We Wanted the Safest Scooter for Our Toddler — Here’s What We Chose
An eager toddler, two slightly nervous parents and a lot of scooter research later, we found a first scooter we actually felt comfortable with.
There are some toddler purchases you make without giving them too much thought. A scooter was not one of those for us.
Our daughter was very ready for one. We, on the other hand, were slightly less enthusiastic about the idea of our small child suddenly acquiring wheels.
So before buying her first scooter, we did what nervous parents tend to do: researched what felt like every possible option. We weren’t particularly interested in finding the coolest scooter or the one with the most features. We wanted something stable, easy for a young child to control and forgiving enough for a toddler who was still very much learning what to do with it.
Eventually, we chose the Globber Junior Foldable 3-wheel scooter.
And after seeing how confidently our daughter rides it — including over the rather imperfect paths around us — we couldn’t have been happier with our choice.
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Why we chose a three-wheel scooter
Stability was our biggest priority.
For a toddler learning to scoot, the two front wheels immediately give the Globber a reassuringly planted feel. The deck is also low and wide, so our daughter doesn’t have to balance precariously while trying to work out how to push herself along at the same time.
That combination was exactly what we were looking for in a first scooter.
There is also a steering-lock function that allows you to initially fix the front wheels so the scooter travels forwards and backwards rather than steering from side to side. Once your child becomes more confident, you can unlock it and they can learn the scooter’s lean-to-steer movement.
For nervous parents, it’s a very clever little feature.
What surprised us most: how smoothly it rides
This is probably the thing we’ve been most impressed by.
Toddler scooters always look lovely being demonstrated on perfectly smooth paths. Real life isn’t quite like that.
We use ours on ordinary pavements and park paths, where there are inevitably bumps, joins, rough patches and changes in surface. The Globber feels remarkably smooth and stable across them.
Obviously, it isn’t designed for genuinely rough terrain, and we wouldn’t treat it like an off-road scooter. But on the slightly rugged, uneven surfaces we encounter on normal walks, we’ve been really impressed by how smoothly the wheels travel and how composed the scooter feels.
That matters more than we expected. A scooter can feel perfectly stable while standing still; it’s how it behaves once a small child starts moving that makes the difference.
Is it easy for a toddler to steer?
The Globber uses lean-to-steer steering, so rather than turning the handlebars sharply like a bicycle, your child gradually learns to shift their weight in the direction they want to travel.
There is definitely a little learning involved here, which is where the steering lock comes in. With the press of a button, you can lock the scooter into a straight-ahead mode, letting your child concentrate on standing, pushing and getting used to moving without having to think about steering at the same time.
Once they’re ready, another press of the button unlocks the steering and they can begin learning the normal lean-to-steer movement. And if they’re finding it a little overwhelming, you can just as easily switch it back again.
We really liked this gradual approach. It meant our daughter could get comfortable with the basics first, rather than being given a fully responsive scooter from day one and having to work everything out at once.
The light-up wheels were for her. The stability was for us.
If you ask our daughter about the scooter, we’re fairly sure the light-up wheels would rank considerably higher than its steering system.
The two front wheels light up as the scooter moves, with no batteries required. They’re powered by the movement of the wheels themselves — and the faster the scooter moves, the brighter they become.
It’s one of those features we probably wouldn’t have chosen a scooter for, but we’re very glad it has.
For a three-year-old, it makes an already exciting present feel just that little bit more special.
It grows with them too
Another thing we wanted to avoid was buying something our daughter would quickly outgrow.
The Globber Junior has an adjustable T-bar with three height positions, so you can raise the handlebars as your child grows. Globber recommends the scooter for children aged approximately 2–6 years.
Adjustments are tool-free, which is exactly the sort of practical detail you appreciate once you actually own children’s equipment. It also took me — possibly the world’s worst DIYer and someone notoriously averse to reading instructions — less than five minutes to set up straight out of the box. A definite win in my book.
It also folds down, making it much easier to put into the car, store at home or carry when your toddler inevitably decides that the scooter they absolutely had to bring on the walk is no longer something they wish to ride.
Parents of toddlers will understand.
A few thoughtful extras
There are several smaller details we’ve come to appreciate.
The grips are comfortable for little hands, the deck has an anti-slip surface, and the rear brake is deliberately long and wide, making it easier for small feet to find.
Globber also makes a matching children’s helmet, which is a nice option if you’re buying the scooter as a birthday or Christmas present and want to get everything together. Aside from looking rather lovely as a matching set, a properly fitted helmet is something we’d consider an essential for those first scooting adventures.
The scooter is also made using 60% Global Recycled Standard plastic and bio-sourced wheat-straw in applicable components. Sustainability wasn’t the deciding factor for us — stability was — but it’s a welcome addition, particularly because the scooter still feels sturdy and substantial.
View Globber Go Up Helmet With Lights
Is there anything we don’t like?
No toddler product is going to remove the need for supervision, and buying a stable scooter doesn’t suddenly make scooting risk-free.
Children still need to learn how to stop, steer, judge their speed and navigate what’s around them. A helmet and appropriate protective equipment are still important, and young children should be closely supervised when riding.
And although we’ve been particularly impressed with how ours handles everyday uneven paths, this is still a children’s pavement scooter rather than something intended for genuinely rough or off-road terrain.
Those aren’t deal-breakers for us — just realistic expectations to have before buying one.
Our verdict: would we choose it again?
Absolutely.
After all the research we did before buying our daughter’s first scooter, the Globber Junior Foldable Scooter has turned out to be exactly what we hoped it would be.
For our daughter, it’s fun, fast enough to feel exciting and has those all-important light-up wheels.
For us, it’s the stability that makes it.
The three-wheel design, low deck, gradual steering system and particularly smooth movement over everyday paths have made us much more comfortable watching her learn than we expected to be.
If you have an eager toddler but you’re a slightly nervous parent, this is one we’d genuinely recommend looking at.
It gave our daughter the independence she wanted — without making us quite as nervous as we’d expected.
Best for: First-time scooter riders, toddlers and preschoolers
Age range: 2–6 years
Why we chose it: Stability and easy, progressive steering
Our favourite feature: How smooth and planted it feels on everyday paths
Toddler’s favourite feature: The light-up wheels
Would we buy it again? Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Globber Junior a good first scooter for a 3-year-old?
In our experience, yes. We chose the Globber Junior specifically as our daughter’s first scooter because the three-wheel design, low deck and steering lock made it feel particularly manageable for a beginner. She could concentrate on getting comfortable with pushing and balancing before learning to steer properly.
What is the best scooter for a 3-year-old in the UK?
There isn’t one scooter that will suit every child, but after researching toddler scooters available in the UK, the Globber Junior was the one we chose for our daughter. Stability was our biggest priority, and we’ve been especially impressed by its smooth movement over ordinary pavements and slightly uneven park paths.
Is a three-wheel scooter better for toddlers?
A three-wheel scooter can be a great option for toddlers and first-time riders because the two front wheels provide a more stable base than a traditional two-wheel scooter. For us, that extra stability was one of the main reasons we chose this style for our daughter’s first scooter.
What age is the Globber Junior scooter suitable for?
The Globber Junior Foldable Lights Ecologic is designed for children aged approximately 2 to 6 years. Its T-bar has three adjustable heights, so it can be raised as your child grows rather than being something they quickly outgrow.
Does a 3-year-old need a helmet for a scooter?
We wouldn’t let our daughter scooter without one. A properly fitted children’s helmet is an important piece of protective equipment when riding a scooter, alongside close adult supervision. Globber also offers children’s helmets that coordinate with its scooters if you’d like a matching set.