Can I Take My 2 Year Old Roller Skating

Reviews of the Best Kids Roller Skates this Year

Are you a parent or grandparent and looking for a great pair of roller skates for your child or toddler? In today's post, I'm going to cover some of the best roller skates for kids, so you can get that kiddo of yours out skating with you and their friends and having a great time.

Along the way, I'll also give you some pointers to look for when picking out a great pair of quad roller skates. If you are looking for the best inlines skates for kids or the best rollerblades for kids, then be sure to check out one of my other posts by clicking either link above.

Confused about what type of skate to buy your toddler, kid, tween or teen? Read on for the details.

My Top Roller Skate for Kids by Age

In a Hurry? Here is my #1 Roller Skate for Each Age Group Below

We're all busy. With kids, jobs and the latest Netflix episodes to binge watch, who has time for reading? 🙂 These are my top pick for each roller skate broken down by age group. No fluff, no extra information. Just the best skate for your kid for their age.

If you'd like more information, be sure to continue reading the rest of the article.

Best Adjustable Roller Skate for Kids – Ages 1-8

Best Toddler Roller Skate – Ages 1-4 (Non-Adjustable)

Best Roller Skate for Kids – Ages 5-8 (Non-Adjustable)

Best Boys & Girls Roller Skates – Ages 9+

Picking Out Roller Skates for a Small Child

Roller Skating is a Family Affair

If you're like me, you love to roller skate! And, if you skate regularly, then your little one is sure to want to emulate dad, mom and the older kids in the family who also skate. Below I review the best roller skates for toddlers and kids and give you my recommendation so you can get your little one out on the floor with you.

Kids Skate Sizes – Should You Go with an Adjustable Roller Skate?

Finding good toddler roller skates is hard, especially for a child under 4. Most roller skates for kids start at a size 1 and many top of the line skates don't start until a size 4. For a child under 4, that pretty much rules out many of the top name skate brands like Vanilla, Riedell and Sure-Grip. These are some of the best roller skates for adults, but they just aren't made for the whee ones. So, your choices are more limited.

Almost all toddlers are going to need a skate in the juvenile shoe size (unless your kid has big feet like me). In roller skates, this is measured with a size number followed by the letter "j". Most toddlers will wear somewhere between a 6j-13j. Once you get to 13j, the next number up is a size 1 (normal child / adult sizes). Read all about how to properly size skates for your child here.

Because sizing is so difficult and feet grow so much at this early age, many parents go with an adjustable roller skate for their toddler or kid the first time. In these early years, a child's feet can grow as much as a half an inch every year or more! It is really crazy how quickly kids grow out of shoes and clothes.

So, unless you are okay with shelling out more money every time their foot grows, then a pair of adjustable roller skates may be just what you need to get your toddler started. The non-adjustable skates are better quality overall, but the adjustable skates will last you as the child grows – especially in the very early years.

I cover a lot more about roller skate sizes for kids and how to change the size size of adjustable roller skates in the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Best Adjustable Roller Skates for Kids & Toddlers

For Ages 1-8

If you have decided to go with an adjustable roller skate to start out, you have a number of choices. Below are my top picks.

9 Best Adjustable Skates for Kids Ages 1-8

Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Product Breakdown

1. Candi Girl Lucy Adjustable Girls Roller Skates

Candi Girl Lucy Adjustable Girls Roller Skates

Easily Adjustable: The EZ Twist Knob on the back of the skate adjusts up to 4 full childrens sizes (Small 12J to 2) or (Medium 3 to 6)
The Hightop boot provides great ankle support and comfortable padded lining
Roller Derby is a reputable roller skating brand and makes solid products
Fast and smooth rolling Silver-5 Speed Rated (carbon) bearings
Urethane 54mm X 32mm indoor or outdoor wheels for rink or pavement

The Candi Girl Lucy Adjustable Girls Roller Skates is my top pick for this category. The Candi Girl Lucy comes with a knob on the back of the skate that makes it super easy to adjust. These skates are made by Roller Derby, a reputable brand of roller skates in the industry.

I also like the high top boot. It's nicely padded and it has 3 eyelets (little hooks) at the top of the boot allowing you to lace your skates up tighter at the top. This eyelet feature is something you see on the very best figure skates. A tighter boot at the top (not on the toes or feet) is one key to helping a beginner feel more steady.

The wheels are made out of urethane which is what you want. Many of the adjustable toddler skates on the market today have plastic wheels (see Fisher Price and Playwheels below). While these plastic wheels may be fine for really small children just to get started, I would steer towards a urethane wheel whenever possible.

What I Like

Knob on the back makes the skate super easy to adjust the size.
High top boot is padded and comes with eyelets at the top to tighten laces more securely.
The skate is made by Roller Derby – which is a reputable skating manufacturer known for good quality.

What I Don't Like

Can run a little small for some kids. If your child is close to a size 2, look at going with the medium 3-6 size.

2. Pacer XT70 Adjustable Roller Skates

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

The Pacer XT70 Adjustable Roller Skates are a a good all-around adjustable roller skate for toddlers. The Pacer XT70 comes with a high top padded boot with a buckle at the top and middle to make the skate tighter.

I like the high top boot on these skates. The boot is well padded to give your child a comfortable fit. The two buckles on the skate make it easy for you to tighten the skate. I do prefer laces over buckles as I feel you can just get the skate more tight. However, many rollerblades operate in this same way and many people like them. The other upside is that with no laces, your child can put the skates on by themselves.

The wheels are made out of urethane which as I mentioned previously is good. You want to stay away from plastic wheels whenever possible on kids skates. Pacer is also a well-known company in the skate industry and is know for making good middle-of-the-road skates.

What I Like

High top boot and padding. You want a hightop boot when first learning as it gives you more support.
Buckles on the skates make it easier for your child to put on their own skates if they can't tie their own shoes.
Urethane wheels is better than the plastic wheels found on some cheaper toddler skates.

What I Don't Like

I prefer laces over buckles. These skates have buckles.

3. Glitter Pop Adjustable Roller Skates

Glitter Pop Adjustable Roller Skates

SIZE ADJUSTABLE ROLLER SKATES - Micro-adjustable skates across 4 shoe sizes to provide a custom individualized fit that will grow with your child.
BUILT FOR SPEED AND PERFORMANCE - Rink or street ready with ABEC 5 bearings, Polyurethane wheels with speed hubs, and alloy trucks. The high boot offers great ankle support and the comfort rolled padded collar allows the boot to flex comfortably under any conditions.
CLASSIC STYLE AND COMFORT - The POP Roller features a retro high-cut boot that offers a fresh take on a classic rink look. The skates are accessorized with premium signature laces with color coordinated accents, wheels with bright colorful hubs, and an embroidered POP feature on the boot and tongue.
GREAT BEGINNER SKATES - Affordable for beginners. A great way to introduce your kid to roller derby, street hockey, indoor rink or outdoor skating.

The Glitter Pop Adjustable Roller Skates are a perfect first time skate for young girls. Who doesn't love glitter after all? These skates primary plus are their wow factor. Kids love them because they stand out at the rink, plus they shine and spark under the rink lights. It comes in 3 bright colors (purple, teal and pink), as well as, the traditional white.

The skates comes in a small (sizes: 12J-2) and a medium (sizes: 3-6). The skate is sized using a clamp on the back of the skate. Turning the clamp shrinks or increases the size of the skate at the top of the boot.

The boot is well padded and has eyelets at the top to allow the skate to easily be laced tightly in the ankle area. Everything on this skate has glitter in it – the boots, the wheels and even the toe stops! The wheels are made out of urethane which is good. They also come with ABEC-5 bearings and alloy trucks.

What I Like

Glitter! Who doesn't like a little sparkle?
Urethane wheels & toe stops + ABEC-5 bearings. Decent skate parts for the low price.
Easily adjustable skate using the crank in the back.

What I Don't Like

Crazy Skates is a less known brand as they are based out of Australia and a little newer to the US. With that said, this is a good starter skate for the wee ones.

4. Kuxuan Saya Adjustable Roller Skates with Light-Up Wheels

Kuxuan Saya Adjustable Roller Skates with Light Up Wheels

Supports 4 Sizes - Small fits US little kids shoe size 10J-13J. Medium fits US big kids shoe size 13J-3.
Light-up Wheels! Make your child a real shining star with these light up wheels.
Poly-Urethane 54mm x 32mm wheels, Impact-resistant polymer plastic boot and ABEC-7 bearings
Extra Ankle Support - Skates comes with laces, a power strap and a ratchet buckle to ensure your skater has a nice snug fit.

The Kuxuan Saya Adjustable Roller Skates with Light-Up Wheels are an affordable first pair of skates for that little one that also wants light up wheels. Like the glitter skates above, these skates will grab people's attention with the laser show your child will produce skating around the rink.

These skates come in 2 adjustable sizes. The small fits sizes 10J-13J which is perfect for the littlest skaters. The medium covers sizes 13J-3. The wheels are made out of polyurethane and are 54mm x 32mm in size. These skates also come with ABEC-7 bearings.

You can tighten the boot using 3 different mechanisms: laces and 2 buckles. It's definitely one of my favorites about this skate. Being able to tighten the skates around a beginner skater's ankles helps them maintain balance. Overall, it's a great first skate for your little one.

What I Like

Light-up wheels! Kids love them and who doesn't like to show off?
Resizing the skates is done by pushing a button on the side of the skates.
A nice, affordable first pair of skates.

What I Don't Like

The skate laces only go up to the start of the ankle and not all of the way to the top of the boot. The power strap at the top accounts for this issue, but I'd love to also have the ability to lace the skate all of the way to the top.
Not a well-known skate brand.

5. Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates

Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates

Outgrow no more! Adjust up to 4 sizes at the push of a button. Medium adjusts from size 12J to 2
Perfect for young skaters! Comfort and support with no laces to tie
Real trucks for controlled turning and the best quad skating experience
Smooth ride indoors and outdoors! 54mm urethane wheels have the right grip and bounce for the rink or pavement
High quality components and time-tested performance from Americas skate company, Roller Derby

The Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skate for Boys and for girls are one of the most affordable roller skates on the market today. They come in 2 different sizes. The small size fits 12J-2 and the medium will fit sizes 3-6. The skates are adjusted using the Quick Fit button on the side of the skate.

This skate has a lot more plastic on it then the skates mentioned above, which is a bit of a downside for me. It also doesn't have laces, which is both a positive and a negative. It's a plus because little kids can easily put the skates on themselves. The downside is that you can't tighten the skates up more – something laces would provide.

The Trac Star comes with polyurethane wheels and a standard 608 bearing. You can also wash the boot cover, which is a nice plus. It's nothing fancy, but it will do for a very first pair of skates for under $40.

What I Like

A nice adjustable skate for under $40.
You can pull out the cloth boot from the plastic shell and wash it.
Roller Derby is a solid skating brand known for good skate parts.

What I Don't Like

Quite a bit of plastic on this skate which I'm not a fan of. Pieces of the skate can break if the child falls just right. It's cheaper material and won't hold up for the long term. But for a first time skater, you can't beat the price.

6. Chicago Adjustable Quad Roller Skates

Chicago Kids Adjustable Quad Roller Skates

ADJUSTABLE QUAD SKATES: The classic, popular, most recognizable skate on the market! The Chicago Adjustable Quad Skate adjust four full sized with the push of a button.
KEEP ROLLING: Designed for the beginner, the Chicago Adjustable Quad Skates offer a multi-adjust boot that grows with the child as they hone their skating skills.
COMFORT & SUPPORT: Hi-top silhouette, two-piece boot construction, padded collar, breathable nylon mesh inner boot, and two micro ratchet buckles featured for a better and secure feel fit.
CONTROL & STABILITY: Expect excellent traction and stability delivered by the 60mm composite wheels with 608ZB semi-precision speed bearings. Built-in toe brakes for safe and reliable stopping power.
SPECIFICS: Purple/Silver. Adjustable youth size Small (J10 - J13). Chicago Skates - the leading brand in the skating industry for over 100 years. Includes a 30-day manufacturers warranty.

The Chicago Kids Adjustable Quad Roller Skates for Girls and Boys are close in comparison to Roller Derby's Trac Star skate above. Chicago is a well-known brand in the roller skating industry for providing entry-level skates to beginners. My very first pair of skates were a non-adjustable version of this skate back before the turn of the century (yes, I am that old). 🙂

These skates come in 2 sizes: a small that adjusts between 10J-13J and a medium that fits sizes 1-4. These are also really affordable skates. You can easily get them for under $40. Of course, you get what you pay for. Most of the skate is plastic. But, if you aren't sure whether your child is really going to like skating or not, you can't beat the price.

This skate has a 60mm wheel, which is a nice size for extra balance. The skate also has a standard 608 bearing, which is pretty standard.

What I Like

These can be had for under $40 on Amazon making skating affordable for almost everyone.
Easily adjustable using a button on the side of the skate.
Wheels are wider than some of the other adjustable skates which will provide more balance for new skaters.

What I Don't Like

Quite a bit of plastic on this skate which I'm not a fan of. Pieces of the skate can break if the child falls just right. It's cheaper material and won't hold up for the long term. But for a first time skater, you can't beat the price.

7. Roller Derby Fun Roll

Roller Derby Fun Roll

Good first skate for children as small as 2 years old.
Adjust up to 4 sizes at the twist of a lever. Small (7J-11J) or Medium (11J-2)
Learn to skate with the rugged and fun tractor skate design
Strong and supportive boot with extra-cushy padded liner for comfort and control
Low center of gravity for more balance and safety means more skating and less falling

The Roller Derby Fun Roll for Girls and Boys are really designed for the smallest skaters. If you have a 2-3 year old that you want to get out on the floor, then this fun skate from Roller Derby might be for you. This skate comes in 2 sizes: a small that starts at a size 7J to 11J and a medium that is 11J-2.

These skates are a step up from the Fisher Price and Playwheel models below that you just slip over your shoes. Like those models, almost everything on this skate is plastic. The wheels, the skate shell and the base. Plastic breaks so I would only purchase these for a small child just itching to get out on the floor. For less than $40, they are another low-cost option.

What I Like

A skate that will fit a 2-3 year old and is better than the slip over the shoe skates.
They are a fun skate with smily faces on the girls skates and comic book "Pows" on the boys skates.
The skates are easily adjustable.

What I Don't Like

Plastic galore. Almost everything on this skate is plastic. For the really small skaters breaking a skate is usually not an issue because they just aren't going that fast nor way much. With that said, it's nowhere as nice as some of the non-adjustable skates I mention below.

8. Fisher-Price Grow with Me 1,2,3

Fisher-Price Grow with Me 1, 2, 3 Roller Skates

Grows with your child!
Learn to skate in three stages 1. Skate-walk with one wheel locked 2. Roll forward only 3. Roll forward & back
Size adjustable! Fits child shoe sizes US 6J-12J (UK 5-11). Fits right over the childs shoes.
Padded for extra comfort
Durable quad wheels, and front stopper

Fisher-Price Grow with Me 1,2,3 Roller Skates are a first time skate for the smallest toddlers who have just learned to walk. These skates fit shoe size 6J-12J and slide right over your child's shoe.

The skate comes with a locking feature where you can keep the wheels from rolling at all. This allows your child to walk in the skates. (Of course, you can stop wheels from moving on most regular skates by tightening the axle nut.) Then, they have a feature that only allows the skates to roll forwards. Finally, you can unlock all of the wheels to make it roll fluidly.

Everything on this skate is plastic. Some parents have complained about how wide the skates are for some kids. Because it fits such a large size 6J-12J, the skate has to take into account the width of a 12J. Therefore, if your child is a 6J, they may experience a little foot movement side-to-side inside the skate.

What I Like

Easily adjustable.
One of the few adjustable skates that will fit a small 6J foot.
The wheel locking features are good for brand new, child skaters (even though you can do the same thing to other quad skates).

What I Don't Like

Plastic skates don't last. As a first time skate for a very small child, it's okay, but I would upgrade to a nice, non-adjustable skate once your child is skating more regularly.
With such a wide range of sizes 6J-12J, the skate can be too wide for some children causing the foot to slide a little left to right when skating.

9. PlayWheels Adjustable Skates with Knee Pads

PlayWheels Kids Roller Skates with Knee Pads

ADJUSTABLE: This roller skate and knee pad set grows with your child - convenient thumb screws allow for 2 inch adjustment from Junior Size 6-12 with no tools required!
FAMILIAR CHARACTERS: PlayWheels has a variety of skates with characters on them including Disney Princess, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Minnie Mouse.
SAFETY FIRST: Toe brakes are included on both skates for easy slowing or stopping
DURABLE: Impact-resistant PVC knee caps ensure extra protection plus easy size adjusting with hook and loop straps
AGE AND WEIGHT: Recommended for ages 3 through 6 years; weight capacity of 45 lbs.

PlayWheels competes with Fisher Price on adjustable roller skates that fit over kids shoes. They one up Fisher Price in that they also print on their skates fun characters like Disney Princesses, Disney Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Minnie Mouse.

Another plus of the PlayWheel skates is that they come with a pair of matching knee pads. These are really cheap – under $20. Everything on the skate is plastic including the wheels. These skates are really designed for the smallest child who is just getting started and you are on a budget. Once your child is a little older, you are going to want to upgrade to a good non-adjustable skate with quality parts.

Still, even with the cheap parts, a lot of small children love them because of the characters on the skates and just for the fact that they can get out on the floor.

What I Like

Easy to adjust
Under $20 at time of writing
Fits a 6J foot so good for the smallest children wanting to skate for the first time.

What I Don't Like

Plastic skates break. They are cheap, but an okay skate for the very youngest as a first-time only skate.

Best Roller Skates for Kids & Toddlers (Non-Adjustable)

For me, I prefer the quality of the non-adjustable roller skates more. It was worth the extra money to buy my kid a new pair of skates when they grew out of them. I wanted my child to enjoy skating as much as possible, so I bought the the nicer skate. Was it the thrifty way to go? Absolutely not. It's just how I roll because skating was important to me and I wanted my child to enjoy roller skating as much as me and to skate for life.

The adjustable skates contain more plastic parts and are just cheaper skates all around. All you have to do is look at the pictures of these skates and you can see the difference. Even for a toddler, you can find a good non-adjustable skate. However, the selection is just limited. You have less choice.

With that said, the most important thing is that your child enjoys the skating experience. You want to make skating fun for your child. That should be your first priority, not how much you spent on skates. Your second priority should be getting a skate that feels great. If your skates hurt, then no one wants to skate.

For Ages 1-4

All of the skates below start in a juvenile skate size. Most start with at least a size 10j. My top choice, the Sure-Grip Fame, even comes in as small as an 8j boot which is perfect for the littlest feet. It's a really great overall skate. If you compare the 4 skates below with the adjustable skates above, it's not even a fair contest. The non-adjustable skates are just better.

Top 4 Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 1-4

Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 1-4 Product Breakdown

1. Sure-Grip White Fame Roller Skate

Sure-Grip Fame Roller Skate

Fame boot and ROCK nylon plate.
ABEC-5 bearings and Carrera toe stop.
Black is available in Mens sizes. White is available in Womens sizes. Whole sizes only, medium width.
Fame roller skate wheels for indoor use only. Perfect for skating rink use.
On the larger size 14 skate, a Super X plate will be used (Bolt on toe stop). Not pictured.

The Sure-Grip Fame is one of the best beginner roller skates out today. And, even better, is that this skate comes in one of the largest array of sizes – 9J – 14, so it fits everyone (even the wee ones).

Sure-Grip is a very well-known brand who has been in business for over 85 years. They know how to make a good roller skate. They have dozens of models, and the Fame skate is a great one for those just starting out.

These skates come with a really comfortable boot with extra padding. The boot also has 4 eyelets at the top to make them nice and tight around the ankle. The skate comes with ABEC-5 bearings, a nylon plate and 57mm / 95A Fame wheels.

What I Like

Comfortable high top boot with eyelets that allow for easy adjusting around the ankle.
19 different boot sizes – making it a skate anyone can fit in.
Good, quality skate parts. Sure-Grip is known for making a great skate.

What I Don't Like

Nothing. As a beginner skate for a small child, this is a great first skate. I wish I had a pair of these skates when I was just starting.

2. Lynx Apex Roller Skates

Apex Kids Quad Roller Skates

A TRUE QUAD SPEED SKATE FOR YOUNGER AND SMALLER FEET. Designed from the beginning to look like the skates the bigger kids are wearing. Attractive colors that kids will love. Quality components from top to bottom.
HIGH QUALITY QUAD WHEELS DESIGNED FOR INDOOR ROLLER RINK USE. Just the right hardness for indoor rink use. Will also work in basements or smooth garages. High quality urethane material for a long life.
GENUINE ABEC-5 QUALITY BEARINGS FOR A SMOOTH FAST ROLL. Better bearings than you normally see on a skate at this price point. Carbon steel material for a long life and a smooth fast roll.
PADDED BOOT FOR EXTRA COMFORT. With Velcro power straps to make it easy to adjust the snugness. Designed for comfort, with extra padding, so they can keep skating for a long time before the feet get tired.
THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A TRUE SPEED SKATE IN SMALLER SIZES. Includes many features you dont often find in these sizes or at this price point. A great value for younger skaters.

The Lynx Apex roller skate is my budget skate for this category. If Sure-Grip Fame were a Cadillac, the Lynx Apex would be the Kia. They'll both get you where you need to go, but one skate is more comfortable and better made than the other.

The Lynx skate comes with a low-top boot, something I would only recommend for a child who has skated before and has decent ankle strength. I prefer kids start off in a high top boot as it provides extra ankle support.

The boot is padded and can be laced to the top of the boot. It also has a velcro strap at the top to tighten the skate. It comes with ABEC-1 bearings and 54mm x 32mm urethane wheels.

What I Like

A speed skate boot for the little feet – starts at size 10J
Better parts than most adjustable skates at about the same price
Good value skate: half the price of the Sure-Grip Fame

What I Don't Like

Low top boots. High top boots are better for beginner skaters (especially children who typically have weaker ankles than adults).
The boot and wheels on the Sure-Grip Fame above are nicer. These skates will compete with the adjustable skates above just with better quality parts.

3. Pacer Charger Quad Roller Skate

Pacer Charger Quad Roller Skate from Roller Derby

BOOTS: Deluxe comfort padding with reinforced ankle support. Comfort and support so you can skate longer. Higher quality than you normally see at this price range.
PLATE: Pacer reinforced polymer plate with fixed stops and double action trucks Lightweight yet very strong.
WHEELS: Pacer polyurethane wheels. Indoor-Outdoor material so you can skate at the rink or on the sidewalk.
BEARINGS: 608ZB G-force sealed bearings - the seal helps keep the dirt out. For a long lasting smooth roll.
SIZES: Boys black 10J-4, Girls white 10J-4

Next up is the Pacer Charger roller skate. These skates are available in size 10J-4, so they are great for the smaller feet. The parts on this skate are a little less nice than the Apex skate above. The Apex has better wheels, bearings and boots.

Like the Apex, I'm not a huge fan of the lower cut boot for small children unless your child has skated before (or just naturally has good balance). Locking the child's wheels and/or having the child practice on carpet is one way to combat this issue.

This skate comes with a padded boot, basic 608 bearings and polyurethane wheels.

What I Like

A speed skate boot for the little feet – starts at size 10J
Better parts than most adjustable skates at about the same price

What I Don't Like

Low top boots. High top boots are better for beginner skaters (especially children who typically have weaker ankles than adults).

4. Chicago Classic Roller Skates

Chicago Girl's Classic Roller Skates

CLASSIC TRADITIONAL QUAD SKATE: Features (white) vinyl, 3/4 athletic style boot with padded ankle collar for comfort. Lace and Velcro Power Strap closures to adjust the fit as you go.
OVERSIZED: 60mm composite high-impact oversized wheels. Oversized PVC spoke core, features 608Z semi-precision bearings with a double adjustable chassis and truck.
LIGHTWEIGHT: Nylon chassis & double action adjustable truck with toe stop. Lightweight design allows child to skate more freely, Toe stop provides greater control and safety.
GREAT STARTER: Let your child have some good old-fashioned fun, this classic girls quad roller skate is a great way to get started! Great for indoors and outdoors.
SPECIFICS: 1 Pair 3/4 athletic style boot with padded ankle collar. Indoor/outdoor composite wheels and semi-precision bearings. Available in (White) Youth sizes J10-4

The Chicago Classic roller skate is next on the list. Chicago is a very well-known skate brand. They have been around for 115 years (no joke). And for folks like me, the Chicago Classic or Sidewalk skate has a special place in my heart because they were the first skates that I had as a kid.

So, why are they at the bottom of this list? Quality. The skates above are just better all around skates. The gaps between the Sure-Grip Fame and the rest of the skates here is pretty wide.

I can tell you from experience as a child that the boot on these skates is not very comfortable after prolonged use. It doesn't have padding like the Sure-Grip Fame above. The wheels, bearings, plate and toe stops are also of a lesser quality.

So, why recommend them at all? Because I believe a child with their own skates feels special. Having my own skates (even if they were more of a basic, bargain skate) allowed me to skate wherever and whenever I wanted. These skates provided me that opportunity. Any child who wants to skate will be thrilled to have any skate. They just want to skate.

What I Like

A high top boot allows more ankle support for children just starting out.
Skate ownership. Nice to have your own skates so you can skate anytime anywhere.

What I Don't Like

The boot is not very well padded. It can cut into your ankles after prolonged use.
This is a true value skate, so the parts on the skates above are much better.

For Ages 5-8

As your child gets older, your options for better skates grows. In the toddler years, it's harder to find a good pair of skates. Once your child's foot gets to be around a size 1, you have a lot more choices as most skating manufacturers are catering to people that have an adult shoe size. Once your child gets to a size 3, then the flood gates really open and you have a lot of choices.

At the 5-8 year old range, you still have the ability to choose between a pair of adjustable roller skates or a non-adjustable. My personal preference is non-adjustable, especially for kids over the age of 6. I just think the quality of the product is so much better.

You get better boots, plates, wheels and bearings on a non-adjustable skate. However, the downside is they do cost more money and you have to buy a new pair of skates as your child's foot grows. You can reuse the wheels and bearings, though.

I have broken down my top picks for the best kids roller skates for 5-8 year olds below.

Top 13 Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 5-8

1. Sure-Grip Fame Roller Skates

The top non-adjustable roller skate for ages 1-4 is also my top pick for kids 5-8.

The Sure-Grip Fame is one of the best beginner roller skates out today. And, even better, is that this skate comes in one of the largest array of sizes – 9J – 14, so it fits everyone.

The wheels are more made for indoor surfaces than outdoors. So, if your child will be skating mostly outdoors, then you may want to look at one of the other skates recommended below that are more geared towards outdoors. Either that or you can buy a pair of my favorite outdoor wheels (the Atom Pulse) to go onto this skate. Check out my tips on roller skate wheels for more information about why this is important.

What I Like

Comfortable high top boot with eyelets that allow for easy adjusting around the ankle.
19 different boot sizes – making it a skate anyone can fit in.
Good, quality skate parts. Suregrip is known for making a great skate.

What I Don't Like

Nothing. One note, though: If you are skating mostly outdoors on asphalt, then the wheels will likely be too hard. They are a 95A durometer and can be choppy on asphalt. These wheels will do great on rink surfaces, smooth concrete or sports court.

2. Sure-Grip Rebel Roller Skate

Sure-Grip Rebel Roller Skates

Leather Boot
ABEC-7 Bearings
Fugitive Wheels
Carrera Speed Toe Stop and Probe Nylon Plate with Metal Trucks
Available in mens sizes, whole sizes only, medium width. Women should choose one size smaller.

The Rebel is another great pair of starter roller skates for kids. It comes in men's sizes 1-14, so it's really good for anyone in the family. I like this skate because like most Sure-Grip boots, the Rebel is really comfortable. The leather boot has extra padding around the ankle and makes for a really smooth skating experience.

The Rebel comes with ABEC-7 bearings, a nylon plate and 92A 62mm Fugitive wheels. I like this skate because of the boot, the bearings and the wheels. If your child will be skating indoors or on smooth outdoor surfaces, then this is a really good starter skate.

The wheels on this skate won't work as well on rough surfaces, but you can fix that by also picking up a pair of outdoor wheels. What I do like about the wheels is that they are 62mm wide wheels. A wider, softer (lower durometer A reading) wheel gives you more stability. The Sure Grip Fame wheel above is both more narrow (57mm) and harder (95A vs 92A) than this wheel. That is one plus of this skate over the Fame for beginners.

The only downside for some kids is that the lower boot will not provide as much ankle support as the high top Sure-Grip Fame skate. If your child has decent balance, then this shouldn't be an issue.

What I Like

A well-padded, comfortable boot.
A set of wide 62mm wheels provides more stability.
Good, high quality skate parts. Sure-Grip is known for making a great skate.

What I Don't Like

At a 92A durometer, these skate wheels are primarily for indoors or smooth outdoor surfaces. If you will be skating on sidewalks or asphalt, check out the next skate below or add-on a pair of outdoor wheels.
Low-cut boot may not be enough ankle support for some kids.

3. Sure-Grip GT-50 Motion Outdoor Roller Skate Package

Sure-Grip GT50 Motion Outdoor Roller Skates

ROCK GT-50 boot and ROCK plate
Motion 62mm wheels
ABEC-5 bearings and Carrera toe stop
Available in mens sizes, whole sizes only, medium width. Women should choose one size smaller.

The Sure-Grip GT-50 Motion roller skate is one of my favorite outdoor skates. In an article I wrote on the best beginner roller skates for adults, it was my top pick. Like the other Sure-Grip skates above, the GT-50 is a comfortable boot. It's not as padded as the Rebel boot, but it's still comfy.

What makes these skates a great beginner roller skate is that they already come with outdoor wheels on them. The Motion wheels is a 78A durometer, 62mm wide wheel that is perfect for beginners who will be skating a lot outdoors on asphalt or sidewalks.

As I state in my tips on picking roller skate wheels, the lower the durometer reading (78A), the softer the wheel. A softer wheel is what you want when you are first starting out and especially when you are skating outdoors. It makes you go slower, offers more stability and make for a smoother ride on rough surfaces.

This skate comes with ABEC-5 bearings and a nylon plate like the rest of the skate packages here. The boot also comes in sizes 1-15, so it fits almost everyone except the toddlers.

What I Like

The Motion wheels are the perfect hardness (78A) and width (62mm) for people wanting to skate outside. They are also great for beginners who want maximum wheel stability.
A really nice, comfortable boot.
Good, high quality skate parts. It's the Sure-Grip way.

What I Don't Like

Low-cut boot may not be enough ankle support for some kids.
If you are doing most of your skating indoors, the wheels will be slow. Softer, wider wheels just go slower. If you are a beginner, this is a great skate. If you are into speed skating, go with the Rebel above.

4. Sure-Grip Malibu High-Top Skate

Sure-Grip Malibu High-Top Skates

Leather-lined high-top boots with stitched soles.
Sure-Grip Probe plates With Bolt On Toe Stop
Malibu 57mm indoor/outdoor wheel

The Sure-Grip Malibu roller skate comes in sizes 1-12 for both boys (black) and girls (white). This skate has a high top boot, but it is not as well padded as some of the Sure-Grip boots above (like the Fame).

It has 57mm wheels with a 88A durometer making this wheel a good indoor and outdoor wheel. Most indoor wheels are going to have a durometer reading in the 90s and most outdoor wheels are going to be 78-82A. So, this wheel sits right in the middle.

It comes with nylon plates, toe stops and the laces on the skate go to the top of the boot.

What I Like

High top boot is good for beginner skaters providing more ankle support.
57mm, 88A wheels are suitable for both indoor / outdoors.
A decent skate for right around $100.

What I Don't Like

The boot doesn't have as much padding on it as some of Sure-Grip's other boots (like the Fame above). But it is also $30-$40 cheaper.

5. Pacer Mach5 GTX-500 Skates

Pacer Mach5 GTX 500 Roller Skate

LACES - Comes W/ Two Pair of Laces -- Rainbow and Black
Boots - GTX 500 - PROFILE, PADDED COLLAR, COMFORT LINING
Plates - POLYMER w/ FIXED TOE STOP
Wheels - MACH 63MM X 35MM
Toe Stops - Fixed Toe Stops

I took a 15 year hiatus from skating, and when I came back as an adult without any skates, the Pacer Mach5 was what I used. It's a good, fairly cheap all-around skate. This skate has a low-cut boot which is pretty comfortable. It comes in sizes 1-12. The boots come in either black or white. There are also a few different lace / wheel color combinations including pink, teal and green.

The skates have Mach-5 63MM / 96A wheels and a set of ABEC-3 bearings. The toe stops are fixed, which is a drag. This means you can't adjust it. However, you can remove the toe stop (something I remember doing to mine).

The plate is nylon. The boot is vinyl. It's not the most comfortable pair of skates, but they were good enough for me to wear them for a year.

All and all, it's a good starter skate. I wore mine for about a year before I upgraded. For a child just starting out, these skates are both affordable and decent quality.

What I Like

A good budget skate. You can usually get these for less than $80.
The wheels were good for the rink skating I was doing.
The wheel and color choices make this skate different than the traditional black / white variety. Of course, you can always spruce up any skate with some cool colored laces.

What I Don't Like

The fixed toe stop. That's why I removed it.
If you are outdoor skating, you'll need different wheels as these are too hard.

6. Lynx Apex Roller Skates

Lynx Apex Roller Skates

A TRUE QUAD SPEED SKATE FOR YOUNGER AND SMALLER FEET. Designed from the beginning to look like the skates the bigger kids are wearing. Attractive colors that kids will love. Quality components from top to bottom.
HIGH QUALITY QUAD WHEELS DESIGNED FOR INDOOR ROLLER RINK USE. Just the right hardness for indoor rink use. Will also work in basements or smooth garages. High quality urethane material for a long life.
GENUINE ABEC-5 QUALITY BEARINGS FOR A SMOOTH FAST ROLL. Better bearings than you normally see on a skate at this price point. Carbon steel material for a long life and a smooth fast roll.
PADDED BOOT FOR EXTRA COMFORT. With Velcro power straps to make it easy to adjust the snugness. Designed for comfort, with extra padding, so they can keep skating for a long time before the feet get tired.
THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A TRUE SPEED SKATE IN SMALLER SIZES. Includes many features you dont often find in these sizes or at this price point. A great value for younger skaters.

The Lynx Apex roller skate, also listed as a good skate for kids under 5, is back for the 5-8 year olds. The Lynx Apex is good all-around budget skate. It comes in at half the price of the Sure-Grip Fame – the top skate in both the 1-4 and 5-8 age ranges.

The boot is padded and can be laced to the top of the boot. It also has a velcro strap at the top to tighten the skate. It comes with ABEC-1 bearings and 54mm x 32mm urethane wheels.

What I Like

A speed skate boot that starts at size 10J and goes up to a size 5.
Good value skate: half the price of the Sure-Grip Fame.

What I Don't Like

Low top boots. High top boots are better for beginner skaters (especially children who typically have weaker ankles than adults).
The boot and wheels on the Sure-Grip Fame above are nicer. These skates will compete with the adjustable skates above just with better quality parts.

7. Chicago Bullet Skates

Chicago Bullet Roller Skates

A CLASSIC: This iconic Bullet Speed Skate from Chicago is strategically designed for racing but is also a popular choice for all-around rink and social skating for decades.
SUPPORT: The Chicago Bullet Speed Skate features a controlled low cut boot for greater freedom of movement as well as high quality laces for maximum safety, leaving your foot comfortable and secure.
STABILITY & CONTROL: Featuring wide 62mm urethane wheels with precision bearings and premium fixed axels for ultimate control and stability, the high quality speed skates youre looking for.
COMFORT FIT: Made out of durable and dependable vinyl and an easy lace closure system that allows you to make proper adjustments effortlessly and conveniently while skating.
SPECIFICATIONS: Complete with double action adjustable aluminum trucks, high rebound speed urethane wheels, ABEC 1 precision speed bearings, a padded collar with heel pull loop, and a power strap.

The Chicago Bullet skate is another good starter budget skate. The boot comes in white for girls and black for boys. The white boot comes in sizes 1-10 and the black boot comes in sizes 1-12. The skates fit like a pair of shoes and have a little bit of extra padding around the ankle portion.

As a low top boot, this skate gives less stability, but offers more flexibility. The skate does have 62mm wide wheels, which is good for beginners. A wider wheel will give you more stability and control.

They come with ABEC-1 bearings, a nylon plate and a fixed toe stop.

What I Like

62mm wide wheel – a wider wheel help newbies with stability.
Skating on a budget: You can pick up a pair on Amazon for around $50-60.

What I Don't Like

For child beginners, a low top boot is not as good as a high top boot.
It is a budget skate, so all of the parts are a lower quality than the better skates above. With that said, I'd still rather have my own skates than wear a pair of rentals. Just sayin'.

8. Chicago Classic Roller Skates

Chicago Classic Roller Skates

Classic quad skate: featuring traditional High top profile rink pattern boot to support your ankles. Easy lacing system including eyelets and speed hooks to adjust the fit as you go.
Double adjustable: aluminum base plate with double adjustable truck and chassis, jump bar and 5/8 adjustable toe stop provides easy turning/control.
Indoor/outdoor: boot Made of durable vinyl material. 60mm urethane spoke core wheels with 608Z semi precision speed bearings provide great traction/control against normal wear and tear of skating.
Great starter: Whether youre trying to keep up with the kids at the rink or just out to have some good old-fashioned fun, this Classic Womens quad roller skate is a great way to get started!
Specifics: 1 pair high top quad skate. Indoor/outdoor urethane wheels and durable semi-precision bearings. Available in (white) youth sizes 1 - 5, Ladies sizes 6 - 11. Indoor or outdoor use.

The Chicago Classic roller skate makes another appearance on the kids 5-8 list. As I previously mentioned, the Chicago Classic or Sidewalk skate below have a special place in my heart because they were my first skates as a child.

They were not great skates, but as a small kid, I didn't care. I had my own skates. How cool is that? I just wanted to skate with my sister, Kelley, in the driveway, our garage and, of course, in the house. And these skates allowed me to do just that.

If you are on a tight budget, these skates will get your child started. Remember, you are already going to have a smiling child just for getting them their own skates. Any child who wants to skate will be thrilled to have any skate. They just want to skate and have fun. And if they can skate with you, then even better.

What I Like

A high top boot allows more ankle support for children just starting out.
Skate ownership. Nice to have your own skates so you can skate anytime anywhere.

What I Don't Like

The boot is not very well padded. It can cut into your ankles after prolonged use. You can look into getting a pair of eZeefits if it becomes too much of an issue.
This is a true value skate, so the parts on the skates above are much better.

9. Pacer Comet Roller Skates

Pacer Comet Kids' Roller Skates

BOOTS - Deluxe sport profile design with strap & lace closure boot. Padded collar for extra comfort.
PLATES - Lightweight Torsion Beam chassis. Lighter plates mean you can skate longer without getting tired.
WHEELS - LIGHTED Indoor / Outdoor - 54mm Cast urethane wheels - Four outside are lighted & Four inside are regular wheels.
BEARINGS - 608ZB G-Force bearings. Sealed and greased for a longer life that will keep rolling smoothly.
TOE STOPS - Fixed toe stops that match the wheel colors.

The Pacer Comet is a fun roller skate for the kids. The four outside wheels on the skate have LEDs in them and light up as the child rolls. It comes in sizes 12J-5 in a variety of different boot colors including white, black, purple and silver. Sorry adults, these are just for the kids. 🙂

The toe stops are fixed, as you will see with most budget skates. This means you can't adjust it, but you can remove it if you are so inclined. The boot has some pretty decent padding for a budget skate.

It has basic 608Z bearings and the indoor / outdoor wheels are 54mm wide and made out of polyurethane.

But, honestly, the kids don't care about the specs. They usually want this skate for the flashing lights.

What I Like

Light up wheels!
The boot is decently padded for a budget skate.

What I Don't Like

Fixed toe stops.
Low cut boot does not provide enough ankle support.

10. Pacer Charger Roller Skates

Pacer Charger Roller Skates

BOOTS: Deluxe comfort padding with reinforced ankle support. Comfort and support so you can skate longer. Higher quality than you normally see at this price range.
PLATE: Pacer reinforced polymer plate with fixed stops and double action trucks Lightweight yet very strong.
WHEELS: Pacer polyurethane wheels. Indoor-Outdoor material so you can skate at the rink or on the sidewalk.
BEARINGS: 608ZB G-force sealed bearings - the seal helps keep the dirt out. For a long lasting smooth roll.
SIZES: Boys black 10J-4, Girls white 10J-4

The Pacer Charger roller skate is next on the list. This skate has a little extra padding around the ankle area, just like the Comet above. The skates come in a white/purple for girls and a black/blue for boys. The boots come in sizes 10J-4.

The plates are made out of polymer and the toe stops are non-adjustable, but it can be removed. The indoor / outdoor wheels are 54mm wide and made out of polyurethane.

What I Like

Extra padding around the ankle is nice for this budget skate.

What I Don't Like

Not a fan of the low top boot for child beginners nor the non-adjustable toe stop.

11. Roller Derby Sparkle / Blazer Roller Skates with Light-up Wheels

Next up, we have the super fun Roller Derby Sparkle and Blazer roller skates. These skates have 4 light up wheels on the outside of the skate. The wheels are 54mm wide and are made for both indoors / outdoors.

The Sparkle is for girls and comes in white/pink. The Blazer is for boys and comes in black/silver/blue. The boot sizes for both skates is a 12J-5. The boot is low-cut, so it's not going to provide a lot of ankle support. The rim of the boot is padded, so that helps a little.

But, the young kids love these skates for the light up wheels, not for the specs.

What I Like

Light up wheels! Who doesn't love blinky lights?

What I Don't Like

This is a budget skate, so you are not getting top of the line parts. The upside is they are cost effective and they will bring a smile to your little one.

12. Pacer ZTX Roller Skates

Pacer ZTX Girls Roller Skates (Size 1)

BOOTS Pacer ZTX SR Ultra Fit Mid-Top.
PLATES Pacer Nylon Double Action Lightweight.
WHEELS Pacer TracPatrol ZTX - 52mm Indoor/Outdoor Urethane - Great for concrete or the rink floor!
BEARINGS Precision 608ZB Sealed Low Maintenance Bearings

The Pacer ZTX is next on my list and comes in a black boot for boys and a white boot for girls. Sizes range from 12J to 5. This skate comes with a mid-top boot. This is a boot that goes just past the ankle and half way up the child's leg. This provides for extra support than the low top boots.

This skate has fixed toe stops, nylon plates and 52mm wide indoor / outdoor urethane wheels.

What I Like

The mid-top boot is a nice touch.

What I Don't Like

Fixed toe stops and low quality parts, but a nice price for this budget skate.

13. Chicago Sidewalk Skates

Chicago Sidewalk Roller Skates

A CLASSIC: This iconic Quad Sidewalk Skate from Chicago is strategically designed for gliding but is also a popular choice for all-around rink and social skating for decades.
SUPPORT: The Chicago Quad Sidewalk Skate features a controlled high top boot for optimum safety as well as high quality laces for maximum protection, leaving your foot comfortable and secure.
STABILITY & CONTROL: Featuring 4 premium oversized wheels for a more enjoyable ride. The Chicago Quad Sidewalk Skate is just the thing to easily glide indoors and outdoors.
COMFORT FIT: The Chicago Quad Sidewalk Skate is easy to pull on and off, the lightweight boot has a lace-up front with a fold-over Velcro strap at the top for a secure and convenient fit.
SPECIFICATIONS: Featuring 4 premium oversized wheels, semi-precision bearings, high impact double adjustable chassis and truck, a self-adhesive power strap as well as a built-in toe stop.

Next up, we have the Chicago Sidewalk Skates. The skate for girls comes in a white, pink and teal color scheme. The boys skate is black, red and blue. These skates have been around for decades and are quite popular because they are cheap. The sizes range from a 12J-5.

The boot is a high-top giving the skater more support. The wheels and toe stops are plastic which is common for skates at this price point. Always remember that plastic breaks.

What I Like

One of the cheapest skates on the market.

What I Don't Like

Plastic wheels and fixed toe stops.

For Ages 9+

As your child gets older, the skate choices become endless. There is so much more variety available after your child's shoe size gets to a size 4. It comes down to personal preference at this age. Items like color, high-top vs. low-top boot and the type of skating you are doing start to factor in more for kids at this age.

For beginner skaters, I'd still go with a high-top quad boot with outdoor wheels. This is going to give you the most overall stability and will make your ride the most enjoyable.

Below are the top 12 skates that I recommend to children over the age of 9 (plus teenagers, too). All of these skates come in a variety of different price ranges and most start at size 3.

Top 13 Skates for Girls & Boys – Ages 9+

Best Skates for Girls & Boys Ages 9+ Product Breakdown

1. Sure-Grip Boardwalk Skate

Sure-Grip Outdoor Boardwalk Skates

Suede Leather boot with stitched sole
Outdoor 65mm wheels / ABEC 3 bearings / Indestructible ROCK plate
Available in mens sizes only, whole sizes only, medium width. Women should choose one size smaller.

Sure-Grip's Boardwalk Skate is my top roller skate for kids over the age of 9. These fun skates come in a variety of colors including red, purple, teal, pink, black and tan. The boots are a nice suede leather with a stitched sole and are comfortable once you break them in.

One downside to these skates (and really any leather boot) is that they can be tough at first and will require some use to break in the boots. This is common with leather in general. The upside of a leather boot is that as time goes on the boot will get softer and softer.

Once it's fully broken in, it's like wearing a comfortable glove. Vinyl and synthetic leather are softer out of the box, but won't get softer over time. Only leather has that awesome property. If you find yourself prone to blisters and feet discomfort, I highly recommend you get yourself a pair of eZeefit ankle booties. It stops blister dead in its tracks.

What I like most about these skates are the leather high top boot and the Boardwalk outdoor wheels. The best beginner skates come with soft outdoor wheels. Softer wheels go slower and that is what you want when you are just starting out.

The Boardwalk wheels on this skate are 65mm tall and have a 75A durometer – which means they are super soft and perfect for outside skating on asphalt or concrete. You can still use these skates indoors, too. The wheels will just be slower than your average indoor wheel because they are softer. Again, just what you want if you are a beginner.

The skate is rounded out with a nylon plate and ABEC-3 bearings. One quick note: Ladies these skates come in men's sizes, so you will want to go one size smaller than your regular shoe size.

What I Like

High-top, suede leather boot that comes in a variety of colors.
Great outdoor wheels that are perfect for beginners.
Sure-Grip makes a great quality skate.

What I Don't Like

Because they are leather boots, they do require some time to break them in. I highly recommend that if you have a tendency for blisters, you grab a pair of eZeefit ankle booties to go with your skates. It will be the best $20 you've spent and your feet will thank you for it.

2. Moxi Lolly Roller Skates

Moxi Lolly Roller Skates

DURABLE ROLLER SKATES - These lifestyle roller skates are hand-made using a soft suede leather material that is designed to be broken in with minimal discomfort.
EASY TO LACE & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have an easy lace system that makes adjusting the skates simple.
FASHIONABLE AND STYLISH DESIGN - The Moxi Lolly skates come complete with vibrant colors, suede material, and even a charm to make sure you stay trendy while you skate.
SMOOTHEST RIDE POSSIBLE - These ladies traditional high top skates are crafted with ABEC-7 steel ball bearings and designed to minimize friction to give you the smoothest ride.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These recreational roller shoes are designed with safety in mind. The boot has a high, snug fit on the ankle for strong ankle support.

The Moxi Lolly is a great all-around skate for girls. The suede leather boots on these skates are comfortable and break-in quickly fully forming to your foot over time. You really can't beat a nice suede leather boot for comfort.

The boot also has eyelets at the top so you can adjust the laces just right around the ankles. The boots also have a nice padded tongue that provides additional comfort.

The Lolly comes in 9 colors with fun names like: Clementine (Orange), Floss (Teal), Fuchsia (Purple), Honeydew (Green), Pineapple (Yellow), Strawberry (Pink), Pool Blue, Poppy Red and Taffy (Purple). The boots sound good enough to eat and there is a color for everyone.

This is a really great skate that is handmade right here in the USA. The skates come with the Moxi Gummy 65mm x 40mm 78A outdoors wheels. What I really like about the wheels is that they are 40mm wide – which is pretty nice for a soft, outdoor wheel. The wheels are made for outdoors, so it's perfect for beginners.

The skates have a high-impact PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate with strong metal trucks for optimal support. They also have ABEC-7 bearings. They also come with adjustable toe stops.

And, these skates are durable. If you don't believe me, check out the Moxi Skate Girls over on YouTube. These girls skate in skateboard bowls outdoors and do all kinds of cool jumps and tricks on their skates.

What I Like

Comfortable high-top suede leather boot with eyelets makes it a great skate
9 fun colors that are perfect for getting attention
Nice wide outdoor wheels making them perfect skates for the beginner outdoor skater
Lastly, they are made right here in the USA!

What I Don't Like

They are the most expensive skate on my list, but you know the old adage, "you get what you pay for." This is a really nice skate that any kid (or adult) would love to own.

3. Moxi Beach Bunny Roller Skates

Moxi Beach Bunny Roller Skates

TOP-QUALITY & DURABLE ROLLER SKATES - These lifestyle roller skates are man-made using a drum-dyed vinyl material and a custom Moxi Dri-Lex lining material. The skates have a high-impact Marvel aluminum plate with strong metal trucks for optimal support.
EASY TO LACE & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have an easy lace system that makes adjusting the skates simple. The high-quality padded tongue helps you slip on the skates and provides a snug yet comfortable fit. Check the size chart before making your purchase.
FASHIONABLE AND STYLISH DESIGN - The Moxi Beach Bunny skate boots come in fun colors as well as colorful wheels and laces to make sure you stay trendy while you skate. These womens quad skates are now available in new the colors Periwinkle Sunset, Blue Sky, and Peach Blanket.
SMOOTHEST RIDE POSSIBLE - These ladies traditional high top skates have ABEC-5 steel ball bearings. These bearings reduce friction to give you the smoothest ride. These skates are equipped with 58mm 78A hardness wheels that provide great cushion to keep your ride smooth.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These recreational roller shoes have safety in mind. The boot has a high, snug fit with extra ankle padding for strong ankle support. The skates have a long-lasting, but replaceable, PowerDyne Adjustable Black toe stopper.

If you like the Moxi Lolly skate above but can't quite afford the price tag, then take a look at the Moxi Beach Bunny skate package. This newer skate package from Moxi comes with a vinyl boot and a strong aluminum plate at half the price of the Lolly.

There are 3 colors to choose from including Blue Sky, Peach Blanket and Periwinkle Sunset. The boot has eyelets at the top to make it easy to adjust the laces at the top of the skate. It also comes with a nicely padded tongue that helps reinforce a comfortable fit.

The Beach Bunny boot comes in men's sizes 1-10. It comes with ABEC-5 bearings and adjustable toe stops. It also has glitter wheels! The outdoor wheels are 58mm tall and have a 78A hardness, which is perfect for skating on concrete or asphalt.

This is a great skate at a nice price.

What I Like

A great quality skate at an affordable price.
Adjustable toe stops, a padded tongue and an aluminum metal plate are nice additions for the price.
Nice glittery outdoor wheels make this a great skate for asphalt or concrete.

What I Don't Like

The vinyl boot is not as nice as the suede leather boot of the Lolly or Boardwalk, but it is also cheaper than both of those skates.

4. Sure-Grip White Fame Roller Skate

Sure-Grip Fame Roller Skate

Fame boot and ROCK nylon plate.
ABEC-5 bearings and Carrera toe stop.
Available in Womens sizes only, whole sizes only, medium width.
Fame roller skate wheels for indoor use only. Perfect for skating rink use.
On the larger size 14 skate, a Super X plate will be used (Bolt on toe stop). Not pictured.

If you have read this whole article (look at you!), then you have seen the Sure-Grip Fame roller skate show up on each one of my non-adjustable skates. This was my top non-adjustable roller skate for kids ages 1-4 and 5-8.

So, why is it not the top skate for kids 9+? It's still a great skate at any age (shoot, I even have a pair that I wear as the sizes goes all the way up to a men's 14). The biggest difference at the older age is that kids shoe sizes have grown and now you just have a whole lot more quality skates to choose from. There is more competition.

The Sure-Grip Fame is one of my favorite beginner roller skates out today. Sure-Grip is a very well-known brand and they know how to make a good roller skate. These skates come with a really comfortable vinyl boot with extra padding. The boot also has 4 eyelets at the top to make them nice and tight around the ankle. The skate comes with ABEC-5 bearings, a nylon plate and 57mm / 95A Fame wheels.

What I Like

Comfortable high top boot with eyelets that allow for easy adjusting around the ankle.
19 different boot sizes – making it a skate anyone can fit in.
Good, quality skate parts. Suregrip is known for making a great skate.

What I Don't Like

If you are skating mostly outdoors on asphalt, then the wheels will be too hard. They are a 95A durometer and can be choppy on asphalt. These wheels will do great on rink surfaces, smooth concrete or sports court.

5. GT50 Motion Outdoor Roller Skate Package

The GT-50 Motion Outdoor skate package is a good low-top roller skate for kids. It has a vinyl boot that is pretty comfortable. It comes outfitted with the Sure-Grip Motion 78A outdoor wheels – one of my favorite outdoor wheels.

The 78A is the hardness (or durometer) of the wheel. The wheels are 62mm in diameter. For beginners, you want a soft, short and wide wheel when just starting out. The wheels are also made right here in the USA.

This package comes with ABEC-5 skate bearings which are good enough for any kind of skating you will be doing. As I've stated on the podcast and in numerous articles about bearings, the most important thing for beginners to remember about bearings is that you want to keep them clean.

What I Like

The Sure-Grip Motion outdoor wheels on this skate are great for beginners and outdoor skaters.
The boot is comfortable and fits well.
A really nice all-around skate for the price. I have a pair of these skates and wear them outdoors. They are fun to skate in.

What I Don't Like

If your child is a beginner, they may have more trouble with a low top boot. It will not provide as much ankle support as the high top boots mentioned above.

6. Jackson VIP Outdoor Roller Skates

Jackson VIP Outdoor Roller Skates

Jackson Vantage Boot
Pilot Viper F16 - Zytel Nylon
Atom Pulse - Pick your color!
Bionic ABEC-7 Bearings
Toe Stop: Bionic XS Stopper

Next up, we have the Jackson Roller VIP Outdoor Package. This is a solid kids roller skate that comes in a black boot with sizes ranging from size 4 to 14. Size 4-7 also come in half sizes allowing you to get a more precise fit.

These skates come with my favorite outdoor wheels – the Atom Pulse. Atom makes some excellent skate wheels – both for indoor, outdoor and for aggressive inline skates. And, the Atom Pulse are a really nice outdoor wheel.

The Atom Pulse come in a 78A hardness (durometer), which means they are super soft and perfect for the outdoors. They also come in a variety of cool colors like blue, pink, green, gray and purple. You want a short, wide and soft wheel when you are first starting out as that gives you the most stability, and the Atom Pulse fits all three of those criteria.

These skates also come with really nice Bionic ABEC-7 skate bearings and a nylon plate. The toe stops are also adjustable, which is a must on a good skate.

The only downside to this skate is that you do need to put it together. The box comes with the plates already mounted on the boots, thank goodness. However, the bearings and wheels are not on the skate, so some installation is required.

It only takes about 5 minutes to put the new Bionic bearings into the wheels and then slide them onto the axle and tighten them down. You will need a 1/2″ socket wrench or the PowerDyne Y tool that I recommend to tighten it down properly.

What I Like

Comes in 1/2 sizes for sizes 4-7 which will help you get that perfect fit.
It has my favorite outdoor wheels on them – the Atom Pulse.
Nice Bionic ABEC-7 bearings that are better than a lot of the bearings that come with most skate packages.

What I Don't Like

Some assembly is required. The bearings do not come already installed in the wheels. Once you push the bearings into the wheels, then you have to slide the wheels onto the axle and tighten the wheels. It's not hard, but it does take about 5-10 minutes. With that said, it's a great skate for the price, even if it does require a little bit of elbow grease.

7. VNLA Juniors / Vanilla Junior Jam Skates

VNLA Junior Code Red Skates

JAM INDOORS - The VNLA Code Red Jam skates come with Vanilla Genuine Backspin (62mm, 95A hardness) indoor wheels. Get a second set of outdoor wheels and jam anywhere!
SKATE LIKE A PRO - VNLA Jam quad roller skates are equipped with low profile toe stops, Vanilla Jam Plug, that do not get in your way while doing tricks.
A PREMIUM SKATE - Includes Vanilla Gorilla, a nylon plate with upgraded aluminum trucks (micro-adjustable lock nut/washer and 8mm axles). The low cut skate exterior is crafted with durable leather and denim.
NO BREAK-IN TIME - VNLA Code Red skates require little to no break-in period. Strap them on, and you are ready to enjoy skating, pain-free.
WICKED FAST - From quick turning to speed skating, the Vanilla ABEC-9 bearings and premium aluminum trucks provide you with versatility to skate without restrictions.

The VNLA (aka Vanilla) Junior Jam skates are super popular with the regular skating kids at my local rink. The VNLA Junior skates are the quad skates my two kids wear and they love them. I wear a more advanced version of these skates called the VNLA Diamond Walker that I really like.

The VNLA Junior skates come in 7 different colors including: Code Red, Code Blue, Zona Rosa (Pink), Mint Green, Stealth Jam (Black), Royalty Jam (Burgundy) and Tuxedo (Black & White).

The boots come in sizes 3-12. The skates come with a sturdy vinyl plate and ABEC-9 bearings. Most of these skates come with a toe plug and not a toe stop. Why? Because these skates were made originally for jam skaters. However, you can easily change out the toe plug for a toe stop – something I did for both of my kids skates so they could speed skate in them.

All of Junior skates come with 62mm diameter wheels. The durometer (hardness) of the wheel falls between 92A-95A depending on the color you choose above. Most of the wheels are either a 93A or a 95A. Regardless, any wheel in the 90s is going to be an indoor only wheel. If you plan to do a lot of outdoor skating, buy an extra pair of Atom Pulse wheels to go with it.

VNLA is a good all-around skate. If your kids are interested in quad speed skating or jam skating, then this is a good starter skate for both sports. You can upgrade to my favorite speed skate wheels down the road as your child gets more competitive.

What I Like

Comfortable boot, great bearings and a nice indoor wheel.
If your child is interested in quad speed skating, this is a good starter package.
Lots of colors and styles to choose from. It's a good pair of skates.

What I Don't Like

It comes with toe plugs and has no toe stops. You cannot use toe plugs to stop. For advanced skaters like myself, that's how I like it. However, a child likely will need some toe stops when just starting out.

8. Riedell R3 Roller Skates

Riedell R3 Roller Skates

HIGH-QUALITY ULTRA DURABLE ROLLER SKATES - These quad roller skates are man-made using a vinyl material that creates a breathable, yet durable skate boot.
EASY TO LACE & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have an easy lace system and a Velcro cinch strap that makes adjusting the skates simple.
SMOOTHEST RIDE POSSIBLE - These high quality skates feature ABEC-5 ball bearings designed to roll exceptionally smooth. These skates polished, chromed steel ball bearings minimize friction to give you the best ride.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These traditional roller shoes are designed with safety in mind. The boot has a low, yet snug fit around the ankle and the Velcro cinch strap helps secure the foot in the boot while skating.
VERSATILE WHEELS TO FIT ANY USE - The quad derby skates also have tough 62mm, 93A hardness polyurethane wheels that are designed to provide extra grip.

The Riedell R3 quad skate is next on the list. The R3 comes with a synthetic vinyl, low-top boot. It comes in 3 different colors: Black, Aqua and Purple and 14 different sizes (sizes 1-14).

Riedell is one of the leaders in skating. They have been making ice and roller skates since 1945, so they know a thing or two about building a great pair of skates. The figure skate boots that I used as a teenager were Riedell, and they were super comfortable. The R3 is Riedell's budget skate. The boot is not as comfortable as some of their more expensive skates, because it's made out of vinyl instead of leather. The skate comes with ABEC-5 bearings, a vinyl plate and 62mm, 93A urethane wheels that are made for indoors or smooth outdoor surfaces.

Also, Riedell is really well known in the skating community for making great custom skates and great skating boots. The R3 is at the low-end of the Riedell skating boot product line. If you really want something unique and you have an unlimited budget (lucky you!), then you definitely should check out Riedell's Color Lab. They make custom boots with custom colors and logos. The boots start at $600 for low-top and $800 for high-top. And, that's just for the boots! You still have to buy a plate, wheels, bearings, etc. I have my eye on building some high-top Roller Skate Dad custom skates one day (when I win the lottery).

If you have a little one who is an aspiring speed skater or roller derby player, then these are a pretty good first skate for the young ones.

What I Like

The aqua and purple colored skates are fun!
62mm, 93A wheels which are good for indoor derby / speed skating
A solid budget skate with quality parts from a trusted skate brand. Riedell is a top-notch brand for roller skates.

What I Don't Like

The boot could be more comfortable, but for the price, this is a good starter skate for kids.

9. Sure-Grip Rock GT-50 Plus Roller Skates

If you are looking for a skate to light up the skating rink floor, then the Sure-Grip Rock GT-50 Plus is your ride. These skates have an LED light strip that goes around the base of the boot. The skate then has a controller inside the boot that allows you to change the LED lights through settings including fade, strobe and a variety of colors including red, yellow, green, purple and blue.

The LED lights last for about 5 hours before they need to be recharged. The skates come with a USB charger for easy recharging.

I bought a pair of these skates for my nephew when he was 9, and he loved them. Even with all of the pizazz, it's still a good skate. It has a GT-50 boot which is comfortable and has a little bit of extra padding around the ankles and on the tongue of the skate. The boots come in sizes 4-10.

The GT-50 Plus also comes with black & white swirl, 62mm wheels, ABEC-5 bearings and a vinyl plate with aluminum trucks. But it's the LED lights on the base of the skate that the kids (and me) are after! Note: If you are like me and a bit bummed that they don't make these skates in your size, then be sure to check out how you can make your very own pair of custom LED skates out of any skate.

What I Like

The LED lights are super cool. The controller on the inside of the boot allows your child to easily change the colors of the LEDs.
The GT-50 Plus is a fun starter skate with a comfortable boot, solid wheels and bearings.
Lots of colors and styles to choose from. It's a good pair of skates.

What I Don't Like

One negative is that there is no replacement battery available at this time. Something that I'm sure you could get around. My nephew grew out of the skates before the battery died, so it lasted for quite awhile.

10. Riedell Angel Roller Skates

Riedell Angel Roller Skates

BUILT TO LAST - These high-top artistic roller skates are hand-made with soft vinyl boots that provide great mobility while staying durable. The skates have a high-impact PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate with strong metal trucks for optimal support.
EASY TO ADJUST & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have an easy lace system that makes adjusting the skates simple. The high-quality padded tongue helps you slip on the skates easily and provides a snug yet comfortable fit. Check the size chart before making your purchase.
SMOOTH SKATING - These classic style quad skates feature ABEC-5 ball bearings that are designed to be exceptionally smooth. These polished, steel ball bearings minimize friction to give you the best ride imaginable. These roller skates are perfect for men and women, and junior sizes are available for boys and girls.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These traditional roller shoes are designed with safety in mind. The boot has a high, snug fit on the ankle to ensure strong support. The skates also have long-lasting, but replaceable, PowerDyne Adjustable toe stopper to provide easy braking control.
PERFECT FOR INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE - These quad skates also come with durable Radar Riva 32mm x 57mm wheels that are perfect for the rink or the sidewalk. These recreational wheels are great for providing a smooth, easy ride whether you are indoors or outdoors.

The Riedell Angel is a good beginner artistic roller skate. Riedell is the king of artistic quad roller skates. With some of their skates going for over $1000, the Angel is a bargain coming in under $150.

This skate comes with a black or white vinyl, high top boot that come in sizes 2-12. The PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate has metal trucks which is okay for a beginning artistic skater. Once you get to doing a lot of jumps and spins, you'll need to upgrade to a good metal plate.

The skate comes with standard ABEC-5 bearings and Radar Riva 32mm wide x 57mm tall, 96A roller skate wheels. The wheels are made for indoors and will work well on smooth concrete outdoors (avoid asphalt and choppy pavement).

What I Like

High top, vinyl boots with eyelets for tightening the laces just right and giving you extra stability.
ABEC-5 Bearings with 96A indoor wheels.
A good beginner artistic roller skate.

What I Don't Like

The wheels are too hard if you plan to skate outdoors unless you are on smooth concrete.

11. Riedell Citizen Outdoor Quad Skates

Riedell Citizen Outdoor Roller Skates

HIGH-QUALITY, DURABLE ROLLER SKATES - These quad roller skates are hand-made using a vinyl material that creates a breathable, yet durable skate boot. The skates have a high-impact PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate with strong metal trucks for optimal support whether you are a beginner or an experienced skater.
EASY TO LACE & COMFORTABLE FIT - These adjustable roller skates have experienced lace system that makes adjusting the skates simple. The high-quality foam padded tongue helps you slip on the skates easily and provides a snug yet comfortable fit. Check the size chart before making your purchase.
SMOOTH SKATING - These mens outdoor skates, crafted with ABEC-5 ball bearings are designed to be exceptionally smooth. These polished, chromed steel ball bearings minimize friction to give you the best ride. These roller skates are perfect for men, women, boys, and girls.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND - These traditional roller shoes are designed with safety in mind. The boot has a high, snug fit on the ankle for strong ankle support. The skates have a long-lasting, yet replaceable, Black Bolt-On toe stopper to provide easy braking control.
PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR USE - These outdoor skates also have durable Sonar Zen 32mm x 62mm wheels that are designed to provide a smooth ride on any surface. These wheels are perfect for providing a comfortable, easy ride whether you are outdoors or in the rink.

The Riedell Citizen is a good beginner outdoor skate. Riedell has been in the business of making roller skates for 75 years, so they know how to make a good skate.

These outdoor skates come in black or white boots in sizes 1-12. The high top boot is made out of a vinyl material and has the eyelet lacing system that allows you to tighten the laces just right.

This skate is perfect for outdoor skating outfitted with the Sonar Zen 85A durometer wheel. The wheel is 62mm tall and 32mm wide. The skate also comes with ABEC-5 skate bearings and a vinyl PowerDyne Thrust skate plate.

What I Like

Sonar Zen 85A wheels I good for outdoor surfaces like concrete, sidewalks and asphalt.
The high top boot with the eyelets to allow you to tighten laces properly for a snug fit.
A good beginner outdoor skate package.

What I Don't Like

I prefer the softer Atom Pulse and Sure-Grip Motion wheels (both 78A durometer) to the Sonar Zen 85A wheels from Riedell. The softer wheel is nicer for rougher surfaces outdoors. With that said, Riedell makes a good all around product and is well-known for making awesome skates that skaters love.

12. Roller Derby Candi Girl Carlin

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The Candi Girl Carlin from Roller Derby is one of the more popular skates with the ladies on this list. These skates quickly sell out on Amazon for their price point (around $100) and their eye-popping colors.

The synthetic suede leather on these skates come in Electric Blue, Periwinkle & Orange, Raspberry, Seafoam and Royal Blue. The high-top boot comes in sizes 3-11 and has an eyelet system at the top of the boot to tighten the laces snuggly around the top part of the ankle.

The skate plate is made out of aluminum and it comes with Bevo Silver 5 skate bearings. The skate wheels are made for the outdoors with a 82A hardness. The wheels are 56mm tall and 38mm wide.

What I Like

Super popular skate package for the ladies at just around $100. This skate sells out a lot.
High top boots with eyelets is a plus.
Aluminum plate and 82A hardness wheels that can be used both outdoors and indoors.

What I Don't Like

Some folks do complain that these skates can be narrow for some people, and that's because these skates come in ladies / women sizes. That means if you are a dude (or have wide feet), then you need to go up a size. And this is a reminder, always be sure to check the skate sizing chart for your skates before you buy them as every skate can be slightly different size-wise. All and all though, this is one of the more popular skates on the market for ladies due to its price point and style.

13. Roller Derby Candi Girl Sabina

Roller Derby Candi Grl Sabina Artistic Roller Skates

Colorful high-top freestyle roller skates for all ages with synthetic upper, comfort lining, and reinforced heel and toe
Hight impact Chassis with PU cushions
Bevo silver-5 speed rated (carbon)
56mm 33mm PU cast wheels
Sabina fits true to U.S. Womens Shoe Sizes; Reewind (black boot with black wheels) is in Mens sizes. Conversion: Womens 7 = Mens 6))

The Candi Girl Sabina roller skate is the twin to the Carlin at a slightly cheaper price (around $80). These high top, synthetic boots come in a variety of different colors including black/blue, mint/purple, pink and white/pink. The boots come in ladies sizes 3-10.

My biggest gripe about these skates is that the toe stops are not adjustable. Like the Carlin skates above, these skates are cute have a style that most girls appreciate. They come with Bevo 5 bearings and a nylon skate plate.

The skate wheels are 56mm tall and 33mm wide. And, the wheels are good for outdoors with a durometer reading of 82A.

What I Like

Colorful, stylish boots that most girls will enjoy.
A wheel that will work both indoors and outdoors.
A decent beginner skate for around $80.

What I Don't Like

These skates come with non-adjustable toe stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pick out the best roller skates for my child?

If your child is a complete beginner, then I highly recommend going with high-top quad roller skate. The high-top boot gives extra stability around the ankles, which are often a weak area on the body for most beginner skaters.

I also recommend beginner skaters start on quads. Inline skates and rollerblades are better for kids once they get a little more accomplished on skates. Quads also provide a wider base of support for a beginner skater.

Can I buy the roller skates you mentioned above at a store that way my child can try on the skates before I buy?

Unfortunately, most of the skates listed above are just not carried in traditional brick-and-mortar stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods or Academy. If they do carry some of the toddler skates I mentioned above, they often only carry them on their website.

As your child gets older, most of the better skates are just not carried by those retailers. The roller skating market is just not big enough for them to carry that inventory on-hand and in store. This means that you can't just walk into one of these stores and find these brands in all of the sizes mentioned above.

If you have a roller skate pro shop in your area, then count yourself lucky and go visit them. There are very few of them left. If you have a local skating rink in town, then that is a great option. Rinks are happy to help you find the right size for your child. Then, if they don't have the particular skate or size that your child needs, they will order it for you.

Most skates I've bought through a local rink take anywhere from a few days to a week to receive. Depending on the rink, they may carry the brand you want and the size you need in stock, meaning you won't have to wait. It just depends on the rink. Most of the ones I have worked with don't have a lot of skate inventory on-hand. And like the pro shops, skating rinks are disappearing so help support them.

The most popular way to order skates today is the do-it-yourself method of ordering online. If you can use a ruler, do some simple measurements and follow the instructions from the skating manufacturer sizing charts, then you can buy a good pair of skates for your child on sites like Amazon and save some money. Once you understand how to do the sizing correctly, the rest is pretty easy.

How do I choose the right roller skate size for my child or toddler? Are roller skates the same as my child's shoe size?

Yes, roller skates are the same as your child's shoe size (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer). With that said, I still highly recommend that you measure your child's foot according to the manufacturer's sizing chart when picking out your skates. It's the best way to insure you get a proper fit.

It's also important to understand that most skates do not come in 1/2 sizes, so you may never get a perfect fit. The key is to get a boot that is not too tight that it pinches or causes blisters. Of course, if the boot is too loose, the foot will move around inside and cause instability as well as blisters from all of the rubbing.

Most sizing charts are going to ask you to do the same thing. Get out a piece of paper and mark the front, left, right and back of the foot with a mark. Then, measure the distance from front to back. Most skates will then tell you what size you need based on this length.

Here are some standard size charts that I came across for estimating a child's shoe size based on measurement:

Be sure to check out the skate sizing charts for the skates you want to buy before you buy them. Most skating retailers (including Amazon) will have a section on the product description explaining the boot size. They will tell you if the skate is in men's shoe size (most common) or women's shoe size. On Amazon, you want to look at the answered questions. Almost all of the questions people ask are about boot size. It's the hardest challenge about buying a pair of skates online.

How fast do children's feet grow?

Between the ages of 3-6, a child's feet can grow as much as 1mm / month. That's almost a 1/2″ per year!

What are some quick tips to look for when choosing the best roller skates for my kiddo?

High top boot for stability
Quad skates for the most stability
Worry less about the product longevity – your kid is going to outgrow them fast
Focus more on just having fun skating. If they love to skate, then they will continue doing it for years

Which roller skates are best for beginners?

I wrote an entire article about the best skates for beginners that was geared more at adults. In that article, I talk a lot about the importance of proper wheel selection. When you are first starting out, you want a lot of stability.

Soft outdoor wheels are perfect for beginners because they are slow. And slow is what you want when you are just starting out. The other upside of outdoor wheels is that you can use them both indoors and outdoors. That means more opportunities to skate.

To really get the rundown on wheels, be sure to check out my Top 10 Tips for Picking Out the Perfect Roller Skate Wheels. It goes into a lot of depth about roller skate wheels.

The other thing you want to look at is boot selection. For beginners, I recommend a high-top quad roller skate. The high-top boot gives you extra ankle support. That extra ankle support helps beginners feel more stable on their skates. The quad skate also provides more stability than a rollerblade or inline skate as it more equally balances the child's weight on a larger surface area.

What age can a child start roller skating? Can a 2 year old go roller skating? What age can a child learn to roller skate?

If your child can walk, then they can skate. It's that simple. My recommendation for a 2-3 year old is to get a pair of skates that you can lock the wheels down. This allows the child to skate with the family and they are really just out on the floor (or sidewalk) walking. Then, as they get more stable, loosen up the wheels and let them begin to roll a little more. Once they have full balance, loosen the wheels completely.

I wish I had started skating this young. I didn't start skating until I was 8. My kids started around age 5 and 7. I never think you are too young (or too old for that matter) to learn how to skate.

How do you stop while roller skating?

There are multiple ways to stop when roller skating. The most common (and preferred) way is to use one of the toe stops located on the front of the skates. Rollerblades will have the toe stop on the back of the skate. Pushing down or dragging the toe stop will slowly slow you down.

As you advance, there are additional ways you will learn how to stop, including:

T-Stop
Plow Stop
Hockey Stop

How do you not fall when roller skating?

Everyone falls down when they are first learning how to roller skate. It's part of learning. The key is to not try to get going too fast when you are first starting out. Going slow and having control over your skates and body are the most important things when just starting out.

If you are having trouble controlling your wheels, then lock them down. You can use a PowerDyne Y tool (or another socket wrench) to tighten down the wheels to the point where they don't roll at all. Then, slowly loosen the nut over time and make the wheels roll a little more fluidly each time you practice.

I have taught 100s of people to skate with the wheel locking method. It works every single time. It just takes patience and realizing where you are at in your skating journey.

What is a good brand of roller skates?

There are so many great brands of roller skates. Some of my favorites are Sure-Grip, Riedell, VNLA (Vanilla), Moxi and Roller Derby.

What makes a good skate brand is a manufacturer that understands skaters and what they need. Sure-Grip and Riedell have been in the business for decades and are best known for making really comfortable boots. If your boot doesn't fit right and you are dealing with blisters, then skating is not much fun.

After the boot fits well and is comfortable, then you want to make sure the rest of the skate parts are solid. The wheels are the next most important part on the skate. You want wheels that match the surface that you plan to skate on most. For outdoors, you want a soft wheel (preferably a 78A durometer). For indoors, you'll want a wheel with a durometer in the 90s.

Avoid plastic at all costs. It breaks. This is one of my biggest gripes with most of the adjustable skates listed above and why I steer most people to non-adjustable skates.

Yes, it will cost more money in the long run to put a child in non-adjustable skates, but you will also have better skates. If you are frustrated with your skates, especially as a beginner, you are much more likely to quit. Better skates = more fun skating. More fun skating = skating for life. And, getting more people to skate for life is the mission of this site.

What kind of roller skates are easier for a child to start with (inlines, rollerblades or quad roller skates)? Is it easier to roller skate or rollerblade?

Quads or traditional roller skates are the easiest for a child or beginner to learn on. The four wheels on a quad skate are much like a car, with two axles (one in the front and one in the back) with two wheels on each axle. This design more equally distributes your child's weight onto a wider base making it easier to stand up.

Rollerblades would be the next best pick because of the hard, firm, tall boot. However, balancing on a single line of wheels, as opposed to two axles, is just harder. Is it possible for a child? Of course. I see kids start on rollerblades all of the time. And, if the parent is more of a rollerblader, or the child is just dead set on getting a pair of rollerblades, then go for it. The most important thing is to encourage your child and to just get out there and skate.

Aggressive inline skates are made especially for speed skating and I would not recommend them to a beginner. They take considerable ankle support and patience to stand up in (let alone master). They are fun but very challenging. If your child is really into speed skating, then these are eventually the skates for you. I just would not start out with aggressive inlines.

How do you teach a child to roller skate?

This is such a great question that I did an entire podcast on how to teach roller skating to others. The episode was mostly geared at parents. I taught 1000s of people how to skate at my local rink when I was a floor guard/DJ, skate instructor and artistic figure skater.

To summarize that episode, there are a few things to consider as a parent, grandparent or adult trying to teach a child to roller skate:

Make it fun. If it's not fun, then the child is going to find something better to do.
Skate with your child.
Be patient with your child. This is a hard one for me. Realize that learning something new takes time. Go back to step 1 if you are taking this too seriously.
Get the child their own pair of skates.
If you are safety conscious or doing a lot of skating outdoors, then you may want to look into getting knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a helmet.
Teach the child how to fall down and get back up.
Teach them how to stop properly.
Teach them how to skate forwards.
If struggling to stand, lock down their wheels or move to the carpet.
Don't be afraid to ask others for help. See if your rink offers skating lessons. Also, ask advanced skaters for help. Many of us love to help newbies.

What is the smallest size roller skate? What is the largest?

The smallest roller skate I have seen is a 6J (the J stands for junior/juvenile). Junior skates start at 6J and then go up to 13J. Your selection is limited for roller skates with junior sizes. This is why I highly recommend the Sure-Grip Fame. It's a great skate and you can get it in a very small junior size.

After 13J, the adult sizes begin at size 1. Most skates will then go up to at least a size 12. Some skates then come in larger sizes for big rabbit feet people like me. There are several skates that will go up to a size 13 or 14.

The largest size I've seen for the typical skates is a size 15. So, what do you do if you are Shaq and you need a pair of roller skates in a size 22? That's when you have to go the custom skate path. The absolute largest I have heard of is a size 25.

Is Roller Skating good for you?

There are so many amazing health benefits of roller skating. Getting a child skating early is a great way to teach them the habit of exercise and keep them fit. And if you skate with your child (highly recommended), then you are doubly reinforcing the importance of fun exercise.

One hour of roller skating burns as much as 600 calories. Skating for just 30 minutes also helps get your heart rate up. Roller skating also increases strength and muscle endurance. Another great benefit is that it works most muscle groups on the body including the glutes, quads, abs, calves and arms.

Skating also gets a bad rap for being unsafe. Various university studies have shown that you are more likely to injure yourself riding a bike (5x more likely), playing basketball (4x), playing football (3x) or even just playing on a playground (2x) then you are roller skating. One study even showed that skating causes 50% less stress to joints than running.

But the best health benefit of roller skating is that it is fun and something that can be enjoyed as a family. I hope to see you out there skating!

How can I learn more about roller skating?

If you'd like to learn more about roller skating, gear reviews and tips, then be sure to sign up for the Roller Skate Dad Club. It's free to sign up. All you have to do is plug your name and email address into the form at the end of this article and you're in the club.

Can I Take My 2 Year Old Roller Skating

Source: https://www.rollerskatedad.com/best-roller-skates-for-kids-toddlers/

Can I Take My 2 Year Old Roller Skating

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Best Adjustable Roller Skate for Kids – Ages 1-8

Best Toddler Roller Skate – Ages 1-4 (Non-Adjustable)

Best Roller Skate for Kids – Ages 5-8 (Non-Adjustable)

Best Boys & Girls Roller Skates – Ages 9+

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Kids Skate Sizes – Should You Go with an Adjustable Roller Skate?

Best Adjustable Roller Skates for Kids & Toddlers

For Ages 1-8

9 Best Adjustable Skates for Kids Ages 1-8

Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Product Breakdown

1. Candi Girl Lucy Adjustable Girls Roller Skates

2. Pacer XT70 Adjustable Roller Skates

3. Glitter Pop Adjustable Roller Skates

4. Kuxuan Saya Adjustable Roller Skates with Light-Up Wheels

5. Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates

6. Chicago Adjustable Quad Roller Skates

7. Roller Derby Fun Roll

8. Fisher-Price Grow with Me 1,2,3

9. PlayWheels Adjustable Skates with Knee Pads

Best Roller Skates for Kids & Toddlers (Non-Adjustable)

For Ages 1-4

Top 4 Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 1-4

Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 1-4 Product Breakdown

1. Sure-Grip White Fame Roller Skate

2. Lynx Apex Roller Skates

3. Pacer Charger Quad Roller Skate

4. Chicago Classic Roller Skates

For Ages 5-8

Top 13 Non-Adjustable Skates for Toddlers Ages 5-8

1. Sure-Grip Fame Roller Skates

2. Sure-Grip Rebel Roller Skate

3. Sure-Grip GT-50 Motion Outdoor Roller Skate Package

4. Sure-Grip Malibu High-Top Skate

5. Pacer Mach5 GTX-500 Skates

6. Lynx Apex Roller Skates

7. Chicago Bullet Skates

8. Chicago Classic Roller Skates

9. Pacer Comet Roller Skates

10. Pacer Charger Roller Skates

11. Roller Derby Sparkle / Blazer Roller Skates with Light-up Wheels

12. Pacer ZTX Roller Skates

13. Chicago Sidewalk Skates

For Ages 9+

Top 13 Skates for Girls & Boys – Ages 9+

Best Skates for Girls & Boys Ages 9+ Product Breakdown

1. Sure-Grip Boardwalk Skate

2. Moxi Lolly Roller Skates

3. Moxi Beach Bunny Roller Skates

4. Sure-Grip White Fame Roller Skate

5. GT50 Motion Outdoor Roller Skate Package

6. Jackson VIP Outdoor Roller Skates

7. VNLA Juniors / Vanilla Junior Jam Skates

8. Riedell R3 Roller Skates

9. Sure-Grip Rock GT-50 Plus Roller Skates

10. Riedell Angel Roller Skates

11. Riedell Citizen Outdoor Quad Skates

12. Roller Derby Candi Girl Carlin

13. Roller Derby Candi Girl Sabina

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pick out the best roller skates for my child?

Can I buy the roller skates you mentioned above at a store that way my child can try on the skates before I buy?

How do I choose the right roller skate size for my child or toddler? Are roller skates the same as my child's shoe size?

How fast do children's feet grow?

What are some quick tips to look for when choosing the best roller skates for my kiddo?

Which roller skates are best for beginners?

What age can a child start roller skating? Can a 2 year old go roller skating? What age can a child learn to roller skate?

How do you stop while roller skating?

How do you not fall when roller skating?

What is a good brand of roller skates?

What kind of roller skates are easier for a child to start with (inlines, rollerblades or quad roller skates)? Is it easier to roller skate or rollerblade?

How do you teach a child to roller skate?

What is the smallest size roller skate? What is the largest?

Is Roller Skating good for you?

How can I learn more about roller skating?

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