An ATV, in simple terms, is a vehicle with 3 or more wheels designed for off-road or off-highway usage. They have seats that are meant to be straddled by the rider, and handlebars for steering and control. While this sounds like a simple concept, there is a lot to learn before you purchase an ATV for yourself, much less one for your kid!

Growing up with an ATV of their very own can be a great experience for any kid. The autonomy of controlling their own vehicle, just like mom and dad, and the adventures that ensue can be some of the most treasured memories they have as they grow older.

Choosing the right ATV for your family can be daunting to say the least, and with so many makes, models, features, color options, and more to choose from, it’s hard to even know where to start when purchasing an ATV for your kid. This guide is designed to help ease you into the world of ATVs for kids, and make your first purchase the perfect one!

Kids & ATVs: Where to Begin

So you’ve decided it’s time to get your kid their very own ATV, but you have no idea where to start... That’s ok! We’re here to help. When it comes to picking out a specific ATV, there are a ton of things to consider, from the type of fuel the vehicle uses down to the size of the vehicle and safety features included. Before we get into any of that though, let’s think about why you might want to get your kid onto a brand new ATV.

In this day and age, we’ve all seen our kids with their faces glued to one screen or another. Maybe they’re yelling at their friends while they play Fortnite, or maybe they’re just spending hours at a time on TikTok or Instagram. An ATV will give them an exciting reason to get out of the house, and experience the outdoors like every kid needs to do! While their friends are in a dark room with a screen, your kid will be laughing and enjoying nature with the family! Not to mention, learning how to ride an ATV is fairly easy for almost anyone, so it can help to build confidence and character all while learning an exciting new skill.

Throughout the process of learning how to ride an ATV, they can also learn all about the mechanical nature of their new vehicle. Obviously no kid is a mechanic or engineer, but learning how their ATV works, and working alongside their parents to maintain it is a great way to build new and useful skills. Between riding and working on the ATV, family time can become a lot more engaging for everybody.

When shopping for an ATV for a kid, the first thing to consider is whether to shop for gas or electric. While electric ATVs are more of a toy than an actual ATV, they are great for kids 6 and under, or for kids under 8 who may be afraid of all of the noise that comes along with a gas powered ATV. If your kid isn’t afraid of the noise, you can skip electric ATVs all together, as there are many 50cc gas powered ATVs available. The next thing to consider is how to size the ATV for your specific child, and there are a few factors to consider. If your kid is less than 6 years old, they should not be riding a proper ATV, be it a kids ATV or an adult one. They are simply not big enough to be safe, even as a passenger. Instead, consider one of the many electric kids ATVs or 50cc ATVs as a way for them to learn and have fun while they grow. Once they are big enough, the main factors to consider are brake reach, leg length, grip reach, and turning reach. We’ll touch more on all of these later on in the safety section, but for now, let’s take a look at some of the best ATVs out there for kids.

Best ATV for Kids

While there are literally dozens of quality ATVs made for kids on the market, we have put together a list of some of the best choices currently available. We have considered everything from value to safety, and hope this will help you make your choice!

If you are shopping for a 3 to 6 year old, we suggest the Costzon Ride-on ATV. With a maximum speed of 2 miles per hour, and a weight limit of 55 pounds, it is the perfect choice for your little one. It has the appearance of a real, grown-up ATV, and can even accept an AUX input so your kid can cruise the sidewalks listening to their favorite tune.

For kids 8 and up who just aren’t big enough for a gas-powered ATV yet, we suggest the Razor Dirt Quad. By far the most popular of the electric ATVs, this quad can reach a slightly higher speed of 8 miles per hour. No matter who your kid is, they will have a blast speeding around the neighborhood showing off their new ride. Not only does this quad look like the real thing, but it has twist grip throttle and a hand-operated rear disc brake, so they’ll be able to learn the speed control and braking functions of a real ATV while staying safe and sound. Able to run continuously for 40 minutes per charge, this smooth riding ATV is designed for off-road riding with it’s high-torque gear-reduction motor. Parent reviews rave about this quad being worth the money, taking even the toughest beatings from your kids.

The best all-around ATV for kids 10 and up, with a weight limit of over 230 pounds is the TaoTao ATV TForce 110cc. This is a huge step towards a real grown-up ATV for any aspiring rider. With an engine boasting a top speed of 35 miles per hour, your kid will really be able to blast around the trails on your next camping trip. It also has a weight limit of 230 pounds, and a rear rack so your kid can carry all of their important gear no matter where your family decides to ride! It has a fully automatic transmission and a wider suspension than most kids ATVs as well as bigger tires made for off-roading. If your kid has some experience and is big enough, this is definitely the choice for you.

Electric ATV for Kids

For younger children, or kids who aren’t quite ready for the noise that accompanies a gas-powered ATV, electric ATVs are a great choice. Not only are they extremely quiet, but they are environmentally friendly as well. The Razor Dirt Quad, from above, is a great example of an electric quad made for kids who want the excitement of a real quad without the noise or smells that accompany a gas-powered quad. Electric ATVs are great for beginner riders to learn on, because they are easier to control and will help riders learn basic ATV safety without as many risks as a gas-powered vehicle. Depending on the model you buy, the ATVs can range in top speed from 2 miles per hour all the way up to 15 miles per hour, meaning that there is one for every kid. There are even incredible multi-seat ATVs for bigger families. For example, the Peg Perego Polaris RZR 900is a two seater designed for kids between 3 and 8. It has a top speed of 5 miles per hour, and allows your kids to experience the excitement of driving an ATV together. Not only is it a great bonding experience, but it may keep them from fighting for a few minutes! It includes seat belts, and a two-speed gearbox allowing you to limit your kids speed to 2.5 mph if necessary.

ATV Riding for Kids: Safety Precautions

Riding an ATV can be a super fun activity for the whole family to experience together, or a great solo activity for anybody, but there is one thing you always have to consider above all else. Safety. Before we even discuss safety gear, we need to talk about all of the safety precautions you and your kid should take every time you ride. Before ever getting on the ATV, your child should complete a basic safety check to be sure the vehicle is safe to ride! A great way to remember what to check is the T-CLOC method. T-CLOC is an acronym for Tires and Wheels, Controls and Cables, Lights and Electrics, Oil and Fuel, and Chain/Drive Shaft and Chassis. Teaching your child how to do these checks will ensure they never ride a dangerous ATV, but starting out, be sure to help them complete their check!

Make sure everybody always wears their helmet when riding an ATV to lessen the risk of head injury. Nobody wants to make a hospital run in the middle of the family vacation! Besides, head injuries are nothing to mess around with, and a helmet is the best way to prevent them from occurring. Be sure that unless the ATV is specifically designed for more than one person, that your kids only ride one person at a time. It’s easy to fall off of a moving vehicle, no matter how slow it’s going. Be sure to get an ATV that is the right size for your child. Starting a 6 year old off on a 110cc quad could be extremely dangerous, and there is always an option for every size child. Never, and I repeat, NEVER ride on the roads unless they are specifically marked for ATV traffic. The quads are not made for the road, and can are simply not road safe.

A great way for you and your kids to get acquainted with their new ATV is by taking an ATV safety course. These are offered in most major cities, and can really help to teach everybody involved the ropes of riding an off-road vehicle. Not to mention, they can be really fun for the whole family!

Last, but definitely not least, we need to talk about the safety gear and other necessary ATV parts for any off-road adventure!

ATV For Kids: Important Gear and Supplies

There is nothing a parent wants more than for their child to have a great time growing up, but they also want to make sure they stay safe and always come home in one piece. The most important, but not the only required, piece of safety gear is the helmet, and riding an ATV without one is not only a bad idea, it’s illegal! There are tons of cool designs and colors to choose from, so there will be no excuses about the helmet looking silly. Don’t ever forget to bring it along if you plan on riding an ATV.

There is also a lot of other protective gear that every rider should have before they hit the trails. A few important pieces include but aren’t limited to knee and shin guards, neck support, elbow guards, and if riding any kind of difficult terrain, a full chest protector with shoulder guards. Now is this all necessary for a child riding an electric ATV in the backyard? No, of course not. Wear a helmet, but just monitor them closely.

Once all of the safety gear is taken care of, it’s time to get stylin’. There are a plethora of options when it comes to cool riding gear and every kid can be looking their best when they are riding their new ATV. From the boots to the gloves to shirts and pants, every kid can create a custom look that makes them feel confident and look great when they ride with their friends or family.