What Age Can My Child Start Go Karting?

Go karting offers kids an adrenaline-fuelled, fun way to spend their time, and if they’ve already started showing an interest in this activity, you might be wondering ‘what age can my child start go karting? How young is too young to find out if you’ve got the next Lewis Hamilton under your roof?

Typically, the minimum age to use a go kart is 4 years old, but this will also be dictated by your child’s height, to ensure they can reach the pedals and brakes. The age at which certain tracks will allow your child to participate can vary from region to region and, of course, as a parent, it’s your choice when to let your child try go karting. For four year olds who are confident and able, go karting is a brilliant way to refine their motor skills, teach hand-eye coordination and have a lot of fun. 

Keep reading to learn more about the go karting minimum age requirements and what you need to consider before booking your first session. 

How old do you have to be for go-karting? 

The age limit for go kart racing is usually 8 years old. This may vary depending on the track and individual policies, but as a rule of thumb, you can expect the age limit for go kart racing to be set at 8 years old for the vast majority of tracks. 

Some establishments may offer entry-level classes, where younger children, from around 6 years and above, can enjoy go karting lessons. However, if your child is younger than this, they can still start to enjoy go karting. You can purchase a go kart to use at home or on private land for children as young as 3 or 4. This is a great way for young drivers to learn their skills before taking to the track, as they’ll be in a safe and controlled environment.

There are some brilliant go karts on the market for children of this age, including the Drift King Go Kart, or a Kids’ Pedal Go Kart. The Drift King Go Kart is a battery-powered electric ride on that helps your child get to grips with driving and steering without exhausting themselves. A pedal go kart is manually powered and a great first go kart for young children to get started with. 

Once children reach the age of 8 and above, they can begin “Cadet” karting classes. Cadet karts offer more speed than kids’ go karts, but are not as fast as adult go karts, preparing them for the next stage of go kart racing.

In summary, children as young as 3 or 4 (if they reach the height limit) can try an at-home go kart, and some tracks may allow go karting for 4 year olds. Most places set their go karting minimum age at 8 and may offer lessons to teach children about safety and getting started with go kart racing.

Benefits of go karting

Go karting is not only fun, but it also comes with a lot of great benefits. Some of these benefits include

1. Mental development

Participating in any kind of sport has been shown to build mental resilience and positive emotional health in children. Learning a skill like go karting gives children an outlet for their endless energy, allowing them to channel it into something productive. Spending time go karting also reduces screen time, which can be a common concern for parents, and encourages children to be more active and enjoy physical activities that help them to grow in confidence. 

2. Social skills

Kart racing and lessons at a local track can also be an excellent way for kids to develop socially. While children typically have the most opportunities to build relationships at school, extracurricular activities like go kart racing can provide another chance for your child to develop social skills and make new friends.

Joining a race academy will put kids into age-appropriate categories where they can make friends with people their own age and practise with other motorsport fans. This can be crucial at developmental ages and improve their ability to interact and engage with others at school.

3. Health and fitness

Good upper body strength is required to control a go kart for long periods of time, and so your child will get naturally fitter without even realising they are doing exercise.The McLaren Electric Go Kart for example, has a powerful 24v battery that can turn at high speeds and is a good mid level go kart for children aged 6 and above.

Children will also benefit from the excitement of the activity. The buzz many go kart riders experience is caused by adrenaline. The benefit of this is that blood is pumped quickly around the body, delivering blood and sugar to your muscles, providing energy. Adrenaline also improves alertness by pumping more blood to the brain. Improved circulation and memory are just two benefits that have been shown to result from adrenaline-inducing activities.

Go karting and safety

The reason there is a go kart racing age limit is to ensure that children are as safe as possible when they’re behind the wheel. Even if your child is only using their go kart at home, you still want to make it as safe as possible. Speed limitations and safety equipment are essential, and this is especially true for younger kids who are just starting out.

When visiting a professional go karting facility, there are many steps in place to ensure children can enjoy the experience safely, including:

1. Clothing

Kids should wear simple yet comfortable clothing that is stretchy but not too loose, and that they aren’t afraid to get dirty. A T-shirt, joggers and some trainers will do, but most go kart facilities will provide special suits that can be worn over clothing. For optimum safety, gloves and helmets must also be worn when riding a go kart.

2. Pre-race checks

Before racing, go karts must be checked over to ensure they are safe. Clothing and hair will also be checked prior to go karting. This is because loose hair or clothing could get tangled in machinery.

3. Safety instructions

Instructors should tell children how to use a go kart and negotiate the track safely before they begin. This helps everybody understand what is to be expected from the lesson and that everyone is on the same page. They will also advise what to do in case an accident occurs.

4. Supervision

There should always be an instructor or responsible adult who can supervise the children. This will ensure they can provide adequate advice after the race and watch out for any difficulties a child might have with go karting. They can also slow participants down or stop them by waving flags or activating warning lights. This can happen if an obstruction appears on the course.

5. Speed limitations

Go karts can reach impressive speeds, with 250cc adult karts reaching speeds as fast as 150mph. Speeds will typically be limited to around 10mph on a kids’ go kart, which will help children of a young age get to grips with controls and steering at a safe speed.

Factors to consider before taking your child go karting 

There are a few things to think about before taking your child to go karting lessons or buying them their own go kart, such as:

1. Height

Children grow at different rates, and therefore a go kart age limit can be used as a guideline rather than a strict rule. For example, a four year old might be tall enough to operate their own go kart, just as safely as an older child. It’s important to check the right measurements so your child can drive safely. If your child were to drive a go kart that’s too big for them, they might struggle to keep the kart under control. On the other hand, a kart that is too small may make driving an uncomfortable experience. 

2. Ability

You should also consider how well-developed your kids’ cognitive and motor skills are. Some children might take to go karting much more quickly than others. If you find that your child is struggling to get to grips with go karting, remember that every child is different and try to support your child the best you can without demoralising them. 

3. Suitable practice locations

It’s possible that you may not have many go karting facilities near you. If this is the case, you might want to consider purchasing your own go kart and find a suitable location, such as privately-owned land with a flat surface, where your child could practise driving.

Tips for introducing kids to go karting

Introducing go karting to kids is usually met with enthusiasm – after all, being a racing driver is many children’s dream job! Here are some of the best ways to introduce kids to karting:

Show them professional motorsports events

Inspiring children is a great way to introduce them to sports. Major sporting events have been shown to increase interest in local football or athletics clubs. Similarly, F1 racing can have the same effect on inspiring go karters. Lewis Hamilton, for example, began karting in 1993, and he’s gone on to hold the record for the most F1 race wins in history. Introducing your child to these inspiring figures can really help encourage them. 

Training

The first step for introducing a child to go karting is to train them. This can be done at your local go kart track and can be carried out by trained professionals. They’ll teach the basics of how to control go karts and provide essential safety information. You’ll also be able to use rental karts with this option to see whether it’s worth purchasing your own.

Read our Beginner’s Guide To Go Karting to learn more about introducing kids to this excellent activity.

What to expect from your child’s first go-karting session

No matter how old your child is, whether they’re raring to go at 8 years old or are a pre-teen who has just discovered go kart racing, it’s good to prepare them for their first go kart session. Here are some ways you can get your child ready for their first taste of the track:

1. Don’t rush

It’s natural that children want to be good at something straight away but, as with any skill, go karting takes time to master. Explain to your child that the first session will likely be spent learning the basics and discovering how to use the go kart. Knowing there are no expectations on them can help a child take things at their own pace. 

2. Aches and pains

Go karting is a physical activity, so controlling the steering wheel and a powerful machine can be tough on little arms. If there is a go kart at home, this will help prepare children for using one on a track. Otherwise, encourage them to do light exercises, perhaps with small dumbbells, to improve their grip strength prior to their first lesson.

3. Follow the rules

Instructors are there for a reason; they know what they’re doing and the safest way for children to get around a track. There will be a safety briefing at the start of the first session, and it’s crucial that children know they must listen closely and follow all the instructions exactly. This keeps them and others safe, and ensures they get the most out of their time on the track.

4. It’s not a competition

The main component of your child’s first go kart session will be several race sessions where they can put their new skills into practice. This is a chance for them to build on what they have learnt and master the fundamentals of go karting. It doesn’t yet matter if they come first or last, so encourage them to see it as an opportunity, not a race. Of course, as they get better, they may start to take part in real competitions, and this is when their competitive spirit can come to the fore. 

How old do you have to be for go karting?

For a fun, thrilling and physical activity they’ll love, you can introduce even very young children to go karting. For 4 year olds, it’s best to start with a go kart at home that they can learn the basics on. Then as they get older, they can advance to a more powerful electric go kart. For 8 year old children ready for their first session on a track, there are facilities across the country that will offer lessons to this age group. 

Cadet karts will be the next stage for more experienced children, though you’ll need to check whether their age and height requirements are suitable. When kids finally reach an age where cadet karts aren’t quick enough, they can then explore shifter karts and adult carts.

Go karting is fun for all children, so if they meet the minimum age for go kart racing, and you’re comfortable with them trying it out, starting your kids as soon as they’re able could even help them become the next big Formula One star!

Discover a huge range of go karts for children from 3 up to teenagers at Electric Ride On Cars and indulge their love of go kart racing with their own at-home model.