Buying your child their first-ever scooter can be a great experience for them and an excellent start on their riding journey. But you are no doubt asking yourself, is my tot ready for a scooter?
Luckily for the smallest kids who are on the move but still may not have the balance and coordination needed for a kick scooter, there is an “in-between” model of scooter. Children from as young as 12 months can try a seated scooter that will allow them to push themselves with leg power, and sometimes even pushed along, whilst they are still learning about wheeled toys and coordination.
If you’ve started searching for the ideal beginner scooter for a toddler, you’re undoubtedly already overwhelmed with choices. This comprehensive guide to seated toddler scooters will help make your decision much easier.
With our recommendations on the leading brands of scooters with seats and buying tips, your little one will soon be whizzing off independently on their very first set of wheels.
- You may also want to look at plasma cars if you’re selecting a fun seated choice for younger children
The 7 Best Toddler Scooters With A Seat
Let’s kick off this guide by showing you our choices of the best toddler scooters with a seat. These scooters have all been tried and tested and are highly recommended by their previous customers.
We’ll also include their pros and cons for you to see at a glance!
1. A seated scooter that will last: LaScoota 2 In 1 Kick Scooter
Overall, this has to be one of the best scooters on the market today for a beginner. It comes built with a very intelligent but simple design, and the seat is removable (by a simple screw) – allowing you to help your child transition from the seat to standing.
It also has excellent longevity because it has four different handlebar height options through to 34″ meaning your child can enjoy this scooter for quite some time before they outgrow it (at least 8 years+).
Bizarrely, the weight limit of this scooter is very high at a whopping 110 pounds – so you can be sure that the materials are strong and sturdy.
Pros & Key Features:
- Adjustable height with four different settings to last many years
- Lots of colorful designs to choose from
- Strong construction
- Simple screw seat removal with no tools in 30 seconds
- Colorful no-battery light-up PU wheels
- The deck is wider for safety and has a good grip
Possible Cons:
- Lots of plastic used in its construction
2. Easiest to transition seated scooter: Skidee Kick Scooter With LED Wheels
This next scooter is one of the smoothest rides you can find on the market. It has an extra wide standing board and comes in a whole host of different designs.
Unlike the previous model, the seat is removable by simply flipping it out of the way, which is great for when your child is transitioning and may only occasionally need the seated position.
It has fantastic learn-to-steer technology included with it, allowing your child to fully develop their riding skills and move up in the world of scooting.
The super cool LED wheels that light up in motion make this scooter special. This gives your child extra incentive to ride but also extra safety when they’re out riding – and you’ll be pleased to know no batteries are required!
Pros & Key Features:
- Great longevity – up to 12 years old (110 lbs limit)
- Light-up LED wheels
- Seated or flip-up seat
- Learn to steer technology
- Can be folded when not in use
Possible Cons:
- The rear brake might be difficult to access for some kids
3. Best beginner scooter: Micro MMD015 Mini Scooter
- Ships from the UK internationally
One of our favorite beginner scooter designs, the Micro MMD015 Mini Scooter, is a 3 in 1 which allows children as young as 12 months to start in a seated position, then graduate to an “O” handlebar before moving to a T-bar grip with adjustable height.
You will get many years of use out of the Micro Mini as your toddler confidentially transitions through beginner scooter use. The seat also comes in two adjustable heights which most seated scooters fo not offer.
Pros & Key Features:
- 3 adjustable settings that will grow with your toddler
- Maximum weight 35kgs (77 lbs)
- Soft spongy seat with ergonomic design
Possible Cons:
- Requires manually changing between each setting; you can’t quickly switch between seated and standing
4. Best value seated scooter: The KicknRoll Kick Scooter
This model will be an ideal choice if you’re looking for ar ealtively inexpensive scooter for a younger infant. With its perfect balance of safety, strength, and maneuverability, you are in great hands here.
The wheels on this small seated scooter also light up, and the handlebars are adjustable to your child’s height.
While there are probably more advanced models on the market, this 2-in-1 scooter is for true beginners and can help to move your child from one area to another, both literally and figuratively with its ergonomically designed seat.
Pros & Key Features:
- Light up wheels
- Removable seat
- Great for younger kids 18 – 36 months seated (max load 20kg)
- Adjustable handlebar to 31.9″ will see most kids through until around 5-years-old
Possible Cons:
- There are others on the market better suited for older kids
- There’s no quick option for the rider to switch from seated to standing; seat is either on or off
5. Best hybrid seated scooter: Globber Go Up Foldable 3-Wheel Folding Scooter and Ride
- Ships from the UK internationally
This curious-looking scooter is a fun twist on the traditional seated scooter design. It allows your child to be pushed, ride it similar to a balance bike in a seated position and transition into a 3-wheeled scooter.
The patented steering lock button fixes the steering system of the two front wheels, allowing it to only move backwards and forwards.
Your toddler can start as young as 15 months using this scooter, and the low deck will enable them to easily transition into a standing position when they’re ready.
Pros & Key Features:
- Hybrid pushchair, bike, and scooter
- Removable seat and adjustable handlebar as they grow
- Foldable handlebar in the kick scooter setting
- Suits toddlers from 15 months+ up to 7 years old
- 3 color options – green, pink, and blue
Possible Cons:
- Some parents have reported that the push handle setting is quite low and may not suit taller parents
6. Best push cart to seated scooter: COOGHI Toddler Scooter, 3-in-1 Kids Scooter
Another option with a push handle, similar to the Globber, is the COOGHI Toddler Scooter. This advanced 3-in-1 product can easily transition from a push cart with a handle to a balance bike to kick scooter mode.
The lean-to-steer design will teach them the basics of scooter riding with a built-in mechanism to protect against dangerous sharp turns. The triangular structure of the product ensures stability.
Pros & Key Features:
- 3-in-1 cart, bike, and scooter
- Easy change between modes in seconds – no tools required
- Push and seated mode recommended for 1 to 3 years (up to 44 lbs)
- Can handle weights up to 110 lbs in scooter mode
- Battery-free light-up wheels in motion
- 24 month warranty
Possible Cons:
- High price point may turn some potential buyers away
- May not suit taller children in the seated model for long
- Only suitable to around 5 years of age
7. Best indoor seated scooter: Radio Flyer Scoot 2 Scooter
For a slightly different take on the traditional 3-wheeled scooter with a seat, we are throwing in one more option to consider, a 4 wheeled transition scooter.
The Radio Flyer converts from a seated position to a scooter position in just a few simple clicks. This is a fun and simple scooter model with a cute toy storage area in the seated postion.
Its not as robust as some of the other seated scooter models we have reviewed here but could make a good choice for indoor use for younger children.
Pros & Key Features:
- Suitable from 12 months to 48 months (maximum weight 44lbs)
- Seated and standing position
- 4 wheel design for stability
- Very lightweight and reasonably priced.
Possible Cons:
- The handle bar is a fixed height; Kids will outgrow this style of seated toy faster than a scooter with adjustable handlebar
- No rear foot brake
- More plastic feeling than the other models we’ve reviewe here, better for indoor use
Buyer’s Guide
Of course, you’ll probably be asking yourself key questions when looking at some toddler scooters with seats. We’ve got what you need to know below!
Determine Your Budget
The first thing you’ll be looking at is your budget. As this is likely going to be your infant’s first-ever scooter, you’ll undoubtedly be wondering what you should be spending.
The best advice here is to look at the average price. Try not to overspend on these scooters, especially if the scooter does not have longevity. However, on the same hand, you do not want to underspend either and get something overly plastic that will break.
This is primarily for safety reasons. Some models will use cheaper materials to try to bring down the cost of the scooter, but as a result – the materials might not be sturdy or strong enough.
Consider The Design
Another factor you’ll be looking at is the design of the scooter. Of course, there are the obvious points, such as what design your child would be happy with – but you’ll also be looking at the future.
Some of the scooters on the market will be specifically tailored for very young children, but you may want your child’s scooter to stand the test of time.
Children can grow up quickly, so you probably won’t be looking at especially childish designs.
Not only this, consider the age appropriateness of the scooter’s functionality. Some scooters can be easy to maneuver, including moving the seat up and down.
This can play a role in how easily your child will be able to transition between standing and seating.
On top of this, your child may wish to carry their scooter. So, you’ll be looking at how simple this is (if at all possible), including the weight of the scooter.
Two Or Three Wheels?
Yes, there will be scooters available with three wheels and some with two. You’ll be asking yourself which of these is going to be the right option. A three-wheeled scooter will be more stable.
Three-wheeled scooters are the best choice for toddlers just starting off in the world of scooters due to the additional balance. Once they have outgrown their first scooter in height, they may be ready and have the coordination skills to balance on a two-wheeled scooter.
As part of the previous point too, an extra wheel can also mean extra weight – not just through the wheel, but also a larger platform.
What Safety Extras Should I Be Purchasing?
Regardless of whether your child is going to use a two-wheel or three-wheel scooter, or even if they opt for a balance bike or tricylce instead – the safety extras will be very similar and a critical component of your buying journey.
Here’s what you should think about:
Helmet
A safety helmet will definitely be the first thing to look at. Helmets protect your children from impact to the ground and significantly reduce their risk of injury.
When buying a helmet, ensure you buy the right size, the right fit, and a helmet that is safety certified and strong for scooting.
Elbow Pads And Knee Pads
The second most important part of their safety will be elbow pads and knee pads. Kids will likely fall, and their knees and elbows are often the first areas that make an impact on the ground.
These pads can help protect them from bruises, cuts, and infection.
Although tumbles are less likely on a scooter than say a bike or a skateboard, your beginner may feel more confident with the extra padding, particularly out on the pavement.
Gloves
Riding gloves can help kids with their grip on the handlebars, but they can also help in case of a fall. Gloves can protect their hands from cuts, which can quickly become dirty and infected. They are not a necessity though with scooting.
Reflective Gear And A Bell
Finally, you may wish to purchase your child some reflective gear and a bell.
Whilst they won’t be on the road, it’s always a good idea to do this because it can help to teach them the usefulness and importance of these things when they get older.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll likely have some questions left that you need to answer – so we’ve covered these below.
How Do These Scooters Work?
These seated scooters are age-appropriate designs. Essentially, they work the same way as any manual scooter – but there is one key difference.
These are smaller scooters with a foldable seat attached. This seat can be useful for toddlers, especially if they are still not quite confident enough on their feet or need a rest during exercise.
Are Seated Scooters Good For Infants Learning To Ride?
They can be. As a sort of hybrid model of scooters, they can help infants move from a seated position to standing and scooting as you would when you get older.
It’s also key to recognize that some models have what is known as “learn to turn” technology. This is essentially how your infant will learn the ins and outs of moving and directing their scooter.
However, it’s important to note that some children may end up becoming a little too reliant on the seat. If this happens for too long, they may not want to transition into the standing position.
Do Infant Scooters Have Longevity?
It depends on the scooter. Many on the market have enough adjustability for a few years of riding. However, you may find it better to purchase a different scooter model for your child as they age, particularly as they move from 3-wheels to two.
A lot of this consideration will come down to your budget and your child in general.
As our kids have grown beyond these 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 models, they have prefered to move into 2-wheeled pro scooters and dirt scooters.
A good seated scooter should ideally last your child through toa round 5 to 8 years of age.
Aren’t Seated Scooters Just Balance Bikes?
It’s easy to see why some customers might ask this. However, it’s important to note that balance bikes, aside from being larger, have two wheels and are designed to try to develop a young child’s balance, ready for “real” bikes.
These seated scooters are primarily designed to transition an infant between the need for a seat and the classic manual kick scooter.
This is similar to balance bikes in so much as it attempts to develop a young child’s balance and basic skills.
If you’re considering between the two, it will be the same debate as asking “scooter or bike” with older children; they are not like-for-like so it’s highly likely you’ll end up buying both!
Does My Child Need Light-Up Wheels?
This is actually a question that more people ask than you might think.
While it might seem a little frivolous to have light-up wheels with no real purpose, they do play a big role in how your infant will enjoy their scooter.
This is because kids often enjoy things like light-up wheels, and they will find it a game that they are in control of by moving the scooter. This means they are much more likely to spend time on these scooters.
This is important because getting kids to spend more time on their scooters means they are more active and enjoying the outdoors. This gives them a great platform to follow this on and do it in their adult life.
Not only this, but they’re a great asset and addition to safety features. Being lit up means being more visible to other people around them – which is also a great lesson to learn for the future.
So, while they may seem a little thing, they could be essential!
The Pros And Cons Of Scooters With A Seat
Nothing is without its flaws, so let’s look at some of the top pros of these types of scooters with some of the downsides.
Pros:
- Can help develop the balance of the rider
- Can help transition the rider into “bigger” scooters
- Can help to teach the basics of safety such as helmets etc.
- Can help to teach the basics of moving these scooters, including turning
- A great source of exercise
- Gives the infant a sense of responsibility and care
Cons:
- Some kids might become reliant on the seat
- Not all models suit children with longer legs
- These scooters may not have a very long life
- The child may be better off with a balance bike
Final Thoughts on Seated Scooters
We understand how difficult it can be to purchase your child the right toddler scooter with a seat, but that’s why we’ve stepped in with our top advice and picks.
We hope this has helped you out in your decision and your buying journey. Good luck!
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