Kickflip
Learn to perform a kickflip on a skateboard by practicing foot placement, popping, and flicking with helmet and pads, progressing safely with adult supervision.
About this activity
Learn to perform a kickflip on a skateboard by practicing foot placement, popping, and flicking with helmet and pads, progressing safely with adult supervision.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Put on your helmet knee pads elbow pads and wrist guards.
- 2
Step 2
Ask an adult to supervise stay nearby and help when needed.
- 3
Step 3
Place your skateboard on a flat smooth surface.
- 4
Step 4
Give the skateboard a gentle push to make sure the wheels roll freely.
- 5
Step 5
Put your front foot across the middle of the board and angle it slightly toward the nose.
- 6
Step 6
Put your back foot on the tail with the ball of your foot ready to snap down.
- 7
Step 7
Snap your back foot down quickly to pop the tail of the skateboard.
- 8
Step 8
Jump straight up as the tail pops so the board can rise under you.
- 9
Step 9
Slide your front toes off the front corner of the board and flick outward to start the flip.
- 10
Step 10
Combine the pop jump and the front-foot flick in one smooth motion to make the board flip once.
- 11
Step 11
Aim to land with both feet above the bolts and bend your knees to absorb the landing.
- 12
Step 12
Share a photo or video of your first kickflip on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I teach my child to do a kickflip on a skateboard?
Teach a kickflip by breaking it into steps: stance with front foot near middle and back foot on tail, practice popping the tail to lift the board, then learn the front-foot flick off the board’s corner while sliding forward. Start with the board secured (on grass or against a wall) to feel the motions, then progress to flat pavement. Emphasize controlled pop, a quick flick, catching the board with feet, and bending knees on landing. Always supervise closely.
What materials and safety gear do I need to practice a kickflip with my child?
You’ll need a properly sized skateboard with good grip tape, flat smooth practice surface, and closed-toe skate shoes. For safety, use a certified helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Optional items: a skate tool, a soft practice mat or grassy area for early drills, and a spotter or adult to steady the child. Replace worn gear and check the board’s trucks and wheels before each session.
What ages is learning a kickflip suitable for?
Learning a kickflip is usually suited to children who have solid balance and basic skate skills, often around 6–10 years old and up. Readiness depends on coordination, strength, and confidence rather than strict age. Younger kids can learn popping and flicking motions on a stationary board, while older children progress to rolling practice. Always adapt difficulty, supervision, and protective gear to the child’s development level and comfort.
What are safety tips and benefits of teaching a child to kickflip?
Safety tips: always use helmet and pads, warm up, start on soft or stationary surfaces, progress slowly, and supervise closely. Teach falling safely and check equipment regularly. Benefits include improved balance, coordination, spatial awareness, and persistence from iterative practice. Learning tricks also builds confidence, problem-solving, and goal-setting. Encourage positive reinforcement and short, focused practice sessions to reduce injury risk and keep motivation high.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have one of the protective pads or a skateboard?
If you don't have wrist guards or pads, use thick padded gloves and a sturdy bike or skate helmet and practice the pop and flick on carpet or grass with an adult supervising until you can use a proper skateboard on a flat smooth surface.
My board won't flip fully — what step am I probably doing wrong and how do I fix it?
If the board doesn't flip, focus on snapping your back foot down on the tail with the ball of your foot and sliding your front toes off the front corner to flick outward so the pop and front-foot flick combine into one smooth motion to make the board flip once.
How should we change the activity for different age groups?
For younger kids practice the pop and toe flick on grass or carpet while wearing helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards with an adult close by, while older kids can practice rolling kickflips on a flat smooth surface after a gentle push and using video to review form.
How can we extend or personalize the kickflip practice once we can land it?
To extend and personalize, mark the bolts with colored tape to aim to land both feet above the bolts and bend your knees to absorb the landing, try different grip tape or wheel setups for feel, and share a photo or video of your first kickflip on DIY.org to track progress.