Kids sled choices?
December 14, 2019 8:44 AM Subscribe
What sleds should I get for my kids?
Please recommend good winter snow sledding sleds for elementary-age kids.
Please recommend good winter snow sledding sleds for elementary-age kids.
A big old-fashioned inner-tube is the best sled. Plus you can use it as a floaty in the summer!
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 8:57 AM on December 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 8:57 AM on December 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
My kids are now in middle & high school but back in the day I bought a LOT of sleds. We seemed to have the best luck with foam sleds. Ideally with completely smooth bottoms. You'll want one small one for each kid, not too big because they are going to have to carry it up the hill. You might also want one big one that they can both fit on, or big enough for an adult and one or more kids.
A lot depends on local conditions. Younger kids can't just go sled on fresh fallen snow and have it be a satisfying experience. It can be super frustrating because the snow needs to get packed down and a good track formed. We have a hilly yard, so usually I would get on a sled and butt-scoot down the hill to make a track for it to all really work well. There is also a big hill behind a local church where the older kids would get the snow tamped down, and that was more work to get to, but the sledding was glorious.
On the big hill behind the church we'd use a hard plastic sled that fit me and 2 kids and with adult weight on it that thing MOVED.
This is in northern Virginia where we don't get a ton of snow, and it doesn't get very cold. Colorado probably has better sledding because there's more snow and its fluffier.
I'd go to Walmart or the local equivalent and buy what they have in stock. Whatever they're stocking is probably what local parents have decided is good. That said I would stay away from little sleds with a seat in them, those never seem to work.
Also, the sooner you buy them the better. My experience is that you want to get the sled way before you'll need it because when it snows or is predicted to snow they sell out fast. Of course this is in NoVA where they don't know how to do snow. YMMV.
posted by selfmedicating at 12:02 PM on December 14, 2019
A lot depends on local conditions. Younger kids can't just go sled on fresh fallen snow and have it be a satisfying experience. It can be super frustrating because the snow needs to get packed down and a good track formed. We have a hilly yard, so usually I would get on a sled and butt-scoot down the hill to make a track for it to all really work well. There is also a big hill behind a local church where the older kids would get the snow tamped down, and that was more work to get to, but the sledding was glorious.
On the big hill behind the church we'd use a hard plastic sled that fit me and 2 kids and with adult weight on it that thing MOVED.
This is in northern Virginia where we don't get a ton of snow, and it doesn't get very cold. Colorado probably has better sledding because there's more snow and its fluffier.
I'd go to Walmart or the local equivalent and buy what they have in stock. Whatever they're stocking is probably what local parents have decided is good. That said I would stay away from little sleds with a seat in them, those never seem to work.
Also, the sooner you buy them the better. My experience is that you want to get the sled way before you'll need it because when it snows or is predicted to snow they sell out fast. Of course this is in NoVA where they don't know how to do snow. YMMV.
posted by selfmedicating at 12:02 PM on December 14, 2019
Seconding the foam sleds with a thin plastic base (we call them sliders or flyers). They're light enough that little kids can haul them up the hill and they're fast.
(Experience level: northern-ish Canada)
posted by bluebelle at 7:18 PM on December 14, 2019
(Experience level: northern-ish Canada)
posted by bluebelle at 7:18 PM on December 14, 2019
I had a Flexible Flyer in elementary school and it was great! The ability to steer without having to drag hands or feet is what sets it apart.
posted by inexorably_forward at 9:49 PM on December 14, 2019
posted by inexorably_forward at 9:49 PM on December 14, 2019
Seconding the selfmedicating's second paragraph about sledding conditions and getting one a sled big enough for tandem riding (adult and kid). Inexorably's Flexible Flyer is great if you're going to a well-used hill; they're ridiculously fast on a well-used hill. The sledders using toboggans, foam boards, tubes, and plastic sleds need to pack the run before a Flexible Flyer can be used. Toboggans, foam boards, tubes, and plastic sleds are good for all conditions. I've always thought a saucer is crazy fun because there is no control -- it might go down the hill spinning or rotate sideways or backwards. Some people consider saucers dangerous because there's no way to ensure that they'll go down facing forwards.
posted by dlwr300 at 7:00 AM on December 16, 2019
posted by dlwr300 at 7:00 AM on December 16, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
But FWIW, Santa will be bringing our family a snow tube (several available on amazon and elsewhere) this year.
posted by nkknkk at 8:46 AM on December 14, 2019