5 Best Skateboards for 10 Year Olds Reviews and Buying Guide

We recommend the Punisher Skateboards Butterfly Jive Complete 31-Inch Skateboard. This highly-rated board features a deck made with seven-ply Canadian maple. One side has heavy-grade griptape to help your kids keep their footing while the other has brightly colored graphics to give the board its own unique style.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Punisher Butterfly Jive as well as Punisher skateboards like the 9001 Cherry Blossom Complete. We’ll also review the KPC Pro Skateboard Complete, the Cal 7 Complete, and the Krown Rookie Complete. If you’re not well-versed in skateboards and you need help choosing one for your kids, then keep reading.

5 Best Skateboards Reviews

1. Punisher Skateboards Butterfly Jive Complete 31-Inch Skateboard with Canadian Maple

First up we have the skateboard we recommend most, the Punisher Skateboards Butterfly Jive Complete 31-Inch Skateboard with Canadian maple. The Butterfly Jive gives the rider a quality riding experience at a low price point. The board itself is made with seven-ply Canadian maple wood measuring 31.5 by 7.75 inches. It also features a detailed printed design.

Punisher skateboards boast the Punisher brand ABEC-7 wheel bearings as well as the 54x36mm white wheels on five-inch alloy trucks. These wheels are perfect for either the local skatepark or riding pavement, and the trucks are strong enough to hold almost any rider. The Butterfly Jive is an excellent board choice for both beginners and more experienced riders.

Pros:

The concave deck double kick board provides the best possible positioning for your feet.
The board features high-quality 80AB skate grip tape glued onto the board for increased control.
There’s a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty against any defects in construction or craftsmanship.

Cons:

Some users have reported the bearings can be too tight on one side.
Others have stated the board can begin to delaminate after a short time.

2. Punisher Skateboards 9001 Cherry Blossom Complete 31-Inch Skateboard

Next up, we have another great board from Punisher. It’s the Punisher Skateboards 9001 Cherry Blossom Complete 31-Inch Skateboard. This option has many of the same craftsmanship qualities as the Butterfly Jive. The major difference between the two boards is in the vibrant printed design on the bottom.

Punisher skateboards come 100 percent fully assembled, so no assembly on your part is required. The manufacturer states each of their skateboards goes through a strict quality control process to check everything from the setting of the trucks to the application of the grip tape. Each board is thus built using the highest quality parts available.

Pros:

This skateboard is constructed with formaldehyde-free wood.
The full-color cherry blossom graphic on one side with quality 80AB grip tape on the other makes this quite a pretty board.
Punisher’s ABEC-7 high speed wheel bearings are great for skatepark riding, as mentioned.

Cons:

Some users have had issues with the board warping to the point where it won’t roll straight.
Others have experienced the graphics and grip tape peeling off.

3. KPC Pro Skateboard Complete

The KPC Pro Skateboard Complete is another great starter board with a slightly lower price point than the Punisher boards we just went over. This KPC Pro is also just slightly larger, measuring 32 by 8 inches. The board comes fully assembled and ready to ride as soon as it’s unpacked.

The KPC Pro is equipped with five-inch heavy-duty trucks made of aluminum as well 52mm high-rebound wheels. The precision ABEC-7 wheel bearings provide a smooth riding experience at higher speeds, and the board itself features 80-grit grip tape in black on top. KPC states each component used in their boards meets the industry standards.

Pros:

This board is also constructed of durable Canadian maple.
The modern concave design gives the board more pop when learning various tricks.
A variety of colors and graphic choices are available to suit any style.

Cons:

Several users have reported the board cracked or broke after only a few rides.
Others stated the bearings only allow for the board to roll a few feet before pushing off.

4. Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard

If your kids aren’t quite ready for a pro board yet, then try checking out the Krown Rookie Complete Skateboard. The Rookie is actually the lowest priced of the skateboards we’ve listed, designed to provide a quality ride for the budget skater. This board measures just a bit smaller than the Pro, at 31.5 by 7.5 inches. The model is also lightweight and easy to handle.

The Rookie features many of the same components as the KPC Pro. For instance, it has the same aluminum trucks, 52mm wheels, and ABEC-7 bearings. The Rookie also meets the same quality standards as the Pro. One thing to keep in mind is design choices. While the Pro features a range of colors and designs, the Rookie is more limited in this regard.

Pros:

The Krown Rookie’s board size is commonly associated with rookie skateboarders, making it a good starter for kids.
It’s fully assembled and ready to use right away.
The 80-grit black grip tape included with the board can give the rider increased control while riding.

Cons:

Some users have had problems with the trucks being improperly mounted to the board.
Others have experienced cracks or breaks in the center of the board with time.

5. Cal 7 Complete Skateboard, 7.5 Inch

Finally, we have the Cal 7 Complete 7.5 Inch Skateboard. Cal 7 boards are designed by skaters with the needs of other skaters in mind. This board boasts solid construction with premium hardware. No matter if you’re practicing ollies in the driveway or hitting the skatepark, the Cal 7 is great for almost any skating style.

This pick is set up to be an all-terrain style skateboard. It features 52mm white urethane wheels, which are perfect from transitioning from smooth surfaces to rough terrain. The wheels provide grip and don’t sacrifice slide. Also, the included bearings allow you to pick up speed quickly and smoothly.

Pros:

The high-quality craftsmanship of this board is a standout.
It features 3mm riser pads on the trucks to prevent wheelbite when turning.
The soft 95A bushings provide extra shock absorption when landing tricks.

Cons:

Users stated the board arrived showing signs of prior use, such as footprints on grip tape.
Others stated the packaging was sub-par and the board arrived chipped or damaged.

Helping Your 10-Year-Old Get Started with Skateboarding

According to a statistic provided by Skatereview, roughly 11 million people self-report that they skateboard regularly. Skateboarding is fast becoming a popular hobby around the world. Many parents may associate it with baggy clothes, a cocky attitude, and dangerous flips. However, skateboarding can be very beneficial for both body and mind.

The activity can improve coordination, balance, and metabolism. Skateboarding can also increase your kids’ sense of bravery and give them creative freedom over their hobby. Regular skateboarding practice removes their fear of pain and even develops a tolerance for it. Best of all, skateboarding can be an inexpensive hobby, which is great news for your wallet.

Your kids may be ready to go in and give 110 percent with their very first try on a board, or they may want to start slow and work their way up to bigger things. No matter which path they take, a large part of their journey will be your support as a parent. So how do you get your kids started with skateboarding? Let’s take a look.

Push the Skateboard Instead of Your Kids

You need to start slow when it comes to your kids and a skateboard. Kids tend to run very hot and cold with their interests, and steering them too much in one direction can amplify those feelings. Foster their interest, but don’t become overbearing.

The best thing to do with your kids is be supportive without acting as a crutch or pushing too hard. You can’t prop your kid up on the board and teach them expert moves right away. You’ll come across more like the pee-wee football parent who expects their kid to score a touchdown every time they grab the ball. Temper their expectations and yours, especially in the beginning.

Start on carpeting in one room in the house. In the beginning, your kids might feel more comfortable rolling around on their stomach if balance is an issue. Once they get a feel for the board, they’ll start pushing off the walls to get themselves going. From there, it’s on.

Remember your kids’ interests and desires are going to change from time to time. Keep the skateboard accessible. If things don’t go well at first, they may not want to touch it for a while. With time, they may then decide to give it another try. You don’t want to get caught in a position where you got rid of the board or have packed it away.

Help Your Kids Find Their Footing

Your kids can start out with just about any board, however plastic boards will probably be easiest on your walls. The actual mechanics of pushing a skateboard along will seem advanced to kids. Help them start by getting them gliding along on the board. Once they get the hang of it, they’ll want to do it on their own.

Kids have to find their footing and balance on their board to start gaining confidence in their abilities. Show them how to position themselves in a reasonable sidestep stance. Their feet should be perpendicular to the direction of the board. Keep their knees loose and have them look over their front shoulder.

Give them a slow swing forward and walk alongside them as they roll. Don’t push until they figure out how to either jump off or fall down in a way that they can protect themselves. Also, refrain from pushing the board for them. It can end up jutting out from underneath their feet, causing them to fall backwards.

As your kids practice more and more, they’ll slowly begin to figure things out and push the board on their own. Once they do, you can help them pick up speed by walking next to them and giving them a slow whip forward as they roll.

Don’t Be Afraid of Ramps and Skateparks

Rolling around and pushing the board on a flat surface such as your street or living room floor is one thing. Taking your kid to the local skatepark filled with kids who may have more skill is something completely different. It’s best to get them there sooner rather than later before they develop feelings of being self-conscious.

If your kids express concern about making mistakes around other kids, bring them to the park in the morning or evening when it’s less likely to be super busy. The lower their chances of being run over are, the more comfortable they’ll be with the idea. Chances are you’ll never be the only people at the park, so teach them the importance of being aware of other nearby skaters.

Rolling ramps is a great skateboarding fundamental activity. Let your kids roll on a ramp to learn how to turn themselves around. Stay alongside them in the beginning. Once they’ve gotten the hang of it on their own, it’s almost like swinging on a swing set. When it comes time to turn around, allow the momentum to slow before making an easy turn.

If ramps seem too intimidating to your kids, slants make for a great introduction. They’re much less tricky than dropping in on a ramp. Slants also help to teach kids to keep their weight forward when boarding. Whether they’re riding around on the flat or dropping in with other kids, they’ll be getting more comfortable in the park.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a reliable starter skateboard for your kids, the Punisher Butterfly Jive is the way to go. Between its high-quality construction, vibrant graphics, and 30-day warranty, it certainly makes for an excellent pick.

Remember to work with your kids to foster their love for skating. Start them out slow and let them get a feel for the board. Once they get the hang of it, get them out to the local skatepark and turn them loose. Above all else, be supportive.

You Might Also Like:

Mike Zhang. Founder of FamilyLifeShare