Home › Outdoor › Kids scooters › Are Scooters Safe for Kids? A Safety Guide

Are Scooters Safe for Kids? A Safety Guide

Reviewed by: Top 10 For Kids Editorial Team · Updated: September 10, 2026

Scooters are great fun and good for coordination - and with a few sensible precautions, they’re safe. Here’s how to keep scooter time injury-free.

Bottom line: scooters are safe for kids with a correctly-fitted helmet every ride, the right size scooter, safe traffic-free places, and taught braking. Pads and closed-toe shoes help beginners, and electric scooters need extra care with speed and age. This is general guidance, not a substitute for local safety advice.

Ready to choose?

We compared 10 kids scooters on stability, build quality, ride, safety and value - 3-wheel, 2-wheel and electric, for every age and budget.

See our 10 best kids scooters, compared →

Helmet, every ride

A correctly-fitted helmet is non-negotiable - on every ride, from the first. Most serious scooter injuries involve the head, and a helmet dramatically cuts that risk. Fit it level (about two fingers above the eyebrows), straps in a V under the ears, snug enough not to rock. Replace any helmet after a hard impact.

The most common injuries - and how to avoid them

Scooter injuries are usually falls, wrist/arm injuries and collisions, not catastrophic events. Prevent most of them with the right size scooter, safe places to ride, and teaching kids to slow down and stop properly.

  • Wrist guards, knee and elbow pads help beginners and faster riders.
  • Closed-toe shoes - never flip-flops or bare feet.

Choose safe places to ride

  • Smooth, flat, traffic-free spaces - paths, empty car parks, playgrounds.
  • Away from roads, driveways and slopes that build too much speed.
  • Watch for pedestrians; teach courtesy and control.

Right size, right speed

A scooter that’s the wrong size is harder to control - check the size by age and height. For electric scooters, start on the lowest speed and only allow the age the maker recommends. Faster isn’t safer.

Teach braking and supervision

  • Teach the rear-fender brake (step down gently) and slowing before turns.
  • Supervise young riders and keep them well away from traffic.
  • Check the scooter over: tight bars, working brake, wheels sound.

Ready to choose?

We compared 10 kids scooters on stability, build quality, ride, safety and value - 3-wheel, 2-wheel and electric, for every age and budget.

Compare the 10 best kids scooters →

Related reading