the new found freedom, fun, and adventure that the Mini Micro Deluxe brings. Check our online selection here!