How to Find the Best Skateboards for 4 Year Olds

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Gavin only feels inner peace when he's riding his board. It's a place for him to escape when he's having a bad day. He wishes other people could discover how much potential there is for self-discovery in skateboarding, which is why he's here to help you.

Best Skateboards for 4-Year-Olds

Name: Santa Cruz Classic Dot Super Micro Complete Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 27” (L) x 7.25” (W)
Deck Composition: Exceptionally Strong 7-ply Birch Wood
Wheels: 52mm OJ Wheels with a 95a Durometer
Safety Features: Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape covers the entire skateboard deck for extra control and stability

Name: Element 1st Phase Complete Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 31.25” (L) x 7.25” (W)
Deck Composition: 7-Ply Premium Maple Wood
Wheels: 33mm PU cast with a 99a Durometer
Safety Features: Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape covers the entire skateboard deck for extra control and stability

Name: SkateXS Purple Panda Street Kids Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 7” (W) x 28” (L)
Deck Composition: Bamboo
Wheels: SkateXS 90A 53mm
Safety Features: Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape covers the entire skateboard deck for extra control and stability

Name: Blind Checkered Reaper Youth First Push Complete Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 29.8” (L) x 7.375” (W)
Deck Composition: 7-Ply Premium Birch Wood with Stiff Glue Extra
Wheels: Extra soft wheels with an 83a Durometer
Safety Features: Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape covers the entire skateboard deck for extra control stability

Name: Powell Peralta Skull and Sword Complete Mini Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 28.65” (L) x 7.5” (W)
Deck Composition: Super Strong Yellow Birch Wood
Wheels: 53mm Street Wheels with a 90a Durometer
Safety Features: Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape covers the entire skateboard deck for extra stability

Name: Enjoi Whitey Panda Mini Soft Top Complete Skateboard

Deck Dimensions: 28.375” (L) x 6.75” (W)
Deck Composition: 7-Ply Canadian Maple
Wheels: Enjoi 52mm Wheels
Safety Features: Soft Top

Styles of Skateboards

Below is a list of the most common styles of skateboards, each variation of the skateboard deck is used for a different type of skating:

Old School Boards

Old School Boards are skateboards supplied with the same set-up as boards used when the sport was still in its infancy. Old School Boards are often referred to as Vintage Skateboards and are popular today as they capture the essence of pure skateboarding and the skating culture.

When compared to modern skateboards, they are undoubtedly inferior. This is mainly due to advances in technology and the manufacturing process.

However, there is something special about these types of skateboards. Skating on one certainly helps you appreciate what the pioneers of the sport were experiencing when they conjured up this ridiculous contraption.

Short Boards

Short Board Skateboards have small rounded wheels made from a firm plastic composite. Short Boards are designed to do tricks, ride half pipes, and skate bowls.

The front of the board (nose) and the rear of the board (tail) are perfectly symmetrical. This simple shape allows the skater to do numerous tricks and travel forward and backward easily.

Cruisers

Cruiser Style Skateboards offer a unique design and are used for cruising level pavements, city streets, or any urban environment. Most Cruiser Style Skateboards are made from plastic, have oversized wheels, and feature a curve on the rear of the board called a kicktail. The kicktail allows the skater to lift the nose of the board while skating.

Lifting the nose of the skateboard helps to conquer varied terrain, generate momentum, and allows for easy cruising in an urban environment.

Longboards

Longboard Skateboards are often made from natural bamboo and are typically longer than traditional skateboards. Longboards offer a variety of shapes with larger soft wheels and are the fastest skateboards available today.

Longboards are great for beginners but are generally used for cruising, carving, and in numerous cases, a mode of transportation, and downhill racing.

Popsicle Boards

The popular popsicle board features a concave nose and tail, they are perfectly symmetrical, which results in its popsicle shape. Popsicle Boards are great for kids and beginner skaters to find their feet.

They can also be used by experienced skaters and can be used to do some gnarly tricks. They are the definition of the modern standard skateboard.

What are the Various Components that Make Up a Skateboard?

A skateboard consists of 8 components. It is important to know what they are because these are the components you will need to maintain and upgrade as your toddler progresses towards being a fully accomplished skater.

The Deck

The Skateboard deck is the board that the skater stands on when skating. It is the main feature of the skateboard and is made from plastic, Maple Wood, Birch, or Bamboo. The most common materials are Maple and Birch.

The skateboard deck is constructed by shaping and laminating seven or nine layers of these materials for strength and rigidity. The shape of the skateboard deck will determine the style of skating, with the additional components designed around it.

The Trucks

The Trucks are the axles of the skateboard and are the connection between the deck and the wheels. Trucks are typically made from Aluminum, steel, and mixed alloys. Skateboard Trucks have bushings that can be adjusted to suit your ride.

The bushings act like dampers and absorb vibrations and bumps to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride. They can be adjusted to a firm setting if you are looking for stability, or a softer setting if you are looking for more maneuverability.

The Wheels

The wheels on a skateboard allow the skateboard to move. The wheels are attached to the trucks. They house the particular bearings required for your skating style. Wheels are typically made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), plastic, synthetic rubber, or polyurethane.

Shortboards are generally equipped with small hard wheels, while cruiser style and longboard skateboards are equipped with softer and larger wheels.

The Wheel Bearings

The wheel bearings are vital components on any/every skateboard, and their primary function is to reduce friction when skating. They consist of numerous steel balls (ball bearings) encased in a thin steel casing and lubricated with grease. The wheel bearings are housed inside the wheels and slide onto the axle.

Superior bearings offer minuscule friction and can significantly increase the speed and smoothness of your skateboard. Wheel bearings are wear and tear items and will not last forever. They need to be checked and replaced periodically and can be upgraded as the skater improves his\her technique.

Grip Tape

Grip Tape is an essential component on a skateboard as it provides friction to the skater’s shoes and keeps the shoes firmly on the deck. Surfers use surf wax to increase grip while surfing, while skaters use grip tape.

Anti-slip grip tape offers extra grip and stability to toddlers and beginners. Grip Tape allows accomplished skaters to do some mind-blowing tricks that can’t be accomplished without it.

Shock Pads

Shock Pads are rectangular-shaped washers made from high-quality rubber. They fit between the deck and the trucks, and as the name suggests, they absorb a tremendous amount of shock while you are doing tricks.

They are not essential components, but they can reduce damaging the skateboard’s components or even the possibility of cracking or breaking the deck.

Risers

Risers are a wonderful innovation and are typically used to raise the height of the deck from the wheels. This is typically done to eliminate the wheel bite. Wheel bite occurs when doing tricks and results in the deck touching the wheels. This action dramatically reduces forward momentum and can cause the skater to lose balance and fall.

Hardware

When someone mentions skateboard hardware, they are talking about the nuts, washers, and bolts that hold everything together and in place. Skateboard Hardware is also known as Mounting Hardware and can be purchased individually or in sets of eight.

Top Six Skateboards for 4-Year-Olds

Santa Cruz Classic Dot Super Micro Complete Skateboard

Santa Cruz has been producing quality skateboards since the 1970s and the company is believed to be the oldest skateboarding company in existence.

The classic Dot Super Micro is a complete skateboard and a perfect option for any 4-year-old. The 29.8” (L) x 7.375” (W) lightweight Birch Wood deck features a classic popsicle street board design with a double kicktail.

Pros

Excellent beginner skateboard from Santa Cruz
7-Ply Arctic-Birch construction
52mm OJ Wheels with a 95a Durometer
Bullet 5” Aluminum Trucks
Premium ABEC-5 High-Speed Bearings
Shorter Wheel Base allows for easy turning
127 mm hanger width
190 mm axle width
Ideal for boys and girls
Classic Santa Cruz Screaming Hand Graphic printed on the board
Premium Anti-Slip Grip Tape

Cons

Premium Price

Element 1st Phase Complete Skateboard

Element has been producing premium skateboards since 1992. Some believe they make the best skateboards on the planet. The 1st Phase Complete Skateboard is ideal for kids and beginners. The deck and hardware have been perfectly paired for a firm stable set-up.

The outstanding 7-ply Maple deck measures 31.25” (L) x 7.5” (W) is perfect for tiny feet and offers loads of stability and control. The deck features a classic double kicktail design which will have them performing all types of tricks in no time.

Pros

Element is renowned for producing world-class skateboards
Outstanding Skateboard for 4-year-olds and perfect for the first phase of their skating career
Classic 31.25” x 7.5” 7-Ply Maple Deck with double kicktail
52mm x 33mm polyurethane cast wheels with a 99a Durometer
Premium trucks with standard hanger and kingpin
Class-leading ABEC-5 Bearings
Ideal for boys and girls
Pre-gripped with anti-slip grip tape

Cons

Premium Price

SkateXS Purple Panda Street Kids Skateboard

I love this skateboard and believe it to be the ultimate skateboard for any four-year-old. The Purple Panda is the company’s best-selling kids skateboard and is made with a future pro skater in mind. The 7″ x 28″ skateboard deck is specifically designed for kids and is made from premium all-natural bamboo.

Anti-slip grip tape covers the entire skateboard deck for additional safety. Soft composite 53mm wheels and pre-lubricated SkateXS Performance bearings ensure a smooth and professional ride.

Pros

Excellent Pro Skateboard specifically produced for kids.
7″ x 28″ Bamboo deck, specifically designed for kids to learn how to master the art of skating.
SkateXS 90A 53mm Wheels are available in 3 colors and are made from a softer composite for smooth and safer riding.
SkateXS Performance trunks feature softer bushings that are lightweight with innovative hollow kingpins.
High Precision SkateXS ABEC-7 Bearings are supplied pre-lubricated and are equipped with removable shields for easy cleaning.
Premium anti-slip grip tape is available in a variety of funky colors and provides additional durability and stability.
Ideal for boys and girls.

Cons

4-year-olds will outgrow this board quickly

Blind Checkered Reaper Youth First Push Complete Skateboard

Blind Skateboards are up there with the best of them, the company has been producing skateboards, equipment, and apparel since 1988. The Blind team supported some of the best skaters in the sport. This includes legends like Miki Papa, T.J. Rogers, Jake IIardi, Jordan Maxham, Sora Shirai, and Cody McEntire.

There’s no questioning their pedigree, so when these guys design a Youth Push Complete Skateboard for kids you know it’s the real deal. The Checkered Reaper Youth First Push features a 29.8” (L) x 7.375: (W) 7-ply Maple deck designed especially for younger and smaller skaters, focusing on performance and easy turning.

Pros

Blind has been a World-Class Skating Brand since 1988
Excellent 29.8” x 7.375” 7-Ply Maple Single Press Deck made for younger and smaller skaters
Super Soft 83a Durometer Wheels for maximum grip
Carbon Steel Speed Bearings
Softer bushing for easier turning and maneuverability
Ideal for boys and girls
Pre-Gripped with premium anti-slip grip tape

Cons

The deck is a little wide for 4-year-olds

Powell-Peralta Skull and Sword Complete Mini Skateboard

Powell-Peralta is one of the oldest skateboard manufacturers still operating today. In 1978 they opened in Santa Barbara, California, and quickly rose to prominence in the 1980s. Powell Peralta Decks are expertly made from super strong hard yellow birch wood, which is fused with water-resistant glue for additional strength.

The Skull and Sword Complete Mini Skateboard is ideal for 4-year-olds looking to shred and features an awesome 28.65” x 7.5” deck with iconic graphics. The trucks, bushings, and bearings are of the highest quality displaying the latest skating technology.

Pros

Magnificent mini skateboard from historic skateboard manufacturer
28.65” (L) x 7.5” (W) yellow birch deck infused with water-resistant glue for additional strength
Double Kicktail
53mm Polyurethane Wheels with a 90a Durometer
Premium alloy Mini Logo Trucks
High-Rebound Bushings
Mini Logo Bearings
Pre-gripped with anti-slip grip tape
Lifetime Warranty from manufacturers defects

Cons

Graphics are more suited for boys
4-year-old will outgrow this board quickly

Enjoi Whitey Panda Mini Soft Top Complete Skateboard

Enjoi Skateboards are relevant newcomers to the industry and were founded by Rodney Mullen and Steve Rocco in 2000, and are located in Los Angeles, California. Steve Rocco was responsible for creating the World Industries Brand and co-founded Dwindle Distribution with Rodney Mullen.

The Enjoi Whitey Panda Mini Soft Top Complete Skateboard is a quality and innovative skateboard worthy of its place on this list. The deck is made from 7-ply birch wood, measures 28.5” (L) x 6.5” (W), and is covered with a layer of soft Eva foam.

The Eva foam soft top is great for kids learning to skate and even allows for some kneeboarding without roasties. This is a superb micro skateboard for kids aged 5, and under and is reasonably priced.

Pros

Innovative Soft Top deck made from 7-ply birch wood covered with a layer of soft Eva foam
28.5” x 6.5” Micro Deck is designed for kids 5 and younger
Enjoi 52mm Wheels featuring an improved wheel formula for street and park
Carbon Steel Speed Bearings
Double Kicktail
Softer bushes for easy turning
Ideal for boys and girls
Well-Priced

Cons

4-year-olds will outgrow this board quickly

Skateboarding Safety

Safety is most important when skateboarding, especially for three, four, and five-year-olds. Firstly, they are our precious babies who are underdeveloped and can get hurt.

Secondly, we would hate for a nasty fall to scare them away from the sport forever. Unfortunately, this happens more than you can imagine.

So what do you need to remember?

Always ensure your child is wearing safety equipment. Safety equipment includes an approved helmet (NB), elbow guards, knee guards, and wrist guards.
Always ensure that your child is supervised by an adult when skating.
Always ensure the surface is soft for when they fall (they will fall off the board).
Always hold your child’s hand while skating, especially if they are beginning. Doing so will keep them from serious injury and significantly improve their confidence. Plus, they love hanging out with mom and dad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is it Safe for a 4 Year Old to Ride a Skateboard?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer as there are different factors one needs to consider. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) insists that no child under five years old should be allowed to skate.
They believe there is a much greater risk of serious injury, as the child’s judgment and balance have not fully developed. I believe that children develop at different rates, if the environment is safe and there is adult supervision and support, then there is absolutely no reason why a three or four-year-old cannot ride a skateboard.

Question: Are Wider Skateboards Better for Beginners?

Answer: Skateboards with wider decks provide more stability and make learning to skate much easier. Wider skateboards will give the beginner more confidence while making them feel safe. Wider boards are great for learning balance and cruising but doing tricks will be more difficult.

Question: Are Small Skateboards Ideal for Beginners?

Answer: Small skateboards such as the Penny Board can be a good option for beginners, particularly if they have a small stature. Penny Boards are perfect for skaters focused on learning to maintain a good balance when skating.
The Penny Board will not just improve balance, but improve basic fundamentals, turning, pushing, and carving. Although the Penny Board is great for beginners, I would not recommend them for 4-Year-Olds to start.

Question: Are Cruiser-Style Skateboards Ideal for Beginners?

Answer: Cruiser-style skateboards feature a beautiful surfboard-shaped deck and are equipped with flexible surf-style trucks and oversized wheels made from a soft composition.
This combination allows for a stable and smooth ride making it an excellent option for beginners, intermediates, and accomplished skaters. You cannot do tricks on a longboard but you can cruise around and go fast.

Question: Are Skateboards Made from Maple Wood Any Good?

Answer: Maple Wood is an excellent material for making skateboards as it is strong, durable, and flexible. It can be shaped easily without sacrificing the strength and integrity of the material. Maple Wood is the most commonly used wood for making skateboard decks.
Modern longboards are made from bamboo as it offers significantly more flex which is vital for a quality longboard. Bamboo is now the second most popular material used to make skateboard decks.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Skateboards for 4-Year-Olds

When choosing the best skateboard for your four-year-old, there are three styles of decks to choose from. Each deck shape has something positive to offer, and simultaneously it can have a few drawbacks. I applaud you for taking the time to find out what options are available.

This will ensure your four-year-old gets the best skateboard for their particular needs. It is also important to point out that rare and raw skating talent is exposed during these years.

I can confidently say that all the skateboards I reviewed are worthy of their spot on this list. However, the best skateboard for four-year-olds is the outstanding Santa Cruz Classic Dot Super Micro Complete Skateboard.

Santa Cruz is the oldest skateboard manufacturer on the planet and has been making world-class products since the 1970s.

The Santa Cruz Classic Dot Super Micro Complete Skateboard features a 29.8” (L) x 7.375” (W) lightweight arctic-birch Wood deck with a double kicktail. It comes fully equipped with premium 52mm 90a OJ Wheels, Bullet 5” Aluminum Trucks, and premium ABEC-5 High-Speed Bearings.

Choosing a skateboard for your four-year-old can be a harrowing experience. I trust this guide will help you to make an informed decision.

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