Skateboarding has quite a history in the United States. Its origins can be traced as far back as the 1800s, but in those days, the skateboard was more like a box with roller skate wheels and handlebars. Back in the 50s, skateboarding began to become popular in California, minus the handlebars and the boxes of course. In those days, riders fashioned their own skateboards. By the early 60s, sidewalk surfing, as it was called on the West Coast, road a wave that’s never quite dried up.
Skateboarding was introduced as a sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Larry Stevenson is considered the father of modern skateboarding. Stevenson started the Makaha skateboard company in order to market his sidewalk surfboard to the masses. Today, skateboards are still a thing with kids of all ages, teens, and adults. If your kiddo is itching to hop on a skateboard and you don’t want to spend too much on a kids skateboard, here are the easiest skateboards to ride for under $40.
Playshion Complete Mini Cruiser Skateboard
This 22-inch skateboard is a perfect pick for beginners. Its deck is six inches wide and is fashioned from sturdy fiberglass. Thanks to an anti-wheel bite design that allows for easy left and right turns, kids can learn to navigate the ins and outs of skateboarding. Playshion’s Mini Cruiser Skateboard is available in a range of fun colors and can hold up to 220 pounds.
Cruiser Skateboard for kids
If you’re not sure if your kiddo is going to develop a long-lasting love for skateboarding, this cruiser skateboard from Jaoul is a great find. It’s reasonably priced and it is a great fit for beginning riders in the 6 to 12 age range. Choose from an array of stylish colors kids will like. The deck length is 22 inches and is a smooth ride for kiddos new to skateboarding.
Mini Cruiser Retro Skateboard
For parents and caregivers hoping to pass down the joy of sidewalk surfing, the Mini Cruiser Retro Skateboard from Meketec makes a nice gift. The deck is 22 inches in length and six inches wide. The sturdy wheels and high-speed bearings make for a smooth ride. Meketec’s retro mini cruiser is great for beginners, but it’s also a board that can grow with your rider as they become a confident skateboarder. Its deck can hold up to 200 pounds.
Beleev Skateboard for beginners
For skateboarders looking to do more than cruise, this beginner skateboard from Beleev is ideal. Riders can cruise and learn how to do an Ollie or a Nollie. The deck length is 31-inches and the width is eight inches. This stylish board is crafted from seven layers of Canadian maple and comes in a fun menu of cool designs. It can hold up to 220 pounds and features anti-slip and high rebound wheels. The conclave design allows for easier braking.
Jecolos Pro Complete Skateboard for Beginners
Another great option for first-time skateboarders is the Pro Complete from Jecolos. Even adults new to skateboarding can learn how to cruise and do a few tricks on this seven-layer maple wood longboard. Since the deck can support up to 220 pounds, it’s a good fit for kids and adults. Assembly is not required, and the Pro Complete skateboard comes in a variety of trendy designs kids will love.
All of the skateboards featured here are available for under $40 and are ideal for beginning riders. The first three are best for cruising along on the sidewalk or bike paths while the last two are better suited for skateboard parks and learning how to do tricks. If you’re getting your kid a skateboard as a gift for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, be sure you don’t forget the safety gear.
A multisport helmet designed for more than just bicycles is a safer option for skateboarders than a basic bike helmet.
The Monata Skateboard and Bike Helmet works for kids and adults thanks to its adjustable design and features plenty of ventilation holes for long afternoons of skateboard riding.
Once the head is covered, remember kids will slam when riding a skateboard. Slam is skateboard lingo for fall. It happens, so be sure to have kids pad up to help avoid unnecessary trips to urgent care or the emergency room.
Bosoner’s complete kit features knee, elbow, and wrist pads for skateboarders. It’s available in small for riders 3 to 8 years of age and medium for skateboards in the 9 to 15 age range. The pads can also be used for rollerblading and roller skating.
Larry Stevenson left quite a legacy when he died in 2012. Skateboards have come a long way since those boxes and handlebars back in the 1800s, and sidewalk surfing isn’t just a thing on the West Coast. Kids and adults enjoy doing Ollies and cruising across the globe on their skateboards. The first Olympic gold medal in skateboarding wasn’t awarded to a rider from California either. Yuto Horigome from Japan earned the first gold medal in skateboarding. Introduce your kiddos to the joys of skateboarding with one of these cool kids’ skateboards, and before you know it, you will know what an Ollie actually is.
