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What size scooter for a kid, by age
Set the handlebar between hip and waist, about 50 to 60 percent of the child's height: roughly 22 to 26 in for a 5 year old and 28 to 33 in for a 10 year old. Use a 3-wheel lean-to-steer scooter until about age 5.
Parents searching for what size scooter a child needs are really asking one thing: how tall is the handlebar for a child this age? This page answers it by age from toddler to twelve, and says when a 3-wheel lean-to-steer model stops making sense, which is around age 5.
| Age | Typical height | Handlebar height | Scooter type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 year old | 34 in | 17 to 20 in | 3-wheel lean-to-steer |
| 3 year old | 37.5 in | 19 to 23 in | 3-wheel lean-to-steer |
| 4 year old | 40.5 in | 20 to 24 in | 3-wheel lean-to-steer |
| 5 year old | 43 in | 22 to 26 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 6 year old | 45.5 in | 23 to 27 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 7 year old | 48 in | 24 to 29 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 8 year old | 50.5 in | 25 to 30 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 9 year old | 52.5 in | 26 to 32 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 10 year old | 55 in | 28 to 33 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 11 year old | 57 in | 29 to 34 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
| 12 year old | 59.5 in | 30 to 36 in | 2-wheel kick scooter |
Heights are CDC 50th percentile averages, rounded; handlebar range is hip to waist (50 to 60 percent of height). Updated 2026.
Scooter size for a 2 year old34 in typical, bars 17 to 20 inScooter size for a 3 year old37.5 in typical, bars 19 to 23 inScooter size for a 4 year old40.5 in typical, bars 20 to 24 inScooter size for a 5 year old43 in typical, bars 22 to 26 inScooter size for a 6 year old45.5 in typical, bars 23 to 27 inScooter size for a 7 year old48 in typical, bars 24 to 29 inScooter size for a 8 year old50.5 in typical, bars 25 to 30 inScooter size for a 9 year old52.5 in typical, bars 26 to 32 inScooter size for a 10 year old55 in typical, bars 28 to 33 inScooter size for a 11 year old57 in typical, bars 29 to 34 inScooter size for a 12 year old59.5 in typical, bars 30 to 36 in
Kick scooters from toddler to teen
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
Gift guide: shopping for a scooter rider? See the Scooter Holiday Gift Guide 2026 for picks by budget, from the big gift to stocking stuffers.
Questions riders ask
What size scooter for a 5 year old?
A typical 5 year old is about 43 in tall, so the handlebar should sit about 22 to 26 in off the deck. Age 5 is the usual switch point from a 3-wheel lean-to-steer scooter to a 2-wheel kick scooter, once the child can glide and brake alone. See the full [scooter size for a 5 year old](/sizes/scooter-size-for-5-year-old/) page.
What size scooter for a 10 year old?
A typical 10 year old is about 55 in tall, so the handlebar should sit about 28 to 33 in up. At 10 the choice is a cruiser with big wheels and an adjustable bar, or a fixed-bar pro scooter sized by height. See [scooter size for a 10 year old](/sizes/scooter-size-for-10-year-old/).
How do I size a scooter for any age from 6 to 11?
Measure the child, then set the handlebar between hip and waist height, which is about 50 to 60 percent of their height. The table above gives the typical height and handlebar range for each age; a taller or shorter child should follow their own height, not their age.
When should a child move from a 3-wheel to a 2-wheel scooter?
Around age 5, when they can glide with both feet on the deck and use the rear brake on their own. Before that, a lean-to-steer 3-wheeler stands up by itself when they stop.
Wear a helmet every ride, and check your state and city rules on age, speed and where scooters may ride. This page is researched guidance, not professional, legal or medical advice. Specifications come from each product listing and can change; confirm on the listing before you buy.
