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Quick answer — best skateboard for kids: Get a complete skateboard in the right deck width for your child's age and shoe size. Under 5: 6.5"–7.0"; ages 6–8: 7.0"–7.25"; ages 8–10: 7.25"–7.5"; ages 10 and up: 7.5"–7.75". Brands like Enuff, Venom Skateboards, and Speed Demons make reliable kids completes at sensible prices. Always pair it with a helmet.
Everything else on this page explains how to pick the right specific board and what to avoid.
Deck width is the key decision — it should match your child's shoe size and hand span, not just their age. Two children the same age can have very different foot sizes, so use this as a starting guide rather than a rule.
| Age | UK shoe size | Deck width |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | UK 6–9 (kids) | 6.5"–7.0" |
| 5–7 years | UK 9–13 (kids) | 7.0"–7.25" |
| 7–9 years | UK 1–3 (juniors) | 7.0"–7.25" |
| 9–11 years | UK 2–4 (juniors) | 7.25"–7.5" |
| 11–13 years | UK 3–6 | 7.5"–7.75" |
| 13+ years | UK 5+ | 7.75"+ (adult sizing) |
When in doubt, size slightly smaller rather than larger — a narrower board is easier for small feet to control. Children grow quickly, so buying a size up "for next year" usually makes the board harder to learn on now.
The right board changes as children grow — both the physical size and the quality level.
Toddlers and under-5s: At this age, balance toys and beginner scooters are often more appropriate than skateboards. If you do want to introduce skating, look for a very small (6.5"–7.0") complete with soft wheels and stable trucks. Expect it to be more of a push toy than a performance board.
Ages 6–8: This is the most popular age to start skating properly. A 7.0"–7.25" complete from a reputable brand is the right call. Children at this age learn quickly — the quality of the board directly affects how fast they progress.
Ages 8–11: Move to 7.25"–7.5" as shoe size grows. At this stage a child who's been skating a year or two might be ready for a slightly better setup — branded trucks and wheels make a real difference to progression.
Ages 11–13: Moving toward adult sizing. A 7.5"–7.75" board is appropriate for most children in this range. By this point, a child who's serious about skating will benefit from proper branded hardware, not just a beginner complete.
Browse our full range of junior complete skateboards or complete skateboards for beginners.
Enuff is the most consistent entry-level brand for young skaters. Proper Canadian maple, functional trucks, and wheels that actually roll. Available in 7.0" and 7.25" widths. Graphics are updated regularly so there's usually something visually appealing for younger riders.
Venom Skateboards makes completes specifically designed for learning. Devon-based (like us), their boards are used in schools and skate clubs across the UK and are built to take the knocks that come with learning. Strong choice if you want a board that's been designed for beginners from the ground up rather than a scaled-down adult product.
Speed Demons is another solid entry-level option at a competitive price. Good for younger riders who go through boards quickly and need reliable but not expensive hardware.
Fracture produces honest, well-constructed completes without unnecessary add-ons. A bit more considered than Speed Demons — a good middle-ground between pure budget and mid-range.
Almost is worth considering for older children (10+) who've been skating for a year or two and are ready for a step up. Better construction than pure entry-level, stronger concave, improved components.
For kids specifically interested in branded team graphics, Powell Peralta and Blind Skateboards both make junior-sized boards with recognisable graphics that children tend to respond well to.
Browse kids skateboard bundle packs for complete setups including protective gear.
The same rule applies for children as for adults — cheap boards make learning harder, not easier.
Under £50: Mostly toy shop and supermarket boards. The trucks don't turn properly, the wheels are too hard for most UK surfaces, and the wood delaminates quickly. These boards are frustrating to learn on.
£50–£80: The starting point for a real skate brand complete. Boards in this range from Enuff, Speed Demons, or Fracture give a child a proper learning experience. This is where to start for most children.
£80–£120: Better components, more durable, and the board won't need replacing as quickly. Good for children who've already shown they enjoy skating and are committed to improving.
A common mistake is buying cheap to see if a child "gets into it" — but a cheap board is harder to ride and more likely to put them off. A proper £60–£80 board from a real brand is the better test.
Children fall differently to adults — less awareness of how to fall safely, less muscle strength to brace, and harder impacts relative to body size. Protective gear is essential, not optional.
Helmet — non-negotiable. A proper skate helmet (not a cycling helmet — they have different impact standards) covers the back of the head where skaters most commonly hit. Browse skateboard helmets for certified options in kids' sizes.
Wrist guards — the most common injury for young skaters is wrist fractures from putting hands out to break a fall. A good pair of wrist guards prevents this almost entirely.
Knee and elbow pads — important for children who are still learning to fall. As skill and confidence grow, most children stop wanting to wear them — but for the first year of learning they make a significant difference. Browse our protection pad sets for starter kits.
Toy shop and supermarket boards — anything from Argos, Sports Direct, Tesco, or Amazon with no recognisable skate brand name. These exist to look like skateboards at a price point where decent components are impossible. The wheels are too hard for smooth riding, the trucks don't turn, and the wood delaminates faster than most children get bored of their new toy.
Licensed character boards — Spider-Man, Minecraft, or other branded graphics on a cheap deck. The licensing is the product. The hardware is not suitable for learning on.
Anything under £30 on a marketplace. A real skate brand's cheapest board doesn't exist at this price. If it looks like a deal, it isn't.
Tony Hawk branded completes from mass-market retailers. The brand name is a licence; the hardware is mass-market toy quality.
If you're not sure whether a brand is legitimate, check whether we stock it. Everything at Skatewarehouse is selected by people who actually skate — including the junior ranges.
Most 7-year-olds suit a 7.0" deck. This corresponds to roughly UK junior size 1–2 shoe sizes. If your child is particularly small-footed, a 6.75" or 6.5" mini board is worth considering. If they're tall for their age with larger feet, 7.0"–7.25" works. The deck width should broadly match their shoe size — a board too wide is harder to control than one slightly too narrow.
For most 8-year-olds, 7.0"–7.25" is the right range. Check shoe size — UK junior size 2–3 typically suits 7.0"–7.25", UK size 3–4 suits 7.25". If your child is already on UK size 4–5, they're ready for a 7.5" board. Age is a rough guide; shoe size is the better indicator.
Most 10-year-olds suit 7.25"–7.5". Children who are tall or have larger feet may already be comfortable on a 7.5"–7.75" board. By 10–11, many children are approaching adult shoe sizes and can start looking at adult-sized completes — see our full beginner's guide to choosing a skateboard for adult sizing guidance.
Enuff, Venom Skateboards, Speed Demons, and Fracture are the most consistent kids-appropriate brands we stock. Enuff is the most popular first board for children aged 6–10. Venom Skateboards are specifically designed for learning and are used in UK skate schools. Almost and Fracture are good step-ups for children aged 10+ who've been skating for a while.
Yes — a skate-certified helmet is essential. Wrist guards are also strongly recommended as wrist fractures are the most common injury for young skaters who put their hands out to break a fall. Knee and elbow pads are helpful while learning the basics. Children tend to resist wearing pads as they improve — but for the first year, full protection makes a real difference.
Yes — always buy a complete for children. It comes pre-built with matched components suitable for the deck size. There's no benefit to speccing individual parts for a child until they're older and have strong preferences. A complete from a proper skate brand in the right width is all they need.
Junior skateboards (also called mini or micro boards) are typically 6.5"–7.25" wide and have smaller trucks and wheels to match. Full-size adult boards start at around 7.5" and up. Children with UK size 3–4 shoe sizes and above can often ride adult-sized boards comfortably. The deck width is more important than whether it's labelled "junior" or not.
