This kid. I asked her to scooter around the sidewalk area while I walked the dog and instead, she takes off down the grass hill. This shot was taken before she did it. I can almost see her wondering if I’d approve.
I was fine with it because the space is used for dogs, bootcamp and then some, but also because she’s become quite an expert at maneuvering her Micro Maxi scooter on bumpy sidewalks, along beach boardwalks and around other far-flung places because we often keep it in the car.
I’m here to tell you that a kick scooter makes a perfect holiday gift for kids ages 18 months and older. It’s fun, plus riding a scooter hones gross and fine motor skills that are useful for learning, sports, and other life skills.
The Benefits of Kick Scooters for Kids
Think about what it takes for you to ride a kick scooter. Then, consider the following.
Balance and Direction
Scooters are powered first by a kick but directed using balance. Scooters can help improve coordination with use at any age, but particularly when kids are young and learning how to balance using their weight.
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Developing gross and fine motor skills enables kids to become more independent while opening doors to exploration, creativity, and learning. Parents Magazine surveyed a number of experts for an article regarding why motor skills are so important for kids to cultivate early.
Scooter help develop both sets of motor skills kids need in everyday life. Scooters must be transported to a place of play (often by the kids), perhaps assembled (if traveling with your kick scooter), maneuvered properly, and can even be used as a centerpiece for imaginary play… or barreling down a grass hill.
Pre-Reading Skills
The above benefits are also essential pre-reading skills for very young kids. Our books are printed from left to right so experts believe its important for new readers to be familiar with the concept of direction at an early age. Motor skills are essential for a number of other reasons. Kids not only need to hold the books and flip pages, but a good pencil grip later enables them to write words down in order to remember them better. They’ll hone motor skills to brush teeth, type and a number of other things throughout their lives.
Confidence
It usually doesn’t take long for kids to master riding a kick scooter. When they do, the confidence knowing they can handle it can potentially make them eager to tackle other skills.
Safety
A helmet is required by California law for non-motorized scooters, skateboards, and bikes for anyone who is under the age of 18. Through riding scooters, kids can understand a bit more about the importance of protecting their bodies and consequences of not doing so.
Fun
Seriously, kids love the freedom and ease that riding a scooter provides. The bottom line is that kick scooters are fun and also let them ride when walking might be a burden.
Micro Kickboard Kick Scooters for Kids and Adults
The question now is, “Which scooter do I buy?” Am I right? Fortunately, Micro Kickboard has you covered from age 18 months all the way through adulthood.
Mini2Go
The Mini2Go (pictured above on the left) is an awesome choice for ages 18 months – 3 years because it starts off as a ride-on scooter and then converts to a stand-up scooter with a T-bar. It also has a removable toy drawer and non-marking wheels that won’t destroy floors should the kids learn to ride indoors first.
Micro Mini
The Micro Mini is the highest-rated scooter for 3-5-year-olds. Kids will learn to steer and the non-marking wheels won’t destroy floors should they learn to ride indoors. The scooter’s three wheels and low deck provide stability. It is also reasonably priced at $79.99.
Micro Maxi
My daughter uses her Micro Maxi constantly. She rides it when we walk the dog together as we do at Kate SessionsParkk in San Diego (pictured above). We take it to our local beach boardwalks and sometimes leave it in the car because I never know where we’ll wind up. It is best for kids ages 5 – 12 and the highest rated for this age group. Kids can carve up the sidewalk like a skateboard with the scooter’s curving and carving action that is controlled by body weight.
Micro White or Micro Black
The Micro White and Micro Black scooters are the same adult scooter in different colors. I have a Micro White that is incredibly convenient as I can ride alongside my daughter when transporting her from our house to neighbor’s and then some. It’s ergonomically-designed with a higher T-bar so that adults can maintain a comfortable stance. The oversized wheels can handle bumps in the sidewalk well and provide a smooth ride. I love it. I wasn’t sure why I’d “need” a scooter but I can tell you that I use it much more than I thought!
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Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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