When it comes to sports, the common belief parents have is that it’s better to start kids young so that they have more time to perfect the skills they need to excel in their athletic skill of choice. That’s why you see so many toddlers in karate class, and so many youngsters in tee ball classes.
Of course, when it comes to skating, things tend to be a little different. It’s fairly well-known that children need to have time to gain the balance and leg strength they need to stand up in skates. That’s why you won’t ever see babies in roller skates. But, trying to figure out the best time to get your kids a pair of skates can be difficult.
Are you wondering if your kids are too young to skate, or if you should wait a little longer? You’re not alone. Here’s what experts have to say.
When Is The Earliest Age To Start Roller Skating?
Standing and moving on a pair of roller skates means that you will need to have more balance than what it takes for kids to simply stand up. Most children will need a little time to get their sense of balance to a level where standing on skates is doable.
Usually, a child will be able to handle standing up on roller skates around six months after they are able to walk and run. What this means for most parents is that you can get your child their first pair of skates by two and a half years of age.
What Can You Do To Make Skating Easier On Young Kids?
If your child is going to be on the younger side of things, it’s normal to get a little worried about them getting discouraged as a result of the learning curve skating has. Thankfully, there are ways to make skating fun for youngsters. These tips below can help.
- If they are struggling with standing up, use a Skate Mate to help them prop themselves up. Skate Mates are tools that help younger kids gain the balance they need in order to avoid falling on a regular basis. Most skating rinks have them.
- Encourage your kid to skate by the wall, or offer to hold their hand. If you can’t get your hands on a Skate Mate, then you still have other ways to help them gain the balance they need to succeed in skating. Just offering to hold their hand can make a huge difference in their agility.
- Make a point of signing kids up for classes. If you want to get kids enthusiastic, signing them up for classes will do the trick. Taking classes with kids their own age gives them the opportunity to make friends, learn at their own pace, and feel included.
- Offer up praise for their work. Kids live for their parents’ praise, and if they are just starting to get into a sport, praise can make or break their ability to enjoy it.
What’s The Absolute Youngest Age That Kids Can Skate?
Believe it or not, roller skate manufacturers make skates for children as young as two. However, most kids who are starting that young will need a lot of help to learn how to skate. Many children honestly won’t be able to start learning until they are three to four years of age.
How To Tell If Your Child Is Ready To Learn How To Skate
Figuring out whether your kid has the physical capabilities to learn how to skate is a smart move here. If you want to know whether or not your child will be reasonably able to skate, challenge them to try the following things:
- Balance on one foot
- Hop from one foot to the other
- Stand on one leg
- Run
- Walk backwards
If your child can do all these things, it’s safe to say that they will be able to pick up roller skating sooner rather than later. So, make a game of it. If they “win” the game, tell them that they’re old enough to try skating.
When Is The Best Age To Start Roller Skating?
There’s no “set in stone” age that people suggest for the start of a roller skating hobby. Most parents should consider getting kids started while they’re in elementary school, simply because that age range will allow them to get used to skates enough to get competitive with high school.
Unlike football, which has a professional track to it, roller skating is generally not considered to be a career move. So, it’s not like you’re going to have to worry about redshirting in this sense. Instead, focus on your kid’s enjoyment of the hobby.
What we’re saying is that the best time for your kid to start roller skating is when they are both interested in it and capable of standing up in skates. Since each child will have a different development rate, it’s up to parents to figure out when the best time is to get them started.
Can You Be Too Old To Learn How To Skate?
Roller skating is a lot like riding a bicycle. As long as you’re in reasonable health, you should be able to learn how to do it—at least, on a recreational level. Even if you’re 50 years old, there’s a pretty decent chance that you will be able to enjoy skating.
The benefit of roller skating hold up, long after your early childhood years. Skating can burn up to 650 calories per hour, can improve your muscle tone, and also helps you keep up your sense of balance. Moreover, roller skating is also linked to better cardiovascular health—a very important thing to keep up as you approach old age.
There are plenty of people who roller skate well into their 80s and 90s. When done lightly, it can be a gentle workout that’s easy on the joints. What we’re saying is that you shouldn’t back away from roller skating due to age alone. It’s fun for the whole family!
If Your Child Has A Disability, Can They Still Learn How To Roller Skate?
When you have a child who has an impairment, trying to figure out the right age to introduce them to roller skating can be difficult. Sometimes, roller skating might not be a good choice at all. If you’re unsure whether your child’s disability could disallow them from skating, do the following:
- First, check to see whether your child can do most of the standard moves of skating. Can they stand up? Can they shift their weight from one foot to another? What about walking backwards or marching? If they can do these things, you might be able to get them skating.
- Next, contact their doctor and ask them for advice. They may be able to give you better insight when it comes to your child’s unique needs, and will clear you to get your child a pair of skates. Going to a doctor also means that you can learn about any equipment or tools that could make skating better.
- Ask your child if they want to give it a try. A lot of children who have handicapped may not want to try a new sport, or may want to try it in their own way. If you aren’t sure whether your child will feel comfortable trying out skating, ask them.
- If your child is up for the challenge, make sure that they get the help they need before they start skating. Depending on what kind of disability your child has, they may need additional equipment or a special type of instruction. To make sure that your child will be safe (and successful) in their roller skating endeavors, you will need to get them those tools.
Our Final Take
Every single child is going to develop a little differently, and you have to take that into account if you want them to start roller skating. Since this sport does require a certain level of agility and balance to develop, you will have to wait until your child is at least two to four years of age before you can give them their first pair of skates.
Most children are able to start learning how to skate if once they’re able to run, walk backward, and shift their weight from one foot to another. That said, there’s no “ideal age” to start learning how to roller skate. One might actually argue that the best time for them to learn how to skate is when they first start gaining an interest in the sport.
When determining whether or not your child is ready to start skating, the best thing you can do is ask them how they feel. More often than not, kids will know when they want to give a sport a try and how they’d want to go about doing it. As long as you find a way to get them into it, it’s safe to say that it’s a win.
