Roller blading first saw its popularity boom in the 1980s, and it's never gone out of style since. It's an activity that blends fun and exercise, while also being a very practical method of transport. Buying a pair of inline skates for your kids will not only excite them, it will help to improve their balance, confidence and coordination.
In this article, we're here to share our tips and advice on how to properly support your child as they get to grips with gliding on eight wheels, whether they're a complete beginner or have already been doing it for years. So read on to discover our ranking of the top 10 best roller blades for kids, available to buy in the UK on Amazon, eBay and Decathlon!
Quick List - Top Roller Blades for Kids
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Roller blading for the first time can be a thrilling, but scary experience. That's why it's important that your kids feel super comfortable in their roller blades. There will undoubtably be a few falls and bumps along the way, but by getting the right blades with all the necessary features, you'll make sure they want to keep getting back up.
Kids grow up quickly, which can make buying the right size of roller blades difficult. This is particularly true of roller blades as they're made of hard plastic and far too precious to be disposing of each year. Luckily, roller blades have a clever way of getting round this problem, and that's by having the length be adjustable.
These adjustable roller blades can be extended or shortened cover up to four standard shoe sizes, which also means they can be tailored to both boys' and girls' feet. Most roller blades are described in standard UK shoe sizing, but occasionally they will labelled as small, medium and large.
If you are unsure whether a pair will fit, check the sizing guide. Even if a manufacturer uses unconventional sizing, you'll be able to find the measurements in inches, or the corresponding shoes sizes to guide you.
Staying upright on roller blades isn't always going to be easy, but feeling secure in their shoes is something that will help you little ones as they roll around. Once you have settled on the most comfortable length for their roller blades, you'll also need to make sure that there are enough straps and that they can be fastened appropriately.
The main methods of fastening roller blades are laces, velcro straps and lock straps, which normally feature around the top of the blade and are made from harder plastic to add support around the calf and ankle. Often, you will find all three on a roller blade, which might mean they take a while to do up, but it's worth it for your child to be comfortable and steady on their feet - or should we say wheels?
ABEC 1 bearings are cheaper and less precise, but they are more durable, whereas ABEC 3 and ABEC 5 bearings are good for beginners - especially kids. However, they aren't as good if you want to go a bit faster. At the higher end of the spectrum, you have ABEC 7, which are very precise and good for speed, but might not be fully necessary yet.
After your child has been on their blades for a bit, you'll notice how quickly they can move. While you don't want to take anything away from the exhilarating feeling of speeding along, you do want to make sure that they're able to stop safely, and to do this they'll need to have a brake somewhere on their blades.
A roller blade brake comes in the form of a rubber stopper that can normally be found at the back. Your child will need to master the art of using this brake as it does require some skill and balance to do it well. For this reason, it's worth supervising them and helping them stop if they're not quite at that stage yet.
As if roller blades weren't an exciting enough toy as they are, some brands incorporate light-up wheels to make them even more appealing to youngsters. These wheels are often multicoloured and look pretty impressive while spinning around. These are less likely to feature on blades for older children, but young kids will love this eye-catching addition.
There are also some practical advantages of light-up wheels when it comes to safety, too. If your kid is out skating at dusk, the light-up wheels mean they will be easier for others to see. You don't need to worry about power sources or batteries either, because these lights are powered by movement. So the only thing that's needed to get them glowing is a bit of roller blading!
To find the best tracks, parks and roads for roller blading, you might need to do a bit of exploring. Unfortunately, lugging around a pair of blades around with you can be inconvenient.
Their shape, and the fact that there are two of them, means that they are not very easy to transport. But with a bag that is designed to fit them in, you'll be able to carry them from place to place with much less trouble.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gonex Inline Skates | ![]() | A Comfortable Skate to Suit All | |
2 | oxelo Fit 5 Jr Kids' Inline Fitness Skates | ![]() | Focus on Fitness With These Roller Blades | |
3 | Wheelive Adjustable Inline Skates | ![]() | Change the Size With the Touch of Button | |
4 | Bladerunner Phoenix Rollerblades | ![]() | Extra Cushioning Means Extra Comfort | |
5 | No Fear Kids Edge Junior Skates | ![]() | These Blades Will Offer Support at High Speeds | |
6 | Osprey Kids Roller Blades | ![]() | A Sophisticated Spin on Blades for Beginners | |
7 | Ctrunit Kids' Inline Skates | ![]() | They'll Feel Like They're Flying With These on Their Feet | |
8 | Outcamer Inline Skates | ![]() | Black and White Blades With Colourful Lights | |
9 | Xootz Kids Inline Skates | ![]() | The Best Buy for Young Beginners | |
10 | meteor Inline Skates | ![]() | Keep Feet Cool While Rolling Along |
These roller blades find the perfect balance between being stylish and durable. The breathable mesh-panelled boot will stop feet from overheating, and leather reinforcement adds some much needed stability.
They might not come with a bag, but the blades themselves do have large straps on the back which will make them easy to carry. Covering a huge range of sizes, you're bound to be able to find ones that work for your youngster - which is just another reason why this pair takes our top spot!
If roller blading is something that your child really wants to pursue as a form of exercise, then this pair is well worth considering. These blades are designed with sports in mind, with a breathable construction, reinforced by leather and a plastic casing.
This boot is 'semi-stiff' meaning it offers just the right amount of give, allowing your kids to wear them comfortably for hours at a time. You get the option of elastic laces too, depending on the size you buy, so young children don't have to worry about having to tie them!
It's super easy to transform these roller blades from one size to another, which is ideal for growing feet. You won't have to play around with any complicated tools, instead simply push one button to find the right fit.
The monochrome colour scheme is made more interesting by the stylish graphic pattern and light-up wheels. This makes them great for using both outdoors on the street, and indoors at the roller disco. So no matter where your child is blading, this will be the perfect pair for them!
Comfort won't be an issue with these cosy skates. The extensive cushioning doesn't just make these blades feel more like slippers, it also adds balance and stability to improve your child's ride.
Further stability is also provided by the low profile structure of these blades, which keeps the centre of gravity low to the ground. This is another option that's good for fast moving kids, especially as they are available in a variety of sizes to keep everyone happy.
Without being too plasticky or rigid, these blades offer a high amount of support thanks to their reinforced construction. The multiple straps will help to keep their feet in place, whilst being responsive enough to allow for just the right amount of movement.
These roller blades are great if your kid wants to move fast. They are designed to look and feel more like racing blades than many other options on this list, which is just what the thrill seekers and speed demons in your life need.
Buying roller blades for those that are just staring out doesn't mean that you have to pick a pair that are designed for very young kids with bright colours and flashing wheels. These roller blades are great for slightly older kids just starting out with their more subtle colour palette and cooler look.
The hard exterior makes them great for roller bladers who need a bit of extra support, but once your child get some practice behind them, they'll probably want something with a bit more flexibility.
With these winged roller blades, your child will feel like they're flying along the pavements. The wheels will glow as they roll along and when they suddenly need to stop, there is wear-resistant brake on both blades.
You might be a little confused by the sizing considering it's done in small, medium and large as opposed to giving a shoe size range. So to get the right fit, you'll need to measure your child's feet and see how they correspond to the size chart.
The roller blades themselves may be black and white, but if your kids want a bit more colour, they'll love to see the multi-coloured lights flashing away. Better yet, you'll love the aluminium frame that adds hidden support and takes pressure away from the ankle, so your kid can concentrate on the roller blading.
Although it covers a wide range of shoe sizes, these roller blades still only come in one size. So, sadly, these won't be an option for kids with smaller or larger feet.
If your child is just starting out on eight wheels, it's best to get a pair of roller blades that have a solid outer shell like these ones. It will protect their joints and feet against high impact falls. To add comfort on the inside, there is cushioned ankle support that will soften up the hard exterior.
While these blades are great for beginners, they won't be particularly useful beyond that as the hard plastic design will begin to feel restrictive once they're a bit steadier on their feet.
When your child is speeding along, they might start to break a sweat, particularly on a hot day. Roller blading, after all, can be pretty intense exercise! This is why these blades have a multi-aeration system which will allow feet to breath and keep them cool.
As far as safety is concerned, there is only one brake on these roller blades, so your child will have to learn how to stop only using their right foot. There also aren't a huge number of sizes available, which is why they feature so low on the list.
Roller blading can be immensely enjoyable activity for kids at any age, but it isn't an activity without risk. To make sure the activity is safe, while still guaranteeing everyone gets the most out of it, the right precautions need to be taken.
The most important thing to do, is to ensure that your kids are wearing protective gear before they get going. This means putting pads on the knees and elbows, gloves to protect the palms of their hands and a helmet to stop any bumps to the head.
Whether it's hitting the skate park, or cycling around the block, outdoors activities provide plenty of opportunities to stay fit, make friends and have fun. So if your kids have a penchant for propelling themselves forward on wheels, we've got a few more suggestions to get them rolling!
Roller blading might seem like a retro activity, but there's a reason that it's popularity has endured. It's a fun way for kids to get outside and stay fit, not to mention all the other benefits such as developing balance and building confidence. Once your child gets a taste for it, they'll be speeding all over the place on their new roller blades!
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Gonex|Inline Skates
No. 2: oxelo|Fit 5 Jr Kids' Inline Fitness Skates
No. 3: Wheelive|Adjustable Inline Skates
No. 4: Bladerunner|Phoenix Rollerblades
No. 5: No Fear|Kids Edge Junior Skates
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games