DENVER, Colo. -- Safety experts, emergency workers and doctors agree that state laws do not go far enough to adequately protect children when they're riding in cars.

The law says a 6-year-old can ride without a booster seat but the problem is every 6-year-old's body is different. Safety experts said age doesn't matter when it comes to restraining a child safely in a vehicle. It's their height and weight that matter most.

So how do your kids measure up?

The West Metro Fire Protection District said they're passionate about booster seats and brought their message directly to the kids when Brownies and Cub Scouts met at the Jefferson County fairgrounds to get measured for booster seats. Many learned they're still not tall or heavy enough to safely ride in a seat belt alone.

"You had to be at least 4 foot 9 to ride in a regular seat belt. How tall are you?" asked life safety specialist Susan Saito.

"I'm 4 foot 7,"said one child.

"Uh oh," responded Saito.

The law says 6-year-olds or children 4 feet 7 inches tall can legally be out of a booster seat.

The safer choice adopted by many other states and local safety experts is that a child be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and 80 pounds before they're out of a booster seat.

Saito said she wants to burn an image into these bright, young minds.

"Point to your hard hip bones. You want the lap belt going on hard hip bones," said Saito, instructing the kids.

She helped them participate in keeping themselves safe and kids clearly got the message.

"I'm 4 foot 8 and you have to be 4 foot 9. Now I realize I need to be in a booster seat," said Cub Scout Jacob Katzman.

"I'm not old enough because it's around my chest and my waist. If I were in a crash, I would be hurt," said Brownie Kaylee Coffman.

"I can't ride without a booster seat, not yet," said another child.

Ultimately, a parent must choose between what's legal and what's safer for their children.

"It made me realize that my kids will be in car seats for a couple of years yet, " said mom Lisa Coffman.

For the moms and dads at West Metro's demonstration, they said seeing is believing.

"The moms and I were talking and realize all the sudden we need booster seats and car seats. We just didn't think about it. They're 6, they're first-graders," said Coffman.

To determine whether your child has outgrown their booster seat, ask yourself these questions.

1. Can they sit all the way back against the seat?
2. Do your child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the seat belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible? It should touch the thighs.
5. Can your child stay seated like that for the whole trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, chances are your child should stay in their booster seat.