Skydiving Children and Teenagers: A Guide to Safety, Age, Readiness and Unforgettable Experiences

If you are the parent of an adventurous child or teenager, you may have already heard the question. For many mothers and fathers, the thought of their child skydiving can feel very frightening. That’s natural – after all, it’s about the ones you care about most.

At the same time, it’s hard not to be impressed when your child dares to dream big. For some young people, it’s about adventure; for others, it’s about challenging themselves. And amid all the worries, you as a parent have to figure out whether it’s safe enough and whether it’s even possible!

If your child or teenager has started asking about skydiving, take the time to talk it through with them. Ask questions like:

• Do they understand what’s going to happen?
• Are they excited about the jump itself – not just about “telling their friends” afterwards?
• How do they usually handle nervous or overwhelming situations?

When those boxes are ticked, a tandem skydive can be one of the most powerful, confidence-boosting and unforgettable experiences a young person can have.

• The noise of the aircraft during climb
• The activity and bustle around the dropzone
• Wearing a harness and helmet
• The strong rush in the stomach during freefall
• Being strapped to an unfamiliar adult without mom or dad holding their hand

The key factors to determine if a child is ready for a skydive are:

• It must be the child's own wish to make a skydive
• The harness must fit the child’s size
• The child must be mentally ready and able to follow simple instructions
• Parental or guardian consent is required

With these criteria, we make sure that children and teenagers get a safe, fun and unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Can my 12-year-old do a tandem skydive?

How old do you have to be to skydive solo?

To start a solo skydiving course (AFF – Accelerated Freefall) here in Denmark, the minimum age is 16 years. Here the teenager learns to skydive independently with support from instructors. This is training, not just an experience, which is why it requires a higher level of maturity and responsibility.

The AFF course includes theory, practical exercises, and multiple jumps where the student gradually takes more control. That’s why the 16-year age limit is important for both safety and readiness.

How much does skydiving for children and teenagers cost?

The price of a tandem skydive is the same for children, teenagers and adults, since the equipment and instructors are the same. The total cost depends on whether you add a photo or video package. Many parents choose to add video, as it gives their child a memory they can relive again and again.

Our prices start from 2,495 DKK for a tandem skydive from 2 km, and our photo and video packages start from 795 DKK. This means a tandem skydive with a video package can cost from 3,295 DKK. There is a complete overview of all our prices for tandem jumps and video packages on our tandem jumps page.

When considering the cost, remember that skydiving is not just an activity – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves a memory lasting forever.

Is skydiving safe for children and teenagers?

A tandem skydive is considered an extreme or adventure sport and, in terms of risk for injury or fatality, is in the same category as go-karting, boxing, or wrestling according to most insurance companies. The most common injuries we see during tandem jumps here in Denmark are sprained or broken ankles. These can be avoided if the tandem guest listens to their instructor during landing and lifts their legs correctly.

At Dropzone Denmark, safety always comes first. Tandem jumps are carried out by experienced instructors with hundreds or even thousands of jumps. All equipment is state-of-the-art and fully regulated, including a main parachute, reserve parachute, and an automatic activation device (AAD).

In addition, the instructor always performs an individual assessment of the child on the day of the jump to ensure they are both physically and mentally ready.

We emphasize that children and teenagers should not only have a safe experience but also a positive and enjoyable one. That’s why we take the time to explain everything in child-friendly terms, so they feel confident and secure from start to finish.

So, the short answer to whether skydiving is safe for children is yes – as long as the child is mature enough to follow simple instructions from their tandem instructor.

What if my child gets nervous in the plane?

It is completely normal to feel nervous – even for adults. The instructors are experienced in handling nervousness and take extra time to create calm and reassurance. If the child becomes too overwhelmed, the jump can always be canceled before the door is opened.

No children or teenagers are ever forced – the experience should be positive from start to finish. In cases where we sense that the child really does not want to jump, they will land safely with the aircraft and their instructor.

We actually see handling nerves as an important part of the process. Many children end up feeling especially proud afterward because they overcame their nervousness and completed the jump.

Can I skydive together with my child?

Yes, you can. Many parents choose to book tandem skydives at the same time as their child or teenager. You’ll be in the same aircraft, jump close to each other, and land in the same area. This often makes the child feel safer and gives you a shared memory you’ll never forget.

Parents often describe it as a unique bonding experience – something you can talk about for years to come.

Can younger children, like 6–7 years old, do a tandem skydive?

It is occasionally possible, but we generally recommend that children are at least around 10 years old. That’s when most are mature enough to truly enjoy the experience. We’ve had children as young as 5.5 years, but those are exceptions and require an individual assessment of size, maturity and desire.

Parents should especially consider whether their child can follow instructions and handle the intensity of the experience. Sometimes it’s better to wait a few years to ensure the skydive becomes a joyful memory.