Bergen’s balance bike now has some competition when it comes to getting out and about.  For his 4th birthday, he received the micro mini scooter, and after just a day or so of learning, he’s been zipping through the neighborhood and around our local parks.  I believe his balance biking skills carried over to make the transition to scootering easy, but I also attribute his success to the design and engineering of the scooter from Micro Kickboard.

We’re loving this new form of mobility.  Now he’ll often ride his scooter when we take our daily walks, which allows Slaed and I to actually carry on a conversation instead of constantly “encouraging” him to keep up.  We’ve also started to run/walk/scooter to school instead of driving the mile or so distance making for a much more active and productive start to our mornings!

What is the Micro Mini Scooter? 

The Micro Mini Scooter from Micro Kickboard is a 3-wheel scooter designed for kids (preschoolers and kindergartners) ages 3 to 5 years with a weight capacity of 50 pounds.  The micro mini is intended to be used for traveling, and “sidewalk surfing” as the company calls it, on smooth pathways and surfaces.

How Does the Micro Mini Scooter Work?

The micro mini is easy to assemble.  When Bergen’s arrived in the mail, there were just two main pieces to deal with: The t-bar and the base/deck.  We simply had to insert the t-bar into the base by pressing the red locking pin into the base, and then he was off learning to ride!

Micro Kickboard uses a “lean-to-steer” design, so Bergen just has to push his body weight toward the direction he wants to travel, and the scooter moves along with him.  This proved to be very intuitive, and something he picked up after just a session or two of scootering.

To slow down, Bergen often taps one of his feet on the pavement, something I think he gets from balance biking, but the scooter is equipped with a brake above the back wheel.  He just has to push on the orange cover, and he’ll slow down.  Using the brake feature was less intuitive for Bergen, but he’s learning how to use it (and its value) for sure!

Bergen never scooters without his helmet, and the company also recommends knee pads for the most safety.

What’s to Love? 

• Lightweight

The mini micro scooter weighs just 4.25 pounds, so when we need to cross streets or carry the scooter up a steep hill for Bergen, it doesn’t add a lot of extra weight or burden.  When we scooter/run to school, I can also lay the base across the stroller bar, and run home without a lot of hassle.

• Stability

Because the mini micro scooter is designed with three wheels (two in front, one in back) and the base/deck is low to the ground, Bergen feels very stable and secure on the scooter.  I’ve seen him use other scooters at school or on the playground, and he’s not nearly as comfortable and balanced.

The lean-to-steer technology also adds to his overall confidence on the device because it was such an intuitive, easy and effective skill to pick up.

• Quality and Durability

Just from over a month of scootering, we know that the micro mini scooter is built to last.  The base/deck is made of fiberglass, and wheels are strong and resistant to wear from everyday use.  Bergen is able to scooter along as we walk or run (with a few breaks here and there) for 3 to 4 miles, and the scooter holds up well and provides him with a smooth, comfortable ride.  It seems to just glide along the sidewalk, actually making me quite jealous of the fun he’s having!

• Easy Assemble/Disassemble 

I love that the scooter took just 5 minutes or so to put together when Bergen opened up the box.  Also, while we haven’t used this feature yet, the t-bar can easy be removed from the base/deck for easier storage on-the-go.  I would even say that we could fit the scooter in one of our larger suitcases, which sure would make touring a city fun for him!

What’s to be Desired?

• We really have nothing to complain about, and are quite happy with the product! One thing that we’ve been told to watch out for is the front plastic piece between the wheels.  The piece is not completely resistant to damage, and if the scooter receives some seriously rough use (such as running into walls), this piece can break.

Notes:

• For kids first learning to use the scooter, I recommend visiting a park with lots of pathways and possibly some slight inclines.  This will give the child room to practice without worry of possible street traffic, and the slight incline with allow them to pick up a tiny bit of speed in order to practice steering and maneuvering.
• Visit the Micro Kickboard website to learn about the other types of scooters available for both younger and older kids. Tales of a Mountain Mama also has a good overview.

To purchase the Micro Mini Scooter (appox. $80)

• Wild Tales of…Travel and Adventure Store (via Amazon)
• Micro Kickboard website 

We’re big fans of the Micro Mini Scooter and highly recommend it to families of preschoolers and kindergartners!

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