Kids Skateboards: How to Choose the Right Size Complete (Plus Our Christmas Picks)

By Chris O'Shea and Anna Nikstad, Welcome Board Store, Mornington Peninsula

We've just had a big delivery of new completes land in the shop, from Globe kids and entry-level boards to a fresh run of Penny cruisers, and the question at the counter is always the same: "What size skateboard does my kid need?" Get the size and setup right and a first board is easy to turn, rolls smoothly and keeps them coming back. Get it wrong and it ends up in the garage.

This guide covers kids' skateboard sizes by age, height and shoe size, deck width, wheel hardness, safety gear, first-session tips, and the real completes we have in stock right now, plus a few ideas if it's going under the tree this Christmas.

Quick answer: For most kids, size the deck by shoe size and height, not just age. Little ones (around 3 to 5) suit a micro deck around 7" wide with soft wheels, like the Globe Kids Softie 83 Micro. Primary school kids usually suit 7.25" to 7.75", and teens with adult-size feet go 7.75" to 8.25", like the Globe G0 Pond 7.75". Choose soft wheels (around 83a) for footpaths and harder wheels (95a to 99a) for the skatepark, and always add a helmet and pads.

What is a complete skateboard?

A complete is a skateboard that comes fully assembled: deck, grip tape, trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware, ready to ride out of the box. For a first board, a complete is the way to go. The parts are matched to each other, the trucks are set up for the deck width, and you don't need tools or skate knowledge to get rolling. Browse all our skateboard completes or the kids completes.

What size skateboard does my child need?

Skateboard size mostly means deck width, measured in inches. A deck that's too wide is heavy and hard for small feet to control. One that's too narrow feels twitchy and leaves bigger feet hanging off the edges. Shoe size and height matter more than age, because kids grow at very different rates.

Kids skateboard size chart

This chart blends published retailer charts (evo and Surf Station), which don't all agree exactly, so treat it as a starting point. Australian shoe sizes usually run about one size smaller than US men's sizes, so check the tag or measure in the shop.

Our rules of thumb:

• Between sizes? For young beginners, go narrower; it's lighter and easier to control. For a growing teen who wants to learn tricks, go a touch wider.
• Board length follows width. Wider decks are longer too, which gives bigger kids a more stable platform.
• Shoe size wins. If their feet are big for their age, size up.

Deck width and shape: what changes?

• Micro and mini decks (about 6.5" to 7.25") are short with a short wheelbase, so they're light enough for little kids to carry and turn.
• Mid and full-size decks (about 7.5" and up) are the classic "popsicle" street and park shape, with a kicked nose and tail for ollies and tricks.
• Concave is how much the deck curves side to side. Mellow concave is comfortable and forgiving for beginners; steeper concave locks your feet in for flip tricks.
• Cruisers like the Penny are a different thing altogether: plastic or shaped decks with soft wheels, made for cruising rather than tricks. Great for getting around, not for learning ollies. See cruisers and longboards.

Skateboard wheel hardness for kids: soft or hard?

Wheel hardness is measured on the durometer "A" scale. The lower the number, the softer the wheel.

For little kids learning on the driveway or the footpath, soft wheels are much more forgiving, which is why the Globe kids completes below run 83a Softie wheels. Once they're skating the park and learning tricks, harder wheels (like the 99a wheels on the Globe G0 and Goodstock) make more sense. You can always swap wheels later; browse skateboard wheels.

Our kids skateboard picks (in stock now)

For little kids (about 3 to 6): Globe Kids Softie 83 Micro 7.125"

The Globe Kids Softie 83 Micro is a scaled-down, short-wheelbase complete with a soft top over a Resin-7 maple deck, which takes the sting out of falls. Soft 51mm 83a wheels roll smoothly on footpaths, and soft bushings in the 4.25" Tensor trucks make it easy for light riders to steer. The deck is 7.125" x 25".

For primary school kids: Globe Kids Grip 83 Mini 7.9"

The Globe Kids Grip 83 Mini is a proper kids complete with a short wheelbase, a 7.9" x 27.25" maple deck (wide enough for growing feet), 5.0" Tensor trucks with soft bushings and 51mm 83a Softie wheels that soak up rough footpaths. A great "real board, not a toy" for kids who are keen to progress.

For older kids and teens: Globe G0 and Goodstock 7.75"

Once your kid has bigger feet or wants to learn ollies, a full-size maple complete is the next step.

• Globe G0 Pond 7.75" (Pink/Honey) and Globe G0 Hive 7.75" (Blizzard): Globe's entry-level maple completes, with mellow concave, a steep kick for easy ollies, 5.0" Slant trucks and 52mm 99a wheels.
• Globe Goodstock 7.75" (Desert Dusk): Globe's evergreen complete with full concave, Tensor trucks and 53mm 99a wheels.
• Bigger feet? The G0 Pond 8.0" and Goodstock 8.0" (Heatwave) give a little more room.

More in street and park completes.

For cruising: Penny 22" and 27"

The Penny 22" is the original plastic cruiser, small and light enough for kids to carry everywhere, with soft wheels and 3" aluminium trucks. Try the Penny Blackout 22", Rise 22" or Stone Forest 22". For bigger feet, Penny makes the 27", like the Blackout 27". Pennies are for cruising smooth paths, not for learning tricks.

Most of these are one-off colourways in limited numbers, so if you see the one your kid will love, grab it or ask us to hold it.

Safety gear: helmet, pads and wrist guards

Falling is part of learning, so protect the parts that hit the ground. Kidsafe Victoria recommends a correctly fitted helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads for kids on skateboards, plus supervision and a safe place away from traffic.

• Helmet: a skate helmet sits lower at the back of the head than most bike helmets. Measure around your child's head just above the eyes and ears, and buy the size that fits now, not one to grow into. Kidsafe also advises against second-hand helmets and suggests looking for the Australian Standards sticker (AS 2063). The Pro-Tec Classic (Certified) lists AS/NZS 2063 among its certifications; for smaller heads there's the Pro-Tec Junior Classic Fit (47 to 56 cm with two liner sets and a magnetic buckle) and the low-profile Yepa T-Shell. See all skate helmets.
• Pads and wrist guards: the Globe Goodstock Kids Pad Set covers knees, elbows and wrists in one pack with easy-entry straps. Teens and adults can use the adult Goodstock pad set. More in safety gear.
• Shoes: flat-soled, enclosed shoes grip the board far better than runners with chunky soles. Browse skate shoes.

First skateboard tips for kids

1. Find their stance first. Have them stand on the board on grass or carpet. Left foot forward is "regular", right foot forward is "goofy". Whichever feels natural is right.
2. Start somewhere flat and smooth. A quiet driveway, basketball court or empty car park beats a busy footpath. Avoid hills and traffic.
3. Learn to push and stop. Front foot over the front bolts, push with the back foot, then bring it back on the board. Stopping by stepping off (or dragging the back foot) comes first.
4. Practise falling. Teach them to crouch low, and if they're going down, roll rather than catching themselves with straight arms. Pads and wrist guards help here.
5. Short sessions, lots of wins. Twenty minutes of fun beats an hour of frustration.
6. Skatepark etiquette. Go at quieter times, watch the flow, wait your turn, and don't sit on the ramps. Many parks have a beginner area.
7. Check the board regularly. Loose trucks, worn wheels or lifting grip tape are quick fixes. A skate tool makes adjustments easy, or bring it into the shop.

Giving a skateboard for Christmas

A skateboard is one of the best "get them outside" gifts there is. A few tips from the counter:

• Get the size right before you wrap it. Sneak a look at their shoe size and height, use the chart above, or bring in an old pair of shoes and we'll help.
• Bundle the safety gear. A board, helmet and pad set together means they can ride on Christmas morning, safely.
• Let them pick the graphic, if you can. Kids care about the artwork. Our completes are mostly one-offs, so it's worth getting in early.
• Order early. Check our shipping and returns page for delivery details, or come into the shop and take it home the same day.

For more ideas, see our gifts for kids.

Kids skateboard FAQ

What size skateboard should a 6 year old get?

Most 6 to 8 year olds suit a mini deck around 7" to 7.5" wide, depending on their shoe size and height. If their feet are on the bigger side, size up a little.

What size skateboard for a 10 year old?

Most 9 to 12 year olds ride a mid-size deck around 7.5" to 7.875". If they already wear a US 8 or bigger, a full-size 7.75" to 8" deck is usually a better fit.

Are soft or hard wheels better for kids?

Soft wheels (around 83a) are better for beginners riding footpaths and driveways because they grip, roll over cracks and feel smooth. Hard wheels (95a to 99a) are better on smooth skatepark concrete and for learning tricks.

What age can a child start skateboarding?

Many kids start around 3 to 5 on a micro board, with close supervision, a helmet and pads. Readiness depends more on balance and interest than age, so start on flat, smooth ground and keep sessions short.

Is a Penny board good for kids?

A Penny is great for cruising and getting around, and the 22" is small and light enough for kids to carry. It isn't designed for tricks, so if your kid wants to learn ollies or skate the park, a maple complete is a better choice.

What safety gear does a child need for skateboarding?

Kidsafe Victoria recommends a correctly fitted helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads, plus supervision and a safe place away from traffic. Enclosed, flat-soled shoes help too.

Should I buy a complete or build a custom skateboard for my kid?

For a first board, a complete. The parts are matched, it's ready to ride, and it's better value. Custom setups make sense later, once they know what width and wheels they like.

Ask us

Not sure what size to get? Ask us. Bring your grom into the shop on the Mornington Peninsula and we'll stand them on a few boards, or email support@welcomeboardstore.com.au with their age, height and shoe size and we'll point you to the right complete.