Best Sleds for Kids & Toddlers in 2018

Don’t let the smallest members of your family miss out on all of the fun just because of their age. The Paricon Toboggan is specifically designed to provide toddlers with a safe, parent-controlled approximation of the sledding experience. It’s manufactured using a durable plastic material and weighs 3 pounds so it’s easy to tote around. A high back and safety strap keep your precious cargo firmly in place. This toboggan is ideal for gentle slopes and gives parents the chance to tow small children around through the snow. It’s recommended for riders ages 18 months to 4 years, and comes in a vivid red so you’ll never have any trouble spotting it, even if the snowfall is a little denser than normal!

BENEFITS

Children love the great outdoors, and especially when they get to romp around in the snow outside. This toboggan allows toddlers the chance to have sled-like fun just like the older kids, but with the proper safety measures in place, and mom or dad along to control the speed and direction of the ride.

PROS

• Comfortable seat
• Lightweight and easy to pull
• High back and strap for safety
• Durable plastic
• Gives mom and dad control over the pace and intensity of the ride; perfect for pulling infants around

CONS

• Snow may stick to the bottom and cause imbalance

This Flexible Flyer Steel Saucer is a vintage style saucer for boys and girls. It measures 26 inches in diameter and is four inches deep. Lightweight and easy to carry or transports. Recommended for ages 4-14 years old, the sled has a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.


BENEFITS

The 26” diameter and depth of 4” is a safety feature in that it forms a sort of cradle in which a young child can sit inside and hold onto the rope handles as they are either pushed or towed along in the snow. The sled is lightweight and easy for a child to carry.


Pros

• Lightweight design
• Large “bowl-like” shape cradles child for safety
• Bright red color so it has visibility in the snow
• Affordably priced
• Children ages 4 - 14 can enjoy it

Cons

• Only one child at a time can enjoy it
• Not suitable for children under 4 years of age

One of the most important characteristics of a toddler sled is stability. While toddlers may already have a fair control of their balance, this can be significantly dampened when riding on a particularly fast platform.

This is well thought of by the EMSCO Group when they designed and built the Toddler Sled. With an extra-wide base coupled with a sufficiently high back rest, dutifully molded seat, the EMSCO sleigh is just perfect for young tots as they get to enjoy the great snowy outdoors.

The ultra-wide base is especially designed to keep the toboggan in an upright position, keeping the center of gravity low, and distributing the weight of your young child evenly across the 27- by 20- inch surface of the EMSCO sleigh.

Adding to the superb stability of the EMSCO sleigh is its durable plastic construction. Sitting your tot on the toddler sled is never a problem as the 10-inch high molded seat marvelously wraps the lower body of your child, keeping him or her firmly in his or her seat. It’s quite comfortable, too as the seat has been dutifully padded with extra-soft yet highly durable cushion. Enhancing the safe riding experience of very young kids, the padded seat comes fully equipped with a snap-lock type of seat belt.

At the front of the toddler sled is an elevated or raised support rail designed primarily to contain your child’s feet well within the confines of the EMSCO sleigh. This helps keep your kid’s feet off the cold snow, preventing thermal injuries in the process.

Underneath the base of the EMSCO are straight grooves that function as tracking rails intended to function like the rudder of an airplane or a speedboat, ensuring the sleigh runs in a straight line or direction. So, when you pull or tug the EMSCO using its unusually long towing rope, you can feel very confident about the sleigh not going in other directions.

With all of these design features, there really is no questioning the reliability of the EMSCO toboggan.

BENEFITS

This is the number one toddler sled pick and for good reason; it is the perfect sled for a child aged 1-3 years of age. This sled also has an extra wide base, which is specially created for thesled to remain vertical and the child’s weight distribution is evenly spread across the 20-27” facade of the sleigh.


Pros

• Has a high back for children that aren’t quite fully able to balance on their own
• Has a safety belt to hold the child in as well.
• Has an extra wide base which allowing for even weight distribution
• Has rudders underneath ensuring a straight course
• Sled is elevated to keep child’s feet off the ground

Cons

• Only one child at a time can ride
• Weight limit to 45 pounds

A great majority of cool sleds nowadays don’t incorporate a mechanism for steering which simply means you’re more prone to wipeouts if you are not going to make appropriate plans on the trajectory of your run. To address this, the Flexible Flyer Sled was designed and built specifically to allow older children to exert some degree of control over the direction at which the sleigh is moving.

If you come to think of it, the Flexible Flyer Sled is more a throwback to the classic design of such sleds. The runners are made of high grade solid steel to give it structural rigidity which should be able to support older children. The steel frame and runners are also finished with powder coating to improve its glide run over powder. Forming the platform are several planks of birch wood giving any rider a superbly more comfortable and warmer ride. Providing directional flexibility to the Flyer is a steering bar which allows the rider to maneuver the Flyer around any obstacles in its path.

When fully assembled, the Flexible Flyer Sled measures a full 4 feet long and 2 feet wide giving older kids a very stable platform they can lie on. The height of the platform from the snow surface is 7 inches providing just enough clearance for the runners to work their wonders.

BENEFITS

The Flexible Flyer Sled was designed specifically to address the fact that most sleds do not have a steering mechanism. By giving the Flexible Flyer a steering bar it allows the child to have more control in where the sled is going and how to avoid any obstacles in the path of the sled.


Pros

• Has a steering bar to allow rider a degree of control
• Solid Steel runners give structural rigidity
• Height of platform allows plenty of clearance for runners
• 48” length and a width of 24” which gives even older kids a stable platform to lie on
• Plenty of room for even a tall child to lie on

Cons

• The plastic occasional gets bends in it
• Recommended for riders 5 and up

Handcrafted from ash wood, this beautiful wooden sled is great for pulling along your toddler or infant. With double-slatted backing, it provides extra support for little ones that might need a bit of assistance sitting up. If comfort is a concern, you can purchase a custom-sized padding set that fits over the seat. Both the backrest and runners are steam-bent, it features a protective bar to guard against pointy skis, and a pull rope makes it easy for mom or dad to walk ahead and tote baby behind them. The base is wide-set so toddlers can easily sit and it won’t tip over. It’s about 5 pounds in weight, is best suited for children ages 12 months to 4 years, and runs well in the snow. The classic wooden design is clean and aesthetically pleasing, and the sled itself has a solid base to provide a smooth, safe ride.

BENEFITS

Get your little ones comfortable in and excited about the snow with this parent-powered toboggan. It’s perfect for fun family memories over the holidays, and lets little ones grow accustomed to the elements while in the safety of their little sleigh.

PROS

• Wide-set base; won’t tip
• Double-slatted back support
• Protective guard against skis
• Lightweight
• Clean, classic wooden design

CONS

• Some customers received products where the wood wasn’t finished smoothly

One of the drawbacks of most sleds for sale today is that they come in hard plastic. Not that we are complaining since these high quality plastics are more durable and can last a long time. However, these may not really provide the optimum comfort for your child.

If you are familiar with summertime’s inflatable kiddie rafts, then the Aqua Leisure Kiddie Snow Seal Character Pull Sled is its winter version. This inflatable toddler sled is made of premium grade materials that are guaranteed never to puncture or to lose air inside its cavity. And since the chamber is actually filled with air, you can just imagine the level of comfort that the Kiddie Snow is able to provide for your tot.

You also need not worry about keeping your child securely seated on the Kiddie snow because it has a very high side walls and backrest that is as high as the shoulder of a seated 3-year old kid. This effectively negates the need for safety belts. Simply prop your kid onto the seat, pull the rope, and watch your kid’s face grow in fascination at this unique ride-on toy.

BENEFITS

Your toddler will also be seated securely in place within the confines of the sled because the walls are as high as the backrest and come to the shoulders a seated toddler. As a parent, you just need to prop your toddler up on the seat of the Kiddie and watch as their little face begins to grow in fascination as you begin to pull them around the snow.


Pros

• Inflatable; guaranteed not to puncture or lose air
• Compact and stow and haul easily
• Similar in design to a summertime water raft
• More comfortable than hard plastic
• High backed walls and seat guarantees security

Cons

• Only one child at a time can ride
• Does not have a safety strap or belt

The Lucky Bums Winter Toboggan is designed for older children no less than 3 years of age. For those who are wondering if Lucky Bums has a product designed specifically as a toddler sled, then you’re in luck as Lucky Bums is proud to present to you the Toddler Pull Sled.

From the side, the Toddler Pull Sled looks more like a snowmobile sans the tracked wheels and runners, of course. Nevertheless, the classic lines of a snow mobile were retained, at least from lateral views. When viewed from above, it resembles a mighty spaceship complete with all the safety features that have made Lucky Bums a household name in snow sleighs.

It comes with a high backrest and fully extended, gently sloping sidewalls. Anti-slip panels have been integrated into the foot rest section of the toddler sled to help keep your tot in place. To guarantee that your child is not going anywhere while you’re tugging on the Toddler Pull Sled, safety straps have been included. Adding to the overall stability of the Lucky Bums is a superbly large profile measuring 26.5 inches long and 21.5 inches wide. It is able to accommodate up to 40 pounds.

BENEFITS

The safety features includes anti-slip panels for the footrest, to keep your toddler from slipping out of place. As an added guarantee that your little one will not go anywhere as you tug them along in the snow, there are safety straps incorporated into the sled so that you can safely strap your toddler to the sled, to ensure they don’t fall off.


Pros

• High backrest
• Anti-slip footrest
• Can accommodate up to 40 pounds
• Carries all the safety features of the product
• Has a profile that is large enough so the toddler won’t fall off.

Cons

• Pulling strap is 36 inches long and not adjustable
• Only one child can ride at a time

Parents get ready to experience a sense of nostalgia when you see your child riding on the Flexible Flyer sled. Staying true to the classic design, this sled is composed of birch wood and steel. The combination of wood and steel makes this sled highly durable. Equipped with a steering bar, your child can control the direction the sled goes as they fly down the hill. The steel runners are bright red, which makes it easier for you to spot your kid at the bottom of the hill.

BENEFITS

As your child grips the handlebars they will be increasing their fine motor skills. The sled is lightweight so your child will have no problem carrying it back up the hill. The base of the sled is wide enough for both of your little one’s knees, thus allowing them to have more stability on the sled.

Pros

• The wood and steel make this sled durable
• Includes steering bar
• Children can easily carry it up the hill as it is lightweight
• The base can fit both of your child’s knees.

Cons

• Many reviewers wish the base was longer

The Snow Screamer is a highly modernized version of the Flexible Flyer Sled. Instead of steel runners and a wooden platform for resting one’s body while gliding over snow, the Snow Screamer can be likened to an ultra-futuristic short surfboard with two sets of handles. When viewed from the top, the outline of the Snow Screamer is that of a bomb with a slightly pointed edge at the circular head while the tail has the silhouette of rocket stabilizer fins. Perhaps it is from this view that the Snow Screamer got its name. The runners have been removed. Instead, a lightweight foam complete with directional ridges now provide superior stability at breakneck speeds. Measuring 21.5 inches wide and 47 inches long, the Snow Screamer is built for tandem riding, meaning you can get two older kids to take it for a spin. The super slick bottom helps guarantee fast gliding despite having two riders on the Snow Screamer.

BENEFITS

Without the runners, the Snow Screamer sled is constructed of lightweight foam which has directional ridges that provide enhanced performances at rapid velocities. The Snow Screamer is built for tandem riding at 21.5 inches wide and 47 inches long; ensuring it is large enough for two kids to ride on together. An extremely smooth underside guarantees a fast ride regardless of the extra passenger.

Pros

• Large enough to fit two older kids on it together
• Built for Tandem riding
• Slick bottom for enabling high speed
• Made of a lightweight foam
• Large enough to accommodate more than one rider

Cons

• Child must be 5 years old or more
• Slick bottom gets the sled going at a high speed, not for inexperienced riders.

Your child can feel like their flying as they zoom down the snow covered hills in their snow tube. The tube is 47 inches big so people of all ages and sizes can enjoy it. In fact, a couple of people can ride it together. Not only is the seat wide but it is also deep, thus giving you a little more reassurance that your child will stay in the tube as they ride. The PVC material is durable, comfortable, and glides on the snow perfectly. The large valve on the tube makes inflating quick and easy. When purchasing, you can order your tube in either blue or black.

BENEFITS

The double locking valve guarantees that all of the air stays inside the tube. Equipped with handles, your child can hold on tightly for extra safety. The bottom is made with an anti-scratch material, so hidden rocks and twigs won’t damage the tube. Transporting the tube is easy as it can be folded down and carried in the included travel bag.

Pros

• The seat is wide and deep
• Equipped with handles
• The double locking valve keeps the air inside
• The anti-scratch material protects the bottom of your tube.

Cons

• Does not come with patches to seal punctures.