Choosing your child's first scooter is genuinely confusing. Every brand claims to be the safest, the sturdiest and the best value — and the prices swing from twenty dollars to well over two hundred. As a family-owned Australian toy shop, we sell and handle these scooters every day, and we get asked ‘which brand is actually best?’ more than almost anything else.
Key takeaways
- Best first scooter (ages 1–3): Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 — the only one with a removable seat, so it starts as a ride-on.
- Best all-rounder & value (ages 2–9): Globber — a patented steering lock and grow-with-you adjustability.
- Want one scooter for ages 1–5? Choose a convertible: a 2-in-1 (Scoot & Ride) or a 4-in-1 (Globber Go Up).
- Lightest: Micro Mini (~1.5 kg). Budget light-up: Yvolution. Bigger kids & tricks (5+): Razor.
So here's a complete, parent-to-parent guide to the five scooter brands Aussie families ask about most — what each one is made of, how heavy it is, how it folds and rides, and who it suits. We stock some of these and not others, and we'll be upfront about which is which.
What actually matters when choosing a kids' scooter
- Age and stage. Under-5s need three wheels for stability; a seat helps the very youngest. Two-wheel kick scooters suit confident 5-year-olds and up.
- Stability and steering. A wide three-wheel base is the foundation; a steering lock helps nervous beginners, while lean-to-steer builds balance faster.
- Materials and build. An aluminium steering column and a reinforced deck last far longer than an all-plastic budget scooter that flexes and rattles.
- Weight and carrying. You'll carry it more than you expect — up stairs, back from the park. A kilo or two really matters.
- Folding and storage. A quick fold saves your boot and your hallway if you're always on the move.
- Wheels and road conditions. Bigger PU wheels roll more smoothly over cracks and bumps; none of these suit grass or gravel.
- Max weight and longevity. Height-adjustable bars plus a sensible weight limit mean one scooter lasts years, not one birthday.
When should you buy, and what size?
Most children are ready for a first scooter somewhere between their first and second birthday — around the time they're walking confidently and keen to keep up with older kids. There's no rush, and readiness matters more than the exact age. The signs are simple: steady walking, curiosity about anything with wheels, and enough core strength to stand and push along. A scooter at this stage does more than burn energy — it quietly builds balance, coordination, leg strength and the first taste of independence, all of which feed into riding a bike later.
Getting the size right is easy with a three-wheeler. Standing on the deck, your child's handlebar should sit between their belly button and lower chest — too high and they can't steer, too low and they hunch over. This is exactly why adjustable handlebars matter: set it low to begin, then raise it a notch as they grow. On a seated model, the seat should let them sit with feet flat on the ground and knees slightly bent. If you're shopping across ages, our shop by age range makes it easy to match a scooter to the stage they're at.
The details that make the difference
Function: 2-in-1, 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 scooters
The single biggest difference between models is how many modes a scooter offers — and whether it truly grows with your child. A convertible scooter starts as a seated ride-on for a one-year-old and becomes a stand-up scooter later, so one purchase spans ages one to five. The Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 is a 2-in-1. Globber's Go Up series goes further, up to 4-in-1 — a parent-push ride-on, walking bike, seated scooter, then stand-up scooter, from around 15 months — while its Primo models are straightforward scooters. Micro's Mini2Grow is a 3-in-1 with a seat, whereas the classic Mini Micro is stand-only. Yvolution and Razor are single-function. If you're buying for a baby or young toddler, a 2-in-1 or 4-in-1 is the one that won't be outgrown in a year.
Materials & build quality
The best scooters pair an aluminium steering column (Globber, Micro and Razor) with a tough, reinforced deck. Scoot & Ride uses high-grade ABS plastic over a reinforced core; Micro adds a glass-fibre-reinforced deck; Globber's T-bar is anodised aluminium. Very cheap scooters are almost entirely plastic — they flex underfoot, develop a wobble, and rarely survive a second child.
Weight & how easy it is to carry
Little legs give out, and then the scooter is your problem for the walk home. The Micro Mini is the featherweight at around 1.5 kg; the Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 is about 2.8 kg; the Globber Primo is roughly 3.5 kg. It doesn't sound like much until it's under one arm with a toddler on the other hip.
Folding & storage
If you're forever loading the car, a true fold is gold. Globber and Razor fold — Globber's one-push button clicks the T-bar flat in a second. Micro Mini and Scoot & Ride don't fold in the usual sense, but the Highwaykick's seat tucks neatly into the handlebar and it's compact enough for most boots.
Stability, steering & road conditions
Two wheels at the front give the stable base every toddler needs. Globber's lockable steering keeps the front wheels straight for wary beginners, while lean-to-steer (Micro, and Scoot & Ride in standing mode) develops balance sooner. On the ground, these run solid, puncture-proof PU wheels that are smooth and quiet on footpaths, driveways and smooth bitumen. Bigger wheels — like Scoot & Ride's 120 mm front pair — roll over cracks more easily, and Micro is famous for the smoothest ride. None are built for grass, gravel or rough dirt, so keep them to hard, even surfaces.
Max weight & how long it lasts
Check both limits where a seat is involved. The Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 takes 20 kg on the seat and 50 kg standing; the Globber Primo and Micro Mini hold up to around 50 kg; Razor's kick scooters go higher again. That headroom, plus three-position handlebars, is what lets a good three-wheeler carry a child from toddling to school age.
Brakes, safety & spare parts
Look for an easy rear fender brake that little feet can reach (Globber's is extra-long), and check that spare parts exist — Scoot & Ride sells replacement wheels, seats and safety pads so a much-loved scooter keeps rolling. Whatever you choose, a helmet and pads aren't optional: see our helmets and protective pads.
The 5 kids' scooter brands, compared
BEST FOR BABIES & TODDLERS · WE STOCK IT
1. Scoot & Ride
2-in-1 (seat ↔ scooter) · 2.8 kg · 20 kg seat / 50 kg deck · ABS + PU wheels · 120/80 mm
The Austrian brand behind the hugely popular Highwaykick range. Its party trick is a removable seat: the Highwaykick 1 begins life as a sit-down ride-on for children as young as one, then converts — tool-free, in seconds — into a stand-up three-wheel scooter for ages three to five. Large 120 mm front wheels and a patented anti-tip safety pad keep new riders steady, the puncture-proof PU tyres never go flat, and three seat-and-handlebar heights mean it genuinely grows with your child.
Best for: a first scooter, ages 1–5, especially if you want one purchase that lasts. Shop the Scoot & Ride range.
BEST ALL-ROUNDER & VALUE · WE STOCK IT
2. Globber
Scooter · Go Up up to 4-in-1 · ~3.5 kg · Max ~50 kg · Aluminium T-bar · Folds (one-push)
A French brand that's become the go-to all-rounder, independently recognised for safety and value. The standout is a patented steering-lock button that fixes the front wheels straight — brilliant for wobbly two-year-olds — which you unlock once they're ready to lean and steer. Add an anodised three-height aluminium T-bar, a genuine one-push fold and battery-free light-up wheels, and you have a durable scooter that spans roughly ages 2 to 9 at a friendlier price than the premium brands. Want the seat-to-scooter journey in a Globber? The Go Up series is a 4-in-1, from around 15 months.
Best for: value, folding convenience and longevity from toddler to primary school. Browse our Globber scooters.
BEST PREMIUM RIDE · NOT STOCKED AT ALL 4 KIDS
3. Micro Kickboard
Scooter · Mini2Grow 3-in-1 · ~1.5 kg (Mini) · Max ~50 kg · Aluminium + reinforced deck · Lean-to-steer
The Swiss original that many other three-wheelers are modelled on. The Mini Micro (ages ~1–5) is the lightest here at around 1.5 kg and famous for the smoothest, quietest ride and a pure lean-to-steer action that's fantastic for balance. For younger toddlers, the Mini2Grow is a 3-in-1 that adds a seat. It's all beautifully made — and priced to match, usually sitting at the top of the range.
Best for: families wanting the premium, lightest lean-to-steer ride and happy to pay for it.
BEST BUDGET LIGHT-UP · NOT STOCKED AT ALL 4 KIDS
4. Yvolution
Plastic deck · LED light-up wheels · 3-wheel · Ages 3+ · Budget build
Best known for bright LED light-up wheels (no charging needed) and the wiggle-style Y Fliker. The Y Glider three-wheelers target roughly ages 3–10 and are an affordable, flashy crowd-pleaser. Materials and adjustability don't match Scoot & Ride, Globber or Micro — expect more plastic and a bit more flex — but if you want maximum wow for a smaller spend for an older toddler or school-aged child, it delivers.
Best for: budget-conscious buyers and kids who love light-up wheels.
BEST FOR BIGGER KIDS & TRICKS · NOT STOCKED AT ALL 4 KIDS
5. Razor
Aluminium frame · Higher max load · Urethane wheels · 2-wheel kick · Folds
The name most of us remember from the classic aluminium kick scooter. Razor is really aimed at older children — around 5 and up — with lightweight folding two-wheel kick scooters (the A-series) and stunt models for the skate park, plus a higher weight limit for bigger riders. There's a Razor Jr line for littlies, but a three-wheeler from the brands above is a safer, steadier starting point.
Best for: confident kids aged 5+, the school run and early tricks.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Best age | Modes | Weight | Max load | Foldable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoot & Ride | 1–5 | 2-in-1 | 2.8 kg | 50 kg | Seat converts | $$ |
| Globber | 2–9 | Up to 4-in-1 | ~3.5 kg | ~50 kg | Yes (one-push) | $$ |
| Micro | 1–5+ | Up to 3-in-1 | ~1.5 kg | ~50 kg | Some models | $$$ |
| Yvolution | 3–10 | Scooter | Light–medium | ~50 kg | Some models | $ |
| Razor | 5+ | Kick scooter | Light–medium | Higher | Yes | $–$$ |
Which scooter brand is right for your child?
Ages 1–3: A seated, grow-with-you three-wheeler. The Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 is our top pick; a Globber with the steering lock is a great alternative.
Ages 3–5: A stand-up three-wheel scooter. Both Scoot & Ride and Globber shine here — pick on weight, budget and whether you want a fold.
Ages 5+: Confident riders can move to a two-wheel kick scooter. Browse all options in our kids' scooter range.
How much should you spend?
- Under ~$50: usually all-plastic, no adjustability, often outgrown or broken within a year. A short-term novelty, not a first real scooter.
- ~$80–$170: the sweet spot for a quality three-wheeler. This is where Scoot & Ride and Globber sit — reinforced builds, adjustable bars, real safety features and the longevity to last years or a second child.
- ~$180+: premium territory (Micro and top Globber or Scoot & Ride models), where you're paying for the smoothest ride, lightest frame or extra modes.
Our honest take: for a first scooter you'll actually keep, budget around $120–$180. Spread across three or four years of near-daily use — and often a younger sibling after that — it's one of the better-value toys you'll buy. Afterpay and Zip at checkout make it easier to land on a quality model rather than a throwaway one.
Getting started: teaching your toddler to ride
- Start seated if you have a 2-in-1, so your toddler can focus on pushing and steering before balance comes in. Move to standing once they're confident.
- Pick a smooth, flat, traffic-free spot — a quiet footpath, empty car park or the back patio. Avoid driveways that slope toward the road.
- Show them the brake early. Practise the rear foot brake and stopping before they build up speed.
- One foot on, one foot pushing — keep the balance foot on the deck and push gently with the other, swapping when they tire.
- Helmet on, every single time — make it the rule from ride one so it's a habit, not a battle.
On safety: in Australia, helmets are compulsory for bikes, and while scooter rules vary by state, we'd never let a child scoot without one. A properly fitted helmet and a set of knee and elbow pads are cheap insurance for the inevitable tumbles. Always supervise young riders, and keep them well clear of roads, driveways and pools.
Looking after your scooter
- Wipe it down after sandy or muddy play — grit in the wheel bearings is the usual reason a scooter stops rolling smoothly.
- Check the clamp and fold now and then to make sure the handlebar and folding mechanism still lock firmly.
- Store it indoors or under cover. Constant sun and rain fade colours and perish plastic and grips over time.
- Replace worn wheels, not the whole scooter. Scoot & Ride sells genuine replacement wheels, seats, safety pads and footrests, so a well-loved Highwaykick can be refreshed instead of thrown out.
Look after a quality three-wheeler and it'll comfortably see two or three children through their early years — which is where the value of buying well really shows.
Our honest bottom line
For most Australian families, the real decision is Scoot & Ride versus Globber. If your child is a baby or young toddler, the Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1's sit-to-stand seat is hard to beat — it's the one scooter that works from the first birthday onwards, and at 2.8 kg it's easy to carry when the fun runs out. If you want the best all-round value and a scooter that genuinely folds for the car, Globber is the smart buy and grows well into the primary years. Micro is the premium, featherweight indulgence; Yvolution the budget fun pick; and Razor is where you head once they're older and faster.
Not quite ready for a scooter? A balance bike is a lovely companion for building two-wheel confidence alongside a three-wheel scooter — and remember to add a helmet and pads whatever you choose.
Ready to pick the perfect first scooter?
Shop our full Scoot & Ride range — genuine stock, fast Australia-wide shipping and Afterpay.
Shop Scoot & RideWritten by the ALL 4 KIDS team — a family-owned Australian toy and baby store. We stock Scoot & Ride and Globber; specifications reflect each maker's published figures as of 2026 (weights and limits vary by model). Prices ($–$$$) indicate relative positioning, not exact figures.
