Skydiving For Kids
Skydiving
Table of Contents
- Can Kids Go Skydiving? Why The Age Limit Exists
- When Can Minors Skydive?
- What’s The Youngest Age To Skydive?
- Can Kids Do Indoor Skydiving?
- Can Kids Come Watch?
Key Takeaways
In the US, you must be 18 years old to make a tandem skydive, due to equipment regulations, legal consent requirements, and the physical and emotional demands of the sport. Exceptions are rare and require special approval. Kids can try indoor skydiving as young as age 3. While they can’t jump, children are welcome to watch and enjoy the action from the ground at many family-friendly dropzones.
Skydiving is a bucket-list experience for many, but can kids get in on the action? How old do you have to be to skydive? In the United States, the skydiving age requirement is 18 years old – firm!
Okay, but we’ve all seen photos of skydiving for kids, so what’s that about? Those photos were likely taken outside the US or at a non-USPA Group Member Dropzone. These dropzones may disregard tandem gear manufacturer age restrictions or use non-US gear, as all American-made gear is rated for individuals 18 years and older. Or it’s possible that it was a special circumstance, such as a Make-A-Wish jump.
Can Kids Go Skydiving? Why The Age Limit Exists
At dropzones that are United States Parachute Association (USPA) Group Members, kids cannot go skydiving. The requirement is set by tandem skydiving gear manufacturers and the USPA. The physical and emotional demands of skydiving and the need for fully-informed legal consent are the primary reasons that exempt kids from participating in the sport. Let’s look a little closer at these parameters.
The physical and emotional demands.
Skydiving is exhilarating! Jumping from an airplane challenges and inspires us all in the same go, which is one reason why skydiving is so appealing. Jumping out of an airplane can be a difficult concept for adults to grasp, let alone children!
Even the pre-jump process – gearing up, boarding the aircraft, and riding up to exit altitude – can be overwhelming for younger people. Skydiving demands a level of maturity and emotional regulation that typically develops later in life.
The legality.
In most instances, the United States recognizes people as being adults when they turn 18 years old. This magic number is when someone can buy tobacco products, join the military, marry without parental consent, get a tattoo, and vote in elections, along with much more.
Skydiving entails filling out a multi-page liability waiver, and if children cannot do this in any other instance, why would an extreme sport be the exception? It’s not just about signing a document, but having a certain level of awareness and comprehension to fully understand what is being signed!
When Can Minors Skydive?
Although the skydiving minimum age is 18 years, there are some exceptions. Can a child do a skydive … ever? In the US, kids are allowed to make skydives under a few circumstances, one of them being for Make-A-Wish jumps.
Make-A-Wish jumps occur when a child facing a life-altering illness is granted an exception to experience the freedom of freefall. Skydives of this nature are usually petitioned to be approved by the USPA Board of Directors and are incredibly special for everyone involved. These jumps are a collaboration between medical professionals, dropzones, tandem instructors, videographers, and the USPA, to give the child the best jump experience EVER.
What’s The Youngest Age To Skydive?
How old do you have to be to go skydiving? In the States, where the vast majority of dropzones are USPA Group Members, 18 years old is the magic number. But what about in other countries? The youngest age at which people can skydive in other countries varies a bit. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
- New Zealand: No official minimum age restriction
- Mexico: No official minimum age restriction
- Germany: 12 years old
- France: 16 years old
Although some places permit children to skydive, they are still required to meet the height and weight requirements to ensure appropriate fit of the gear. Keep in mind, too, that dropzones can still have an internal age policy that will determine who can skydive with them. Every restriction surrounding skydiving is to ensure a safety-first mindset.
Can Kids Do Indoor Skydiving?
ABSOLUTELY! Kids can go indoor skydiving as young as three years old! Indoor skydiving is much less over-stimulating and carries less inherent risk than traditional skydiving. Indoor skydiving is a fun and age-appropriate way to introduce kids to the sensation of skydiving.
Vertical wind tunnels replicate the feeling of freefall using a controlled airflow, giving kids a chance to fly in a super-controlled environment with an instructor right by their side. Going to the wind tunnel is an awesome solo activity, birthday party idea, or a time of full-family fun.
Can Kids Come Watch?
Some people wonder, “Can I take my kids skydiving?” Kids are more than welcome to visit the dropzone. Skydiving is a great spectator sport, as the landings are exciting and joy-filled. Plus, parachutes soaring around the skies are neat for anyone to see, and spectating is a great introduction to skydiving for teens and students. Many dropzones are family-friendly and welcome bystanders – they add to the excitement!
Are you old enough to take the ultimate leap? Book today!
