Most Zwifting parents would love nothing more than to see their kids on Zwift and even join them for a ride or run around Watopia. Zwift has long been free for kids under 13, and that limit was raised to 16 over a year ago. Big kudos to Zwift for making this move to encourage more riding from youngsters!
To get your child set up with a free Zwift account, visit this Zwift support page >
Parents must submit a consent request in order to get a free account set up for your kid(s). (The consent form is linked in the support post above).
1 Year at a Time
Zwift will create your child’s account and apply a free year discount code to the account. This free year will expire (after a year), and you will need to reach out to Zwift for another free year at that time, assuming your child is still under 16.
Best Practices:
- Get a Zwift account yourself. This Zwift account doesn’t even have to be active (paid), but use it to “follow” your child’s account and monitor their activity.
- Avoid using your child’s age in their username. Consider abbreviating their name or using a nickname in their profile.
- Make your child’s profile private with the Zwift Companion (ZC) app, directions are available here.
For 20″ bikes it’s hard to find a setup.
I set my kid up with Cyclops Fluid with the adapter and a Wahoo speed sensor.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BT578A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Another tip: Use meetups with “keep together” for family rides.
I am a junior that rides on Zwift and I love it. The racing and the riding around is amazing
Any equipment recommendations for kids to handle smaller bikes etc? Also, tips and tricks to do group rides with your kids?
Thanks
See my post above, I set my kid up with Cyclops Fluid with the adapter and a Wahoo speed sensor.
Zwift has been my son’s principal training method for the past 4 years. He’s won the state championships for the last 3 years for his age group. Now, at 14 years old, he’s just edging up to 4W/Kg, and able to hold my wheel outside for hours at a time, and quickly becoming my favorite ride partner.
I was SUPER thrilled when they upped the age last year–we were right on the cusp and trying to decide whether it was worth doubling our membership investment.
I think it’s great to see kids enjoying cycling – indoors or outdoors!
it’s so good for their health and immune system. And even better if they can do it with their Mom or Dad.
Thanks! That’s GREAT. I wasn’t aware children could go on Zwift for free. I’ve signed up my daughter, she will probably only run for now. It’s easier to set the treadmill than put her bike on a turbo trainer!
Zwift still hasn’t lowered the minimum weight so children are still treated as though they are 45kg/100lbs.
You can enter a lower weight if you edit your profile in the Companion App.
I’m looking for help and advice configuring my kids’ accounts, specifically the weight, wheel diameter, and trainer so that they have around 3.2 w/kg.
Both kids have their bikes on a DIY stand to elevate the rear wheel off of the ground. Neither has any resistance other than a poorly maintained drive train (bad dad moment). Both have a speed sensor on the rear wheel.
First setup is for a 9 year old riding a mountain bike with 20” IRL wheels. The 13 year old has 24” IRL wheels, also a mountain bike. Thanks.