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If you purchase the right scooter, your child will want to ride from sunrise to sunset. You're off to a great start, as parents often attest that their kids just simply don’t want to hop off their Micro! In this blog post, we’re tackling a popular question: Should I buy my child a 2-wheeled scooter or a 3-wheeled kickboard? Let’s look at the options together!

Often, parents with children between the ages of 7 and 9 reach this conundrum. They don’t only ask which Micro scooter they should buy, parents want to know the pros and cons, which is more fun, what the differences are, and which will last the longest. These are all excellent considerations. We’ll be focusing on our favorite (and top-selling) 3-wheeled and 2-wheeled models for comparison: the Maxi Deluxe (3 wheels) and the Sprite (2 wheels).

What are the highlights of these two scooters?

Maxi Deluxe: The 3-wheeled Maxi Deluxe is one of the kids rides we’re famous for. It’s top rated for several reasons including its lean-to-steer riding style which is fun for kids of all ages. The Maxi allows kids to “surf the sidewalk” and offers the stability needed for children as young as 5, in addition to the thrill of curving and carving for children up to 12. The Maxi is one of the scooters that kids just can’t stop riding.

Micro Sprite: The Micro Sprite is our top-selling 2-wheeler for good reason. It’s the lightest of its kind on the market and holds up to 220 lbs. With a rotating carousel of fresh and classic colors, plus an easy folding mechanism, the Sprite is the traditional 2-wheel scooter that many parents initially imagine purchasing for their child.

Is one more of a “kiddie” scooter?

Nope! While we recommend the Maxi for children as young as age 5, vs. our recommended age 8 for the Sprite, we encourage parents to think of the third wheel on the Maxi as a difference in riding style as opposed to a “training wheel.” Our Customer Service Director, David says:

“Believe it or not, the 3rd wheel on our 3-wheelers is far from a training wheel— in fact, the first Micro 3-wheelers were designed for teens and adults!

Rather than the 3-wheelers being for beginners, they are instead a completely different style of ride— the way you steer a 3-wheeler is closer to the way you would *lean* to steer a snowboard or surfboard.”

At this point, you may be thinking those adult kickboards don't sound too shabby. In fact, they actually sound pretty fun! We have kickboards for you too. Shop our adult Kickboards here.

Another misconception is that 2-wheeled scooters are just “cooler” for older kids. Have you seen kids riding a kickboard-style scooter? Not only do kids feel confident and cool because they can master their scooter, they can also have fun curving and carving down the sidewalk. It really is just a matter of difference in ride feel.

What are the differences I should consider?

Customer Service Director David’s take on the 3-wheeled "kickboard" ride:

“Going with a 3-wheeler, known as a "kickboard", will offer you the greatest stability along with the lean-to-steer method; this means you actually lean your body to steer the kickboard. A 3-wheeled kickboard can stand on its own without the aid of a kickstand; conversely, a 2-wheeled scooter cannot, thus exemplifying the added stability of a kickboard. Due to a kickboard's 3-wheel design, riders cannot make as sharp of turns on a kickboard as they can on a scooter.”

This has its pros and cons. The kickboards requires slightly more planning to turn, as the rider will curve into the turn. It’s also more stable and eliminates the jerky turns that can sometimes occur on a 2-wheeler.

Overall, the main trade off for a kickboard-style scooter is stability and ease of ride vs. the inability to make sharp, athletic turns.

Here’s what David thinks about our 2-wheeled Sprite:

“Going with a 2-wheeler like the Sprite will offer portability and convenience. Our 2-wheelers definitely require more rider balance than their 3-wheeled counterparts; this comes with the benefit of being able to make sharper, more athletic turns and an increase in overall maneuverability.”

Overall, the main trade off for the Sprite is portability and convenience vs. added attention to balance and (added) physical requirements.

Differences in age and weight

One essential to consider when choosing between a 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled scooter is your child’s age. We recommend our 2-wheeled kids scooters for ages 8+ because often previous to this age, children don’t quite have the necessary balance and coordination skills to master this style of ride. The result is that children don’t feel confident and in-control, and in turn, their scooter simply isn’t as fun.

We recommend that parents focus on riding style, as it is the main difference between a 3-wheeled and a 2-wheeled scooter. After all, by choosing the right scooter for your child, you can be sure you’ve made a great investment! The good news is that you’re already on the right track by considering a Micro Kickboard product, the trusted and quality choice in scooters.

Hopefully you feel confident in your decision to choose either a 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled scooter for your child. Ready to shop? Click below!

Our award-winning customer service team is happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Need further recommendations? Wondering about accessories? Feel free to drop us a line!