Sure, you want your kid to have lots of fun outdoors, and that’s where things like scooters come in. But a scooter with just two wheels requires your child to have excellent balance; for toddlers and smaller kids, they may not be there just yet.
The solution is to invest in a 3-wheeled scooter which has much more stability than a 2-wheeled one. 3 wheeled scooters are ideal for toddlers and younger kids who are just starting out as by their nature, they are easier to stand on.
We’ve been checking out and testing some of the best kid’s 3-wheel scooters on the market. We have handpicked our tip few favorites to review in detail for you here today.
Our reviews are unbiased and contain both pros and cons for those in the market for their first 3-wheeled scooter.
We’ve also added a product guide at the end for you to highlight all the important features to consider when buying your kid’s first 3-wheeled scooter.
Let’s start with what makes 3-wheel scooters such a great choice for young riders.
What Makes 3-Wheel Scooters Such A Great Choice For Younger Kids?
Younger kids such as toddlers and infants are yet to reach the same level of balancing ability that comes more easily and naturally to slightly older kids. For this reason, you would be well advised to seek out a very well-balanced scooter as your kid’s first scooter, from approximately 3 years of age.
With optimum balance in mind, it’s always best to look out for scooters with as many wheels as possible. 3-wheel scooters are great in this regard, because while they may only have one wheel at the back, having two wheels at the front, one on each side, means that your toddler is much less likely to lose their balance and topple over on the scooter.
As they grow in confidence and skills, they can upgrade to a 2-wheeler, but a 3-wheeled scooter should last your child for many years.
Some 3-wheel scooters even come with seats so your tot can transition from pulling themselves along with two legs, similar to a baby trike, to taking off with just one leg.
Best 3-Wheeled Scooters for Kids
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Jetson Jupiter Mini Kids 3-Wheel Light-Up Kick Scooter
[amazon fields=”B08B48VMCY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
Just look at all the flashing lights on this beauty! No wonder this is one of the best kick scooters for young kids.
Not only do the two front wheels light up as you move, but so does the back wheel and the scooter frame! In fact, there are over a whopping 100 LED lights on this kids kick scooter.
No wonder it’s such a prominent bestseller with the leading online retailers!
As well as looking super cool, it has excellent safety features, too. For example, it features a rear foot brake, so if the scooter starts to go a little too fast, or they need to stop, all they have to do is put their pressure over the break on the rear wheel.
What’s more, the base is very wide, and they’ll have no problem getting their whole foot on every time for a smooth ride.
This scooter is designed for kids aged 3-years old and upwards. As your child grows, the scooter “grows” with them. The height of the handlebar can be adjusted to meet your child’s new height (ranging from 22.5” to 29.5”), which gives this scooter quite a lengthy lifespan.
The Jetson Jupiter Mini Kids is an excellent quality scooter product and is very durable. It’s available in three different colors, black, red, or blue. It weighs a mere 7 pounds but can take a body weight of up to 132 pounds. What’s more, it folds away when not in use for easy storage.
Testing out the scooter: Little Jack absolutely loved this scooter – he just couldn’t get over all the lights and be bragging about how super cool he was on his brand-new scooter.
Pros
- Over 100 flashing LED lights
- It has a rear braking system
- It has a wide, supportive base
- Adjustable handlebar height
- Lightweight design and foldable feature makes it easy to carry this scooter when not in use
Cons
- It’s such a popular item that even the big retailers occasionally run out of stock
[amazon box=”B08B48VMCY” title=”Jetson Jupiter Mini Kids 3-Wheel Scooter” description=”A fun 3-wheeler to get your kids on the move with ease. The sturdy 5 inch wheels and rear braking system make this an ideal beginners scooter for a confident toddler or preschooler at a reasonable price point” template=”horizontal”]
If your child is simply in love with the flashing light scooter, the good news is Jetson Electric Bikes cater for growing kids too. They offer several 2-wheel scooter designs that also carry their signature LED scooter lighting.
6KU 3-Wheel Scooter for Kids Ages 3-5
[amazon fields=”B07T9RQG9X” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
A classic three-wheel kick scooter that grows with your child and continuously receives top customer ratings.
Amazon, for example, has earned an average customer rating of a full 5 stars out of 5, even after well over 5,000 individual customer ratings. Pretty neat, hey?
There are six great color options, including black, blue, pink, purple, red, and yellow. What’s more, the wheels feature flashing lights that light up as the scooter moves.
It has some great features, such as a sturdy stainless steel brake pedal on the rear wheel to stop the scooter whenever necessary. Both the deck plate and the handlebar feature a non-slip coating, so you don’t need to worry about slipping feet or hands, and your child will remain in full control of the scooter at all times.
It’s suitable for kids aged 3 to 5, and the handlebar can be adjusted to different heights, effectively “growing” with your child (from 23″ to 30″).
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular scooter – simply click on “Buy on Amazon” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
Testing out the scooter: Little Jessica loved going really fast on the scooter, the lights get brighter as you push faster! She also loved that it was pink which is her favorite color. Perfect for your little daredevils!
Pros
- Phenomenal customer ratings for a high-quality kids scooter with a sleek design
- Light up flashing lights on wheels
- Sturdy stainless steel brake pedal, more durable than plastic
- It has adjustable height handlebars from 23″ to 30″ so the scooter can grow with your child
Cons
- Despite the non-slip coating on the extra-wide deck, some purchasers have reported that the deck can get slick when wet. Take care to wear sturdy footwear if scooting in the rain
[amazon box=”B07TBR5S6B” title=”6KU Scooter for Kids Ages 3-5 with Flash Wheels” description=”A wonderful sturdy and durable 3-wheeled scooter this is one of the best scooters for 3 to 5-year-olds. Offering an adjustable handle bar so the scooter can grow with them, and even flashing wheels your child will get a smooth and stable riding experience.” template=”horizontal”]
Skidee Y200 Kick Scooter for Kids Ages 2-8
[amazon fields=”B08J6GPBRZ” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” ]
This kids 3 wheel scooter is a prominent bestselling toddlers scooter with the leading online retailers. On Amazon alone there were well over 13,000 customer ratings when this article was written. Better yet, the average Amazon customer rating still comes in at an impressive 4 and a half stars out of 5.
The star feature of this scooter is that it has a removable seat. This is perfect for toddlers and infants who don’t feel ready to balance on their feet just yet and would prefer to try riding in a seated position at first.
This is also great for wary parents who don’t want to worry about their child losing their balance before they are ready. Super-versatile.
The other obvious great feature that appeals to young children is the LED flashing wheels; they light up as the wheels spin – a favorite feature amongst most young riders.
It also has an adjustable handlebar, which means that the scooter effectively “grows” with your kid, giving you many years’ worth of lifespan from it.
And while it is predominantly aimed at kids aged between 2 and 5, it can accommodate weights of up to a whopping 110 pounds, which means that your kid could get even more use out of it.
And speaking of lifespan, this scooter is designed to be durable, made from quality components such as a sturdy yet lightweight aluminium frame, heavy-duty polyurethane wheels, and ABEC7 wheel bearings.
This scooter can also be folded away when not in use, making it very easy to stow away when the weather is not conducive to playing outside.
What’s more, it also comes backed by both a satisfaction guarantee and a limited manufacturer 1-year warranty. And there are 15 great color options to choose from.
There’s even a version available that plays music (though do note, that this Y100 version is substantially more expensive).
Testing out the scooter: The removable seat was pretty easy for an adult to put on or take off. And having the seat available really helped little Jessica feel confident on the scooter, using it with the seat at first, and later without the seat as soon as she felt ready.
Pros
- A prominent bestseller with excellent ratings
- Handlebar with adjustable height for many years of use
- 15 funky color options all with light-up wheels
- Removable seat for kids who struggle with their balance
- Made from quality components and truly built to last
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
- Requires some assembly, especially with the removable seat
- The seat is very low down, making it suitable for smaller children only
[amazon box=”B08J6GPBRZ” title=”SKIDEE Kick Scooter” template=”horizontal” description=”This classic 3-wheeled scooter is ideal for your 3 to 5-year-olds, although with adjustable settings can last your child until they’re at least 8 years old. The optional seat is great for young riders and a fabulous color range to suit your tots preferences and personality.”]
Buying Guide for 3-Wheel Kids Scooters
Here are the main points to consider when shopping for a kid’s 3-wheel scooter.
Safety Features
As always, safety comes first and foremost. You’ve already won half the battle by going for a 3-wheel rather than a 2-wheel scooter. But for ultimate safety, there are other things to consider, too.
Brakes
Not all kick scooters have a braking system as such, and many will require that the child simply puts one of their feet on the ground to stop, but that can be a little tricky if they’re going downhill. Check that the 3-wheel scooter you’re purchasing has a back break.
Safety Gear
Because kids’ 3-wheel scooters are generally considered fairly safe anyway, many parents deem it unnecessary to invest in a helmet too.
However, as a concerned parent, you should rightly insist that your child wears a safety helmet while learning to scoot. Kids’ safety helmets designed for biking or skateboarding are also appropriate for scooting.
In addition to a helmet, you may also wish to invest in knee pads, and possibly elbow pads and wrist guards if your child is prone to falling and still very new to the skill of scooting.
Wide Base
The wider the base of the scooter, the more chance of your child getting their whole foot on, and the less chance they have of twisting their ankle getting on and off. What’s more, this will also help them to balance on the scooter, because it features two front wheels on either side of the base for better stability.
Aesthetic
We all know how picky kids can be. So unless the scooter is going to be a surprise, it’s worth asking them what color they would like. Most kids like features such as eye-catching light-up wheels.
If you do decide to invest in a light-up scooter, you need to remember that the batteries in the lights will not last forever, especially if the scooter gets used a lot.
So to that end, it’s worth looking into what batteries the lights take, so that you can replace them if you wish to. (Or if your kid nags you to change them!)
Build Quality and Durability
Kids’ 3 wheel scooters tend to see a lot of use, which means that in order to get a good lifespan from them, they need to be able to withstand this use and a lot of general wear and tear. To that end, you should look for a scooter made with durable components.
We would recommend an aluminum frame, because it’s not only very sturdy, but also very lightweight.
Foldability
If you have limited space in your home, then there’s a lot to be said for a scooter that folds down, because it can save you quite a lot of space for easier storage. Most 3-wheeled scooters, however, do not come with that folding mechanism.
Lifespan
In order to get the best possible lifespan of a scooter, it’s best to invest in one with height adjustable handlebars. That way, your child can continue to use it for years from the original date of purchase. Don’t forget, kids grow super quick!
Value for Money
Kids 3-wheel scooters can really vary in price, with some costing as little as $25 and at the other end of the spectrum they can cost as much as $75.
We don’t include prices on our reviews because they could easily change as offers come and go, but you can check the current prices as you go along, which we strongly recommend. That way you can see what features your money buys you and make an informed decision about what your budget should be.
Jump back over here for all our scooter buying guides and advice
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