Kids 4 Wheelers: How to Choose a Youth ATV That Fits Your Child
- on January 16, 2024
- Categories: Articles
Size a kids four wheeler to the rider, not to the age on the box. The classic industry guidance is 70cc and under for ages 6 to 11, 70cc to 90cc for ages 12 to 15, and 90cc and up for 16 and older. The better test is whether your child's feet reach the pegs, hands reach the levers, and the machine can be held upright at a stop.
Most parents shopping for a youth ATV hit the same wall: a row of 110cc quads that look alike, with age ranges on the listings that do not agree with each other. Here is how to narrow it down.
Engine size by age
The table below reflects guidance the industry has used for decades. Treat it as a caution floor rather than a purchase rule — it was written when youth machines really were 50cc and 70cc. Today most quads sold for elementary-school riders use a 107cc or 110cc engine paired with an adjustable throttle limiter.
| Rider age | Classic engine guidance | Typical seat height | Look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | Not recommended | — | A ride-on toy, not an ATV |
| 6 to 11 | 70cc and under | 20 to 26 in | Throttle limiter, remote kill switch, 6 to 8 in wheels |
| 12 to 15 | 70cc to 90cc | 26 to 30 in | Mid-size chassis, front and rear brakes, reverse |
| 16 and up | 90cc and up | 30 in and up | Full-size machine, supervision on early rides |
Displacement is half the story. A 110cc with the throttle screw turned down is slower than a wide-open 70cc. Ask what the limiter is set to out of the crate.
The fit check that beats the spec sheet
Do this in person, engine off, on level ground. It settles the sizing question better than any age range on a listing.
- •Feet flat on the pegs. Seated, both feet rest on the footpegs with knees bent.
- •Fingers pull the brake lever fully, without shifting grip or lifting the wrist off the bar.
- •Elbows stay slightly bent at full steering lock. Locked-straight arms mean the bars are too far away.
- •The machine can be held steady at a stop on a mild slope, without wobbling.
If your child is between sizes, buy the smaller machine. A comfortable rider builds skill and grows into the next one. An overwhelmed rider stops riding.
A four wheeler for a 9 year old
Nine sits in an awkward spot: past the smallest 50cc machines, short of a full mid-size quad. The standard answer is a youth quad with a seat height in the low 20s, automatic transmission, electric start, and a throttle limiter. Automatic matters — a first-time rider should not work a clutch and watch for obstacles at once.
Reverse is worth having by this age, because nine year olds get stuck. Wheel size counts too: 6 inch wheels feel every root, while 8 inch wheels roll over rough ground more predictably.
Electric or gas?
Electric youth quads have gotten genuinely good. They are quiet enough to keep neighbors happy, have no carburetor to gum up over the winter, and set speed with a switch rather than a screw. The trade-off is run time. Gas wins on range, refuels in seconds, and comes in far more sizes and price points. For backyard riding by a 6 to 10 year old, look hard at electric; for a family property or trail area, gas is usually the practical pick.
Limiters, kill switches, and parental controls
- •Adjustable throttle limiter. Set it low, then open it a turn at a time over weeks, not minutes.
- •Remote kill switch. A key fob that cuts the engine from a distance — the most useful feature on a first machine.
- •Tether cord. Kills the engine if the rider comes off. Use it every ride.
- •Front and rear brakes. Check both work and that the rider can operate both.
Youth ATVs in stock now
A cross-section from small first quads up to the mid-size class. Full listings are in Kids' ATVs and ATVs and 4 wheelers.
TrailMaster T110 Youth Sports ATV
Automatic, 6 in wheels, electric start, throttle limiter. A small first quad.
$659$849
View
We sell value-tier machines. They suit first quads, property riding, and second machines for a growing family. If your child races competitively, a premium brand with a dealer network behind it is the honest recommendation.
The middle of the youth range, and the size most families end up choosing, is grouped under 125cc ATVs and four wheelers.
Once a rider outgrows the 125 class, the next step up is our 149cc and 150cc ATVs.
Rules for the first season
- •Helmet every ride. DOT-rated and snug, plus goggles, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots.
- •An adult within sight, every ride — not watching from inside the house.
- •One rider per machine.
- •Off public roads. Youth ATVs are off-road machines and are generally not street legal. Where you may ride varies by state and city, so check locally before riding anywhere but your own property.
- •Open ground first. Practice starting, stopping, and slow turns on flat, empty ground before trails or hills.
Get the fit right, keep the limiter low at the start, and stay within sight. That does more for safety than anything on the spec sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What size 4 wheeler should a 9 year old ride?
A 9 year old sits in the youth class. The classic guidance puts ages 6 to 11 on 70cc and under, and most 9 year olds do well on a small youth quad with a seat height in the low 20-inch range. Many machines sold for this age now use a 107cc or 110cc engine with a throttle limiter, so judge it by fit and by how the child handles the speed the limiter allows.
Is a 110cc ATV too big for a kid?
It depends on the child, not the badge. A 110cc youth quad is physically small and usually ships with a throttle screw and a remote kill switch, so top speed can be set well below what the engine could do. If your child cannot hold it steady at a stop or pull the brake lever comfortably, it is too big.
What is the difference between a kids ATV and a youth ATV?
The terms overlap. Sellers tend to use kids ATV for the smallest machines, roughly 50cc to 110cc on 6 to 8 inch wheels, and youth ATV for the mid-size 110cc to 125cc class with taller seats. Read the seat height and wheel size rather than the label.
Can two kids ride one four wheeler?
No. Youth ATVs are single-rider machines with one seat and no passenger pegs. A second rider upsets the balance of a machine that steers by weight shift. To carry two people, look at a side by side with seat belts and a roll cage.
Do kids need a safety course before riding an ATV?
Not everywhere, but it is worth doing. The ATV Safety Institute runs hands-on youth courses, and some states set training or supervision requirements for young riders on public land. Rules vary by state, so check your own.
