A good scooter can help a kid learn to balance, turn, and brake — and it makes neighborhood navigation faster and more fun.Over the past seven years, we’ve recruited 10 kids, from 1 to 12 years old, to put 19 scooters to the test. And we concluded that the popular Micro Maxi (formerly called the Micro Maxi Deluxe) is well worth the investment.The Micro Maxi provides the smoothest, quietest ride of any scooter we tested. Plus, this one has the greatest ability to grow with a child. It offers stability, so it helps small kids gain confidence. Yet it also allows older kids, with their skills and agility, to keep zipping along joyfully for many years.This scooter comes in a foldable version, too, for easy carrying and storage. For the littlest kids, we recommend the Micro Mini (formerly called the Micro Mini Deluxe) as well as its foldable version. And the Micro Sprite is our pick for older kids who are ready for a two-wheeler.