What Is the Appropriate Age for A Pogo Stick? Posted in: Outdoors
One of the most challenging tasks parents have to face is coming up with creative ways to keep their children entertained. Luckily, the toy industry is filled with multiple options to amuse kids of all ages, like pogo sticks. These sticks are a great choice to use up all of your kids’ energy while keeping them out of trouble.
Kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, can find something to enjoy from the different types of pogo sticks available. Once your child is physically mature and has stable balance, then they’ve passed the first hurdle to becoming a pogo stick owner. Because kids develop at different rates, age plays minimal relevance here, with the level of motor skills taking priority.
What Is The Appropriate Age For A Pogo Stick?
To give you a direct answer, above the ages of three, kids are generally ready to handle a pogo stick. But like we’ve said, that’s a vague answer since more significant factors influence this decision.
Toddlers as young as three can maneuver pogo sticks with relative ease. The thrill of jumping, coupled with the sound effects, will make for a great playtime indeed. As long as the child shows reasonable maturity and basic motor skills, they’ll find this enjoyable.
Your little explorers grow more curious with age, and at age five to nine, they’ll definitely find the concept of pogo sticks exciting. Whether at entry-level, or seasoned riders at this age, the fun with pogo sticks never stops.
Teens can have their go with advanced sticks with adjustable airflows that allows them to try out all sorts of tricks. They may be too big to join in trampoline fun, but there’s nothing like too old for pogo sticks.
Things To Consider When Buying A Pogo Stick
It’s important to buy the pogo stick that best suits your child. Before choosing the right pogo stick for your kids, here are a few ideas for you to remember:
1. Maturity
Toddlers may need a bit of help at first, and a more stable assisted-style stick will help build their confidence. Mature kids may be better paired with the demanding traditional ones.
2. Child’s size
Taller kids will need bigger sticks with higher handlebars. Mismatched sticks may end in injuries, which is why considering height is so important.
3. Price
Sticks on the higher end will tend to cost more, so discuss what the budget is with your child before-hand.
Cautionary Pogo Stick Safety
Pogo sticks aren’t hazardous contraptions; however, taking great care to make sure that your kids’ safety isn’t compromised. Pogo sticks move at the speed of a light jog so that any imminent danger can be averted easily. Here are a few things to keep your child’s joy ride injury-free:
● Ditch The Stick
The first thing to remember is that at the first sign of trouble, toss the stick. The stick is made from durable material, able to handle all sorts of maltreatment, but your body isn’t. So if you lose stability while riding, letting go of the stick and landing on your feet is your best option.
● Slippery Surfaces
This one is simple enough. Make sure that your kids stay away from the slick ground. There’s a reason that ice skating has its shoe that allows safe navigation over slippery surfaces. As thrilling as danger may seem too adventurous teens, taking pogo sticks onto wet surfaces is a no-go area.
● Open Space
Stay away from cars or any objects that may serve as safety hazards. Always make sure that they play in free sight, with no obstructions. You don’t want your kids to land on the windshield of your car all in the name of fun.
● Flat & Stable Ground
Never let your kids take their sticks for a ride on uneven surfaces. They should stay away from any steep places as those are accident-prone. Additionally, the firm ground can take the burden of a bounce, so never ride on an area that can’t take the pressure.
● Stick Care
Your child’s pogo stick experiences extreme pressure from bouncing around, so maintenance is critical. Before mounting, perform a quick run through to ensure that it’s in great shape to play. Cross the tees and dot the eyes, and check for secure bolts and stable handlebars. Any rattling noises may be a signal that something’s wrong.
● Safety Gear
Safety comes first always, even where fun is involved. Never let your kid get onto the stick without a helmet on. While the chances of hitting one’s head in a damaging way are rare, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Benefits Of A Pogo Stick
You’ll be pleased to know that there are multiple reasons why this may be a great parenting decision to make. Besides being a great way to let your kids expend their energy, you’ll also get some peace of mind. Here are some of the reasons to convince you:
Great way to keep your kids active and healthy while they have fun.
Confidence booster – they’ll learn to fall and get back up on their own.
Improves their athletic ability by honing their coordination.
Affords you a few hours to yourself while they bounce around outside.
It can be used both indoors and outside.
Final Thoughts
Pogo sticks are the face of fun toys that accommodate kids of all ages while guaranteeing safe play. Instead of spending their day in front of the TV, challenge them to be active and learn tricks with pogo sticks.