Every parent wants their child to be active and have fun, but sometimes it’s hard to find activities that fit those criteria. Skateboarding is a great option for parents looking for an activity that will get their kids moving while also providing them with a creative outlet.
But how do you teach a kid to skateboard? It’s not as difficult as you might think! With a little patience and the right instruction, your child will be cruising around on their skateboard in no time.
How to Teach a Kid to Skateboard? Complete Guide
Things You’ll Need
You’ll need a few things before you can start teaching your child to skateboard.
Firstly, you’ll need a skateboard! If you don’t have one, you can easily purchase a beginner’s skateboard from your local sporting goods store or online.
Secondly, you’ll need a helmet to protect your child’s head while they’re skateboarding.
- Wrist guards
- Knee and elbow pads
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that you have a smooth, flat surface to skate on. Skateboarding on rough or uneven surfaces can be dangerous, so it’s important to find a spot that is safe for your child to practice on. Once you have all of the necessary equipment, you’re ready to start teaching your child to skateboard!
Complete tutorial to learn skateboarding for kids
Before you start teaching your child to skateboard, it’s important that they understand the basics of how to ride a skateboard. Skateboarding is a complex activity that takes balance, coordination, and strength, so it’s important that your child has a good understanding of the basics before they start trying tricks or maneuvers.
Step 1: The Proper Stance
The first step in learning to skateboard is finding the proper stance. For most beginners, the best stance is the “popsicle” stance, which is when both feet are placed on the board in a parallel position.
If your child is having trouble balancing in this position, you can try placing one foot in front of the other (known as the “duck” stance) until they get more comfortable with balancing on the board.
Step 2: Pushing Off
Once your child has found the proper stance, it’s time to start moving! To push off, have them place their back foot on the tail of the board and their front foot near the center.
Then, they should push down on the tail with their back foot and use their front foot to propel themselves forward.
It’s important to teach your child to push off with their back foot first, as this will help them gain speed and momentum more quickly.
Step 3: Turning
Turning is one of the most important aspects of skateboarding, so it’s important that your child understands how to turn properly before they start trying any tricks.
There are two main ways to turn on a skateboard: carving and sliding. Carving is when you use your weight to shift the board from side to side, while sliding is when you use your feet to push the board in the direction you want to go.
For beginners, the carving is usually the easiest way to turn. To carve, your child should shift their weight to the outside of the board (for a left turn) or the inside of the board (for a right turn).
Once they’ve shifted their weight, they can use their front foot to push off and complete the turn.
Step 4: Stopping
Stopping is another important aspect of skateboarding, and there are two main ways to stop: with your feet or with your hand.
To stop with your feet, your child should simply push down on the nose of the board with their front foot while dragging their back foot on the ground.
To stop with their hand, they can place their hand on the ground in front of them and use them to slow down the board.
How was my first day with my kid?
On the first day of my kid learning, I started by standing on the board in the grass. I had my kid put one foot on top of the board and then I handed them their skateboard. After that, I had my kid put their other foot on the tail of the board, and then I let go. The first thing my kid did was fall, but that is okay. The important thing is that they kept trying.
The next thing I did was teach my kid how to push. I had them put their front foot on the ground and then push with their back foot. I had them practice this for a while until they got the hang of it.
After that, I showed my kid how to turn. I had them put their front foot on the nose of the board and then turn their back foot. I had them practice this for a while until they got the hang of it.
The last thing I did was teach my kid how to stop. I had them put their back foot on the tail of the board and then lean back. I had them practice this for a while until they got the hang of it.
Now my kid knows how to stand on their skateboard, push, turn, and stop. The important thing is that they keep practicing so that they can get better at it.
Once your child has mastered the basics of skateboarding, they’re ready to start trying tricks!
Tricks for Beginner Skateboarders
Skateboarding is a great way to exercise and have fun, but it’s also a great way to show off your cool tricks! If your child is just starting out, they might not be ready for complex tricks like ollies or kickflips.
But don’t worry – there are still plenty of beginner-friendly tricks that they can learn. Here are a few of our favorites:
Step 1: The Ollie
The ollie is one of the most popular skateboarding tricks, and it’s also one of the easiest to learn! To do an ollie, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their back foot near the tail of the board.
They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their front foot to flick the nose of the board up. As the board rises into the air, they should continue jumping and use their back foot to push off the tail.
This will make the board spin in the air and land on its wheels when it comes back down.
Step 2: The Pop Shove-It
The pop shove-it is another beginner-friendly trick that’s perfect for those who are just starting out. To do a pop shove-it, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their front foot near the nose of the board.
They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their back foot to push off the tail. As they jump, they should flick their front foot up and out to the side.
This will make the board spin in the air and land on its wheels when it comes back down.
Step 3: The Impossible
The impossible is a great trick for those who are just starting out because it’s relatively easy to learn but still looks impressive when done correctly.
To do an impossible, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their front foot near the nose of the board. They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their back foot to push off the tail.
As they jump, they should swing their front leg up and over the board. The board will spin in the air and land on its wheels when it comes back down.
Step 4: The Fakie Ollie
The fakie ollie is a variation of the regular ollie that’s perfect for those who are just starting out. To do a fakie ollie, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their back foot near the tail of the board.
They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their front foot to flick the nose of the board up. As the board rises into the air, they should continue jumping and use their back foot to push off the tail.
This will make the board spin in the air and land on its wheels when it comes back down. The only difference is that your child will be backwards when they land, which is why it’s called a fakie ollie.
Step 5: The Frontside Air
The frontside air is a great trick for those who are just starting out because it’s relatively easy to learn but still looks impressive when done correctly.
To do a frontside air, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their front foot near the nose of the board. They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their back foot to push off the tail.
As they jump, they should swing their front leg up and over the board. The board will spin in the air and land on its wheels when it comes back down.
Step 6: The Kickflip
The kickflip is one of the most popular skateboarding tricks, and it’s also one of the most difficult to learn. To do a kickflip, your child should start in the popsicle stance with their front foot near the nose of the board.
They should then bend their knees and jump into the air, using their back foot to push off the tail. As they jump, they should flick their front foot up and out to the side. This will make the board spin in the air.
As it’s spinning, your child should use their back foot to kick the nose of the board. This will make the board flip and land on its wheels when it comes back down.
These are some simple tricks for your kids as a beginner.
Conclusion
It was a great experience and I am looking forward to many more days like this. We are going to the skatepark tomorrow and I am excited to see how he does. From what I have seen so far, it looks like he is going to be a natural. Teaching your kid how to skateboard can be a lot of fun and it is a great way to spend some quality time together. If you are thinking about teaching your child how to skateboard, follow these tips and you will be off to a good start.