Age Guidelines on Heelys Shoes

Wow... I can't imagine a child that young being as safety conscious as they should be. Most preteens who have them aren't. If it has WHEELS, they should wear a helmut when riding, using...
I don't know. In general I'm not a fan. Sorry.
Good luck.

My 8 year-old has Heelys so my 4-year-old wanted them too. It was a mistake as he cannot ride them, even though he is an incredibly active and physically adept kid. So we took the wheels out and he just wears the shoes... which is fine.... except it was a difficult couple of weeks when he was mad all the time because he "couldn't" do something. We were told they only start at size 1 - perhaps that has changed in the last 6 months? Let me know how it goes for you because I'm wondering if we should try to reintroduce the wheels again. :)

I would suggest more research before this purchase. I have seen reports on the news where docs are saying these are really bad for feet because they have taken the support out of the shoe and basically kids are walking on the wheel which is causing major problems for their feet.

If these are those stupid shoes with wheels on them I say pass... I hate those things. I have been run over by several kids wearing them and its disrepectful to wear them inside. Sorry I am voicing a stong oppinion about them but there is no sense in having those. Plus my neighbor's son had a pair and fell while useing them and split his head on a railing at the mall and he was in a coma for 2 weeks.. .
And im sure the moms who let there kids wear them are saying my kid is not disrepectful in them and does not run over people but you would be surprised what your kids do when you are not looking. Kids have way too much stuff these days "Generation ME" we are a nation of I want this and I want that... kids dont NEED shoes with wheels on them buy them rollar blades or skates and let them skate out side like we used to (as if thats not dangerous enough).

I think that 5 is fine. The heelys build self confidence. My son wanted some then didn't because his friends were so great at it and he put some on and did't think he'd ever get the hang of it well I bought him some for Christmas last year and I'm so glad I did because it really built his confidence. Sometimes I feel like I may need to bust that bubble. Kidden of course. Don't listen to any negatism just take the same precautions you would with a bike or any other toy with wheels.

Hi R.

My sons who are 6 and 8 just got some for Christmas. They have been asking for about two years. I made them wait until I had researched, asked other parents questions and felt they were able to listen to me and respond to correction in a store. We have established rules and will be teaching them how to respect others and still enjoy their lives!
What I learned in observation and research the past two years is that the children who glide through stores, to the bathrooms in resteraunts, and on side walks, are not with their parents. It is the older kids who I have seen ignoring others and rules.
We felt that it would be to ours, theirs, and everyone elses benefit to give them the opportunity to learn while in our presence how to act in public. And how to be safe.
If they can't accomplish this before they grow out of this pair, they don't get another one.
As far as danger goes. There are always risks. I think it would be wise to put a helmet and some pads on while they are learning at home and just limit the public gliding to holding on to the cart or mom.

Hope This Helped
W.

3 out of 10 child sports injuries a week at the local ER's are caused by Heely's. Keep that in mind.

If your son is the one asking for them then maybe he is ready. They run very small. I got a pair for my 6 year old daughter and had to get Heelys a size bigger than what she normally wears. My 4 year old son wears an 11 and I had to get him a 13. He begged me for them and so I realized just because I was scared for him and thought he wasn't ready, didn't mean he wasn't. He held on to me and the shopping cart everywhere we went until he got it down. Now he is a pro and just takes off.
As far as excercise. OMG! I can't believe the strength in your feet and endurance in your legs you need to keep your feet up. It is not easy at all to do anything in just your heels. You try it. Your feet get tired fast and you want to put your toes down. So I wouldn't call it laziness, cuz it takes alot of work to roll around.
My kids wear the wheels, I would say half the time. There are alot of times besides just school that they just wear the shoe without the wheel. This saves me money on having to buy them skates too. My son goes outside and just skates.

As far as the kids being rude in the store and weaving in and out of people. I don't know about your 4 year old but mine is constantly getting in the way of everyone anyway. He never watches where he is going and I am constantly telling him to watch out, get out of their way. Don't touch that,you are going to knock it over etc....
He is too big to fit in a shopping cart now. Poor kid can't get his legs through the holes and I need the big part of the cart for the groceries, or what have you, so he has to walk.

I know all ages have them....but I won't let me 12 yr old have them. Not worth the risks. She has skates when she wants to skate, she doesnt need to be skating in the stores. Many kids have been injured in these and it is not worth it.

I personally don't care for them. My daughters have been asking for them for awhile now, but just notice when you go to the stores how kids are when they are wearing them. They are weaving in and out of peoples way and just so irritiating to watch. I have even seen them almost knock people down. So if you can avoid them you should do so. My daughets have seen this with there own eyes and have changed there minds. Especially at five years old won't have control one time and how embarassing you would be if he would knock someone down! Don't do it they are horrible.

I think 5 years old is way too young for those shoes. It seems like a broken arm waiting to happen. Also, as some others have mentioned, you want your child to be conscious of others and disciplined enough not to be running into people or things because they can't (or won't) stop. I would wait at least a few more years and then only agree to let him have them if he can behave while wearing them and be considerate of others.

R., I just gave them to my daughters who are 8 and 6. My six year old had a bit of trouble but took to it after a day or two. I think 5 and 6 is the youngest I would give them and he may be frustrated for a bit. Have someone older show him. Good luck.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates Heelys. My soon to be 8 yr old went behind my back and asked Santa for them for Christmas :) FYI She is about a size 13 and turns 8 next month. So for them to make them in a size 12 is probably for the older kids who are small. I know at 8 she can not go on some rides 5 yr olds go on because she is so little. I would see if other kids at his school has them. If you would be the first mom to buy them and all the other kids wanted them, I would wait a little longer. Try and put them off as along as you can :)
Good Luck, L.

It depends on your sons cordination and balance. Can he walk in a straight line, does he trip and fall easily?

I dont suggest you buy these for any children. The Podiatrists are puting out research papers on how badly these shoes effect the children's legs and feet and back because of the unnatural movements.

I have to agree with some of the others...they are awful! Why are we taking a basic form of exercise away from kids to let them glide around with less effort? My son has asked for these too, he's only 4 1/2 and we won't be getting them. It seems to me that the kids who do have them are rude and inconsiderate with they way they cut in and out of people and run into people/things.
Just felt the need to voice my opinion. Sorry.

You might try going to www.todayshow.com I saw a whole segment on their show about how dangerous those shoes are! Good Luck!!

R.,
I have to agree with Annette. Heelys are HORRIBLE (or at least the kids who wear them). I guess if he were to only wear them to play in like at the park or some big open area they would be fine, but I was in a department store the other day and was nearly run over multiple times by the same 5 children with their heelys. The youngest looked to be about 6 on up to maybe 15 or 16. Sadly the older one was the WORST! She even nearly knocked over a display full of breakables and laughed about how she didn't know how to stop. Also, if you have ever watched kids walk in those...OH MY! I bet in a few years doctors are going to be treating a lot of mis-shaped feet from kids walking with that wheel under their heel. I would definately reconsider. But it is of course your decision.

My son turned 6 this pasted May & he got Heelys for Christmaas and LOVES them ! I have also seen 4 year olds with them on ! my daughter who is 10 also got Heelys !
It is the thing in school ! most children have them !
Have a great day !

well you already got a lot of good advice and a few really strange ones , but i'll give you my opinion anyway. i thought the very first time that i saw them that they had to be really bad for your feet! you are standing on a wheel! i am surprized that they are legal for health reasons! and the kids i have seen using them are rude! they are weaving in and out and bumping into people! public in door places are not meant for kid's to be wild. now if you want to restrict them from only using them outdoors, fine! and there is also the issue of obesity! any time we take the caloric burn out of everyday life we are only hurting ourselves! these kids are going to be obese by the time they are in their forty's. i know all the kids have them, but like my mom used to say, if all your friends were jumping off a cliff would you jump too???? i think that common sense is key here!

I'd buy them right after I made sure I had excellent health insurance and that extra stuff that pays more when your kid breaks bones.

I'm sorry, I don't think children should be wearing wheels without pads and helmets.