Table of Contents
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Roller skating is a blast, but only with the right skates
Did you know that roller skating uses more muscles than running? This low-impact sport is a great way to get kids moving and doing aerobic exercise. It also helps improve their balance and muscle strength—all while having a blast outside. Whether your kiddo wants to cruise through the neighborhood or practice at the local skating rink, they will need a solid pair of roller skates for their adventure.
To select the best roller skates for kids, we first spoke with Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and founder of Modern Mommy Doc. She suggests looking for “roller skates that have a wide base and can be adjustable as their feet grow. A toe stop that’s nice and large can make roller skating easier as well,” she says. We also spoke to parents and kids who roller skate to get the scoop on what makes the experience safer and more fun.
After reviewing dozens of roller skate options on the market, we narrowed our list down to nine pairs of high-quality roller skates that are adjustable, fit securely, and show off your child’s unique style. All roller skates on our list fit snugly around your child’s ankle when strapped or buckled, and feature boots that are comfortable (not overly tight or loose), as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Best Overall: Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates
Pros
-
Budget-friendly
-
Adjustable
-
No laces
Cons
The Trac Star Youth Girl’s Roller Skates are our top pick because they’re adjustable, affordable, and easy to wear. These skates can grow up to four sizes with just the touch of a button. Buy them when your kid is on the smaller end of the size spectrum, and they’ll last for years.
The high skate base provides plenty of support, and the buckles are quick and easy for kids to use, with no laces to tie (and retie). Rolling on urethane wheels, these skates travel well indoors and outside.
Price at time of publication: $42
Key Specs:
Size Range: Medium (12-2) and large (3-6) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Best Budget: Roller Derby Fun Roll Jr. Girl’s Adjustable Roller Skates
Pros
Cons
Parents of younger kids will appreciate all that these skates have to offer. With the twist of a lever, these skates can grow up to four sizes. The “tractor style” skate design features two bigger wheels in the back and two smaller wheels in the front.
This design will help keep kids balanced, so skating is safer and will hopefully result in less falling. Safe for indoors or outdoors, consider these trainer skates for the youngest set.
The company also offers the same roller skates for boys.
Price at time of publication: $42
Key Specs:
Size Range: Small (7 to 11) and medium (11 to 2) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Best Adjustable: Yvolution Neon Combo Skates 2-in-1
Pros
Cons
Adjustable may be an understatement for these skates. Not only do they adjust up to three sizes, but they can convert from inline skates to quad skates, depending on your kid’s preference and skating level.
In both modes, the LED wheels light up (no batteries needed), so your skater will bring the party wherever they are. You will appreciate the versatility and high-quality construction of these skates, all while providing skaters with two options for the price of one.
Price at time of publication: $65
Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 and 12 to 2 | Age Recommendation: 8 years old and up | Adjustable: Yes
Related: The 9 Best Bikes for Kids
Best for Toddlers: RC Sports Zippy Toddler and Children’s Adjustable Starter Skates
Pros
Cons
The RC Sports Zippy toddler roller skates are a solid choice for tiny feet learning to skate. They’re made of nylon with strong velcro and aluminum alloy rivets and don’t only slide onto your child’s feet—they slide over their entire shoe.
The skates adjust from size 7 to 13 and feature a lock on the front wheels, allowing children to walk in their skates to get a feel for them on their feet. Once kiddos feel confident, simply unlock the setting to roll the wheels forward only (they do not roll backward).
Price at time of publication: $40
Key Specs:
Size Range: Toddler (7 to 13) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Related: The 16 Best Toddler Shoes of 2023 for Small Feet on the Move, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Young Kids: Chicago Skates Adjustable Junior Quad Skates
Pros
Cons
Designed for beginners, this affordable pair of quad skates is ideal if your kid is just starting to explore the world of skating. With the push of a button, the skates can adjust up to four sizes, so they’ll provide a lot of value through the years.
We especially like that these skates are safe and stable for indoor or outdoor skating. The buckles help provide a snug fit and are easy for young kids to put on themselves.
Price at time of publication: $40
Key Specs:
Size Range: Small (10-13) and medium (1-4) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Best In-Line/Roller Skate Combo: Xino Sports 2-in-1 Combo Roller Skates and Blades
Pros
-
Interchangeable design
-
Adjustable sizing
-
LED light-up wheels
-
Four color options
Cons
Roller blades or skates—style is no issue for the Xino Sports 2-in-1 Combo. With interchangeable attachments, children can learn to roller skate with a quad style before transitioning to inline skates without purchasing an entirely separate pair. They’re available in four color options—black, blue, gray, and orange—and grow with your child by adjusting to three sizes.
If you want to join in on the fun, these skates are also available in adult sizes. And did we mention they have LED light-up wheels?
Price at time of publication: $80
Key Specs:
Size Range: Youth medium (1 to 4), youth large (5 to 8), and adult (9 to 12) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Best Inline: Roller Derby Tracer Boy’s Adjustable Inline Skates
Pros
-
Washable boot liner
-
Adjustable sizing
-
Brake on right skate
Cons
Get rolling with these awesome adjustable inline skates. With just the click of a button, these skates can grow up to four sizes, so your growing kid can keep wearing them year after year. The urethane wheels make skating indoors and outdoors safe for your little one.
Eliminate the hassle of laces with easy-to-use buckles, and the washable boot liner prevents any stinky odors from developing in the boot. These high-quality skates are a good value as the adjustable sizing is ideal for quick-growing feet.
If you’re looking for inline skates for girls, the company offers two colors, mint and blue, with the same great features.
Price at time of publication: $45
Key Specs:
Size Range: Small (12-1) and medium (2-5) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Related: The Best Scooters for Kids Who Are Ready to Zoom Off on Their Own
Best Lace Up: Circle Society Classic Adjustable Children’s Skates
Pros
Cons
For those kids that prefer a lace-up skate, this pair has a classic look but provides the ease and cost-savings of an adjustable option. With a push of a button, these skates adjust up to four sizes.
Choose from seven different color options, ranging from classic cotton candy and white checkered to stylin’ tropical pineapples.
Price at time of publication: $49
Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 7 and 12 to 3 | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes
Related: The Best Helmets for Kids
Best Shoe Style: Lenexa Sonic Cruiser
Pros
-
Fits like a sneaker
-
Stylish, casual look
-
Friction-control wheels
Cons
-
Not adjustable
-
Less ankle support
Big kids and semi-experienced skaters will love the comfort and ease of these cruiser skates, designed to comfortably fit like a sneaker. These skates do provide less ankle support, so they are best for kiddos who feel confident on four wheels.
The one major downside is that the Lenexa Sonic Cruisers are not adjustable; however, the company offers a handy size chart (based on women’s sizing) to find the right fit for your big kid.
Price at time of publication: $50
Key Specs:
Size Range: 5 to 10 (women’s) and 4 to 9 (men’s) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: No
How We Selected the Best Roller Skates for Kids
We chose the best roller skates for kids by studying the design and features of more than 20 options on the market and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on kids’ roller skates. In addition, we considered sizing, material, adjustability, design, styles, age recommendations, skate safety, and overall value when reviewing products.
We also spoke with Kelly Fradin, MD, FAAP, a complex-care pediatrician, director of pediatrics at Atria Institute, and author of “Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges;” and with Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, pediatrician, author of “The Working Mom Blueprint,” and founder of Modern Mommy Doc. Their expert insights helped us focus our research and determine what to look for in roller skates for kids. Moreover, we reviewed guidance from the AAP on the gear children need to skate safely.
What to Look for in Roller Skates for Kids
Adjustable Size
Since kids are always growing, finding skates that accommodate multiple sizes is essential. Many roller skates for kids offer adjustable sizing for up to three to four sizes, such as the Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates and the Chicago Adjustable Quad Skates. Of course, you’ll want to ensure the skate fits your child’s feet snugly so they have adequate ankle support and don’t get blisters.
Laces vs. Buckles
You can find roller skates for kids with both lace and buckle closures. Buckles are generally quicker to open and close but sometimes feel too tight. Conversely, laces can offer a more customized fit, like the Circle Society Classic Adjustable Children’s Skates. However, they will likely be more time-consuming to tie and untie and they could loosen as your child skates, unlike a buckle.
Quad vs. Inline Skates
There are two types of skates that you can find for your child: quad and inline (also known as roller blades) skates. Quad skates have two wheels in the front and back and are a great option for beginners. Inline skates have all four wheels lined up in a single row. These skates are typically best for children or teens with experience skating as they require more stability and balance than quad skates.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can children start roller skating?
“Most kids can start roller skating at about 3 years old, once they don’t need to focus on balance when they’re walking or running,” explains Dr. Casares. However, children “may lack the strength and stamina to do it until they are a bit older,” Dr. Fradin adds.
What safety gear should children wear when roller skating?
While fun, roller skating can result in serious injuries if children don’t wear the proper safety gear. “Children need knee pads, wrist guards, and a helmet if they’re roller skating,” recommends Dr. Casares. “Roller skating is a fun cardiovascular activity, but it can also be a dangerous one.”
According to Dr. Fradin, wrist guards are often overlooked and that’s a big mistake. “Wrist guards have been shown to decrease the risk of fracture as well as the severity of the fracture,” she says. “A helmet is also a good idea, and knee and elbow pads are likely to prevent abrasions.”
Are roller skates or blades better for kids?
For beginners, your best bet is to purchase roller skates, as they “have a wider base than roller blades, which can make kids feel more stable,” says Dr. Casares. “This makes them safer and easier to use for young kids.” Once children get the hang of how roller skates work, they can graduate to inline skates.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of writing experience. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. Her niece owns the Roller Derby Fun Roll Jr. Girl’s Adjustable Roller Skates and loves the bright colors, the quad style that makes her feel stable, and the easy adjustability, so she can keep them for a long time.
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, an 8-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. While she is not a roller skater and none of her kids have taken it up (yet!), they do all love sitting in their front yard and watching the occasional roller skater go by!
