The Best Inline Skates for Children

Anyone who has or works with children can tell you that saying kids are brimming with energy doesn’t quite capture how much they love to move, jump, and play. Keeping them occupied can be quite a task. Skating around in a pair of inline skates (aka Rollerblades), whether indoors or outdoors, can be a great way to provide your child or children with a way to burn up extraneous energy and occupy their time. Most kids love to move as fast as possible, and rollerblading is a fun way to allow them to indulge their inner speed demon. Not only is rollerblading a fun activity for children, but it provides them with exercise that’ll benefit their physical and mental health. Older kids may also get the chance to feel a small sense of independence in the same way that riding a bike can provide. And it’s an activity that doesn’t require a lot of preparation or expense (unless you take your children to an indoor rink)—as long as the weather is good, your kids can pop on their skates, helmet, and pads and head right outside to skate for as long as they want. If you have a very active or energetic child or children, buying them inline skates can be a great way to provide them with an enjoyable, time-consuming, and energy-burning activity.

Shopping for Children’s Inline Skates

Here’s what to consider before buying inline skates for your kids:

• Adjustability: It’s no secret to parents that kids’ feet seem to grow an inch a day. A pair of skates that fits them now may not be the right size in a few months, which means having to buy them new skates. This is an expense that can add up quickly. Fortunately, plenty of companies have anticipated this problem. There are plenty of kids’ skates that offer adjustable skates that will “grow” with your child, so they can wear the same skates for longer and save you money.
• Bearing: A skate’s bearing measures its precision, efficiency, and speed possibilities. They’re measured on a scale known as the ABEC scale, ranked in odd-numbered units, an ABEC-1 being the lowest and ABEC-9 being the highest. Since lower ABEC numbers will offer more resistance, they generally aren’t as fast and offer greater control. Therefore, if your child is a beginner, you’ll want to check for a pair of skates with an ABEC-3 rating. An ABEC-5 or ABEC-7 skate should work fine for more experienced skaters.
• Lacing: You’ll want to make sure your child’s skates are tightly secured to their feet to avoid injury. Your choices will be between Velcro straps, buckles, and lace-ups. Velcro can be a great way for kids who want to put on their own skates, but they’re often not as secure. Lace-ups are secure as long as they’re tied tight enough, but they can take longer to put on. Look for a quick-lace (power-assisted) option for more efficient lace-up options. Buckles are generally a good option that encompasses both security and time-efficiency. Some skates may combine these closures.
• Price: Inline skates can have a decent price range. In general, you won’t want to spring for the cheaper models since they won’t work as well or be as durable and may pose a safety risk to your child. High-end pairs of inline skates can run pricey, but unless your kid or kids skate competitively, a mid-range priced set should work just fine for a skate around the neighborhood or to the park.

Top Choice: ANCHEER Inline Skates for Kids

If you’re in the market for some children’s inline skates, you can’t go wrong with this pair that combines performance, reliability, protection, safety, adjustability, and color all in one. The frame is made of aluminum that is durable and protective but light enough not to weigh down the wearer. The interior is made of polyester mesh fabric for a combination of comfort and breathability to cushion your child’s feet while also preventing the skates from feeling and smelling sweaty. The ABEC-7 bearings are suitable for most skaters. The skates are held securely closed by a triple layer of protection, a Barbie buckle, Velcro, and laces in order to keep them firmly in place to avoid injuries. The aluminum safety bracket, protective cap, and rubber right foot brake offer additional safety precautions. The brake can be switched over to the left foot if your child prefers. Available in two different shades of blue, pink, and white, the colorful frame and full-flash wheels are sure to delight kids of all ages. Small, medium, and large sizes are also available, with each size adjustable to suit your child’s growing feet and to offer a better, tighter fit to prevent accidental injuries.

Best Flashing Wheels: 2PM SPORTS Adjustable Illuminating Inline Skates

Most kids are big fans of bright lights and colors in their clothing, toys, or otherwise. If your child is like this and you’re looking to buy them a pair of inline skates, they’re sure to love these light-up ones. Each of the eight wheels lights up, flashes, and shines in bright colors as your child skates. The lights run on a self-generated power system, so you have the bonus of not needing to buy batteries to replace them. The skates themselves are black and white, available with either pink or purple accents to better set off and not take attention away from the wheels’ flashing hues. The skates have ABEC-7 bearings and boast a smooth, quiet ride, a light but solid aluminum frame, and a rubber stopper that functions as a brake and can be switched between the right or left skate. They are held closed by laces, a strap, and a high-strength buckle together to give your child better support and security in order to prevent accidental injuries caused by loose skates. Available in sizes small (for little kids), medium (for older kids), and large (for youth), these skates have four adjustment segments to better fit your child’s feet as they grow.

Best Size Range: PAPAISON Adjustable Inline Skates for Kids

Any parent, teacher, or nanny can tell you that children’s feet grow quickly, and some children have larger or smaller feet than average. This can make it difficult to buy shoes and socks for them. These inline skates are an excellent solution to this particular problem. Not only are these skates adjustable, but they’re available in four different sizes, so even if you have a teenager with adult-sized feet, these skates should fit them. The enclosed size chart pictures help you to determine which size is the correct one. There is a button on each skate that allows you to adjust the length of the boot simply by pushing it and pulling on the toe. It’s easy enough to use that your child can use it for themselves, and allows them to fit into the same pair of skates even as their feet rapidly grow. The skates’ frame is made of reinforced aluminum with high, rounded wheels that are resistant to wear and tear. The ABEC-7 bearings are fitting for most kids and teens, made of premium carbon steel for a smooth and confident ride. The wheels light up, powered by the rolling during use, so you won’t need to buy replacement batteries. There is a brake on the right foot rather than both feet to avoid falling backward while braking. Choose between black and white, black and purple, and black and red frames. With your purchase, you’ll receive a free pair of anti-friction skating socks with a reinforced toe and heel and arch support to further enhance your child’s skating.

Best for Beginners: Bladerunner by Rollerblade Adjustable Junior Inline Skates

If your child has never gone rollerblading before, it’s only natural you’ll want to make sure their first pair of skates are as safe and easy to use as possible. These inline skates are an excellent option for young beginners. Each of the three sizes is adjustable so that you don’t have to buy a new pair each time your child goes up a shoe size. The Pheonix low profile structure makes adjustment easier, allowing each skate to be expanded four different times to grow with your child. The ABEC-3 bearings and 3-inch wheels are ideal for beginners to ease into learning, allowing them to maintain a safe speed with the right amount of spin. The skates’ durable and integrated frame gives them a lower center of gravity than most skates, giving the wearer more control and stability. As a bonus, the padded liner and tongue are soft and plush enough to cushion their feet, so you know your child is comfortable as well as safe.