Best Snow Sleds for Kids or Children like Toboggan, Disk, Kick Sleds, Inflatable, and Folding Sleds

 

Each winter’s first falling snow brings an excitement that sends children, and sometimes adults, out doors to examine frozen flakes up close and personal. Tongues often stick out between lips eager to sample a flake or two. During these moments, the mind can conjure up thoughts of skiing and sledding before snow even manages to stick to the ground.

When deciding to take the kids out for snowy sledding adventures, or simply allowing them to sled at nearby snow-covered mounds, it is okay for children to have a say in what type of sled they want. Parents, however, must oversee the children’s choices in order to assure the kids choose sleds that are best to keep them safe.

Sleds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some sleds allow kids to lie back while riding them and other sleds require children to sit up straight. Some sleds have steering pivots and other sleds have steering wheels. With so many variations to consider, it is easy to see why choosing sleds for children that are six or seven may not be the same as choosing sleds for older children or younger children.

Types of Sleds

Pull Sleds – Pull sleds are great for toting riders around in the snow. Adults can pull children and children can pull one another. You can get pull-able sleds that allow small children to sit down and rest their backs against the seat back while they ride along.

Steering Sleds – If you want to go with a sled that kids can steer, check out steerable sleds that even three-year-olds can operate. Steerable sleds are primarily constructed from wooden slats for sitting, handrails for holding on, and runners for moving across the snow. Steerable sleds allow riders to steer them using their feet. Riders sit down and hold onto steerable sled cords to balance themselves.

For older kids who need advanced action from a sled, bear in mind that some steerable sleds maneuver better than others maneuverable do. Some sleds pivot well enough to make 180-degree slalom turns. The most efficient pivoting sleds, of course, linger on the higher end of price ranges.

Inflatable Sleds – Inflatable sleds save space when traveling, however they also require inflating before using. You can get inflatable sleds in many shapes – saucers, toboggans, snowmobiles, bullets and more.

Folding Pull Sleds – Folding sleds also save space in your vehicle while traveling. You can even get folding sleds that hold cargo. Folding sleds allow children to sit down and lean against backrests. Folding sleds are made to go over surfaces other than snow.

Kick Sleds – Rather than pulling, adults can push kids along the snow when opting for a kick sled. Kick sleds sort of look like beach chairs with runners and easily seat two children at once.

Toboggan Sleds – Toboggan sleds allow riders to lie down as they descend snowy mounds. Riders can opt for one-piece toboggan sleds or the more modern pivotal toboggans. Toboggans with pivots allow users to steer as they go.

Other Snow Sled Considerations

* The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests choosing disks, toboggans, and sleds that appear to have sturdy construction. The commission stresses avoidance of “jagged edges and protruding rivets”.

* Sleds should meet ASTM and USC child safety criteria.

* You can spend as little as $49 and as much as $499 for a sled depending on the type of sled you choose and from where you buy it.

* Check sled weight restrictions to make certain riders are not too heavy.

* Check the length of the pull rope to make certain the length is sufficient for kids to easily pull sleds uphill.

* Sleds should not contain led in the paint used to seal the wood or in any other parts.