The 8 Best Roller Skates for Kids of 2022

Roller skating is a great physical activity for kids. Skating can promote exercise, balance, and coordination, and provide so much fun. Kids should always roller skate with adult supervision and wear the right protective gear, including a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards.

When it comes to purchasing skates, it is important that the fit is right to ensure a safe ride. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests choosing a pair of skates that fit snugly around your child's ankle when strapped on or buckled. The boot should be comfortable and not overly tight or loose. We carefully considered any age recommendations, sizing, design, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products.

Here are the best roller skates for kids.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates at Amazon

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Best Adjustable:

Yvolution Neon Combo Skates 2-in-1 at Amazon

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Best for Young Kids:

Roller Derby Fun Roll Jr. Girl's Adjustable Roller Skates at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Playwheels Trolls Roller Skates at Amazon

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Best Inline:

Roller Derby Tracer Boy's Adjustable Inline Skates at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Chicago Adjustable Quad Skates at Amazon

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Best Lace Up:

Circle Society Classic Adjustable Children’s Skates at Amazon

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Best for Big Kids:

Lenexa Sonic Cruiser at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Family

Pros

Budget-friendly
Adjustable
No laces

Cons

Sizing runs small
Heavy

The Trac Star Youth Girl’s Roller Skates are our top pick because they’re adjustable, affordable, and easy to wear. These skates can grow up to four sizes with just the touch of a button. Buy them when your kid is on the smaller end of the size spectrum, and they’ll last for years.

The high skate base provides plenty of support, and the buckles are quick and easy for kids to use, with no laces to tie (and retie). Rolling on urethane wheels, these skates travel well indoors and outside.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: Medium and Large | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

LED wheels
Can transform from inline to quad skates

Cons

Only two size options

Adjustable may be an understatement for these skates. Not only do the skates adjust up to three sizes, but they can convert from inline skates to quad skates, depending on your kid’s preference and skating level.

In both modes, the LED wheels light up (no batteries needed), so your skater will be bringing the party wherever they are. You will appreciate the versatility and high-quality construction of these skates, all while providing skaters with two options for the price of one.

Price at time of publication: $65

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 and 12 to 2 | Age Recommendation: 8 years old and up | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Can grow to four sizes
Design helps with balance
Safe for indoors or outdoors

Cons

May be too narrow for smaller feet
Buckles can get stuck occasionally

Parents of younger kids will appreciate all that these skates have to offer. With the twist of a lever, these skates can grow up to four sizes. The “tractor style” skate design features two bigger wheels in the back and two smaller wheels in the front.

This design will help keep kids balanced, so skating is safer and will hopefully result in less falling. Safe for indoors or outdoors, consider these perfect trainer skates for the youngest set.

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: Small (7 to 11) and Medium (11 to 2) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Helmet and knee pads included
Velcro straps
Fun design

Cons

No replacement parts available
Helmet may not fit every child

Introduce toddlers to the love of skating with colorful, adjustable skates. The quad-designed skate fits right over your toddler’s shoe and will fit a range of sizes from 6 to 12. Included in the set are two knee pads and a matching helmet, so you’ll encourage safety from the start.

Velcro straps are easy to adjust and encourage independence since most kids will be able to put these on themselves.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: Junior (6 to 12) | Age Recommendation: 3 to 6 years old | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Washable boot liner
Adjustable sizing

Cons

Wheel bearings may be stiff for some

Get rolling with these awesome adjustable inline skates. With just the click of a button, these skates can grow up to four sizes, so your growing kid can keep wearing them year after year. The urethane wheels make skating indoors and outdoors safe for your little one.

Eliminate the hassle of laces with easy-to-use buckles, and the washable boot liner prevents any stinky odors from developing in the boot. These high-quality skates are a good value as the adjustable sizing is ideal for quick-growing feet.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: Small and Medium | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Can adjust to four different sizes
Affordable

Cons

Run small

Designed for beginners, this affordable pair of quad skates won’t break the bank if your kid is just exploring the world of skating. With just the push of a button, the skates can adjust up to four sizes, so they’ll provide a lot of bang for the buck.

Perfect for a first pair, these are safe and stable for indoor or outdoor skating. The buckles help provide a perfect fit and are easy for young kids to put on themselves.

Price at time of publication: $39

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: Small and Medium | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Seven different color options
Classic look

Cons

Lace-ups may take longer to put on
Heavy

For those kids that prefer a lace-up skate, this pair has a classic look but provides the ease and cost-savings of an adjustable skate. With a push of a button, these skates adjust up to four sizes.

Choose from seven different color options, ranging from classic cotton candy and white checkered to stylin’ tropical pineapples.

Price at time of publication: $50

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 7 and 12 to 3 | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: Yes}

Pros

Comfortable (fits like a sneaker)
Unisex style
Friction-control wheels

Cons

Not adjustable
Less ankle support

Big kids and semi-experienced skaters will love the comfort and ease of these cruiser skates. Designed to comfortably fit like a sneaker, these skates do provide less ankle support, so they are best for those who are experienced and feel confident on four wheels.

These skates are super comfortable and easy to put on. The unisex style is not adjustable, so use the size chart (based on women’s sizing) to find the right fit for your big kid.

Price at time of publication: $50

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 5 to 10 (women's) and 4 to 9 (men's) | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Adjustable: No}

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Trac Star Youth Girl's Adjustable Roller Skate (view at Amazon). They're adjustable, affordable, and come in both girl's and boy's versions. They also can grow up to four sizes, so they'll last for years. If you're looking for a lace-up skate instead, you can't go wrong with the Circle Society Classic Adjustable Children’s Skates (view at Amazon). They can adjust up to four sizes and come in a variety of colors.

What to Look for in Roller Skates for Kids

Adjustable Size

Since kids are always growing, it's important to find skates that accommodate multiple sizes. Many roller skates on the market offer adjustable sizing for up to three to four sizes. You'll want to make sure the skate fits your little one's feet snugly, so they have adequate ankle support and won't get blisters.

Laces vs. Buckles

You can find roller skates for kids with both lace and buckle closures. Buckles are generally quicker to open and close but can sometimes feel too tight. Laces, on the other hand, can offer a more customized fit. However, they will be more time-consuming to tie and untie, and they could loosen as your child skates, unlike a buckle.

Quad vs. Inline Skates

There are two types of roller skates that you can find for your child: quad and inline skates. Quad skates have two wheels in the front and back and are generally recommended for beginners. Inline skates have all four wheels lined up in a single row. These skates are generally recommended for children or teens who already have experience skating as they require more balance than quad skates.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, an 8-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. While she is not a roller skater and none of her kids have taken it up (yet!), they do all love sitting in their front yard and watching the occasional roller skater go by!

The Best Roller Skates for Kids and Endless Fun

Best Overall

Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Roller Skates

Best Adjustable

Yvolution Neon Combo Skates 2-in-1

Best for Young Kids

Roller Derby Fun Roll Jr. Girl's Adjustable Roller Skates

Best for Toddlers

Playwheels Trolls Roller Skates

Best Inline

Roller Derby Tracer Boy's Adjustable Inline Skates

Best Budget

Chicago Adjustable Quad Skates

Best Lace Up

Circle Society Classic Adjustable Children’s Skates

Best for Big Kids

Lenexa Sonic Cruiser

Final Verdict

What to Look for in Roller Skates for Kids

Adjustable Size

Laces vs. Buckles

Quad vs. Inline Skates

Why Trust Verywell Family