Before making your selection, consider your child’s age and size to ensure you choose a sled that fits their weight and abilities. It’s also a good idea to factor in durability for the long haul. You may be able to find plastic sleds as low as $20, but they are less likely to survive more than a season. Conversely, heavier wooden toboggans with metal runners will often last a lifetime, but the price tag will reflect that. Features like steering and brakes increase the safety of the sleds but will often increase the cost, too. We carefully considered height and weight recommendations, design and safety features, and sled materials when reviewing products. Here are the best sleds for kids to enjoy a snowy winter day. There isn’t any steering or brakes, nor is there any string to pull the sled behind you. However, the 21-inch width makes it easy to tuck the Snow Screamer under your arm for transportation, and it weighs only 3 pounds, so it’s easy for kids to pull back uphill by themselves. Price at time of publication: $55 Four contoured handles are carved from the side walls and are easily reachable by little arms. The easy-to-spot lanyard attaches to the front of the sled, allowing even the smallest child to pull this featherweight (just 3 pounds) back uphill. Vertical cut-outs along the bottom prevent swerving and help the sled stay on course, but there isn’t any steering. Price at time of publication: $22 Flexible Flyer designed the sled with an abnormally wide base, lending bonus stability to prevent any tipping. And the extra-long lanyard is a boon for parents everywhere: no more bending over to pull your child around the backyard. Price at time of publication: $40 There isn’t an official steering wheel, but the two front handlebars combine with the bobsled design to act as guiding devices that gently encourage the sled in either direction. As for durability, the bottom is lined with heavy-gauge, cold-crack PVC (a hard thermoplastic) with heat-sealed seams that promise to keep your bobsled with you for years to come. Price at time of publication: $90 L.L.Bean includes a polyester cushion filled with 1.5 inches of foam, which is just enough to absorb the bumps on the downhill. A long lanyard attaches to the front of the sled, so it’s easy to pull uphill. Since there are no handles, the front child can also hang onto the lanyard during the downhill for added stability. Price at time of publication: $249 The 26-inch-wide diameter is perfect for one child to sit cross-legged while careening downhill. Two easy-to-reach handles (one on either side) are a comfortable distance for little arms to hang on to safely. There isn’t a lanyard, so kids can’t tow it uphill, but it’s light enough to tuck beneath an arm. Price at time of publication: $30 Two nylon webbing straps act as handles on either side of the tube and are easy enough to grab, but don’t expect any steering capabilities. A sturdy tow handle also comes with the sled, but here’s the caveat: All these durable materials make a heavy sled to lug uphill. The Sonic Snow Tube comes in two sizes: regular and extra-large. We recommend the regular size for younger children who sled alone. Gizmo coated the two-person seat with anti-slip treatment, so snow pants-laden kiddos don’t slide all over the place. The Stratos is heavy, but it does include a tow rope (which is retractable, so parents don’t need to worry about it getting caught beneath the sled during the descent). Because this sled is more complicated than a traditional plastic saucer, assembly is required to snap together all of the plastic pieces, but no tools are necessary. Price at time of publication: $110 Price at time of publication: $69 Two vertical rails are built into the bottom of the sled, allowing kids to turn and carve into the hillside by gently leaning into the turn. It’s not as effective as a steering wheel, but it does give sledders more control than a basic smooth sled bottom. Price at time of publication: $90 On its own, wood isn’t the most comfortable, so this wooden sled comes with a water-repellent foam cushion that lines the seat and back rails to add a little padding. A sturdy tow rope is included and is a generous length, so parents can easily pull the sled without bending over. As with other L.L.Bean sleds, this comes in two sizes: small and large. Price at time of publication: $199 Four built-in handles line the sides of the toboggan, and the slick-coated plastic construction ensures you’ll need them—this one moves quickly on the downhill! A convenient, built-in pull rope attaches to the front, so your kids can tow each other around until they’re tired. Price at time of publication: $41 Crafted with birchwood and steel, this metal-runner sled is almost impossible to break and can withstand below-freezing temperatures with ease. The tradeoff is that it doesn’t come with any cushioning, so big jumps may feel jarring to kiddos. Price at time of publication: $153 Vertical molded runners are carved into the polyethylene (tough plastic) bottom, allowing the sled to easily glide on snow, ice, dirt, and even gravel. Like a children’s sled, the Jet also features a built-in tow rope, but this one is thicker and stronger so you can easily schlepp heavy loads. Added bonus: Should you want to use this for a children’s sled, the additional length and height make the Jet feel safer than most other plastic sleds. Price at time of publication: $60 Constructed with freeze-resistant PVC material, children won’t need to fret about destroying their toy on extra chilly days. There isn’t a tow rope, but the Double Snow Tube is one of the lighter sleds on this list, so there won’t be any problems getting it back up the slope. The 250-pound maximum weight is plenty for two kids. Price at time of publication: $28
What to Look for in Sleds for Kids
Sleds have been around for years, so there are a multitude on the market. Here are a few factors for parents to consider.
Durability
The durability of a sled largely depends on the materials used in construction. When shopping, you’ll find sleds made from plastic, foam, and wood, as well as inflatable vinyl options. Typically, plastic sleds are the most affordable, but they also stand the highest chance of breaking. Inflatable sleds always run the risk of ripping, so it’s important to use these on an open hillside free from obstacles. Foam doesn’t slide as fast as plastic or vinyl, but it is very durable and can handle rougher terrain. Finally, wooden sleds are easily the most rugged of the bunch, as they are able to withstand any type of conditions thrown at them. However, this level of durability comes with a higher price tag.
Types of Sleds
There are five main types of sleds on this list: runner sleds, toboggans, saucers, snow tubes, and pull sleds.
Runner sleds: These are the oldest design type and use metal-edged runners beneath the seating area to carve into the snow, just like skis. These are usually the fastest, but they are often heavy and can do some serious damage in a collision. Toboggans: Constructed from plastic or wood, toboggans are long and rectangular, often fitting two people. These sometimes include cushioning to increase comfort on the flat seating area, but the less expensive plastic ones do not. Saucers: These are circular and are almost always constructed from plastic. While they are tough to control, kids love them because they can spin in circles while cruising downhill. Snow tubes: Snow tubes may be the most comfortable sled out there since the inflation adds automatic cushioning. These aren’t as durable as other types of sleds, but they move quickly and easily cushion joints during bumpy rides. Pull sleds: Pull sleds are designed to be pulled across flat ground. These are often best for young children and toddlers who aren’t ready to go downhill.
Weight and Size
According to Pleiss, you always want to make sure the sled fits your child. “When we’re developing a product, we ask ourselves, ‘Do they have secure seating? Can they reach this handle?’” Be sure your child’s limbs fit inside the sled so they don’t risk dragging anything. It’s also a good idea to look at the sled’s weight in comparison with your child’s weight. Ideally, your kiddo will pull the sled back uphill on their own, so you need to make sure it’s light enough to do so.
Additional Features
Less expensive sleds are often bare bones, but as you increase the price tag, you will find additional features like tow ropes, steering capabilities, and maybe even braking. For wooden sleds, it’s always a good idea to factor in whether or not cushioning is included since that can also increase the comfort and safety of the activity.
Safety
Dr. Brooks notes that any sled with steering or braking will always be the safest option when compared to one that does not have those features. Additionally, pay attention to any weight limits or size parameters. If a sled is not built to hold two people, do not try to cram more than one child in there.
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Heather Balogh Rochfort is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, fitness, travel, and the outdoors. In 2017 she became a mother and immediately found herself entrenched in the beautiful-yet-demanding world of parenting. Since then, she has broadened her scope to include the gear, products, and experiences that go hand-in-hand with motherhood. She has written for The Washington Post, Outside, Parents, and more. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agrees, noting that sledding feet first or upright may prevent head injuries. The AAP also suggests using a sled with steering when possible and always checking your sled to ensure it’s free from splinters or sharp edges.
