How to Convince Your Parents to Buy You a Skateboard

Ask when they’re in a good mood.

Wait until they aren’t busy or stressed. Choosing the right time to ask them can be a key to success. Catch them in a good mood and when they’re free. If they’re super busy or had a rough day, hang back for a bit and wait until they settle down. On the ride home from school or after dinner can be safe bets. They’ll be finished with work and may be more open to getting you a skateboard. Try asking something like, “Hey dad, do you have a sec?” to make sure they have time to talk to you.

Express gratitude when you ask.

Tell them that you’re thankful for everything that they do for you. Acknowledge that buying a skateboard is extra money that they’ll spend. Express your appreciation for them while you ask so they recognize that while you do want a skateboard, you’re also grateful for what they give you. For instance, you could try something like, “Hi mom, I know you guys do a lot for me, and I really appreciate it. I was wondering if it would be okay if I got a skateboard.”

Go over the health benefits.

Skateboarding is a great way to get some exercise. In fact, it’s similar to other serious cardio workouts such as jumping rope and spinning. Skateboarding also develops key muscles like your legs, lower back, and your core. Use information about how skateboarding can improve your health to help convince your parents. You could say something like, “Sure, skateboarding is fun and all, but it’s also a great workout.”

Tell them you’ll wear protective gear.

Smooth over any safety concerns they may have. Most parents are going to question just how safe skateboarding can be. They might be worried about you getting hurt. Tell them their concerns are legit, and that you plan to always wear safety gear like a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. Try saying something like, “You’re totally right to be concerned, and I take it seriously, too. That’s why I’ll always wear a helmet and pads so I don’t get hurt.”

Talk about the social benefits of skateboarding.

Focus on the friends you could make. There are usually groups of skaters around your school and at the local skatepark. Talk to your parents about how getting a skateboard can help you meet new people and make new friends. For instance, you could try saying something like, “I’d really like to be able to hang out with the other kids at the skatepark and a skateboard can help me get in with them.”

Explain the positive aspects of skateboarding culture.

Skateboarding sometimes gets a bad rap. If your parents think it's associated with drinking or drugs, don’t brush their concerns aside. Instead, explain that they may be surprised to know that most skaters these days actually don’t drink or do drugs. Tell them that the skateboarding community can be really friendly and positive. You can try saying something along the lines of, “It’s actually just about having fun with your friends and trying out cool new tricks.”

Tell your parents you’ll learn at home first.

Say you’ll stick to the driveway until you get better. Your parents may be worried that you’ll get in over your head too quickly. Tell them that you don’t plan to take to the streets on the first day. Explain that you want to spend a bunch of time using your driveway and neighborhood to practice. That way they can see you get better at it and may feel more comfortable. You could even say something like, “I was actually planning to set up some ramps and stuff on the sidewalk to practice.”

Mention how much fun it could be.

At the end of the day, it’s all about having a good time. Talk to your parents about how much you’ll enjoy skateboarding. Tell them you’re super excited about giving it a try and you think it’ll be a ton of fun. For example, you can say something like, “I promise I’ll always wear a helmet and safety pads. I’m just really pumped to practice skating!”

Earn credit for the cost of the skateboard.

Offer to do more chores and keep your grades up. Skateboards aren’t free, and if you don’t have a way to make money, you’ll have to depend on your parents to buy one for you. You can earn credit and convince them to buy you a board by asking them for chores or responsibilities around the home that you can do. You can also commit to improving your grades in school so they see how responsible you are, which may help convince them to get you a skateboard. Chances are there are plenty of things you can find around your home that you can do for your parents. You can offer to clear out the garage, walk the dogs, clean up the kitchen, or something like that. Show them your test scores and report cards so they can see that you’re really trying at school.

Offer to match the cost if you can.

Tell them you can pay for half of the price. If you do have a little bit of money saved up from an allowance or job, try using it to help convince your parents. They may be more likely to help you get a skateboard if you’re offering to pay for some of it. They may even decide to just buy it for you if you make an honest offer to pay for a portion of the cost!