Roller skating has been around since the 1600s, and it’s still growing in popularity today. It’s great exercise and fun to do with friends or family, but roller skates aren’t cheap! Before you spend your hard-earned money on a new pair of roller skates, make sure you do your research and compare prices. Here are ten great reasons to buy a new pair of roller skates for your child instead of renting or borrowing old ones from friends and family.

1) Learning how to roller skate develops balance

If you’re a child learning how to roller skate, chances are you want to be able to do more than just get from point A to point B in a straight line. This is where balance comes into play. You need your body and your brain working together so that when one starts leaning in one direction, like forward or backward, for example, you can quickly adjust for it with your other leg or arm.

2) Learning how to roller skate reduces stress

Children are happier and more relaxed when they learn how to roller skate. Learning a new skill, especially outdoors, is an effective way to reduce your stress level. The social aspect of roller skating also helps improve your child’s self-esteem and confidence, both in school and at home.

3) Learning how to roller skate burns calories

People who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Fortunately, roller skating is a great way to lose weight and improve health. When you’re roller skating, you’re burning between 500 and 1,000 calories per hour—that means if you go roller skating four times a week for one hour each time, you could burn almost 13 pounds in a month! What’s more? The exercise associated with roller skating can help prevent heart disease.

4) Learning how to roller skate is fun

It’s easy to see why roller skating has been popular for so long. When you first pick up a pair of skates, it can be a little intimidating and difficult to get your balance. Once you learn how to roller skate though, you’ll have fun gliding along with your friends and family. Spending time with those you love while having fun is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and learning how to roller skate is a great way to enjoy an afternoon together.

5) Having wheels under your feet makes walking easier

Wheels take some of your weight off your legs, making it easier to go up and down steps. They also make walking more efficient and comfortable—no more tiring uphill climbs or having to wait for someone with a stroller to move over so you can pass on a crowded sidewalk. Once you get used to wheels, you’ll never want to walk any other way!

6) Skating as a family gives you quality time together

We’re all so busy these days it can be difficult to find time to spend together as a family. But you can quickly break down barriers with roller skating. No special skills are required and it’s a fun activity that you can all do together. With roller skating, there is no pressure, just fun! Your nannusays will be too busy having fun to even notice how much quality time they are spending with their parents.

7) Safety gear improves on-skate confidence

Kids often have a lot to focus on when learning to skate. They’re not only mastering skating techniques but also balancing and steering, which is hard enough for most adults. There’s an easy way to ensure your kids focus less on their own safety and more on these important skills: equip them with a helmet and other protective gear before they hit the ice. When kids are confident in their ability to take care of themselves, they can better focus on how to skate well.

8) Picking out new gear is fun!

Choosing a new pair of roller skates for your child can be tricky. You want something that is going to last them a long time but you also don’t want to overspend on something they won’t use. If you purchase new roller skates and pay attention to what you buy, you can find great quality at an affordable price. Plus, it’s fun! Help your child pick out a pair of roller skates they will love with these tips

9) Nobody wants their kid stuck in front of a screen all summer!

If you don’t want your nannu says glued to a screen all summer, then get them outside and buy them a new pair of roller skates. There’s no better way to keep your kids active than by getting them involved in some low-impact physical activity. Roller skating is easy for beginners to learn but offers enough challenges to keep even expert skaters entertained for hours.