The 14 Best Sleds for Kids in 2022, According to Customers

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Snow Sleigh — Photo: Amazon, LL Bean, Maisonette

The surest way to enjoy winter rather than to dread it is to remember just how fun a huge snowstorm is for kids—especially when they can go sledding. But for that to be all fun and no tears, you're going to need the right sled for kids. You want a sled that's appropriate for your child's age and skill level, and one that's sturdy enough not to end up in shreds after a run or two.

In our day, we have seen many a hill littered with shards of plastic sleds and sad corpses of burst snow tubes—not to mention the trash can lids, lunch trays, and garbage bags brought in by kids and parents who failed to buy a good sled before the first snowfall of the year. In order to maximize your sledding enjoyment, we combed through dozens of products to identify the top sleds for kids on the market. To make your search even easier, we separated the sleds into categories so that you know exactly where to look.

For parents with young children, the Gizmo Riders toddler sled can hold up to 55 pounds and has an angled backrest to prevent tipping. And for families with more than one kid, the Back Bay Play sled built for two boasts more than 830 five-star ratings.

One model that will never go out of style is the toboggan, and L.L.Bean's padded version currently sits at a 4.8-star rating. Reviewers rave about its "quality craftsmanship" and "comfortable cushion." If you're in the market for a tube rather than a sled, the ones from GoFloats come in a variety of fun shapes, including an, ice dragon, a unicorn, and a flamingo.

No matter how old your kids are or how often they like to go sledding, there's an option on this list that will work for your family. Scroll down to see our favorite kids' sleds.

Top Overall: Kettler KHW Snow Flyer
Top Toboggan: L.L.Bean Toboggan and Cushion Set
Top Toddler Sled: Gizmo Riders Toddler Sled
Top Baby Sled: Flexible Flyer Baby Pull Sled
Top Wooden Sled: L.L.Bean Kids' Pull Sled and Cushion Set
Top Plastic Sled: Kettler Snow Flipper Sled
Top Saucer Sled: Paricon Steel Saucer
Runner-Up Saucer: L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Saucer DLX
Top Foam Sled: Flexible Flyer Snow Screamer Sled
Silliest Snow Tube: GoFloats Winter Snow Tube
Sturdiest Snow Tube: L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Tube
Top Two-Person Sled: Back Bay Play Lifetime Snow Sled
Best Sled With Brakes: Rydr Snow Runner Bike Sled
Best Snowskate: Krown Snowskate

Top Overall: Kettler KHW Snow Flyer

Buy on Bergdorfgoodman.com Buy on Dick's Buy on Maisonette.com

Your child will be unstoppable in this German-made Formula 1-style sled that's equipped with a steering wheel and contoured driver's seat. Designed for kids ages 6 and up, the Snow Flyer has built-in footrests for added control, making it an ideal racing sled. Parents report that it's basically indestructible.

To buy: $110; maisonette.com.

Top Toboggan: L.L.Bean Toboggan and Cushion Set

Buy on L.L.Bean

This classic wooden toboggan may look delicate, but it's built to withstand the elements, and the attached cushions will keep your little ones comfortable as they fly down snow-covered slopes. "You will be the king of the hill on this sled," one five-star reviewer wrote. "When the neighbors saw it coming down the hill they all wanted to try it."

To buy: $199; llbean.com.

Top Toddler Sled: Gizmo Riders Toddler Sled

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Target

Safely pull your toddler around in the snow with this angled sled that comes with a three-point harness and anti-slip foam seat to keep your child secure. "I would totally recommend this, especially for kids who aren't ready to go downhill sledding solo yet," a reviewer from Alaska said of the sled, which is built for children ages 6 months to 36 months.

To buy: $69.99; amazon.com.

Top Baby Sled: Flexible Flyer Baby Pull Sled

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ace Hardware

Featuring an extra-high back and a built-in adjustable strap to keep your baby upright and protected, this pull sled lets your little ones safely enjoy the snow. One satisfied customer called it the "perfect" gift for their 6-month-old granddaughter: "She hasn't mastered sitting up alone yet, so this sled was exactly what we needed. She didn't want to get out of it!" While the wide base makes the sled incredibly stable, it should not be used in snow that is more than 4 inches deep.

To buy: $45.99; amazon.com.

Top Wooden Sled: L.L.Bean Kids' Pull Sled and Cushion Set

Buy on L.L.Bean

This sled, which is made of kiln-dried northern hardwood, is meant to be pulled and has a sturdy red rope that won't snap when tugged. The included cushion is also water-repellent so you don't have to worry about the seat getting wet. "We're a big ice fishing family and this is a great way to pull along the little ones with all our gear," said one five-star reviewer. "Beautiful heirloom to keep in the family."

To buy: $179; llbean.com.

Top Plastic Sled: Kettler Snow Flipper Sled

Buy on Dick's Buy on Maisonette.com Buy on Neiman Marcus

This sled's upright seat and protective plastic shell make it a great choice for smaller sledders. It has a hand brake on either side for safety—which the occupant can also use to steer—and features a pop-up handle and anti-slip foot holes for easy maneuvering.

To buy: $80; maisonette.com.

Top Saucer Sled: Paricon Steel Saucer

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

A saucer like this is definitely not for small kids or anyone who is going to be sledding with a lot of people and obstacles around, because it's all about speed without much control—but it can be thrilling to spin and slide down the mountain in one of these. This version, made of steel, won't shatter to pieces, so you can use it for more than one storm. Customers love how durable and fast it is, even when there's little snow on the ground.

To buy: $54.99 (originally $114.99); walmart.com.

Runner-Up Saucer: Sonic Snow Saucer DLX

Buy on L.L.Bean

If you're not quite willing to give your kids unlimited speed down the hill, you may want to opt for this saucer from L.L.Bean instead of the one above. It's made of strong and light polyethylene, so again, it's not going to shatter on impact, but it's also slower than a steel sled. "The Sonic Saucer works best on well-packed surfaces, and you have a little more control if you have to bail out or need some directional foot dragging," advised one helpful reviewer.

To buy: $49.95; llbean.com.

Top Foam Sled: Flexible Flyer Snow Screamer Sled

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Ace Hardware

This 36-inch sled is built for speed and comfort. The thick foam material absorbs bumps to create a smoother ride, and it's supported by a crack-resistant plastic bottom that glides through the snow. According to Amazon shoppers, kids love this sled because it's "very fast and lightweight"—the perfect combination.

To buy: $38.35 (originally $40.99); amazon.com.

Top Snow Tube: GoFloats Winter Snow Tube

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

If you're looking for an inflatable tube to keep your kids entertained this winter, you might as well get one in the shape of an animal! Your children will be the envy of the entire neighborhood when they show up to the park with a fire-breathing ice dragon or a goggle-wearing penguin. "Many kids and adults wanted to ride them when they saw how fast and far we were able to go down the hill," one customer, who gave the tube a five-star rating, wrote.

To buy: $34.97; amazon.com.

Sturdiest Snow Tube: L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Tube

Buy on L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean has established itself as a maker of winter equipment that lasts year after year, and this tube is no exception. It's made with an injection-molded semi-rigid polyethylene base and a polyester cover over a heavy-duty inner tube, and it was tested at 40 degrees below zero for 24 hours to make sure it wouldn't puncture like typical tubes do in cold weather. That's why more than 450 customers have given it a five-star review. "This is the family's fifth Bean snow tube, and we still have the first four!" raved one. "So many hours of fun in the snow!"

To buy: $129; llbean.com.

Top Two-Person Sled: Back Bay Play Lifetime Snow Sled

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

Made with high-impact plastic, this sled can comfortably fit two kids—or one adult and child, as often is the case—and has two sets of built-in handles to grip as they go speeding down the hill. Though plastic sleds do break on occasion, there's no beating how light this is when it's time to head back up a steep hill. "We usually go through at least one or two sleds each winter—some have even cracked the first day out," wrote one parent. "I've been looking for a more durable sled… So far, this one has lasted through six sledding days without any signs of damage or cracking."

To buy: $59.99; amazon.com.

Best Sled With Brakes: Rydr Snow Runner Bike Sled

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

Though many of us are used to the "tip over and roll off" method of "braking" while sledding, this bike-ski-sled hybrid might have a better mechanism for slowing and stopping on a hill: dual foot brakes. It's also got handles for better steering on hard-packed snow. "My kid loves this thing more than any sled he's ever used," a parent wrote on Amazon. "Living in the Lake Tahoe area we have used it all."

To buy: $99.99; amazon.com.

Best Snowskate: Krown Snowskate

Buy on Walmart

Skateboarders and snowboarders love any chance they can get to hone their skills, which is why for years they would DIY snowskates with their old decks. This one is a little easier to maneuver than the homemade kind, with a molded plastic bottom that lets riders slide and turn in the snow. After years of dragging a full-size sled up a hill, tweens and teens can challenge themselves to learn a new way to swoosh down it. Customers enjoy report enjoying how it provides a smooth, easy ride for beginners.

To buy: $64.95; walmart.com.

Updated by Allison Cacich

Was this page helpful?