Skateboarding for Younger Kids

[revolting]

I just bought a skateboard for my five year old, as she requested for her birthday. Any tips on helping her learn to ride it?

[Peony]

Having the proper gear goes a long way in the beginning, wrist guards, elbow and knee pad, and a proper skateboard helmet, not an all purpose or bike helmet. Skateboard helmets are different, they are designed for the crashes that skaters encounter. We just started going to the skate park and playing around with her board when DD1 first got hers. Don't forget about good shoes! Remember they will be jumping of the board if they start going to fast and certain shoes grip the board better then others. I wouldn't buy skate shoes for a 5 year but she gets really into then I probably would. 

[Imakcerka]

Eh... I would buy the skate shoes if you can.  And honestly I'd go with vans those suckers hold up.  I got DD1 two pairs on sale for 15$ each.  Otherwise she'll ruin all her other shoes. 

Also if she doesn't want to wear the gear there are numerous videos she can watch online that shows kids her age who are literally rockstars on skateboards and they all wear their safety gear.  DD1 realized you can't do half of those stunts without falling a bajillion times and now she wears her gear without being reminded.

[Polliwog]

Ehhhh, I'd just give her the skateboard and let her play around with it.