Outdoor fun for kids often comes with wheels! Both skateboarding and roller skating provide hours of entertainment and exercise, but they do cater to different interests in the end. Skateboards help you get places and do extreme or creative tricks. They’re commonly associated with more edgy street culture, too. Roller skates offer a smoother, comfortable experience for beginners. Also, it is a more family-friendly pastime.
In the end, the choice between skateboarding and roller skating comes down to what you want to do, where you want to go, the style of each, and your capabilities. When in doubt, try them both!
Which is better for beginners and easier to learn?
With a pair of Nattork roller skates for kids, even the youngest active child can start skating on any flat, smooth surface. They’re comfortable to wear just like a pair of boots, offer more stability when you choose quad wheels, which are the best roller skates for beginners, and are generally straightforward as they’re similar to walking at first.
If your child loves the idea of learning how to skateboard, however, you can still find a great one to start with. The best skateboard for beginners are relatively small, have stable wheels, and fun styles. Nattork skateboards in 22 and 31-inch sizes are the perfect option. Keep in mind that skateboards in general require more balance and a less familiar slide and push movement before you even get to doing tricks.
Skateboards or Roller Skates: Style and Goals
Does your family watch the X-games and talk about shredding and half-pipes or do you like to stroll down the board walk and watch the skate-dancers try out new moves? Different cultures or styles are associated with skateboards and roller skates, and it makes sense to consider them when choosing what to buy. Of course, this doesn’t have to come into play at all for young kids.
Skateboards mean tricks, fast-paced fun, and an edgier, freer feeling. Roller skates, unless you get into roller derby, are often focused more on nostalgia, family, and more graceful options like dancing. Of course, both are used in obstacle course type adventures, too. It might help to know what you kids’ friends are into before making the decision.
Which are safer? Roller skates or skateboards?
The best roller skates for beginners are designed for toddlers or preschoolers and thus do not roll as quickly as ones for older kids and teens. Since each foot has its own four wheels, the motion’s very close to walking at first. It’s slower, too. This makes them more stable than skateboards at the start.
If safety is your main concern, however, you can use both types of outdoor toys without too much worry as a beginner. Always wear appropriate safety gear including a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Choose flat, smooth, well-lit. and non-busy places to practice.
Before you invest in the best skateboard or roller skates for beginners, talk about what your child wants to get out of the experience. With affordable, high-quality options like those from Nattork, you can easily try both!