
ATVs for Kids: Everything Parents Need to Know!
Is your child excited by the sound of engines? Are they energetic, active, and in search of adrenaline? If they’re at the right age to meet all the legal requirements, they might be ready to get into the sport of ATV riding.
A healthy way for juniors to have fun, riding an ATV will also teach them what it means to be responsible on their own.
As a parent, however, you might not know where to start when it comes to allowing your child to get involved in this lifestyle. How can you judge if they’re ready for this hobby? How can you make sure they’re safe?
CFMOTO, one of the leading ATV and side-by-side manufacturers today, is here to help!
We present to you a short guide to help your child begin an adventure that could be a lifetime source of healthy adrenaline—and well-deserved lessons.
🚩 IS YOUR CHILD READY?
As you probably already know, there are specific legal requirements in the state where you live that must be met before your child can pilot an ATV or side-by-side.
These laws exist to ensure the safety of riders everywhere and are a necessary indicator of “readiness.” Your child should meet all age and knowledge requirements before starting motorsports.
However, because children develop at their own pace, this is not the only indicator that they’re ready for the responsibility of an ATV or side-by-side.
🚩 DO THEY MAKE SAFE CHOICES AROUND THEIR PEERS?
Does your child wear a helmet when riding, for example, their bike with friends? And more than that, do they remind others to do the same?
Are they the type to stop younger children from crossing the street when it’s not safe? If your child can prioritize safety around other children, this could be another solid indicator that they’re ready to practice riding an ATV for kids or a side-by-side.
Peer pressure is a reality among children of all ages, and your child should be willing to set a positive example on their vehicle by following the correct safety procedures—even if these procedures are considered “uncool” by the other young riders they encounter.
Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it will also teach your child the importance of staying true to their own values.
🚩 WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S RISK-ACCEPTANCE LEVEL?
ATVs and side-by-sides require a certain level of confidence to operate, and they can also help build that confidence! If your child is a little nervous when they start riding, that’s perfectly normal.
However, riders who are too reluctant can encounter problems. For example, if they hesitate too much when approaching tough terrain, the ATV or side-by-side could get stuck.
To be truly ready to ride an ATV, your child should, to some extent, be willing to overcome things they’re afraid of.
At the same time, too much confidence can lead to problems. For example, trying to show off by gunning the engine and spinning the mud could actually get the vehicle stuck in a pit!
It’s not necessary for your little one to be perfectly balanced between the two to start riding an ATV; ATVs and side-by-sides are great teachers. But these off-road vehicles cannot lean too far in either direction, or else young riders risk damaging the vehicle or, worse, injuring themselves.
🚩 STARTING OUT: SPORTS AND EQUIPMENT
Broadly speaking, there are two styles of ATV and side-by-side riding: track and trail.
Track riding often involves jumps, speed, competition, and adrenaline.
Trail riding involves exploring and navigating unknown obstacles with care and attention.
Your child should be free to choose the sport that attracts them. To find ATV events and other track opportunities, look for local leagues, which can also help you find courses to improve your child’s speed while keeping them safe in the ATV saddle.
Those who prefer trail riding can also take advantage of clubs to explore new areas and meet new people.
🚩 NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT
No matter the speed your child will ride at, they must be equipped for protection, just like any other ATV or side-by-side rider—even if this means you’ll need to invest in new gear as they grow.
🚩 Make sure they choose at least the following safety equipment:
▪️ An ATV or side-by-side helmet
▪️ A long-sleeve shirt (it doesn’t need to be specifically made for motorsports)
▪️ Durable pants
▪️ Off-road gloves
▪️ ATV-style boots
▪️ Off-road goggles (if the helmet doesn’t have proper face protection)
HOW TO TEACH A CHILD TO RIDE AN ATV
Once you’ve established that the young ATV enthusiast in your family is old enough and responsible enough to start riding this type of vehicle, you need to make sure they can learn to do so safely. Like any first-time ATV rider, there may be a learning period.
Every new rider must learn ATV piloting skills. But this process is a little harder for a child, especially one who isn’t yet old enough to drive a vehicle.
However, you can teach your child to ride an ATV and ensure their safety. Here are a few tips to guide them.
TEACH THEM THE RULES AND CONTROLS BEFORE RIDING THE ATV.
Although your child might not enjoy hearing all the rules, it’s important for them to learn them. Depending on their age, you can try to make this process more fun with visuals or rewards. Go over the ATV controls with them so they know how to accelerate and brake.START IN YOUR YARD AND NEIGHBORHOOD.
When your child is learning to ride an ATV, keep them close to home and never leave them alone. Make sure you ride alongside them if they’re younger. As they become more experienced, you can let them ride farther.SET UP AN OBSTACLE COURSE.
For younger children, learning how to maneuver is essential. But this doesn’t have to be learned through a boring lecture where they just sit and listen. Instead, turn the learning process into a more fun activity by setting up an obstacle course in your yard or another safe area, away from other vehicles.
As they develop their skills, their confidence on the ATV will grow, and generally, you want them to be confident—not too shy and not too careless.
- BE PATIENT AND CALM.
Teaching kids to do something new, especially something that can be dangerous, can often be stressful. You may be worried about their safety or frustrated when they don’t listen. But even though it’s hard, they will listen better and enjoy the ATV activity more if you’re patient with them.
DISCOVER SAFE AND AFFORDABLE ATVS FROM CFMOTO
If your child is ready for motorsports, you need a vehicle that will take care of them on the trails and track, while also staying within budget. The Chinese manufacturer offers such vehicles for kids in the form of reliable and safe CFMOTO mini-ATVs with safety features and elements inspired by adult models.
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