8 Yr Old Daughter Want's a Skateboard

My son got a ripstick when he was 8. Rule was to wear the helmet, knee pads and wrist guards. He still loves riding it around and he is 11.

We got my oldest a skateboard when he was in maybe 2nd. All the other three have been on it since they could stand. Skateboards are one of the best toys.
They have new fangled ones out there that are shaped funny, I guess they are supposed to work better. OUrs is now 15 years old and still works great. It's just a slateboard.

I'd definitely get one for her - along with all the protective gear - if she'd like one.

I never had one of my own, but I played with all the guys on our street and loved riding a skate board. I'd find a skate or surf shop with skates and ask if they can point you in the right direction.

Things have changed a lot since I was a kid, so I personally couldn't direct you, but I think it's great she wants to give it a go. It's not a huge investment, and a lot of local parks are including skate parks as well.

I would recommend getting her a "RipStick" You want to buy the name brand because it works much better than the off brand (we have had both). They are a better work out and are the new thing. They also seem to attract a different group of kids. They have two wheels (one on each end) instead of four and there is a pivot in the center. The kid uses it by swiveling her hips. My kids have really enjoyed them. There is only one size so you don't have to worry about sizes.

Aw, that's so cute, I remember being that age and wanting to be able to skateboard to impress the boys... I still can't skateboard ;) I would definately go for it, and like the other moms said, get all the protective gear. Bike helmets are not the same as skate helmets. I personally don't have the coordination to do tricks and stuff on skateboards, but I have a longboard skateboard I absolutely love. It's more for cruising around, and it's got super girlie graphics on the bottom... just a thought. Maybe ask her if she's into the tricks and stuff, or if she likes the appeal of 'skate style' (like the shoes, skate brands, etc)... she may be just as happy with a DC or Dominion shirt or a Etnies purse ;)

Absolutely. My sister and I had one. We would get on our hands and knees and push along, put me in a new garbage can on it and push it down the street (the Oscar the Grouch game). I sometimes rode it normally, but didn't really have anyone to teach me. I think that as long as she has the protective gear, it is a great toy, and probably has a friend that can teach her.

Get her one! Just make sure you get her a helmet! The protective pads are probably a really good idea too. She'll have fun, and it's great exercise.

I would get her one.
Super fun.
Go to the store and just tell the store guy this is for your kid. They will guide you on what is good for this age. And she can try it out.
And get helmet/knee/elbow pads.

its a great thing for a kid!

Definately.

Take her to a skate shop... and she'll get to pick out the graphic that's on the board... as well as what color helmet. I've so fallen in love with how protective kiddo's skate helmet is (about 1000x better/more protective than a bike helmet) that he wears his now for skating, razoring, & biking.

Skateboards are essentially one size fits all. We got our 5year old a full size deck for his birthday, and he has had a blast on it for 3 years now. The difference between a kids' deck and an adult deck is USUALLY the graphic... aka kid friendly. Our kiddo's for example is a kid graphic of a robot.

http://skateboard.about.com/od/skateboardparts/tp/Beginne... has some good beginning info

Absolutely get her one, I used to skate when I was about her age and it was great excercise and a lot of fun. Letting her expend energy will allow her to be more focused on her studies.

Having worked in a Real Skate shop, make sure you get her a real board with real protective gear on the board and for her protection...

Toy's rus specials have cheap wheels and part and she will fall much more as a result of a shoddy equipment.

Go to a shop that specializes in skate boards.
Get her a fully decked out board with the equipment to protect the trucks and the deck, this not only makes riding safer, it will make the board safer and keep it from wearing out as fast.

Make sure she understands the importance of safety gear, a helmet, knee pads and slams (wrist guards are a must), this will keep her from breaking her wrists in a falls. elbow pads are also worth while, if they aren't too bulky on an eight year old that might be part of the problem...

Once you get her a board, help her maintain it make sure the bearings are oiled and that everything is screwed on tight, check these things regularly a safe board makes for a safer riding experience...

Let me know if you have any more questions...