6 Best Intermediate Skateboards For Learning Tricks You Won’t Outgrow

Your child has been rolling around on that first skateboard for months, the one you grabbed from a big-box store to see if the interest would stick. But now you’re hearing a new kind of talk—about "pop," ollies, and kickflips. That beginner board, once a source of freedom, is now a source of frustration, and you realize it’s time for an upgrade. This is that classic moment we face as parents, whether it’s with a musical instrument, a baseball glove, or a skateboard: moving from a "toy" to a "tool" that can support real skill development.

Moving Beyond a First Board to Learn Tricks

That first board served its purpose perfectly. It let your child explore balance and motion without a significant investment. But those boards are not designed for the impact and precision that learning tricks requires. Their plastic trucks, slow bearings, and stiff, heavy decks make it nearly impossible for a child to get the board to leave the ground.

Think of it like trying to learn guitar on a cheap, plastic instrument that won’t stay in tune. No amount of practice will overcome the limitations of the equipment. An intermediate "complete" skateboard from a real skate brand is a different category of product entirely. It’s a carefully assembled piece of athletic equipment where the deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings are all designed to work together to help a skater progress.

This is the point where your investment directly impacts their ability to learn. A proper skateboard responds predictably, allowing your child to build muscle memory and confidence. The completes we’ll discuss here are the perfect next step, providing the quality they need to learn without the custom, pro-level price tag you’re not ready for.

Powell-Peralta Completes for Lasting Quality

When you see the name Powell-Peralta, you’re looking at decades of skateboarding history and innovation. This is a legacy brand, and their completes are built with a focus on durability and performance that has been trusted for generations. They are known for using high-grade American maple and strong, waterproof glues in their decks.

This commitment to quality materials means the board maintains its "pop"—the spring-like snap that helps a skater get airborne—for much longer. For a child learning to ollie, having a board that responds consistently every single time is crucial. It removes equipment as a variable, so they can focus entirely on their technique.

While a Powell-Peralta might be a slightly higher initial investment, its robust construction makes it an excellent value over the long term. These boards can easily withstand the repetitive, high-impact nature of learning tricks. They also make fantastic hand-me-downs for younger siblings and hold their value better if you decide to resell one day.

Element Section Completes for All-Around Use

If your child’s skating sessions are a mix of everything—practicing in the driveway, cruising to a friend’s house, and spending weekends at the local skatepark—an Element complete is one of the most reliable, all-around choices you can make. They are the workhorses of the skateboard world, known for solid construction and no-fuss performance.

Element focuses on creating a balanced setup. The deck, trucks, and wheels are all of good quality and well-matched to each other, creating a smooth and predictable ride right out of the box. This is ideal for the intermediate skater who is still exploring whether they prefer street skating, ramps, or just cruising around.

Think of Element as the perfect middle-ground option. It’s a globally recognized brand that delivers consistent quality without being overly specialized in one area. It provides a stable, confidence-inspiring platform for a child to build their fundamental skills on, no matter where they choose to skate.

Santa Cruz Completes for Iconic Pop and Style

For many kids, especially in that 8-to-12-year-old range, the graphic on the bottom of the board is a massive part of the appeal. Santa Cruz is legendary for its bold, iconic artwork, like the famous "Screaming Hand." A board that your child thinks is cool is a board they will be more excited to get out and ride.

But Santa Cruz is much more than just great graphics. Their decks are engineered with excellent shapes and a concave that helps a skater’s feet feel secure. They are particularly well-regarded for having a crisp "pop," making them fantastic for learning ollies, shuv-its, and eventually, flip tricks.

Choosing a brand with such a rich history gives your child a sense of connection to the broader culture of skateboarding. It’s a brand they’ll see in videos and at the skatepark, which can be a powerful motivator. When they feel like they have a "real" board like the pros, it can give them the extra encouragement needed to push through the frustration of trying a trick for the hundredth time.

Almost Skateboards for Lighter, Stronger Decks

Almost Skateboards is a brand that has always focused on pushing the technology of deck construction. They are known for using 8-ply constructions or adding carbon fiber support discs with strong epoxy resin glue. The result is a board that is noticeably lighter and stronger than a standard 7-ply maple deck.

This is a significant advantage for younger or smaller skaters. A lighter board requires less force to get off the ground, which can make a huge difference when they are building the strength and coordination for their first ollies. It can shorten the learning curve and reduce early frustration, which is key to keeping them engaged.

The added strength from their unique construction methods also means these decks are more resistant to chipping and cracking. We all know kids can be tough on their belongings, and a skateboard is built to be used hard. The enhanced durability of an Almost complete means it’s built to last through countless failed trick attempts.

Baker Brand Logo Completes for Street Skating

As your child’s skills develop, you’ll notice them gravitating toward a specific style of skating. If they are constantly trying to jump up curbs, slide on ledges, or skate down small sets of stairs, they are becoming a "street skater." Baker is a brand that is synonymous with this raw, creative style of skateboarding.

Baker decks are known for their signature shapes, which often feature a steeper concave (the side-to-side curve) and a "mellow" kick on the nose and tail. This specific geometry is designed to give skaters more board control and leverage for flip tricks, making it a favorite among technical street skaters. It gives them a locked-in feeling that inspires confidence.

Choosing a Baker complete for a child in the 11-to-14 age range who is clearly passionate about street skating shows that you are paying attention to their specific interests. It validates their choice of discipline within the activity and provides them with a tool that is perfectly suited to the tricks they are trying to learn.

Real Skateboards for Pro-Level Performance

Real is what’s known as a "skater’s-skater" brand. It is deeply respected within the community for its commitment to high-performance products and its support for professional skateboarding. A Real complete offers pro-level quality in a pre-assembled package.

The brand is known for its deck technology, which focuses on creating strong, light, and long-lasting boards. They use construction techniques designed to make decks that can withstand heavy impacts without losing their pop. This is a board that can take a skater from their first kickflip all the way to advanced-level tricks without ever being the limiting factor.

Opting for a Real complete is a great choice for the child whose passion for skating is clearly not a passing phase. It’s a board they absolutely will not outgrow from a performance standpoint. It sends a message that you see their dedication and are willing to provide them with equipment that matches their commitment.

Choosing the Right Skateboard Deck Width

More than any other factor, the width of the deck determines how a skateboard will feel under your child’s feet. This isn’t about their age or height, but primarily about their shoe size. A board that is too wide will be difficult to control and flip; a board that is too narrow will feel unstable and hard to land on.

Finding the right starting size is key to building confidence. While preferences can change over time, this simple guide is an excellent starting point for choosing an intermediate board:

• 7.5" to 7.75": A great choice for younger skaters, typically with a US youth shoe size of 7 or smaller. The narrower deck gives them more leverage, making it easier to learn flip tricks.
• 8.0": This is the most common, all-around size and the perfect place to start for most teens or anyone with a US men’s shoe size of 8 to 10.5. It offers a great balance of stability and agility.
• 8.25" and up: Wider boards provide a more stable platform and more room for your feet when landing. This is a good option for taller skaters, those with larger feet (size 11+), or skaters who are more interested in riding ramps and bowls than technical street tricks.

Remember, the goal is to pick the size that will feel the most comfortable and controllable for them right now. Don’t try to buy a board for them to "grow into." A properly sized board is a crucial tool for their current stage of development.

Ultimately, moving up to an intermediate skateboard is about giving your child the right tool for the job they are trying to do. Any of these brands offer a complete setup that removes equipment-based frustration and allows your child to focus on the skill, challenge, and joy of skateboarding. This investment is a powerful way to acknowledge their effort and support a passion that builds resilience, creativity, and confidence.