Skateboard

Yes, don't buy the skateboard without a good skateboard helmet, which is NOT a bike helmet. And like your one post said, get a good fitting helmet. Also, make sure it has "Brock" foam or "cooling foam" which is engineered to keep the head cooler and padded. (I learned this the hard way. My son ended up in the emergency room with heat exhaustion!) A better helmet may have helped. My son also started skating at 5 years old.

My son's first skate board was from Toy's R Us. Standard size and not really expensive. LaGrange has a very cool skateboard shop and the owner is very knowledgeable. But... being that this is his first skateboard, you won't be getting "Elements" or "Birdhouse" anyway. I wouldn't get something really expensive anyway - you don't know if he'll stick with the sport.

Also, just a note, knee pads and elbow pads are okay but my son's pediatrician is against wrist pads because, if a kid falls, they could break their wrist (which is bad) but it's a lot harder for a kid to catch themselves if they are wearing wrist guards and they could have a more serious break. Luckily my son has never broken anything while skateboarding.

My son is 7 and started skateboarding at 5. We bought him a regular size skateboard which was fine to learn the basics of riding. Now, however, he is learning to do tricks and is insisting he needs the shorter skateboard because the regular size is too big/heavy for his feet and legs to control properly.

A skateboard helmet (not a bike helmet), knee and elbow pads are a must!

The really little ones that appear the right size for younger kids are actually trick boards and harder to ride. The really long boards are very popular and much more expensive. I don't know if they are easier or harder to use. I would suggest the typical size around $15 is the best to learn on. Don't get a ripstick yet. They are the ones with the caster wheels. Very hard to learn for younger kids but a lot of fun for older ones---and their moms :) I am learning

My kids got the little skateboards when they were 5. If your nephew is older than this, I would get him a standard skateboard. Make sure you get the knee, elbow and wrist pads too ( a boy down the street had knee and elbow only and broke his wrist). They do make a specific helmet for skateboarding/skating but the doctor told me when I asked that unless the kid is going to try to do special tricks a bike helmet will work for learning. Once he gets moving, the specific helmet is better.