Kids getting outdoors to play and sledding is one of the most popular winter activities. There are plenty of high quality choices for sleds and sledding equipment on the market which will allow kids to play in the snow in both safety and comfort.
Here are some of the best sleds for kids as they head out to enjoy into nature’s snowy wonderland.
Sled Purchasing Tips
One of the most important things to remember when considering a snow sled for your child is to find one that is comfortable and accommodates your child’s body weight and size. You don’t want your 10 year-old child on a toboggan built for a much smaller child. Sleds should be sized for children both sitting up and laying on their stomachs with legs in the air.
Different types of snow sleds will offer varying levels of control. Many traditional sleds with metal runners are able to be steered with ease and can stop easier. Saucers have very little control in the way of stopping without ditching the apparatus on the way downhill.
If you live in a snow-laden locale, the ideal choice is a high quality snow sled which will last for a long time. That means opting for metal and wood over plastic construction.
Flyer Sleds
Mountain Boy Sleds are high quality wooden sleds which can be personally engraved. The absolute best sled from Mountain Boy is the Ultimate Flyer for several reasons. The first reason is that the runners are made of plastic instead of metal which means it’s safer. The second is its ability to turn–the front and back runners are separate so the turning radius is greater than it would be for metal runners. The Ultimate Flyer is $140 not including shipping from Colorado. You can even add a sled pad to it for greater comfort.
Toboggan
L.L. Bean’s Classic Toboggan is great for multiple sledders at once. You can also get this snow sled engraved and it comes in three sizes–small, classic and extra long. There is a rope to pull in addition to leaning from side to side to steer. The extra slick hardwood is perfect for gliding over the snow. The small version is $95 and the extra long version is $135.
Saucers
A metal saucer is the way to go for faster downhill speeds. Although you have less control over steering a saucer, they are still fun as it gets you close to the snow. The Flexible Flyer Saucer retails for $30 to $40 and is made of steel. Instead of having a long rope attached to it, two small handle grips made of nylon cord are available for both hands.
No matter what sled you choose to buy for your child the ultimate goal is to secure a sled which provides safety and the ability for kids to have great fun at the same time. Always make sure your kids observe all outdoor winter weather precautions so they can sled properly in both safety and comfort.
