With the disturbing frequency of obesity in children making news headlines, many parents are on the lookout for ways to get their children to exercise more.
Due to the mind-numbing distractions of video games, computers and television along with the proximity to the refrigerator, motivating kids can be difficult, especially when they are home alone.
Here is a quick list of advantages in buying a scooter for your sedentary kid: 1.
They're inexpensive - even the "pro" scooters! 2.
Some models can carry up to 220 lbs.
3.
Easy to learn to ride 4.
Lightweight and compact 5.
Low impact exercise 6.
They're way cool Inexpensive Scooters are an inexpensive way to get your children off the couch and outdoors.
For about the price of a couple of new video games you can purchase a base model and a pro scooter for not much more.
How many sports out there for kids can you say that about? Weight Capacity Depending on the model, scooters can carry from about 145 lbs.
to well over 200 lbs.
, so there's bound to be one that will be a fit for your teen.
Easy to Learn How to Ride Unlike electric scooters, a kick, or push scooter requires pushing off with the feet to make it move.
It's basically a skateboard with adjustable handlebars that make it easier to learn how to ride.
Once the scooter is moving, changing direction helps keep it going by using a back-and-forth body motion -- similar to that of a skier, all the while improving the rider's balance and coordination.
Of course the harder one kicks, the faster it goes, and the more exercise the rider gets.
Lightweight and Compact Most kick scooters are very lightweight, many weighing less than 8 lbs.
, and also compact.
Most have some kind of folding design, making them easy to store and very easy for even a young child to carry up and down stairs if necessary.
Their compact size also makes kick scooters a snap to load in the car without taking up a lot of space.
Low Impact Exercise Because developing joints are more prone to compression injuries that can lead to cartilage damage and long-term problems, pediatricians recommend low impact exercise, especially for overweight youngsters whose joints are already at risk.
Which leads us to perhaps the best reason of all to get your child into the world of scooters: They're pushed along, so young joints don't get compressed like they do when running or jumping.
Scooters Rock! If by chance your child thinks scooters are "lame" or "un-cool," take her or him to a skateboard park to see what experienced riders are doing with theirs.
It's utterly amazing the tricks that can be performed, many of which cannot be done on a skateboard.
Those little handlebars make a big difference! Be sure to have all the necessary safety equipment for your child before starting out.
Head injuries can happen in the blink of an eye, so a proper helmet is a must-have.
Elbows, knees and shins need protecting, too In summary: Parents looking to motivate their children to be more active would do well to consider a scooter.
Scooters are not only inexpensive, lightweight and compact, they're also a "cool" way for teens to get exercise for body and mind.