These vehicles go fast and can travel in forests and over fields. ATV use by youth is mainly for recreation but older youth use ATVs for chores such as pulling a cart to haul firewood, feeding calves or scraping snow. Riding ATVs can be fun, provide a means of physical fitness, give parents and youth an opportunity for quality family time, and provide a means of accomplishing work.
Before considering the purchase of an ATV for your child, consideration should be given to the child's physical and emotional development. Physical development includes size and strength as well as visual perception and coordination. Emotional development (mental maturity) includes focus, discipline, reasoning and decision-making ability. A parent often overestimates their own child's skills and abilities and may want a more objective evaluation of skills and abilities from another adult that is familiar with the child.
