According to the pros at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, skating makes for invigorating outdoor exercise, provided you follow some basic safety precautions. Make sure your little athlete wears a helmet specifically for skating; these come down lower in the back to protect the skull in case of a backwards fall. Make sure the helmet fits properly, with the chin strap snug under the chin. And kids should wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards because of those things called broken bones and sprains. The skates themselves should have solid ankle support; if you can squeeze the plastic of the boot, they’re not supportive enough. The wheels and brakes should be secured and not worn out, and the skates themselves should be buckled snugly. The best kids roller skates and blades are maximally adjustable: little feet should feel snug without being uncomfortable. Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
