A guide to buying first pair of roller skates for your child

Aug 6

Purchasing your child’s first pair of roller skates can feel overwhelming—especially with so many brands, sizes, and features to choose from. This guide is designed to help you confidently choose the right skates, so your little one can have a safe and joyful skating experience.

👣 Why Size Matters

Don’t go too big! A common (but misguided) approach is to buy the largest size so the child can grow into them. When the skates are too big, the feet moves around inside the boot. This often results in blisters, poor control, and frustration.
Best fit: Aim for skates that are no more than one size up from your child’s actual shoe size. If there’s extra room inside, add padding (like cotton wool) to prevent unwanted movement.

🛼 Adjustable Skates:
Pros & Cons

Toe-Extension Skates

These skates adjust by pulling the toe part of the boot outward, making the entire boot longer. You’ll often see a button or clip on the side that releases the toe section.

Pros: Simple to use and often more affordable.
Cons: As the boot gets longer, the wheels may end up positioned poorly — too far forward or backward from the natural pressure points of the foot (especially the ball), which can affect balance and control.

Illustration of adjustable size roller skates and the position of the ball of foot vs front wheel. — *Illustration of how the ball of the feet should align with the front wheels.*

Internal Twist-Adjustment Skates

These use a twist mechanism (usually at the heel or arch) that adjusts the inner boot size by shifting the internal footbed forward or backward.

Pros: Keeps the wheelbase in a more stable, fixed position and offers a snugger fit as your child grows.
Cons: Heavier and longer than needed, may look like clown shoes

*Example of a internal twist-adjustment roller skates*

Teach Your Child How To Skate 🛼 - even if you’re not a skater

This comprehensive guide is designed for parents and carers who want to confidently teach their child how to roller skate—even if you’ve never skated before! Empower yourself with the knowledge, techniques, and tips to make skating a fun and safe experience for both you and your child.

Learn more

🚫 Trucks: What They Do & When They Matter

What are trucks? These pivot mechanisms under the boot allow wheels to turn when a skater shifts weight from side to side. They make turning smooth and responsive.
Why cheap budget skates may struggle: Some low-end models (even from known retailers) have overly stiff or non-functional trucks, meaning skaters must lift and reposition their feet manually to turn—harder for inexperienced skaters.
Ideal quality: Choose skates with soft, compressible cushions (bushings) for smoother turning and easier handling—especially for lighter children.

Roller skates from Rebel sports and Kmart have very rigid trucks. — *Roller skates from Kmart and Rebel Sports have very stiff trucks*

👶 Children 5 & Under

At this early stage, young kids and toddlers are still developing balance and coordination. Traditional trucks are often unnecessary—or even a hindrance.

Better option: Lighter, wide-base skates without trucks or with wheel-locking features allow children to get used to the weight and feel of the skate before actual rolling begins.

Most roller skates start from size 1. Only a few brands make good smaller sizes:

Epic Princess (from j10)
Crazy Skates Rocket (from j10)
Starfire 500 (from j13)
Trolls Klip Klop (adjustable j11-1)
Crazy Skates Prime (adjustable j9-j12)

⚙️ Toe Stops: Rubber/urethane Over Plastic

Preferred material: Rubber/urethane toe stops grip better, absorb pressure more gently, and are safer for indoor surfaces. Also non-marking
Avoid hard plastic stops—they can scratch flooring and feel clunky when stopping.
Please don’t drag your toe stops

I once came across a pair of skates with an unusual toe stop material. When I tapped on it with my fingernail, it made a distinct clinking noise—definitely not rubber!

✅ Recap: Best Skate Features by Age & Stage

Age Group	Recommended Skate Type	Key Features
5 years and under	Lightweight, wide-base skates	Optional wheel-lock, no trucks is ok
Around 6–7	Fixed size boots with flexible trucks	Good fit, not over-size, soft cushions
Older or growing beginner	Adjustable skates (short-term use)	Be cautious of weight, length and wheel alignment
Serious learners/adults	Fixed-size skates	High-quality boots and trucks, proper fit

*An 18 month old on lightweight roller skates with wheel-lock function.*

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💡 Final Tips

Don’t let size upstop your child’s learning: choose skates that actually fit and match their current ability.
As they grow in confidence (especially around age 6+), look for skates with soft, responsive trucks that let them turn naturally.
Rubber toe stops, and proper fit matter just as much as style.
And above all—prioritise safety, stability, and fun in their first skating experience.