Shoes with Wheels for Younger Kids?

Ok, I hate those.
Sorry, my father has been a podiatrist for over 30years and he has had way too many kids in his office because of those.
Stick to normal roller skates or roller blades.
The problem with these shoes is walking in them.
Yes the wheels are fun, but they will damage his feet and the way he walks.
As an older person, teen, it doesn't cause as much damage, BUt for a kid..not worth it.
My dad is always telling mothers to AVOID these.

I refuse to buy those things for my kids. I've been run into by too many kids who were "skating" around in them.

Also, you're not allowed to wear them to school around here.

I can't stand them. I have almost been run over at the mall and kids act like its my fault!

Awww, we LOVED Heelies. Yes, I suppose it's more dangerous than walking sure, and there ARE times when it's inappropriate to be skating, but my kids had a BLAST in their Heelies. Actually, all were disinterested in the concept by the time middle school rolled around.

:)

My two older boys had them when they were your sons age and loved them! Yes, he will have to learn how to use them but they aren't really "dangerous". Yes he may fall the first few times but he won't be going as fast as if he were wearing a pair of roller skates so it's not the same. My youngest (4) wants them really bad but they don't make them small enough. And yes, if they did make them small enough I would buy him a pair since he's been riding a 2 wheeler for a year and can roller blade. So I guess what I'm saying is, if your son is coordinated then he will be fine, if he's still a little awkward and finding his balance with his growing body then you may want to wait. Oh, and the wheels come out so if he does wear them to school he can pop the wheels out and stick them in his backpack!

Yep - they are dangerous.
Where's he going to wear them?
So many malls and schools have banned wearing them he might only wear them on the side walks in your neighborhood.
I can't afford to be buying shoes (they're skates really) that my son can't wear everywhere.
You'd be surprised how many people fall, break arms, dislocate shoulders and give themselves concussions over those things.
He should really know how to skate well before he gets them.
Thank goodness the fad has come and mostly gone in my area already.

My youngest daughter loves those things. She just turned 9 and has been using them for about a year. She could roller skate pretty well before but it took a few days to get the hang of the heelies. It's one of those fun kid things that will fade with time and age. Both my husband and I say we would have been in heaven if they had existed back when we were kids. We do have some loose rules about where and when as I don't like kids who are flying around stores and crowds but all in all they're good old fashioned fun.

I will never buy them for my kids. I can't stand walking in a store or parking lot where kids use them.

I know a lot of kids have them. And yes, you can fall using them. A friend's daughter ended up with a cast on her arm first thing after getting them. I've avoided them so far, and my daughter (9) is OK with that.

I don't particularly think they are very safe, not because of design flaws, but because kids don't always pay attention to everything around them. I've seen a lot of collisions and near-misses.

I also know that several stores have specifically banned them or requested that customers not wear them while shopping there, for their own safety and that of others.

They are dangerous and they are banned from schools and some other places. Roller skates or roller blades would be a better choice, and you can take those to roller rinks. Always use appropriate padding for protection.

We had those for 1 day before we returned them. Too hard, unless your child Allready knows how to roller-skate or skateboard.

My girls loved heelies at that age, still do occasionally wear them at 9 and 11. They are not difficult to use once you get used to how to do it. Sure there is some risk. Same with bikes, skateboards, skiis, etc. As far as swerving in and out of crowds at malls, that is something I taught my kids they are not to do. I made sure they know that many, many adults hate heelies, and they need to at least keep a good distance for safety and be respectful in public space. Otherwise, I see no harm. Man, I would have LOVED these when I was a kid!

My daughter wanted some too. My answer was NO! Heelies are the NUMBER ONE CHILD INJURY TOY IN THE USA! The kids fall and break their wrists like crazy! I would never allow either of my children to wear these shoes!

He sounds a little young, maybe. I suppose it depends on his skills. Is he really athletic or coordinated? My son, who is almost the same age, is not very coordinated. If he wanted them at 7, I bet he would have a hard time picking it up, loose interest and then grow out of them. Lastly, they are not allowed in schools. You have to think about how often he will be able to wear them. You might wait a year or two. I understand it's hard when they want something really bad. However, if you decide to make him wait, it's a valuable lesson.

Does your son know how to roller skate or use inline skates? If no, I would teach him that first. My son does not do either, but wanted the shoes. Talked Grandpa into buying them at $60. Wore them twice. He was scared to 'skate' and so they sat in the corner where he outgrew them.

I find those shoes annoying from a "shopper's prospective". For one, safety...not only for the people they might accidentally run into or cause to be off balance trying to get out of the way to avoid a collision, but also, they don't seem to provide good ankle support. I've seen kid after kid turn their ankle(s) & falling down just by walking in those shoes b/c the wheel is centered, not all the way across the back so it 'rocks' back & forth just enough to turn an ankle & I just wouldn't allow MY kids to wear those, no way. I loath parents who let their kids 'skate around' the mall areas & especially in the individual stores as kids don't care to watch where they're going, always causing people to have to jump out of their way to avoid getting run over & parents doing nothing to say "watch where you're going". To me, it's almost the equivalent of letting someone skateboard, rollerblade or ride a bicycle in a populated area...it's just something else for them to play with & cause trouble or cause a nuisence for others to hafta put up with. Nothing I hate more than going to the mall or a store in general, or any public place really, & hafta be on the lookout for crazy kids on wheels & I don't like to get blamed if the kid plows into me b/c I wouldn't move out of THEIR way. If your kid(s) wanna skate, take them to a rink or get some rollerblades & go to a skate park...somewhere where it's acceptable & appropriate to skate. I'd strongly urge you to pass on these but I know it's ultimately your decision, just think about how it affects other people in public, whether it's in the mall shopping areas or even going down a sidewalk.