The Best Roller Skates for Kids - KidsGearGuide

The Best Roller Skates for Kids

With summer around the corner, you might be looking to get your kids some fun new toys to keep them busy. Roller skates for kids are excellent for teaching balance and developing gross motor skills. While a great outdoor activity, you can also use roller skates indoors at roller rinks, making them a value-for-money purchase.

Roller Derby Trac Star

Roller Derby Trac Star

The boot itself is comfortably padded, providing a snug, secure fit. The Trac Star features cam-lever buckles, making it easy for kids to get it on and off themselves without needing any help to tie shoelaces.


Types of Roller Skates for Kids

There are two main roller skates for kids – quad skates and inline skates. Within both types, adjustable variants are also available. Let’s take a closer look at the two types:

Quad Skates

Quad Skates

The classic quad style of skates is the skates your see at indoor roller rinks. They resemble tennis shoes with four wheels, two in the front and two at the back. This style of skates provides the best balance and stability and is a great starting point for all beginner skaters.

Inline Skates

Inline Skates

Inline skates are slightly more advanced and require good balance to use. Using inline skates is similar to ice skating, just minus the ice. Inline skates typically feature 4-5 wheels in a straight line down the shoe’s sole, each wheel behind the one in front of it. Inline skates are better suited for older children and teens or kids already comfortable skating. 

How Roller Skates Should Fit

Selecting the right size roller skates for kids can be tricky. A snug fit is safest, but many children find this uncomfortable and often painful. With kids growing so quickly, you might be tempted to buy a pair of skates a few sizes bigger so that they get good use out of them. However, it is recommended that you purchase the same size as your child’s regular shoes or one shoe size bigger. But not more than that. Most manufacturers match their sizing to the popular shoe brands to help the customer find the best fit. 

A few sizing tips:

  • Check where your toes are when you first try your roller skates on. If your toes are barely touching the front of the shoe, you will be fine, but if your toes are squished or curled, consider trying a bigger size because this pair is too small.
  • While your skates are in, position yourself as if you are skating – knees bent. You will notice your toes moving slightly back into the shoe; this indicates how the shoes will fit after a few sessions. 
  • Have your child move their toes to the front of the shoes and check the space behind their heels. If there is about a pencil width, you have some growing room. Ensure the area is no smaller than a pencil but no bigger than a finger.
  • As each brand has its sizing chart, refer to their chart to get the correct fit for your child.

The Best Quad Roller Skates for Kids

The number one thing we are sticklers about is quality. When selecting the products for our list we considered many factors. We looked at the products our competition was recommending, we looked at the number of Amazon reviews and the Amazon ratings. We believe that these numbers can provide us insight into whether the product is relevant, and loved by its users.

This is a continuously updated article, which means we have the opportunity to look at our database and the information it has gathered since the publish date to determine which products our readers love. This database helps us determine which products to keep, add or remove.

1. Roller Derby Trac Star

Roller Derby Trac Star

J12 to 6

Chassis:
Trucks with Cushions

Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate

Versions Available:
Girls or Boys


The Roller Derby Trac Star is ideal for beginner to intermediate roller skaters. The chassis is lightweight, with a reinforced polymer frame and toe brakes on either skate. It features a push-button to adjust the boot up to 4 shoe sizes. The boot itself is comfortably padded, providing a snug, secure fit. The Trac Star features cam-lever buckles, making it easy for kids to get it on and off themselves without needing any help to tie shoelaces!

Moving along to the wheels and bearings, the Roller Derby Trac Star comes with 54mm urethane wheels, suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The G-Force 608ZB carbon bearings ensure a smooth glide. The Trac Star is available in pink with mint trim or blue with pink and white trim. Alternatively, a boy’s option is also available: a black with red trim option or a blue with orange trim.

Reasons to Buy the Trac Star

  • These skates are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • The shoes can adjust up to four shoe sizes.
  • Buckles rather than laces.

2. Roller Derby Fun Roll

Roller Derby Fun Roll

J7 to 2

Chassis:
Plastic Tractor-Style

Skill Level:
Beginner

Versions Available:
Girls or Boys


The Fun Roll, a Roller Derby variant, is a vibrant and fun-looking roller skate for the beginner skater. Designed specifically with junior beginner skaters in mind, the Fun Roll caters to a low center of gravity and a wide stance.

Like the previous option, the Roller Derby Trac Star, this model is size adjustable, expanding by five shoe sizes. The chassis of the Fun Roll features a polymer plastic frame with brakes positioned at the heel of the boot rather than the toe; this helps beginner skaters from falling backward.

The Roller Derby Fun Roll boot is also comfortably padded, providing a snug, supportive fit. Like the Trac Star, this model also features cam-lever buckles that effortlessly get them on and take them off.

As for wheels and bearings, the Roller Derby Fun Roll features essential urethane wheels suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The Fun Roll features the same G-Force 608ZB carbon bearings to ensure a smooth glide.

Roller Derby Fun Roll comes in two design options: a vibrant pink with yellow and white trim and a fun emoji print. Alternatively, a black with yellow and blue trim and an action comic print are also available. There are two size options: either a small, which fits shoe sizes 7-11, or medium, suitable for sizes 11-2.

Read Our Full Review of the Roller Derby Fun Roll.

Reasons to Buy the Fun Roll

  • The design includes cam-level buckles.
  • They are designed for a low center of gravity to reduce falls.
  • Size adjustable, up to 5 shoe sizes.

3. Roller Derby Candi Girl Carlin Quad

Roller Derby Candi Girl

3 to 11

Chassis:
Metal Trucks

Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced

Versions Available:
Girls


The Candi Girl Carlin is a premium, high-quality roller skate. It features a beautiful brushed suede boot on an aluminum chassis with metal trucks and padded lining with classic laces to ensure a perfect fit. These roller skates are better suited to the intermediate or older skater with already mastered basic skills.

Featuring large 66mm x 38mm Candi Girl Outdoor Wheels, the Candi Girl Carlin is perfect for outdoor use and provides grip on paved surfaces. The design offers the skater great control in turning and maneuvering, while the Bevo Silver-5 race-rated chrome bearings are made for speed. 

The Roller Derby Candi Girl Carlin is available in four different color combinations: Seafoam, Raspberry, Periwinkle, and Royal Blue. These are not size-adjustable skates, but the lace-up design allows for a snug fit if you decide to size up one. 

Reasons to Buy the Candi Girl

  • It provides grip for paved surfaces. 
  • It has a high-quality aluminum chassis with PU outdoor wheels.
  • Bevo Silver-5 race-rated chrome bearings.

4. Roller Derby Firestar

Roller Derby Firestar

J12 to 4

Chassis:
Torsion Beam

Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate

Versions Available:
Girls or Boys


The Firestar from Roller Derby moves away from the typical boot design and leans more towards a sneaker look. While still being comfortable to wear and features a padded ankle collar. It is a lace-up skate with a single power strap for quick adjusting.

The Torsion Beam chassis is lightweight and patented. It provides excellent control when turning, striding, and maneuvering on the rink and the sidewalk. They positioned the non-marking toe-brake on the front of each skate.

Roller Derby’s Firestar features 54mm urethane wheels with smooth-rolling G-Force 608ZB carbon bearings. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The Firestar is available in sizes J12 up to size 4, in either a black monochrome print or a variety of brightly colored options, including Pink Camo, Purple/Black/Mint, White/Mint, and White/Pink.

Reasons to Buy the Firestar

  • Sneaker-style design.
  • The patented chassis helps provide control when turning, striding, and maneuvering.
  • Bright color options.

5. Chicago Rink Roller Skates

Chicago Roller Rink

J10 to 4

Chassis:
Adjustable Trucks

Skill Level:
Beginner

Versions Available:
Girls or Boys


The Chicago Rink Roller Skate is the classic traditional style quad skate. It features a vinyl lace-up boot with a padded ankle and velcro power straps for quick on-the-go fit adjusting. As the name suggests, they designed these skates for indoor use but are suitable for outdoors. They’re great for beginner to intermediate skaters.

The Rink Roller Skate is lightweight, featuring a nylon chassis with a double-action adjustable truck and toe-brake. The oversized wheels are high impact, measuring 60mm each, with 608Z semi-precision bearings.

Available in sizes from J10 through to 4, the Chicago Rink Roller Skate is available in a white vinyl boot with baby pink wheels and a plain black boot with cherry red wheels.

Reasons to Buy the Chicago Rink

  • The design incorporates padded ankle and velcro straps for quick fit adjustment. 
  • It has a high-quality aluminum chassis with PU outdoor wheels.
  • Bevo Silver-5 race-rated chrome bearings.

6. Chicago Sidewalk Roller Skates

Chicago Sidewalk

J12 to 5

Chassis:
Adjustable Trucks

Skill Level:
Beginner

Versions Available:
Girls or Boys


Another skate that breaks the mold of traditional design, the Chicago Sidewalk Roller Skate, is still a high-top boot but looks more like a sneaker. It is comfortable to wear and a popular choice for the rink and outdoor skating.

The chassis is high-impact and double adjustable. It’s lightweight and features premium oversized urethane wheels with semi-precision bearings. They designed the Sidewalk for gliding.

Moving on to laces, the Chicago Sidewalk Roller Skate features three lace-up loops and a Velcro strap for extra security. You’ll find a toe stop on the front of the boot while they padded the ankle cuff for comfort.

The Chicago Sidewalk Roller Skate is available in sizes J12 to size 5. It’s available in either a white or pink color scheme with teal trimmings and a black, red, and blue color combo.

Reasons to Buy the Chicago Sidewalk

  • High-top sneaker-style design.
  • It is designed for gliding.
  • Stable oversized wheels.

6. C SEVEN Roller Skates

C Seven Skates

1 to 5

Chassis:
Wide-Suspension Trucks

Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate

Versions Available:
Unisex


Sporting a retro-style boot, the C SEVEN Roller Skates for kids is an excellent choice for those looking for that classic skate look. The chassis comprises wide-suspension trucks with 54x32mm 95A urethane wheels. The flexible and comfortable faux leather high-top boot features a lace-up design with extra support in the ankle area.

They designed the C SEVEN skates for indoor use, with the ABEC 6 carbon bearings ensuring a smooth glide. The wheels also feature two steel shields to protect them from dust build-up.

The C SEVEN Roller Skates for kids design is very minimalistic but still fun. Opt for a white boot with a pop of color to the wheels and laces or an elegant black theme.

Reasons to Buy the C Seven

  • Designed to last.
  • Classic retro style.
  • True-to-size fit.

The Best Inline Roller Skates for Kids

1. PAPAISON Adjustable Inline Skates

Papaison Roller Skates

J11 to 7.5

Chassis:
Aluminium Alloy

Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate

Versions Available:
Unisex


These PAPAISON inline skates are excellent size adjustable all-rounder skates. The frame comprises a sturdy reinforced aluminum alloy with wear-resistance 82A polyurethane wheels. All eight wheels illuminate, powering themselves through motion, so you never need to worry about replacing the batteries!

The wheels also feature ABEC-7 bearings made from high-quality carbon steel, providing an excellent smooth ride. The PAPAISON skates are available in a purple and black design or white and black. The skates come with a pair of skate socks that provide extra protection and comfort when skating. The socks offer anti-friction support and arch support. The socks are breathable and comfortable to wear.

Reasons to Buy the PAPAISON

  • There are light-up wheels.
  • Adjustable sizing.
  • Quiet-ride wheels.

2. High Bounce Adjustable Inline Skates

High Bounce Inline Skates

J12 to 12

Chassis:
Nylon

Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate

Versions Available:
Boys or Girls


The small J12 to 12-sized High Bounce skates are a great pair for beginners or intermediates. Their design includes long-lasting nylon to extend the life of the skate. High Bounce has designed these shoes with kids in mind. Instead of laces, the boots have clip-in buckles that allow you to adjust the width of the shoe. 

These shoes feature a carry loop on the back of the shoe which helps your child to carry both skates in one hand easily. With the loop, the skate has smooth gel wheels that provide a smooth ride and ABEC 5 and 7 bearings. 

Please note that these skates run small, so buy a size or two bigger when purchasing a pair for your child. 

Reasons to Buy the High Bounce

  • They have a carry loop.
  • Smooth gel wheels.
  • Easy to use clip-in buckles. 

What are the benefits of roller skating?

Roller skating is a wonderful cardio workout for your children. It provides an opportunity to blend fun and exercise into one activity. 

  • It helps with weight control and calorie burning. 
  • It builds muscle strength.
  • It improves your child’s balance.
  • It exercises your heart.
  • It helps manage and prevent Diabetes 2.
  • It improves your endurance. 
  • It increases the dopamine levels in your body.
  • It is a low-impact cardio workout
  • It creates an opportunity to teach your children road safety and rules.
  • It helps your child develop their gross motor skills

How to Buy Roller Skates for Kids

The Size of the Shoe

When selecting a size, you want a shoe of the skate to have a snug fit while not squashing your child’s toes. Your child’s toes should barely be touching the front of the shoes, and there needs to be about a pencil space between your child’s heel and the back of the shoes. If you’d like to buy a size up, it’s recommended to stick to your child’s actual shoe size or one size bigger—no more than that. 

If your goal is to buy a pair that will last a few years, consider purchasing a size adjustable roller skate. These are the skates where the skate itself is extendable length-wise to accommodate those growing feet, such as the Roller Derby Trac Star. 

The Brand

Some brands are known for their roller skates, like Roller Derby. Brands that focus on a specific niche tend to be more thoughtful and practical in their product designs. They have expert knowledge of the products and understand the customers’ issues and success using their products. 

The Chassis Design and Type

A chassis is the base frame of the roller skate. It provides the strength needed to support the weight of all the shoe’s components and the riders. The chassis is essentially a significant component of the safety system of the roller skate; it keeps the shoe rigid and stable.

There are three main chassis you’ll find with quad roller skates for kids: tractor, truck, and torsion beam. 

The tractor chassis sits low on its four wheels. The two front wheels are much smaller than the two large rear wheels, like a tractor the chassis was named after. It’s kind of like having training wheels but for roller skates. The truck chassis sits higher up on its wheels and has the traditional wheel arrangement—even-sized wheels on a chassis that carries weight across the chassis evenly. The torsion beam chassis has four wheels mounted onto a single axis suspended by springs. This design acts as a shock system that makes the ride smooth on rough terrain.

Type

There are various types of skates, ranging in use and terrains. The two kinds of roller skates for kids on this list are inline skates and quad skates. Both types are for indoor or road use. Inline skates consist of four wheels in a straight line behind each other from head to toe. Quad skates are comprised of four wheels placed like the wheels of a car, two in the front and two at the back. 

Your Child’s Skill Level

The type of roller skate you will purchase depends on your child’s skill level. Quad skates are generally for beginners, those new to skating and don’t have the needed balance skills. Inline skates are more for the intermediates, those who have roller skated before or have good balance. 

Indoor or Outdoor

Skating indoors or outdoors is a choice based on preference. It’s important to consider your child’s skill level, awareness of their surroundings, and how brave they are. Skating on tar or paved roads could require more balance because of the uneven surface, surface texture, and potholes. For their safety, your child should be aware of their surroundings when roller skating on the road. They need to be mindful of any oncoming vehicles. 

Roller Skating Safety Checklist

  • Safety Gear: Your child should always wear the correct safety gear when roller skating; this includes a snug-fit helmet, elbow, knee pads, wrist guards, and gloves. Did you know that nearly half of all kids showing up in emergency rooms for skating injuries weren’t wearing any safety gear? These injuries mainly included fractures and sprains of the wrists and lower arms, which takes us to our next point.

Here’s what we suggest:

JBM Roller Skating Helmet

JBM Helmet

These JBL helmets are impact-resistant, providing the essential protection your child needs. They’re made of solid and durable PVC & PC EPS foam that helps absorb the impact during a fall. Each size features adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit in small, medium, and large. They come in various fun colors and are suitable for boys and girls.

Triple Eight Saver Series Pad Set

Triple Eight Pad Set

The Triple Eight protective pad set consists of:

  • 2 x knee pads,
  • 2 x elbow pads,
  • 2 x wrist guards

They made the knee and elbow pads with high-quality fabric, EVA foam padding, and full-coverage polycarbonate caps. The wrist guards are high-density, impact-resistant ABS splits and 4-way stretch nylon mesh. Thanks to the sleeveless design, the pads are easy to get on or remove.

  • Teach your children to fall correctly: That might sound strange, but falling is almost guaranteed to happen while learning to roller skate. By teaching your child how to fall correctly, you can avoid the fractures and sprains mentioned above by teaching your child how to fall correctly. What’s the best way to fall? Try rolling with the fall and come down in a tumble form, on your arm and side. Learning how to move with a fall is essential in avoiding broken bones. 
  • Stick to the appropriate skill level: Kids with no experience or skills in skating with quad skates will struggle with inline skates. Start your child in quad skates and only graduate to inline skates once they’ve fully mastered the fundamental skills required in skating. The way the wheels are positioned on a quad skate offers more stability by creating a lower center of gravity. This stability makes it easier for beginners to learn how to skate and improve their balance skills and confidence. 
  • Avoid uneven surfaces: To prevent injuries, and damage to their skates, encourage your child to avoid uneven paving or gravel and dirty areas. Instead, stick to the smooth flat surfaces and paved areas. The smooth areas such as even, quiet roads and maintained sidewalks are the perfect place for beginners to skate. However, it is recommended to avoid uneven terrains because something such as a small stone can bring your skate to a halt, and the momentum could throw your child off balance. 
  • Obey traffic laws: When skating outdoors, teach your children the road rules. For their safety and everyone else on the road, they should obey all the traffic signals, keep right, and never weave through traffic. Never teach your child to “truck-surf” or hold on to moving vehicles while wearing roller skates.

How to Make a PVC Roller Skate Trainer (DIY)

Almost everyone rides a bicycle with training wheels until they learn how to balance correctly; roller skating is not too different. A PVC roller skate trainer will help your child get the hang of the movement first so that they can progress on to learning the balancing next. It’s a great place to start for really young kids or those who are a little unsteady on their feet.

What you’ll need:

Hardware:

  • 14ft of 1-¼”. PVC Pipe
  • 3 x 1-1/4″ PVC Caster Fitting Inserts
  • 2 x 1-1/4″ Standard PVC Tee
  • 2 x 1-1/4″ 90 Degree Elbow
  • 1 x 1-1/4″ 4-Way Tee
  • 1 x 1-1/4″ 3-Way Elbow
  • 3 x Threaded Caster Wheels

Tools:

  • Measuring Tape
  • Hammer
  • PVC Cutter / Hand Saw / Mitre Saw
  • Drill and Screwdriver OR PVC Cement

Step 1:

Using either a PVC cutter, handsaw, or miter saw – cut the PVC pipe into 7 x 24″ sections.

Step 2:

Join two 24″ PVC pipes into the left and right sides of the 1-1/4″ 4-Way Tee.

PVC Step 2

Step 3:

Insert the 1-1/4″ Standard PVC Tee’s on the ends of the PVC pipes to create a base frame.

PVC Step 3

Step 4:

Connect the caster wheels to the caster fitting inserts.

PVC Step 4

Step 5:

Connect the assembled caster wheels to the base frame.

PVC Step 5

Step 6:

Join two 24″ PVC pipes to the 3-Way Elbow.

PVC Step 6

Step 7:

Insert the 90 Degree Elbows on the ends of the PVC pipes to create the handlebars.

PVC Step 7

Step 8:

Connect the handlebars and base frame to the renaming three 24″ PVC pipes.

PVC Step 8

Step 9:

To secure all the connection points and prevent the frame from coming loose, either drill holes and secure them with screws or use PVC cement to hold the parts in place.

PVC Step 9

Frequently Asked Questions

What Special Gear Should I Purchase?

Safety gear is the most important; make sure your child has a correctly fitted helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards. A PVC roller skate trainer is a handy piece of gear for fresh beginners. It helps kids learn the basics motions of how to skate while aiding their balance. Once they get the hang of the footwork, they can move on to trying without the trainer. It’s sort of like training wheels on a bike; they’re easy to make yourself.

What is a Good Age to Start Roller Skating?

Around four to five years old. Most kids will be interested in roller skating and have some of the essential abilities required (like balance).

Which Roller Skates are Best for Beginners?

Quad skates are best for beginners. They are easier to maintain balance and learn the basics of skating.

Should my Child Roller Skate Indoors or Outdoors?

This will largely depend on whether you have the ideal outdoor skating conditions for your child to skate on. Both indoor and outdoor roller skating is fine but has separate skates for each. Using roller skates designed for indoor use will wear the wheels down and prevent them from providing the grip needed for indoor roller skating.

Roller Derby Trac Star

Roller Derby Trac Star

The boot itself is comfortably padded, providing a snug, secure fit. The Trac Star features cam-lever buckles, making it easy for kids to get it on and off themselves without needing any help to tie shoelaces.

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