Most kids prefer baggies to skin shorts given the choice. Baggies are fine for day rides or touring, and of course they're de rigueur for any off-road riding. These Polaris ones are essentially scaled down adult baggies. There's a stretchmesh inner short stitched to the outer at the waist only, which avoids the 'nappy' effect, and it has a CoolMax pad.
The cotton/nylon outer is comfortable and abrasion resistant, and doesn't have seams running under the crotch. Compared to Scott's Junior Loose Fit shorts, the cut is a bit looser and longer. These have two hip pockets as well as a cargo pocket, and the elasticated waist is supplemented with a drawcord, which allows a better fit. On top of that, they're £10 cheaper. As a parent, it's good to see decent quality kids' cycling kit at a sensible price. And from a child's point of view, Polaris have clearly got it right: for riding, my 12-year-old picks these shorts first every time.