What age for roller skates?

[Anonymous]

We are in an apartment and trying to find novel ways to wear child out. Is newly 5 too young for roller skates? Dare I as a fat old mum also get a pair? Can we use her bike helmet or are there special ones for skating? Was thinking adjustable skates if those still exist. Is 5 too young? She’s an ace on balance bike.

[Anonymous]

I think roller skating is like ice skating, and the rule of age for ice skating is as soon as you can find ice skates that fit.

You should not skate. You're fat. You're old. You'll go down like a ton of bricks and break something.

Bike helmet is fine. Stop overthinking this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think roller skating is like ice skating, and the rule of age for ice skating is as soon as you can find ice skates that fit.

You should not skate. You're fat. You're old. You'll go down like a ton of bricks and break something.

Bike helmet is fine. Stop overthinking this.

You’re a peach. Thanks for the tip on bike helmet!

[Anonymous]

I got my dd roller skates when she was about 5.5. I did not get skates for myself because at the beginning, she needed me to be stable to help her as she went along. As she got better, she is happy to just roll by herself.

We got her a skating helmet. My understanding is that the bike helmet is built to absorb a single, large impact. The skating helmet is designed to absorb lots of smaller impacts. There is LOTS of falling with roller skates. Make sure she has elbow and knee pads and wrist braces. I really do think the wrist braces saved her from a broken arm or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got my dd roller skates when she was about 5.5. I did not get skates for myself because at the beginning, she needed me to be stable to help her as she went along. As she got better, she is happy to just roll by herself.

We got her a skating helmet. My understanding is that the bike helmet is built to absorb a single, large impact. The skating helmet is designed to absorb lots of smaller impacts. There is LOTS of falling with roller skates. Make sure she has elbow and knee pads and wrist braces. I really do think the wrist braces saved her from a broken arm or two.

Thank you!! I was unsure on the level of protective equipment. This is all really helpful feedback.

[Anonymous]

My daughters learned to skate at 5 and they love it! I will say that they found roller blades easier than roller skates (I always did as well), so we went with those. Bonus is they do have adjustable roller blades. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my dd roller skates when she was about 5.5. I did not get skates for myself because at the beginning, she needed me to be stable to help her as she went along. As she got better, she is happy to just roll by herself.

We got her a skating helmet. My understanding is that the bike helmet is built to absorb a single, large impact. The skating helmet is designed to absorb lots of smaller impacts. There is LOTS of falling with roller skates. Make sure she has elbow and knee pads and wrist braces. I really do think the wrist braces saved her from a broken arm or two.

Thank you!! I was unsure on the level of protective equipment. This is all really helpful feedback.

Yes, the wrist, knee, and elbow pads are important for outdoor skating. There's a far larger risk that she'll break an arm than get a concussion.

[Anonymous]

My 5 year took very well to roller skates - the real, heavy kind.

I put pads on her elbows, knees, hands, and had her wear padded shorts and a helmet. She fell a million times the first three days, then picked it up like a pro.

We also watched some short youtube videos on technique that helped.

Now she's all over the place and rarely falls. It was great to watch. Just cover up EVERYTHING on her body that could get scraped and let her go!

I did not join, as I am not really into roller skating, but if you are motivated, that might be a fun activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 5 year took very well to roller skates - the real, heavy kind.

I put pads on her elbows, knees, hands, and had her wear padded shorts and a helmet. She fell a million times the first three days, then picked it up like a pro.

We also watched some short youtube videos on technique that helped.

Now she's all over the place and rarely falls. It was great to watch. Just cover up EVERYTHING on her body that could get scraped and let her go!

I did not join, as I am not really into roller skating, but if you are motivated, that might be a fun activity.

These are the skates we purchased. https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Girls-Sidewalk-Roller-Skate/dp/B000GW7D0M

Get padded shorts too! https://www.amazon.com/JMsDream-Padded-Protection-Protective-Skating/dp/B07P6NR9WH/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=padded+shorts+for+kids&qid=1592575803&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 5 year took very well to roller skates - the real, heavy kind.

I put pads on her elbows, knees, hands, and had her wear padded shorts and a helmet. She fell a million times the first three days, then picked it up like a pro.

We also watched some short youtube videos on technique that helped.

Now she's all over the place and rarely falls. It was great to watch. Just cover up EVERYTHING on her body that could get scraped and let her go!

I did not join, as I am not really into roller skating, but if you are motivated, that might be a fun activity.

These are the skates we purchased. https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Girls-Sidewalk-Roller-Skate/dp/B000GW7D0M

Get padded shorts too! https://www.amazon.com/JMsDream-Padded-Protection-Protective-Skating/dp/B07P6NR9WH/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=padded+shorts+for+kids&qid=1592575803&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-10

I’m sorry, but those padded shorts look ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 5 year took very well to roller skates - the real, heavy kind.

I put pads on her elbows, knees, hands, and had her wear padded shorts and a helmet. She fell a million times the first three days, then picked it up like a pro.

We also watched some short youtube videos on technique that helped.

Now she's all over the place and rarely falls. It was great to watch. Just cover up EVERYTHING on her body that could get scraped and let her go!

I did not join, as I am not really into roller skating, but if you are motivated, that might be a fun activity.

These are the skates we purchased. https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Girls-Sidewalk-Roller-Skate/dp/B000GW7D0M

Get padded shorts too! https://www.amazon.com/JMsDream-Padded-Protection-Protective-Skating/dp/B07P6NR9WH/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=padded+shorts+for+kids&qid=1592575803&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-10

I’m sorry, but those padded shorts look ridiculous!

They do. They’ll make excellent throwback photos for her late teens, too. muuaaaahahahahha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in an apartment and trying to find novel ways to wear child out. Is newly 5 too young for roller skates? Dare I as a fat old mum also get a pair? Can we use her bike helmet or are there special ones for skating? Was thinking adjustable skates if those still exist. Is 5 too young? She’s an ace on balance bike.

OP I wouldn't join in. Not because you're (self-proclaimed) old or fat, but because I wouldn't take any risk that might end up in hospitalization right now.