Free Skateboarding Lessons for Kids This Summer

Kids want to shred? First they've got to learn if they're goofy or regular and then start mastering their tic tacs. Lucky for Seattle-area aspiring shredders, local organization Skate Like A Girl will get them cruising with free skateboard lessons this summer. And don't worry, guys, Skate Like A Girl's inclusive programs — except where noted — welcome all genders.

Free skateboard lessons are for girls and boys ages 5–12 and take place Saturdays this summer in four Seattle parks: the Ballard Bowl in Ballard Commons Park; Virgil Flaim Park in Lake City; SeaSk8, Seattle Center's skate park; and Roxhill Park in West Seattle. (See specifc dates for each location below.)

Kids should bring a helmet — a bike helmet works fine — and gear if they have it, though Skate Like A Girl has skateboards and pads to borrow. Show up early as lessons are first come, first served.

Skate Like A Girl is an organization on a mission. Its aim is to create "an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership and social justice through the sport of skateboarding." The organization also seeks to empower young people, particularly young women, to become leaders who promote social equality. Pretty cool to make skateboarding a platform (or should we say deck?) for that. Read about Skate Like A Girl's executive director Kristin Ebeling; we selected her as one of our ParentMap superheroes for 2018.

The majority of Skate Like A Girl's Seattle-area programs welcome all genders, though there are female-focused programs such as Ladies Nights at Seattle Center's SeaSk8 this summer: free, drop-in skate clinics for women and girls of all ages, Thursdays, June 21–Aug. 30.

Skate Like A Girl also offers summer skate camps for 2018 at eight Seattle-area locations. Most camps welcome all genders. Four sessions of camp are specifically for girls, and one week is dedicated to queer and trans youth and features queer and/or trans-identified counselors.